louie my beloved

chapter one

He sighs heavily, slipping out of bed. It felt like he just got to sleep how is it already morning? Jeez...time goes by fast...

He opened his closet's door, searching through his clothing. Most of it was hoodies and clothing for work. A button-up , he decided, would be nice. Maybe a red sweater too to deal with the coldness of the wintertime. A simple pair of jeans and his normal boots would work fine. It was a Tuesday. He had so many things planned for the children.

The lesson plan he had sorted out yesterday would keep their attention while also ensuring they learn what they need. Well...he wasn't positive they would get anything done with how often they get distracted. Actually..it would probably be smarter to just let them work on their work from the day before. It's not like they'll listen to his lesson anyway. They never listen to him. EVER. It was his second year teaching high schoolers, they could at least cut him some slack.

Winter break had ended about three days ago and he was already wishing for another break. He knew French wasn't the most exciting language ever, but it was their fault for signing up for it. No matter how many times he had AP come into the room to settle them down, it didn't work. They would behave for a few moments longer before disobeying again. It was an endless cycle, wake up, get everything ready, be harassed by his own students, go home, eat, stay up making a lesson plan, go to bed, repeat.

He was sick of it.

He knew he shouldn't have signed up for this job. It was a stupid idea. Yet, he did. Of course, he did. He talked to his therapist, and she said to quit by the end of the year, find a new job. But he didn't. He stuck with the stupid teacher job.

He knew what he wanted to do.

He shouldn't have let his thoughts get the best of him.

His eyes narrowed as he grabbed the matches from his kitchen's junk drawer after changing into his clothes. It might be the last time he sees his home. That's alright. He didn't have much to live for anyway. He had no partner, no pets, no children. Nothing.

His badge sat on the table.

Louie.

They didn't put his last name. He asked them not to.

If they did, the students would jump on him like wild animals, howling with laughter and attacking his name.

He didn't have them call him by his last name either. Louie was just fine. Some kids were nice to him, polite. Some...weren't.

Being told to 'go back to France' was the last thing he expected when starting his job. That wasn't the end of it either. Rumors spread around that he was sleeping with the math teacher across the hallway. He knew who started it. The student who didn't like him at all. He was the one to mostly call him out of things. Though, if anyone knew Louie well, they would know that he would never hook up with Ms. B...he wasn't into girls. Though the student who continuously tortured him thought it was funny. He thought every little detail about Louie was something to laugh about. Louie started to become uncomfortable speaking around people because of him. He was always told that he had a weird accent, like he was drunk. Louie never drank.

He waited quietly at his desk as students shuffled in. He was staring at his computer. Nothing was on it he just didn't want to look at his students. The matches sat in his pocket. Ready.

Third period. He thought, would be a perfect time.

Most of the kids who harassed him where in that class. Passing period. As the students left the class, he could keep a few behind. Maybe he could make them light the fire. Blame them.

Yeah. He could do that. He could blame them. They were known for being jerks so maybe they wouldn't be surprised. He's heard from the science teachers that they never listen to safety instructions. Math teachers say they put slurs into their calculators and show it to their friends. Who would trust someone who does that sort of thing? Who lies and cheats?

A smile dances across his face as he planned. It was perfect.

He looks around at his students. "Alright." He stood, sighing "Good morning, everyone!"

Varies of 'hello' or curses emerged from the room.

"Comment ça va?" He holds out his hands. A few hands gave thumbs up, some thumbs down. Louie nods slightly, hands in his pockets. "Today will be a pretty chill day. We're just working on the assignment from yesterday."

Kids pulled out their laptops, others laughing and talking with each other.

"If you need any help, I'll be here. Music is allowed, only if you have headphones."

One of the boys grinned, giggling with his friend before pressing the spacebar on their laptop. Some song played throughout the room; cursing being thrown.

Louie looks up. This was normal.

He sighs, "Please, turn that off."

The boy grinned "Or what, Mr. French man?"

Louie felt his fist clench. "Turn it off. Do you want to go to the office?"

"It's better than this class!" He laughed.

He knew it would do nothing. It never does. He sends them down. They get ISS. Back to class. It's an endless cycle. A cycle he's sick of.

"Fine. Then go." The boy shrugged, shoving his laptop back in his bag before slinging it over his shoulder and starting to walk out. Just before he left Louie grabbed the black phone that sat by his desk "I'll tell your coach too."

The boy's head spun around, eyes wide. "You wouldn't."

A smirk tugged at Louie's lips. "Oh, but I would." He pressed a few numbers. "Hello? Hi!"

He groaned, stomping his foot "This is why everyone hates you!!" He shouted before leaving the classroom.

"Hello, yes, uhm...fun story. Dunno if you could hear that or not." He laughs softly, smiling.

"Oh, I heard." Coach Horton sighs, "James again?"

Students stared at Louie, trying to listen to the conversation.

"Oui."

You could practically hear the eyeroll from the coach. "Really? Wow, how shocking." He spoke with just about as much sarcasm as the best friend of a wife who just found out her husband is cheating. "I'll talk to him."

The French man chuckled "Alright, thank you."

"No problem, Lou. Good luck."

Louie set the phone down, sighing. His eyes look back up at the others "Back to work." He sighs, looking back to his computer.

By the end of the period, everyone had finished their work. The rest of the class was quiet afterward.

The bell rang, a horrid sound Louie always hated. It was too loud, too aggressive.

Dark eyes watched as the children left the room. He smiled.

Two more periods.