Wishing I Was 23

Chapter 3

                Carly decided to get to class early the next day. The more time she had with Riker the better. She loved talking to him. Talking with him just seemed so easy. She knew her crush was insane. He was Rydel's older brother and to make matters worse, her teacher. There wasn't a chance in hell a twenty-three-year-old would see her eighteen-year-old self in any other way besides a kid. Nevertheless, here she sat, waiting.

She took her usual seat in the auditorium, front row, but he was nowhere to be seen. He could have been backstage, but he probably would have come out when the large wooden doors had shut. Other students started to join her, taking their seats. Still, Riker hadn't shown up. She checked her phone and there were only a few minutes until class was going to start.

Rydel wandered in and sat next to her.

Carly turned to her new friend and leaned over, "Where's your brother? He's going to be late."

"He's probably in his office," Rydel shrugged. "It's pretty far away and he's not very speedy."

"Yeah. I noticed his limp. What happened?" Carly asked as the auditorium doors closed.

"Good morning everyone," Riker called as he walked down the aisle. "I hope you all did your homework." He faced the class once he reached the base of the stage.

A girl in the class meekly raised her hand.

"Yes Penny," Riker called.

"Can we please do a different play," she pleaded and the rest of the class mumbled their agreements.

Riker folded his arms over his chest. "You all want to me change my entire lesson plans because why?"

"Well," Penny began meekly. "We don't really understand the play. We don't know what's going on or how to say half of these words. We want something in today's English. I think the audience would like that as well."

"You all realize that the play is four months away and you'd have to work twice as hard, right?"

Everyone nodded.

"If I pick a new play, and I'm not agreeing just yet, could it be a musical?"

"Anything but Romeo and Juliet," Josh whined.

"Okay. Let's put it to a vote," Riker sighed. "All for changing the play raise your hand."

Almost everyone in the class raised their hand.

"All apposed?"

Carly and Rydel raised their hands.

Riker nodded. "Sorry girls. Majority wins. We'll be changing the play."

"What will it be?" Penny jumped with excitement.

A half smile crept on Riker's face. "I was thinking...Grease."

Everyone erupted into cheers as Carly sat in her seat quietly.

"All right; quiet down. Everyone pass your scripts up to the front of the class," Riker grinned as he collected all of the little books. "I'll get you the new play books tomorrow. Auditions will still be held on the same day so you'll have to prepare the best you can."

"We won't let you down," Penny grinned at him.

Carly handed Riker her play book before he grabbed Rydel's.