Drowning Lessons

2.

Patrick stared at me as Mr. Way stood next to me.
"I'll have you stay after class today so we can talk more" Mr. Way said, patting my shoulder with his hand as he walked away.
I covered my face and Patrick held in a laugh.
"Are you gay for him?" He whispered as the other students started pouring into the room.
"No!" I exclaimed, punching his shoulder.
Patrick bursted out laughing and I sighed.

The bell rang and Patrick got up.
"Joe's gonna come get you for music class in a minute" he said, glancing at Mr. Way nervously.
He lowered his voice. "He doesn't usually talk to students after class unless they've really fucked up"
After that he left with the other students.

"Y/N, come here" Mr. Way stood up and leaned against the blackboard.
I walked over to him, clutching my bag tightly.
"Don't worry I'm not gonna yell at you" he smiled, showing his slightly sharp, white teeth.
I could feel my cheeks heating up again and I looked away.
"Look, I know how hard it is to go to a new school, so if you need any help then you can find me here"
"Yes sir" I nodded, staring at his shoes.
"Eyes up here young man" he tapped his foot.
I looked him in the eye and I could feel the energy in the room shift.
It was now still, as if it was moving around before.
"You can talk to me about anything, anything at all, okay?" Mr. Way said in a soft tone.
"Yes sir-"

"Hey Y/N! Let's go!" Joe yelled from the doorway.
"I'm coming!" I answered, looking away from Mr. Way.
He turned to around to sit back in his chair and I noticed the white markings on his back.
"Hey uhm.. you got chalk on the back of your vest, sir" I pointed out.
"Oh, could you help me with that, please?"
"I- uhm- yeah, sure.. but if I'm late to music class I'll blame you" I said as I started dusting the chalk off his back.
"Ra- Mr. Toro won't get mad even if you don't have an excuse"
"Okay, done... bye" I mumbled as I walked to the door.
"Bye Y/N..." he hummed.

I closed the door behind me and covered my mouth.
The way he said my name was so... oh my..
"What's with the face?" Joe asked.
"Why is Mr. Way so- Mr. Way?!" I whined, rubbing my face.
"Oooouhh... so it's like that?"
I groaned and followed him. "You can't say he's not good looking!"
"Do you have crush on him?"
"I- no! He's my teacher!"
"But he's young, good looking and nice to you" Joe listed as he knocked on the door of the music room.

"Ah Joe, I thought you weren't coming in today" a man with long curly hair opened the door and smiled. "And who's this?"
"I'm Y/N, I'm the reason Joe's late" I explained.
"No worries, I'm Mr. Toro and my musical assistant over there is Frank Iero" he pointed at a punk guy in the corner.
"He might look a bit threatening, but that guy is like a golden retriever" Joe whispered with a grin on his face. "Hi Frank!"
Frank looked up and waved at Joe. "Hi kid!"

Mr. Way stopped me in the corridor after school.
"How did you first day go?" he asked, smiling just enough for me to see his teeth.
"It was fine, your class was probably the nicest" I answered, playing with the button on my sleeve.
"Thanks, I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"
"Yes sir"