Frerard - Yes Sir!

Chapter 2

I'll be honest. I didn't get a great deal of work done that first day. The kids just wanted to ask me questions, and none of them were art related.

"Sir? Aren't you a bit young to be a teacher?"

"Mr Way? Whats your real hair colour?"

"Sir. You smell really nice."

"Sir. Are you married? Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Does anybody want to ask me something about art?" I asked with a wry smile.

"Nah. Sir? How much do you get paid?"

"What kind of car do you drive?"

It was honestly a little exhausting, as every class had questions for me, although I did feel like it was a good bonding exercise. I also got a feel for each of the kids in class. I could tell the ones that were going to try their luck, or the ones that wanted a laugh out of the rest of the class. I could also spot the ones who were quiet but may actually have some talent but were afraid to be noticed by anyone else in the class.

I sat in my classroom at lunch and quietly ate my sandwich, breathing a sigh of relief that my first morning had gone without a hitch. I smiled to myself, realising that it had actually been quite enjoyable. All of the kids had been fine and hadn't asked anything that I couldn't handle.

There was a light knock at the door and I sat up straight as I shouted for whoever it was to come in.

It was one of the teachers that had flirted with me earlier. Miss James I think her name was.

"I was just coming to ask if you wanted to join us for lunch" she smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. "But I see you're already sorted" she continued gesturing towards my sandwich.

"Oh yes I'm fine thank you. Just wanted a bit of quiet, you know" I replied pleasantly.

"Oh I'm sure. Have you had a grilling from the kids?" she asked with a giggle.

"Yes, you could say that. And I don't think I'm quite ready for another one from the teachers just yet" I replied, a little of my sass escaping involuntarily.

She just laughed. "Oh, we're not that bad. We don't bite you know. Not unless you want us to."

I internally cringed at her mom joke and pretended to laugh back.

Once she had left, I let my head fall back against my chair and mentally prepared myself for the afternoon to come. I had the older kids, and although the morning had been fine, I was still a little nervous about how they would be with me.

As it happens, they were just fine. I cursed myself for becoming one of those people who instantly expected the worst from teenagers. I hated it when I was younger. The way everybody just assumed you were an asshole, with a terrible attitude, just because you were a teen. It wasn't fair, and I was angry at myself for thinking that way too.

As the last class of the day neared its end, the kids slouched back in their seats and readied themselves to be off for the day. There had been more questions. Some of which I answered and some of which I just laughed off and told them to mind their own business.

"Sir?" a girl at the front of the class spoke.

"Yeah?"

"Can I just say. You're actually really cool. I think I'm gonna really enjoy art this year" she smiled.

I couldn't contain my smile in return, and I'm sure I blushed slightly.

"Well thank you......Emma?" I guessed at her name and she nodded. "I can't say I've ever been called cool before though."

"Well you are Sir" a boy now spoke up. "In fact, I think you're pretty much as cool as Mr Iero."

"Mr Iero?" I quizzed. "He's cool huh?"

The entire class nodded in agreement. I would take that. First day and being compared to the cool teacher they clearly all liked. Fuck yeah!

After clearing up my classroom, I grabbed my jacked and headed out of the building. I was desperate for a smoke, but thought I ought to wait until I got to my car before lighting up.

Walking across the car park I spotted Frank laughing with one of the students. The kid was carrying a guitar case and was laughing back at him as though he had clearly made some kind of joke. I also noticed that Frank hadn't bothered waiting until he reached his car before lighting up, as he brought a cigarette to his lips and inhaled deeply. Although it seemed somewhat unprofessional, especially as he was currently speaking with one of his pupils, I couldn't help but notice that it made him look even hotter. As I put my head down and headed towards my car, I heard Frank yell over to me.

"Hey. Wait up!" he shouted.

I stopped and smiled towards him as he jogged over to me.

"So?" he began. "How did it go?"

"It was okay" I admitted.

"Yeah? Nobody pulled any stunts with you? Fuck about to see how much you could take? " he laughed almost mockingly.

"No" I replied. "They were all great."

"Mhm" he grinned. "I'm not sure you're gonna be able to deal with some of them" he laughed.

I was a bit pissed off that he thought I wouldn't be able to handle them.

"It was fine" I repeated, then feeling a little cocky, added, "In fact, they said I was as cool as Mr Iero, whoever he is."

I felt pleased with myself at that as Frank raised an eyebrow.

"As cool as Mr Iero? Seriously? He's pretty cool you know" he smirked weirdly.

"Yeah. Well apparently I am too" I retorted.

"Ok" he snickered. "If you say so. But Mr Iero is one cool motherfucker."

I just shrugged, pleased that he seemed a little jealous.

"Anyway. I'm pleased for you man. Glad you had a good day." Frank said. "I'll let you get going."

"Yeah. Thanks" I smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sure will. Have a good night 'Mr Cool'" Frank laughed as he headed to his car.