The Teacher Project~ A Ziam Story ~

First Impressions~

2:57 p.m September 12, 2013, Monday~

I wake up to a phone ringing. My phone. Groggy and still sleepy, I reluctantly get out of the warmth of my bed and search for my jeans in which I left my phone the night before. I got to my jeans at the foot of my bed and fished my phone out. Harry is calling.

"Uh hello mate. Why the call so early?" I say, sleepily.

"Uh hello? Zayn your suppose to be at your new job in an hour. And its 2:57 in the afternoon." Harry snaps back.

I looks at my watch. Damn, it's already almost 3:00.

"I was calling to see if you were awake, which it sounds like you weren't." Harry says.

"Yes! Thank you Harry. I almost forgot. And no, I was awake.. sorta." I lied.

"Yeah right mate if it wasn't for me you probably wouldn't even have gotten this job. You were always a late sleeper you know." Harry claims, which was.. not totally true.

"... I have my reasons. Look, let me get ready and I'll call you when I get there. Kay Harry?" I suggested.

"Okay, Good luck Zayn. You're gonna need it on your first real job!" Harry squealed, sounding all of the sudden proud.

"Yeah yeah Harry." I laughed.

I hung up the phone and got dressed quickly but making sure I look professional and presentable. I'm not going to blow this job. I want to make people proud. Even if it's just Harry. Even if my mom is not with us anymore. Even if my father couldn't care less. Even if anybody else I know couldn't care less. I will do it just to say that "Yeah, I can do it." "Yes, I've made it mom." "Yes, I can amount to something dad." and "Yes, I can be successful just like the rest of you." And with that determination and inspiration in my system, I drive up to the school confident and ready to change lives.

~~~~~

It's 3:30 when I get there. School has just let out which means that the children in my program should already at or coming to the classroom. I've got fifteen minutes to introduce myself to the parents and children. Then we get to the helping part.

I walk into the school and head to my designated classroom. As I neared my hallway, I heard more chatter from which sounded like a mix of teens and adults. I turned into the hallway and saw the group by my door. They had gotten here early. Five teens who I assumed went to this school hence the early arrival. And two sets of parents. You can tell which parents owned who because they were either holding their child by the shoulder talking to them.

The group saw me approaching.

"Hi, there are you mister Malik?" A mom called to me as I walked closer.

"Yes, I'm him." I smiled.

Everybody's faces went dumbfounded. I was confused.

"Is there a problem with me?" I asked trying not to sound rude.

"Uh-um, no. Nothing. It's just.. You're so young." She said.

"Yes, I was picked since I'm the closest to their age group. To make the kids feel more comfortable. But I'll assure you, you're sons and daughters will get the same level of help any other agent would give." I smiled.

I walked toward the door with the key the school provided me with and opened it.

"Feel free to come and sit with your child. I will be giving an explanation and overview of what will be happening throughout course as soon as I have every child present. It will only take 10 minutes." I said politely and I walked through the door, turning the lights on.