Frerard - Yes Sir!

Chapter 6

I managed to successfully avoid Lindsey for the remainder of the afternoon, only crossing paths when she came in to check how the set was progressing. It was all purely professional, thank God, due to all the kids being around us. Frank and I seemed ok after our little 'moment' in my storeroom. Once back in the hall, he reverted straight back into fun Mr Iero mode and the issue was quickly forgotten. Perhaps it wasn't even something that registered with him, possibly just me imagining (or hoping) that something had occurred.

By Friday, the set still wasn't finished, and the performance was due to take place early the following week. Lindsey came to find me towards the end of day and cornered me in my classroom.

"Gerard?" she smiled as she moved even closer. "You are coming for drinks tonight aren't you?"

I had done so well avoiding her up until now, but she just wasn't getting the hint. She ran her fingers up my arm and batted her eyelashes in the most obvious way imaginable.

"Oh. I can't tonight" I quickly replied, looking for an escape route.

"Aww" she mewled. "I've hardly seen you all week."

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that. Just got a lot going on at the moment" I apologised.

Now was the perfect moment to just tell her I wasn't interested. I just couldn't seem to find the words though, and instead kept babbling and trying to come up with a plausible excuse.

"Oh come on Gerard. Please!"

Just as panic set in even more as she further closed the gap between us, I heard my door open. Looking over, I saw one of my pupils standing in the doorway, thankfully oblivious to the scene in the corner of the room.

Lindsey moved back quickly and I ducked out of her way.

"Sir?" a small voice inquired through the room.

"Yeah. Over here Katie" I answered and she looked over with a smile.

"Oh Hi Sir. I just wanted to collect my portfolio if that's ok? Was hoping to do a bit more work on it over the weekend."

"Sure you can" I beamed at how conscientious some of my students were. "I'll help you find it."

She walked over to the piles of plastic folders and began to rifle through them looking for her own.

"Well thanks Miss Ballato" I said loudly to Lindsey, ushering her towards the door.

"Oh. Um. Yes. I'll see you soon Mr Way" she replied looking a little put out.

I breathed a sigh of relief as she left, and by the time I reached Katie, she had found her work and was soon on her way too.

I sat down and rolled my shoulders to ease the tension that was building up. I wondered what I was going to do with my now free Friday night. There was nobody around to spend any time with. Mikey was away at college now and my parents were on vacation. I could probably just get a takeaway and have a movie marathon, but the nagging feeling that the stage set was sat unfinished was bothering me.

I gathered up my bag and headed off to the Drama Hall. I would have a couple of hours painting. It always relaxed me, and I could enjoy the weekend more knowing there wasn't a mountain of work left to do on Monday.

Popping my ear buds in and selecting the perfect playlist to work to, I set about painting the gaps in the huge backdrop. I was immersed in my own world, singing along and sloshing paint across the dark night sky scenery.

As I stepped back to assess how it was looking, I was pounced on. Heavy hands on my shoulders, shaking me slightly.

"Jesus. Fuck" I shouted as I spun around, pulling my earbuds from my ears.