The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [Student/teacher love story]

The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [Student/teacher love story] Ch42

I awoke long before my alarm clock sprang to life. But if that hideous sound wasn’t coming from my alarm clock then where was the source of the sound? I groaned out loud as I got up, off of my bed. My brain was still half asleep until my eyes fell upon the source which I then realized was the door.

I walked over to my door like a lifeless zombie. As I opened my door, I was almost knocked over by two stampeding figures which picked me up and pulled me into a tight embrace.

‘Huh?’ I asked drowsily.

‘Happy birthday Avery!’ Kiren shouted eagerly.

‘Yeah, happy birthday babe!’ Meghann added.

‘Birthday? W-what are you talking about?’ I asked, still in a daze.

They pulled out of our previous embrace as they both gave me an amused expression.

‘Your birthday silly! You know… finally 18!’ Kiren said with a chuckle. ‘Yeah, finally an adult honey!’ Meghann cheered. ‘Oh… I haven’t even thought about that… my bad.’ I announced.

‘How could you possibly overthink your birthday? And your 18th one at that!’ Meghann bombarded me. I joined in on the giggling as Meghann spoke ‘Yeah… go get changed and we’ll wait here!’ she said as my two best friends went over and threw me some clothes and a pair of shoes. I took them without hesitation and headed into the bathroom.

When I came out 5 minutes later; after many minutes in front of the mirror, Kiren and Meghann cheered me on as Meghann reached out and stuck something onto my shirt. I looked down and realized it was a corny “My 18th today!” birthday badge. I laughed out loud as we all linked arms and walked out of the door.

We walked for what must have been 10 minutes until they both –out of nowhere- dived, head first into the school’s long jump pit as the sand enveloped us. I screamed loudly as the three of us sat up; still remaining in the pit though. ‘You got sand in my hair!’ I screeched. They both exchanged unreadable expressions before shooting up in laughter. Their laughter enveloped the school in supposed joy. I humphed and crossed my arms, faking my annoyance.

‘Naw, what’s wrong Avery? Did you not get enough sand down your top? Fine…’ announced Meghann as it was too late to do anything as I realized too late what was about to unfold. She lunged at me with a handful of sand and shoved it down my top before falling back in laughter.

‘You retard!’ I cried out as I lifted up my top to remove the sand –or rather attempted to- before I distinctly heard a male clear his throat. I knew instantly who it was, even before my two best friends gave award laughs before greeting him kindly.

I, just as quickly, pulled down my shirt and abruptly stood up, trying to straighten out my clothes and get rid of the excess sand before turning towards Mr Ford with a forgiving -but also awkward- smile, not being surprised to see his gaze already glued on me.

‘Hi sir.’ I said kindly. He gave me a small, polite nod before his eyes dropped to my shirt. I followed his gaze and looked down until I realized he must have noticed my birthday badge.

’18 today are we?’ he asked as I could see an unreadable expression behind his eyes. I gave a small nod as my eyes dropped.

‘Why didn’t you tell me? Your absolute favourite teacher!’ he said as I could hear the teasing smile in his voice. I just shrugged.

‘Yeah; can you believe my honey bunny is 18?!’ Kiren shouted loudly. I punched him in the arm to shut him up. All four of us shot up in laughter until I realized the time.

‘Crap… the bell is going to ring in like 2 seconds!’ I cried and right on cue, the bell sounded, signalling the start of the school day.

‘Oh… I am going to be late. I shall escort you three to homeroom shall i?’ Mr Ford asked. ‘Homeroom? Why may I ask?’ I spoke up curiously.

‘Oh, haven’t you heard the news? I’m your new roll call teacher…’ he announced it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. ‘Well that’s news.’ I said. ‘Great news!’ Kiren followed ‘Awesome!’ Meghann added as the three of us linked arms. Mr Ford gave us awkward smiles before guiding us over to his classroom.

As I walked into homeroom with both of my arms occupied with two delinquents; I actually received some kind smiles and happy birthdays as they must have saw my birthday badge. I gave polite smiles and mumbled thank you’s as the three of us situated in our news seating arrangement in the front.

‘OK, well hello everybody. For those of you who do not know me, my name is Mr Ford. I am currently a music teacher and… your new homeroom teacher. Any questions?’ he asked kindly as several hands shot up, mine included. Mr Ford picked a few people before me. Their questions being strangely irritation like ‘How old are you?’ and the worst of them being ‘Are you single?’. I felt sorry for the poor guy as he looked awkward as ever.

‘Yes Ms Blake?’

‘I was wondering… what happened to our old homeroom teacher?’ I asked. His facial expression was one of confusion before he regained his cool and replied ‘Oh… I’m so sorry; I do not know anything more than the rest of you.’ He answered as he turned back to sit at his desk.

The rest of the day went by smoothly and also quite quickly. The whole day I had received greetings and happy birthday’s. I hated all this attention but I went on with the day, glad I had my best friends hands to hold.

**

As I heard the bell ringing, the teacher dismissed us as the three of us headed towards our lockers, which me and Meghann’s were right next to each other, whilst Kiren’s was only a few down.

‘So you want to go catch a movie with us? Might go watch Sucker Punch…’ asked Kiren as we met him at half way. I nodded eagerly as a response ‘Of course! Count me in.’ I said happily.

‘OK, we’ll come by your room at around 6…’ they cheered as we spent a couple of hours together just hanging out before departing our separate ways.

**

‘Happy birthday Avery!’ everyone shouted as Meghann, Kiren and myself walked to the back of the school. We were just coming back from Sucker Punch… then all these people came into views, gathered around a small bonfire. There must have been at least all year 11 and 12 and more, taking up the big space ahead.

I looked at my two friends whom gave me innocent smiles until they cracked up into laughter. ‘Did you two have something to do with this?’ I asked, trying to sound calm.

‘Yep!’ they announced as they dragged me to the bonfire.

‘What if a teacher see’s all this? After all, it seems very noticeable.’ ‘Oh Avery… get with the program… We received permission from the school to have this party for you. They understood all that you had been through lately so they let us! Well with one little, teeny tiny condition…’ Kiren said innocently.

I gave him a flat look.

‘As long as two teachers attended it… to kind of chauffer the magnificent event. But I chose the best choices… Mr Ford and Mr Parker.’ He announced with an unsure smile.

Mr Ford was here? I internally groaned but instead of showing my annoyance I simply plastered a fake smile onto my face ‘Awesome.’

Kiren could obviously see through my little charade.

‘Hey guys, don’t mind me… I’m going to go get a drink!’ Meghann announced merely before skipping away.

‘Avery…’ Kiren tried to say. There happened to be a knowing look in his eyes.

‘Yeah…?’ I asked hesitantly.

‘I k-know…’

At that, my heart stopped; mid beat as my pupils must have dilated.

‘A-a-about what?’

‘Avery… I know Mr Ford loves you… and that you also love him.’