Teacher's Pet

7

I have English on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Today it's Wednesday.

I walk into the classroom 5 minutes early. Derek is already there, sorting through his papers. Some students are already here. He looks up when he hears me enter the room.

"Good morning miss Grey." He gives me a faint smile.

"Good morning Mr. Shepherd." I nod and walk over to my seat.

The lesson soon starts and Derek begins teaching. I'm more focused today than I was last time. I can actually take in what he says and learn stuff.

Class ends and as usual I'm the last one filing out. As I walk out the door I stop in my step, suddenly changing my mind. I walk up to Derek who's erasing stuff from the board. His back is turned towards me. I clear my throat and he spins around.

"Yes." I say out of nowhere.

"Sorry?"

"I'm saying yes."

"Did I ask you a question?"

"Earlier you told me we could be friends. And now I'm saying yes."

"Oh. Really?"

"You sound shocked."

"Yeah well I am, I didn't think you wanted to- I mean- I was just being nice."

"So you don't wanna be friends?"

"I didn't say that."

I eye him suspiciously. "Then what are you saying?"

He chuckles. "I don't know, that I'm open for ideas? If you wanna talk and stuff sometimes we could do that. Go for walks maybe?"

He sits down in his chair still looking up at me.

"Maybe I could help you with your writing? Read your poetry?"

"You really want to?"

"Yes."

"It's not that good."

"I can't tell until you've let me read it."

"Fine." I roll my eyes and start walking away.

"Meredith?"

I spin around.

"Are you free after your classes today?"

I nod.

"Meet me on that bench you were reading on at 4.30. Bring your writing."

I barely answer him. I just give him a slight smirk while backing out of the room slowly then closing the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I show up with my notebook at 4.30 to be exact. He's already sitting there. I notice him looking down and writing. I walk up to him.

"Writing poems yourself?"

He looks up and chuckles.

"If you call grading papers poetic, then sure."

I smile and sit down next to him. He puts his papers aside, crosses one leg over the other and clasps his hands.

"How's your day been?"

"Fine. Can we just get this over with?" I answer shortly.

He looks surprised. "Meredith, if you don't wanna do this that's completely fine."

"But I do! I'm sorry..I'm just nervous.."

"No need to be. This isn't class, I'm not grading you. This is just a friend reading another friend's work, ok?"