MY FAVORITE RIVAL

CHAPTER 1 PART 2

When I arrived at Rite Olympia Academy I felt completely lost and out of place.
I wasn't ready for such a big new adventure; I've always been a teacher for 10- to 13-year-olds, and I wasn't really ready for the idea of working with some of my near-peers.
I mean, they are only 10 years younger than me some!
I'm going to try, I'm here now and I can't make myself look like a soft wimp as soon as I get here, I'll be able to get those rascals to respect me....
I think.

As soon as I crossed the threshold, a woman in her forties who was blond, tall, quite thin and pretty came up to me to welcome me.
I think she's the principal, she definitely looks like one!

Lauren: But good afternoon Professor Wave, finally your wait is over!
Happy to be here?
I'm the principal of this school, Lauren Cooper.

Nick: Nice to meet you, Nicholas Wave, but I think you already know that.

I scratched the back of my head slightly embarrassed at my poor approach, then shook her hand and hinted a smile.
I was excited, a mixture of anxiety, excitement and fear.

I followed her looking at the tour of the school she was showing me, the various classrooms, computer rooms, movie rooms, theater rooms, and music rooms.
All very interesting, but the only one I will be able to use for my subject will be the theater room and, on some occasions, the cinema room.

I was immediately introduced to a wacky professor with glasses as thick as a tea towel full of water.
Yes, maybe the simile is not much, but I think you get the meaning!
I reached out my hand to meet him and smiled, then he introduced me to 5 other professors one after another and I did the same.
They seemed quite welcoming and helpful, no special cases....
strange!

I kept following her, when in the teachers' break room I heard a male voice humming a familiar song, but I didn't know where I had heard that tune either; it certainly wasn't what I was listening to, my beloved classical music.
We entered the small room and immediately I saw a tall, powerful, well-dressed man with his back turned toward the coffee machine, waiting for one to come out.
He tapped his fingers on the desk nearby and his foot on the floor as well, then turned around when the principal shouted out

Principal: "Dylan, I have a new acquaintance."

The man turned around, once he looked he was not as old as he looked, he must have been only a few years older than me.
He was dark-haired, light-eyed, broad-shouldered, and a nice white shirt with a black tie.
A fake lawyer, in short.

The professor turned to look at me and squared me from head to toe as he reached out his hand to shake it.
He stopped his clear eyes on mine and hinted a smirk as he tilted his head.

Dylan: Oh, hello there monsieur.
I really want to see you at work, I don't think you can keep the kids. By the way, Mr. ...?

Nick: Nicholas, Nicholas Wave.
Just call me Professor Wave, no name for you, I guess you don't need one do you?

Dylan: Mmh I don't care honestly, I'm just telling you that the kids here are tough and you seem like a weak little precis, but I can always teach you.

Dylan winked at me and then took his coffee from the machine, taking a sip.
He turned around and before leaving the teacher's lounge he paused at the edge.

Dylan: I know you'll be one of the many people who hate me, we'll have a good time.

He walked away and I looked at him ruefully.
It pissed me off the way he acted around me. What does he think ? that he's better than me?
No kidding.
And anyway, I won't calculate him at all, peace.
I followed the principal to continue the tour of the school, and once I finished, I went home since I was going to start teaching the next day.

Back at the apartment I quickly undressed and rushed to the bathroom to finally take a shower after the trip and the long day.
I relaxed and finished my shower, dressing once I got out.
I ordered myself a take-out margherita pizza for dinner, and when I finished eating it, I decided to go to the balcony.
It was now late in the evening, I made myself a hot herbal tea and went out with my blanket on.
I leaned against the railing and looked out at the beautiful and colorful Brooklyn cityscape.
I took a sip and shortly afterwards I heard a voice.

Dylan: Colleagues and even neighbors now?
Wonderful, I think you can count yourself very lucky, not everyone has the privilege of seeing me not in a suit and tie.

That voice, that timbre, those words ...
could only be one person.
I had seen him only once and already I knew what a person he was.
I looked up and turned to see in the balcony next to me Dylan, Professor Dylan Hallen.
He was shirtless, completely.
He had only a black jumpsuit for pants and nothing else.
Just a super gymnastic physique and a few tattoos.
He lit a cigarette and brought it to his lips, looking at me with a smirk and handing me the cigarette.

Nick: I don't smoke that crap, thank you.
So you live here? Nick: What a joy.
But you're renting too, I guess.

Dylan: Nahh, I've lived right here for years.
What a joy yes, you don't know how much of a mess I make.

He finished his cigarette and looked at me with that smirk of his, giving me a nod.

Dylan: Well I salute you my colleague, it's been a pleasure.