The Ap Calculus teacher

Mr. Collymore

Couple hours later

Jonathan and I sit on the hood of his car briefly catching up. "So back in Winooski, how do you feel?" "Like someone ripped my organs out and pounded my head in." "Wow, passionate." I smile and fiddle with my rings. "You went a different path than we all thought you would." "Ah, the disappointment in your voice."

He places his hand on my thigh, "Not disappointment, wonder." "Wonder, oh fuck me. I grew up that's all there was to it. I enjoyed my life, I let loose. Nothing wrong with being who you truly are."

I slide off the hood and grab my keys from the seat and start for my car. "You look good, style suits you well. Not many girls can pull it off like you." I smile graciously and get in the car heading off.

Next day fourth hour

I walk into class right as the bell rings and he calls me to his desk. "I got you the next unit so you can go ahead and work on it while we get through this one. If you wanna finish this class early I can arrange that, you just have to at some point take the test. Can be today or when they take it if you need review time." I nod my head and take the packets from him. "If you need any help there are resources in the classroom or you can ask me in class." I nod again and take a deep breath, "Can I take the test now?" "I'll have to get it off the printer, but yes. Or you can go to the library, get it and take it in there." "I'll probably just do that."

I rush through the test and make it back to class fifteen before the bell rings. "You're done?" He asks and I nod, "Kinda rushed through it." He takes it and I sit down beginning the work on the next unit.

I pack all my stuff and he calls me to his desk. "We need to have a discussion." He shuts the door as the last student walks out and sits on his desk. "There needs to be an agreement between us." "Okay?" "I let your attitude go yesterday but there will be no more of that. You're brilliant obviously but that does not give you the right to act poorly. So no more cussing, no more rude looks, and remarks. I understand you don't wanna be here so I will do my best for this class to be done and over with but you have to work with me." "Yeah for sure," I say softly and head to lunch.

***

"Hey, what's the Ap Calc teacher's name?" I ask Jonathan and he looks at me furrows his eyebrows and then his face turns straight. "Please tell me you're not like all the other girls." "What? I just don't know his name, what are you talking about?" "Okay good, all the girls think he's hot, but Mr. Collymore everyone calls him Colly though. He's the female soccer coach." "I can't quite pick out his vibe. "Oh he's an asshole most of the time but he has everyone's best interest at heart. Hard grader, strict on just about everything, and is quick to write you up, but on his good days he's easygoing and gets class covered quickly and effectively." I nod my head and the teacher stops by to check my work.

"How long have you drawn?" "Since I was little, bedroom walls were covered in papers." "You're very talented." I smile and start shading my trees.

The whole paper is filled with a valley that has life within it. So some trees have eyes or arms and the flowers have lungs while the grass eats everything that touches it. The mushrooms dance with the leaves of the trees and the pond floods the land with its sorrow.

"What's your plan after school?" Jon asks, "Uh gonna stop by Mr.Colly's to ask a question then head home do some unpacking, workout, shower, bed." He nods and looks at the clock. "God this class takes so long." "I enjoy it," I say starting to take some color to the water.

I focus on the water for the rest of class before getting a message from Samantha. "You wanna kick around a little this weekend?" I groan and shut my phone off and pack my shit up.

I knock softly on Mr.Colly's door and it opens. "Oh hey, Bronx." He seems flustered and caught off guard. "I was wondering if you could help me with one of the questions. I got it started but I'm not sure which operation to use." "Uh yeah," He scratched the back of his head and steps back letting me fully in the room.

"Is now a bad time? I can ask you in class tomorrow." "No, now is fine." I open the packet and show him the problem. He nods and takes my pencils underlining three words. I sigh with a smile and take my pencil back. "Thank you." He nods and scans my body once quickly.

I can see how the girls like him. He's tall, muscular, longish blonde hair with daring eyes. "Do you teach the accounting class?" I ask and he shakes his head no. "That type of math is boring same repeated steps, I like this discovery." "Well, I'm sure you'll discover I'm not as smart as you take me to be." "Oh, I highly doubt that Bronx."

His voice is deep and charismatic, "Now get to class, I'll write you a note." "Oh no, I head home after art." "Oh, well if you ever need help on your work or want a quiet place to work this is my prep period." "I'm sure I'll take you up on that soon. Have a nice day, see you tomorrow." "See you tomorrow."

I shut his door softly and sit in my car for a solid ten minutes thinking. Not so legal thoughts.