School Affair

Chapter 13

The day after the test, Jessica walks into the staff room feeling nervous, she walks to her desk putting her stuff down and being greeted by Maryam.

"Morning. If you are looking for Mr. Johnsen, he is not here yet. So, tell me, how was the test yesterday?"

"Super tough, just like I expected."

"Well, I hope you still get a good score so that the kids can do their study camp" nodding to that, she notices a shadow approaching them, followed with a low voice which scared the both of them.

"Good morning. We will be starting the study camp this weekend, so we need to start preparing immediately." Not catching everything Nathan said, Jessica begins to speak until she realizes what he just said.

"All right. Wait, what did you say?"

"I said, we are starting the study camp this weekend."

"Does that mean I passed the test!? Why didn't you say so from the beginning?! That's great news!"

"Calm down. Anyone could pass a test like that. And how many times do I have to tell you? You have a bad habit of letting yourself get carried away."

"Right...I am sorry." Still not being able to stop herself from smiling, she listens to him while he starts talking again.

"Just as I said before, we are going to be re-training many of the teachers there. And since you are my partner, I expect the most from you. I suppose I can admit that you worked very hard but I don't want you to stop progressing. Keep up the hard work." Agreeing with that, they start preparing for the first lessons.

After school, Maximillian suddenly approaches her and she remembers that they haven't talked to each other since the day they saw him with that woman.

"Can I help you with anything, Maximilian?"

"We just got the information about the study camp. That means you passed the test."

"Yeah, I actually passed. I am sure the study camp will be rough, but let's hang in there okay. I know the classes will help you guys a lot"

"Yeah, I promise I will do my best and help the guys where I can. Also... there is something I wanted to ask you. Is the reason I didn't get punished about my job because of you?"

"After I discussed it with Mr. Johnsen, we decided to let you go this time. But there won't be a second time, okay?"

"Thank you so much. Don't worry. I quit, just like I promised."

"There is something I don't understand. Why did you started doing this job in the first place?"

"...Because the pay was good"

"Okay...well, just try not to do jobs like this anymore."

Before they were able to keep talking the door bursts open and a student walked in.

"Miss Hower! Did you see Mr. Knight coming in here?"

"Hmm, he actually went to the teacher's room." Thanking her the student left the room together with Maximillian.

Sometime passed and today is the first day of the overnight study camp for the accelerated class. For one week, they will have their regular classes during the day and special classes at night. Its going to be a lot of work but Jessica is excited to know all the teachers will be there and to get know them better.

"Good morning, everyone." Walking inside the staff room, Simon greets everyone, which surprises Jessica, to find the school nurse at the school.

"What are you doing here Simon?"

"Nathan, wanted me on stand-by just in case any students got sick or injured." Speaking about him, Nathan appears and looks around them.

"All right, looks like everyone is here. Let's do our best and make the most out of this study camp."

"Nathan, you and Jess are going to have the toughest time, though. You two have to stay overnight to chaperone the students. And I have heard rumors that this school is...haunted. Supposedly there was a teacher doing the rounds at night when suddenly a cold hand touched her out of nowhere. Then she heard a pitiful voice wailing...Teacher...Teacher...I have been looking for you...don't leave me!" being a scared cat doesn't help her at all and she hasn't notices how she grabs the suit of Nathan who was standing next to her.

"S-Stop! Please! I don't want to hear anymore!" laughing at her, Simon wipes his tears away.

"I didn't know you were such a scared cat, Jess. But there are two things you should be more worried about than ghost stories" pointing at her hand which was still grabbing his suite, she feels so embarrassed and quickly apologizes.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to do that..." the confusing thing is Nathan didn't say anything about it he just looks at her with an irritated look.

"Well there is something else you need to be worried about. You know...a young man and a young woman, about to spend the whole night together?" wiggling his eyebrows at her, Simon teases her again.

"What are you talking about? That would never happen."

"Ouch! I bet that has to hurt hearing that right, Nathan."

"Not at all. In fact, I share her opinion. I would never do something that vulgar." Having a sharp tongue as always, he looks at Simon and then turns to Jessica with much more soft eyes now.

"This is such a waste of time. Let's go to the classroom." Walking ahead of her, he doesn't even wait for an answer and expect her to follow him.

"...And that's the goal of this study camp. Your schedule is written on the sheet in front of you. Are there any questions?" the students look at the schedule and a lot of them complaint how packed it is, watching over the students from the back of the classroom she hears Nathan clearing his throat.

"One more thing: All club activities will be canceled during the study camp. All the teachers reached the decision together." This is the first time for Jessica to hear that as well, she also can understand the complains of the students. They focus a lot on there physical education, some off them even have matches coming up, where they need to practice.

"You can start your club activities again when you reach the goal. I hope you all understand that." Coming up with an idea Jessica silence the students again and looks at Nathan.

"Couldn't you let them practice every other day or something like that." Clearly being pissed Nathan stops her.

"This is the best decision for the students and that's final. Everyone take out your textbook and we will begin class." Apparently, Nathan has no intention of barging with the unhappy students and that's how the  study camp begins.