Redder than Blood

Chapter 2: Teacher's Pet

"Have you heard about the new substitute teacher?" 

"Did you hear Ms. Porter's gone. Apparently she had an accident."

"Ms. Willis is gone too! What's happening?! It's a good thing they were AP teachers. It would have been a disaster if there was only one substitute for two teachers, but no one's in the AP classes anymore."

"I don't think anybody cares enough."

"Apparently the sub is super hot."

"Super gay as well."

I trudged through the hallway trying to find AP english, my first class of the day. Great...I had to get up early to have an orientation with the principal and take a tour which didn't help. I couldn't remember where anything was. A teacher directed me in the general direction and I stepped into the classroom just before the bell rang. With my head down, I scurried to the closest empty seat, fortunately at the back of the class.

I felt a tap on the shoulder. I already knew who it was: the greeter. I have always encountered these type of people. They would chat with me for at most three days and disappear off the face of the earth or avoid me. Either one.

"Hey my name is Megan!" A bubbly curly haired brunnette I sat next to greeted me with a blinding smile. "You must be new!"

A tall man struts into the classroom looking oh so familiar. My jaw hit the desk. It was the convenience store guy! It was so strange to meet him as teacher and student. 

"I'm you're new substitute teacher. My name is Mr. Ashton but most people call me Mr. Ash."

Wait, is he the gay substitute everyone is freaking out about? 

"Raise your hand when I call your name."

I zoned out until Megan tapped my shoulder. Everyone was looking at me and the teacher seemed upset.

"If you're not going to be listening then I guess I have to talk to you after class. I don't want this to become an issue especially on your first day."

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see a mix of pity and jealously mostly from the girls. My face heated, burning up with shame. This must be a record, it hasn't even been ten minutes and I'm already in trouble. I hope he didn't recognize me.