Sheep Amongst Wolves [Teacher \ Student]

one ; hold back

His hand was busy guiding her and he barely got to greet any of his friends. Noel felt slightly bad for making Leon constantly worry about her. She knew that he wanted to play basketball, and that the coach wanted him to play as well, but Leon had always been something before he was himself.

Noel's brother, and so, he saw it as his obligation to also be her protector.

"Hey Leo!" Greg slapped Leon's back in a friendly manner. 

"Hey man!" Leon smiled, shaking his hand in a bro- way. 

"What's up Noel?" Gregory asked, smiling at his best friend's sister and ruffling her hair. Gregory was probably one of the only people in the world Noel kind of liked and got along with. 

"I'm good," Noel smiled, straightening her hair. "And I would appreciate it if you'd stop messing my hair."

"Sorry," he smiled, offering a fist to bump. She smiled back, bumping her fist with his. "Do I get a hug?" Leon threw his friend a warning glance. "Friendly hug," he explained to Leon. "You know I wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't dare what?" Noel asked, confused.

"Nothing," the two smiled. They exchanged a look, making Noel wonder what was going on.

"So, a hug?" Gregory asked, smiling at Noel warmly. Gregory spent the whole summer at England, with his uncle, so unlike the usual tradition of him hanging out with Leon (And on the process, usually Noel as well), he have seen them only twice that summer.

Noel smiled, hugging him. He squeezed her slightly, and after few moments stepped back.

"Good seeing the two of you again," he stated, and just as he was about to say something more, Leon's suddenly ran a rough hand through Gregory's hair brown, "ow, what?"

"You have to cut it," he said seriously.

"Why?" he smirked, "I think I look good, don't you think so too, Noel?"

"What?" Noel asked, confused.

"Seriously dude," Leon continued before his sister got a chance to add anything else. "Cut it."

"I was going to," Gregory smirked, "but I think I'm gonna keep it long for just a while longer."

"Are you actually doing it on purpose?"  Leon asked, scoffing. "Are you five?" He shook his head, "whatever man. If you're having fun, who am I to tell you to cut it?"

"It's really fluffy," he smirked, running a hand through his hair. "Here, touch it," he offered to Leon.

"No thank you," Leon gave him a funny look. 

"Noel?" Greg offered, and she glanced at Leon. If it was up to her, she would touch it, but Leon was also kind of over-protective over the dumbest things. He shrugged, signaling 'whatever'.

So she did, "it's fluffier than mine," she commented.

"Really?" Leon asked, intrigued.

Within seconds, the three started patting each other's hair, comparing methods of taking care of it. Any normal person that walked past them gave them a quizzical look.

The bell suddenly rung, shaking the three from any previous thoughts (or lack of thoughts, resulting them in patting hair in the middle of the corridor), "hey, what class do you have now?" Greg asked.

"We both have Economics," Leon stated, his over- protective sneaking around Noel's shoulder once more. Gregory's eyes lit up. "You too?" He nodded. "Cool," Leon smiled.

"Let's go then, or we'll be late."

•••

Being late wasn't an issue at that moment for any student, because Connor woke up late. He was in a hurried race to get to the school on time, and was thanking God for living just five minutes drive from the school.

He rushed into the school, eleven minutes late.

He got to Room 356 just three seconds before it turned into thirteen minutes.

"Sorry I'm late," he breathed out. "I'm the new Eco teacher, Connor Kingsley. So, from what I understood the job that got cleared was thanks to..." he read at the attendance list, "you, Mr. Hale." 

Gregory looked up, "what? Did you call me?" 

Most of the class laughed, but Noel was drawing stick figures at the end of her notebook. Leon was texting Noel, knowing she was ignoring the messages. Gregory looked around, confused as to why the people around him were laughing.

"What? Did I miss something?"

"I was thanking you for scaring the living daylight out of Mr. Brooks, or I would still be jobless." Connor said simply, making Gregory grin.

"Sure man, no problem," he leaned in his seat, "whenever you need." Which resulted another small laugh.

"Okay, let's see who is here..." He looked around, seeing that no seat was free. "Is anyone not here today?"

A murmur of words went through the class, and eventually Connor realized everyone were there that day.

"Never mind then, let's get to know you," he smiled, sitting down on his desk. "Just say your name and..." he considered saying 'an animal that starts with the first letter of your name', but figured they would think they're too old for this. "And a favorite TV show, or a movie."

A quick round went through, in which most girls would say their name followed by one of the following:

A. Cliche romantic movie.

B. Cliche romantic comedy movie.

C. America Next Top Model.

D. Pretty Little Liars.

E. Gossip Girl.

Most boys, on the other hand stuck to sports movies and weird actions movies. 

Gregory, very proudly said "Arrow", making Leon poke his sister, and give her three fingers.

That was their mark to say "nerd" to Gregory, making him turn to glare.

"What?" Noel asked, "why did we even call you nerd?"

"I said my favorite TV show is Arrow."

"Oh," Noel grinned, "Nerd."

"Shut up Noel," he rolled his eyes, "like yours is any better."

Connor sighed- he knew it. 

"Yes, Noel," he spoke up. "What is your favorite TV show?"

Noel blinked at him once, "SpongeBob," she replied simply, going back to doodling.

"And you?" he pointed at Leon, that sighed.

"Scrubs," he said simply.

Connor looked at him funny, "Seriously?"

"Minus season nine, obviously." Leon clarified, "What's your name, man?" he asked, realizing he didn't listen at the beginning.

"Connor Kingsley," he repeated, "and I would appreciate it if you'd stop texting."

"I would too," Noel commented, in a whisper. "You're killing my battery."

"Shush," he ordered, and his sister obliged, drawing a monster that was eating Sticky, her stick figure. 

She took a red pen, writing R.I.P STICKY, and closed the notebook, waiting for class to be over as Connor started talking about what was his plan for the year.