The Billionaires Blessing

Chapter 8

When Bellamy and I made it to my classroom I set up the food at my desk and pulled up a chair for Bellamy. We sat and began to eat in awkward silence.
"So what do you think of the teachers and curriculum?" I asked trying to break the silence.
"The teachers are nice and good with the students. The curriculum is out of the water great. Most schools focus on tests but you guys focus on active thinking, learning and all that. That's good for students." He said before taking another bite.
"We just want our students to think freely and we're trying to teach them more than school education standards. When they leave these doors we want them to succeed in the world with money management and such. We're working on teaching real life skills." I said looking down at my food. 
"I think that's amazing. I wish a school would've taught us those things but I mostly taught myself those things." He said quietly.

"As did I. I've worked hard to build the life I live for myself. Now I have to start from scratch in my personal life and possibly my career. I don't mind starting over, I do however mind not being able to teach how I see fit. I don't lie to my students either and I'm not starting now." I said looking down as I finished my food. Seconds later the bell rang, I looked to Bellamy.
"Time for my class, you can stay if you want." I said.
"I would love too" he replied. The rest of the day went by quickly. I taught the students as if Bellamy was not around, although students stared and whispered a couple of times to their friends. As I looked over I saw a boys hand raised.
"Yes Anthony?" I asked smiling.
"Who's the strange, intense man in the back?" Anthony asked.
"Well Anthony, the school board has decided to sell to the school. They sold it to the gentleman in the back. His name is Mr. Rivera. He's hanging out today so we can convince him to keep the school running instead of closing." I said smiling. Bellamy looked at me confused. Before I could speak, Olivia spoke.
"Ms. Mendoza is always honest with us. She's everybody's favorite teacher. She includes us in everything, she's someone who makes us excited to learn and scared to leave." Olivia said to Bellamy.

"But you have to leave at some point. What do I tell you guys?" I asked looking at her.
"As much as you'd love to watch us grow, your job is too help us grow the best you can until we move on to a new teacher who will help us grow even more. Every teacher has something new to teach us." She said as if reciting my words perfectly. I smiled at the thought of my words impacting my students that much.
"Mr. Rivera, I love my teachers but no matter what you decide all we ask is you never get rid of Ms. Mendoza. She's an amazing teacher, until I met her I hated school. I was a bully to other people. I acted out in anger. Nobody has ever made me want to be a good person until I met her. She even changed my parents perspective on life. I was unhappy at home as were my parents but after meeting her my whole family has been so happy. She has taught me more than anyone ever has, she not only taught me how to overcome being different but also how to accept responsibility for my actions, accept things I can not change, accept change as it comes and how to be a good son, friend and person." Anthony said. His words brought tears to my eyes.
"I love all of you and I am so happy I can make such an impact on all of your lives." I said. Bellamy watched me with compassion from the back of the room. Suddenly the bell rang, ending the day.
"I hope you all have an amazing night. Remember to be good to your parents, smile and check on each other. If you ever need anything, I am always here even if they shut the school down." I said teary-eyed.

I held the door for the students as they left for the day. After all students had left I walked back to my desk. I was so lost in my thoughts I had forgotten Bellamy was sitting in the back of the room until he spoke.
"They admire you. You're the type of teacher every student needs. I have never met a teacher who impacted their students lives the way you have. Most teachers ended up teaching for a paycheck, not you. Your students are impeccably brilliant." He said quietly from the back.
"They don't always come in with good attitudes or eager to learn at the beginning of the year but by the end my goal is to make sure they are ready, eager and happy to learn." I said looking down at the desk.
"Never change who you are as a person or a teacher Adelaide." He said while standing.
"I never planned on it, but I don't plan on being a teacher if I can't do it here. Don't let that be a deciding factor in whether you keep it as a school. I'll make due no matter what you decide." I said looking at him.
"I had already decided this morning what I was going to do but I wanted a reason to spend the day with you." He said quietly almost as if it wasn't intended for me to hear.

"What do you plan on doing?" I asked looking at him.
"The best investment is the school option, not only for my companies but for the students." He said looking to the window "But this place will need a lot of construction done."
"I know that's true, our building is so out of date" I said. Suddenly Bellamy's phone began to ring.
"Hello" I heard him say. There was silence as I assumed the person on the other end was speaking and his face grew angry.
"I'll meet you at 6:30pm." He said before hanging up.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Yeah just some business stuff to take care of, hopefully it won't take long. For now I'll have to cancel our evening plans but we can reschedule." He said with an apologetic tone.
"It's okay, I'm not worried. I need to visit a girlfriend of mine anyhow." I said. I was slightly disappointed but I tried to hide it.
"Okay. I'll call you tonight if this wraps up quickly." He said.
"You don't even have my number." I said confused.
"I do. I got it from Cat." He said quietly. I smiled slightly. He said goodbye and then left. I gathered my things before I headed home myself.