Heaven Sent (Loki/Asgard Fanfiction - Aislinn's Story)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The first day of school was always stressful and this one was no different. Old faces. New faces. The freshmen seemed even younger than usual. Girls still stared at him and then turned to whisper and giggle with their friends.

Some things just never changed.

Steve sighed as eighth period rolled around. His last class of the day. Ninth and tenth periods were free and all he wanted to do was sit down for five minutes and enjoy some quiet. Eighth period couldn't end soon enough.

Somerset Valley High School had three gyms, each one hotter than the other. Gym Three was the worst and that's where he stood as kids from all classes filed into the bleachers. His section was sophomores, same as the last four years.

"Is it just me," Jackie Addams, another of the Phys Ed teachers, said, "or do they look younger every year?"

"It's not just you." He glanced over at the bleachers, down at his clipboard, then over at her. "They look younger."

"Don't look now, Steve, but your sophomores are checking you out."

He grinned at her. "Great. Thanks for pointing it out."

"Anytime." She elbowed him in the ribs. "So, I heard a rumor this morning concerning you."

"Already?" He glanced down at his watch. "It's barely noon and the rumor mill is churning. They're starting early this year."

"It's a good one." She turned to the bleachers and from the corner of her mouth, said, "I hear you're getting married?"

"Damn... how did anyone know?" The second bell rang, echoing in the cavernous gym. "I haven't even said any--" He cut himself off and rolled his eyes. "Jenna told you, didn't she?"

"I ran into her in the main office." Jackie's suntanned cheeks flushed. "And when I congratulated her, she very coldly informed me she is not the bride-to-be."

He shook his head. "No. She's not. The bride is a woman I met over the summer. In Point Pleasant."

"Yeah, that's what Jenna said. Although, I don't think she was quite that gracious about her. I'm assuming the future Mrs. Molinaro's first name is not Fucking Bitch."

Steve sighed, tucking his pen into the clip. "You assume right. Jenna took the news a little hard."

"Well, you'll have to tell me more about this mystery shore girl who stole your heart."

He grinned. "How much time have you got?" He winked and moved closer to the bleachers, clearing his throat. "Okay, guys, settle down. I'm Mr. Molinaro, for those of you who don't know me. For those of you who do, welcome back. You're mine this marking period, and I'll be your Health teacher next marking period. After that, you'll be choosing what activity you want to do, so I may or may not be your teacher for that.

"Now, I expect you all to change and participate on a daily basis. And by participate, I mean actually do something." As he spoke, he strolled from one side of the bleachers to the other, meeting each pair of eyes as he did. Some met him back, some blushed and looked away--which happened every year and still cracked him up--and others were obviously in their own little world. Again, some things just never changed.

"I will mark you down if you don't participate on a regular basis. I don't expect every single one of you to be stellar athletes, but I do expect you to try. And by try, I mean do more than stand around, talking to your friends. I try to be fair, but really, you need to do your part as well, okay?" He glanced down at his notes on the clipboard. "You'll need to bring in clothes to change into, and you know the rules. Nothing too short, nothing too low-cut, nothing too tight. Sneakers only. You'll need to bring a lock, and your locker will be assigned to you, so you can keep your clothes in there instead of having to lug them back and forth every day.