SILHOUETTE

Chapter 2

Setting up her classroom was probably going to be Simone's favorite thing. She loved themes so going into her first year of teaching by herself, she wanted to make sure she featured a diverse group of artists on her wall as well as showcasing a little bit of her own work. She hadn't really toured the campus so she decided to do that on her own. It was only around 10 am when she finished making sure she knew where everything was that was necessary.

She stood in her room seeing the current set up. It wasn't run down but it needed a little razzle dazzle in her opinion. Going through the three boxes she managed to pull in on a dolly , she disinfected the white boards and her own desk getting that out of the way. She hung up the various framed art and saved tackling the stacked desks for last.

When did desks get so heavy or just maybe she lost her upper body strength. Simone felt like she was already getting tired attempting to move one. She rolled her eyes at herself knowing she had to get it done.

"This shit is for tall people." She couldn't move this by herself.

Simone couldn't find anybody in the hall until she spotted someone in the distance. She saw the principal conversing with the tall man and the woman turned her attention with a bright smile.

"Are you getting settled in Simone?" Principal Kennedy asked.

The man turned his attention to Simone giving her a soft smile. His eyes seemed to sparkle and it was a bonus that he wasn't bad to look at. Keisha would be all over him in a heart beat if she was single.

"Yeah... about that. I am sure a giant stacked those desks and as athletic as I am, I refuse to die before my first day."

Jordan chuckled clasping his hands together. Principal Kennedy shot a glance at the man and Jordan cleared his throat offering an apology.

"Coach Baker, why don't you use your height for good and help out our new art teacher. Simone, this is Coach Jordan Baker. He coaches our varsity football team. Jordan, this is Simone Hicks."

"Hi, nice to meet you." She held out her hand as Jordan accepted giving her a firm handshake.

Simone mentally scolded herself for staring as she immediately pulled away.

"Pleasure is all mine. Welcome to Westview. My players should be coming in shortly, We can put them to work." He offered.

"Oh, I don't want to intrude on the practice." Simone said sincerely.

"I call it an bonding experience. I am sure they will take helping you over running laps."

Simone being silent was a dead giveaway that she was nervous around this man. She didn't know what was in the Houston water but everybody seemed to be pretty as hell. She simply nodded turning on her heel expecting the coach to follow.

"So, are you from around here?" Jordan asked.

"No, Atlanta actually. You?"

"Beverly Hills."

"What made you come to Houston , isn't Beverly the dream?"

"Sure, if your a Kardashian and lack talent. I wanted a change of pace. I played professional for a bit but decided I wanted to do something else."

"You were in the NFL? And you left it to.. coach some high schoolers?" Simone mused going into her classroom. As he walked past her , she got a hint of his cologne.

Yup, something was in the Houston water. Men who were handsome , tall and smelled good just screamed like they were trouble. Jordan smirked nodding taking down a desk. He sent a group text to all the players informing them that they had to meet him in Simone's classroom to help once they arrived for practice.

"I had a few injuries here and there. What brings you to Houston?"

"Art was always my second love after tennis so I decided that I didn't want to play at a professional level anymore my sophomore year and ultimately found myself here at the end of it." Simone responded as if it was no big deal.

"You gave up playing professionally to tell some high schoolers that they suck at art because they can't get past drawing stick figures? Gross." Jordan humored listening to her dictate where to move the three desks.

"Ayo Coach B, where you at?" Jordan drew his attention to the hall hearing one of his players yell.

"Boy, stop yelling like you don't have home training. Get y'all behinds in here. Now!"

Simone waved as the players took over her room towering over her. Jordan offered his help in anyway mostly putting his players to work before sending them off to the field for practice. Simone finished what she had left to do and was making her way to the parking lot when she had heard her name.

"Damn, you walk fast." Jordan slowed down.

"What can I do for you Coach Baker?"

"Please, call me Jordan."

"Mmm... I have a thing where I like to give credit where it is due so I think I'll stick to Coach Baker." She politely informed.

"Uh hey listen, here's my number. Maybe we can get coffee tomorrow and I can show y-"

"Not interested. I'll take a look at yelp reviews and decide for myself. Thank you for your help and thank your players for me." She cut him off , unlocking her doors.

"Oh come on, I am your first friend here. It's just a number. Just in case kind of thing."

Simone did come here for a new experience and meeting new people. Coach Baker seemed nice but she was remaining focused on having a good first year with no distractions. Jordan held out his card and she took it stuffing in her back pocket.

"I think we'll get along swimmingly Ms. Hicks." He assured with a wink .

"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say Coach."

"We'll be besties before the homecoming dance."

"Confidence goes a long way." Simone raised her brows.

"You just wait, you won't be able to resist my company. this will be fun." He looked her up and down for a moment. He tried to keep it professional but it was very obvious to anyone with eyes that Simone Hicks was attractive.

"Goodbye Coach Baker. Have a good rest of your night!"

Jordan frowned holding a hand to his heart at the dismissal.

"Dagger to the heart, ouch."

He held her car door open and watched her get inside before closing it. He was sure that this wasn't going to be his last encounter with Simone. He liked getting to know his co-workers but something about her was different from what he was used to. She already made him want to know more. He couldn't put his finger on it but something about her energy pulled him in. He was looking forward to spending a whole year finding out.

"Take it easy , I'll be seeing you around."