More or Less Grown-up Affairs

Chapter 4

"Hello, students." A man said in a monotone voice. "My name is Mr. Hiney. I teach third grade, but I'm your teacher for today. Mr. Whoever-Your-Teacher-Is has a doctor's appointment in Nevada, and the school is too cheap to get a real substitute teacher. By the end of this class, most, if not all, of you will hate me. Just remember, I see you as the dirt beneath my lovely feet. Children. They're disgusting little creatures if you ask me. The one thing on this planet God allowed Satan to create."

"Why would he become a teacher if he hates kids?" Claire whispered to Leaf, leaning over in her seat. Suddenly, a marker cap flew across the room, hitting Claire's desk and bouncing to the floor. Claire went stiff as a board.

"SILENCE YOURSELF, CRETIN!" Mr. Hiney shouted. "Your teacher left a worksheet for you to do. You will be matching shapes-" he was cut off as all the students groaned, flopping their arms around, throwing a little tantrum.

"Mr. Sir, none of us understand how to match! He asks too much of us! Claire and I don't understand it, and we're the smartest and second smartest kids in class! We don't want to match shapes!" Leaf said, sitting up straighter in his chair.

"And I don't want to be here. Life's full of disappointments, kid! Get used to it." Mr. Hiney said, placing a paper on Baldhart's desk. As Mr. Hiney placed a worksheet on Calvin's desk, he noticed that Calvin was staring at the back of Baldhart's head. "Don't bother with that, boy. She's WAY out of your league." He told Calvin, placing a hand on his desk.

"What would you know? You squeaky grocery cart. She might like me." Calvin said, looking up at the teacher. Mr. Hiney mumbled something about kids being disrespectful and continued passing out papers.

"He's right. She's too pretty for you. You have a better chance with someone like me." Adaline whispered from behind him with a smile on her face. Calvin turned around, scrunching his nose in disgust.

"Ew. You have cooties. I'd literally rather match these shapes than like you." He said. Adaline's face fell. He turned around and tapped Baldhart on the shoulder. "I'll be right back." He told her when she turned to face him. She nodded as he left the classroom.