J - A New Start
I never thought that it would feel nice to teach here at Greenwood High. I can't believe that I chose to teach at my old school. Maybe I just loved the familiarity or maybe . . . I just wanted to relive the memories. I don't know. The office and the old faculty accepted me warmly and I've made a few friends from the co-teachers.
I entered the faculty and saw my new friend, Ms. Dyer with her head laid on her hands. She's obviously sleeping. I came in and it's just 6:00 am in the morning. I sat on my seat and relaxed. I should have stopped by the pavilion. I miss it's peacefulness. I decided to skip it because it's a Monday. Somehow this day has a significance. September 7. I really do remembsr that eventful day. My girlfriend, Catherine, said yes to my proposal. I thought that I was the happiest man alive on that day. The wedding preparations went through smoothly. Everthing was perfect and ready until the actual day comes. Then she called me precisely one month before the wedding.
"J, I'm not ready." she said to me.
"Catherine, I understand. But you do love me right?" I said, panic raising in my voice. I love her so much.
"I do. I just ..." she said her voice trailing off. Just what? Did she find someone better? She doesn't really love me? Her parents do not agree.?
"J, I love you but I love Jason more. I'm so sorry." she cried out then hang up. Yeah, she did find someone better. Her mother probably proposed this. She didn't really like Catherine and I being together. I cried nyself to sleep that day, not even bothering to eat or take a shower. It pushed me to the edge. I received calls from her which I didn't answer. She already hurt me. Why would she want to call me for heaven's sake?! Being the professional person that I am, I didn't leave my work and moved on. I kept going on. I told nyself that I still have a life. Apparently, love made me waste the time I spent with her. She wasted everything by loving another. Despite the various attempts that I did on convincing myself that I hated her, my heart protested and is still protesting up until now. I truly love her. When she was with me, my whole world practically revolved around her. I'm not ashamed of it; I even wanted to tell the whole world that Catherine is ny world. Now, she's gone forever.
I stared at my co-teacher's sleeping figure. I can't shake off the fact that she might really have a crush on me. She is fairly pretty but I haven't really thought of liking her. To me, she's just my friend.
Her body stirred and she rubbed her eyes like a little girl. She acted all clumsy. She slouched on her seat and sighed. Then yawned. When she saw me looking at her, she sat up and fixed herself. She tucked one loose strand of hair behind her ear and straightened her uniform.
"Oh, Jeff. You're here already?" she asked.
"Yeah. I don't want to be late again." I explained. She nodded and laid her head again. I rubbed my face with my hands. I prepared myself for the long day ahead. I really also want to clear every rumor that is circulating the high school department. I'm going to ask her today.
I went out of the room to get some fresh air. I walked around the lobby. I don't care if I looked stupid. Students greeted me when they passed me by. I smiled and greeted them back. Everybody greeted me except for Czerina. She's a grade 11 student. She's a very bright student and I like her enough. She passed by me and stopped before the ramp beside the stairs. She walked back to me. I stopped in front of her.
"Sir, what would be your reason for circling the lobby?" she asked.
"I'm just thinking, Czerina." I told her. She nodded her head slightly and went to the stairs. I watched her go up the stairs. She's the only who cared to ask me. Not that it has any signifance. But still. I glanced at the clock and went straight to the office. It's time for our devotion. All of the other teachers are there already. Even Ms. Dyer. Her name's Amelia by the way. I call her Mia.
"Mia, are we complete?" I whispered. She stood uneasily beside me and shifted from one foot to another.
"We were just waiting for you, Mr. Patterson." the principal said. Then she began our prayer. "Let us feel the presence the Lord ..." We all bowed our heads in prayer. Every morning is solemn as we always acknowledge His presence in our midst. I'm Catholic but I'm also a Christian. I know that I'm a follower and a firm believer. I'm not ashamed of it. As we prayed, my mind drifted away and different images flashed across my eyes. Catherine's face, my family that I greatly miss, Mia's sleeping figure then unexpectedly, Czerina's face, questioning me. I dismissed them quickly and focused again on the prayer. It ended five minutes later and we were told to pick up our students. I heard the long bell and I jogged upstairs. My class is already lined up outside as well as the other levels. Noise quickly filled my ears. I briefly glanced at every level. They're many. I listened and caught a few conversations around me.
"OMG. Zayn is so hot today ..."
"Have you done your homework? Come on, let me borrow."
"I saw him circling around ..." I spun around to where that conversation came from and I saw Czerina talking to her friend, Natalie. She's probably telling her the little event this morning. I didn't mind but as far as I know, she's the only one whom I heard talk about me circling around the lobby. The others who saw me this morning didn't. I repeat:
As far as I know. By that thought, we walked down the stairs towards the gym. That's where we hold the morning ceremonies and our chapel hour. My students sat and I stood at the side with Mia. She's the grade 10 adviser, I'm the grade 8 adviser. We stood side by side. I zoned out a bit and found myself remembering what happened last thursday. Czerina comforted me. Catherine made her way into my mind again with Czerina on the sidelines. I wanted to thank her for comforting me. I appreciate it because she cared. I haven't told Mia about Catherine that's why it's special that Czerina cared. I smiled. I looked for her and saw her just on the left side near me. She's fiddling with her pen while Natalie, who's beside her is staring at nothing. I approached her. As soon as she noticed my shadow hovering over her, she looked up and placed her pen in her pocket.
"What is it, sir?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to thank you again for what you did for me last Thursday. I'm truly grateful."
She smiled. "No problem, sir. Anytime. Anyway, I'm the only one who knows, right?"
I gave back a brilliant smile. "Yes, and?"
"I'm keeping it." she promised.
I smiled again and went back to my position. She looked at me and smiled. She did so for a few seconds until she found her pen amusing once again. She struck up a conversation with her friend for a few while until the principal greeted the whole school. The grade school greeted her with much enthusiasm whereas the high school greeted her with such low spirits. They're mostly just sleepy, that we know. But honestly, they should have more energy than the younger ones. The principal carried on with the announcements.
"Everybody, your periodical exams are coming nearer and I'm telling all of you to get ready. Second, after your exams, grades 9-12 will have their retreat in the Word of Life once again. A letter will be given to you. I suggest that you pay early." She walked off the podium and went to her seat at the back. Our praise and worship started and everybody enjoyed it. We sang songs like One Way and Heart of Worship. It all ended happily and the students were told to quietly go back to their classrooms. After the grade school, my advisery class stood and proceeded. I went after them. I walked in last and before I even closed the door, I saw Czerina smiling at me.
