My Imaginary Boyfriend *The Intern

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There's a buzz going around the school the next morning. In the hallway I get bits of information like new teachers, and trainees, and interns. Though I have an idea, I'm not sure I know what all that means.

Today's also the start of the second term in our school. The middle ground, or the in-between, as the students call it.

Our sports in PE will change as well; after Volleyball we'll move on to Swimming. I can float, which is good because I don't want to drown, and being in the water is much better than getting hit by a ball.

I went to school with Caleb and Alex as usual, but we don't have the same homeroom.

I walk to my first class, still hearing the excited chatters of students.

Literature has always been my favorite subject, maybe because I like reading too much, and all the assigned reading materials are quite explicit. It's the subject where I'm actually good at.

A tap on my shoulder makes me stop walking. I turn around and see a young man holding a satchel on his hand.

"Excuse me," he says, "do you know where room L401 is?"

That's my classroom. I frown. Is it safe to walk with a stranger, even though I'm in school? I hesitate before I say, "You can come with me."

He smiles. "Thank you!"

This young man looks too old to be a high school student, so I figured he's not a transferee. He's tall, has lean—

"I hope I'm not bothering you," he says, interrupting my thoughts. "I used to know these hallways, but it was years since I last came here."

"No problem," I say. I want to ask him what he's doing here in our school, but I don't like talking to strangers. And it's not as if I'm going to see him again. I have a nagging feeling like I've seen him somewhere before, though.

We round the last corner and walk a few steps towards my classroom. "Here we are," I say, pointing to the L401 sign at the door.

"Thanks," he says, "I appreciate your help."

"Okay, then. Goodbye."

I just walk inside and sit on my chair when the first period bell rings.

"Who is he?" Caleb asks, pointing to the front of the room.

I look up from my notebook and see the young man a while ago. I almost drop the pen I'm holding. My classmates and I stare at him in curiosity, while he meets our eyes with steady gaze.

"Hi, good morning," the young man says, "I'm Parker Condie, and I'll be your teacher for the second term of this school year."

What?

My classmates start asking questions; where did he come from, what happened to Mr. Benitez, and so on.

"I am a graduating student from Cambridge University," he answers, "and as a requirement, we have to handle a class. Because Literature is my major, here I am."

One of my classmates raises his hand. "You're an intern then?" he asks.

Mr. Condie nods. "I was supposed to handle sophomore students but Mr. Benitez needed to take an emergency leave. The faculty changed my schedule and told me to teach seniors instead."

"Why?" A girl from the first row asks. "What happened to Mr. Benitez?"

"The admin said it was about his family."

"So you're going to teach us the rest of the school year?" someone from the back asks.

"Until the end of second term only."

I'm not even sure if this young man is professional enough to teach us. I look at Parker— I mean, Mr. Condie, and wonder why he's familiar; like I've seen him before. He has dark hair and brown eyes; sort of hazel. I think back and rummage my brain.

"Aha!"

Everyone looks at where the sound of the voice came from. I realize a second later that it was mine. I duck my head in embarrassment and mumble an apology.

Caleb nudges me with his elbow. "What is it?" he asks.

I shake my head and fix my gaze on the floor. I can now finally remember where I saw Parker before. He was the guy I saw with the pretty girl months ago— when Margarett ordered me to go to the supermarket.

Back then I thought they were actors, and they were just taping scenes for a movie. Who would have thought our paths would cross again?

"Yes?" Mr. Condie says, while walking towards me, "Is there anything you would like to share to the class?"

I shake my head quickly.

"Why did you choose this school?" Caleb asks.

I'm glad he gets the attention. I'm still embarrassed at what I did. I give him a small smile. He winks at me in return.

Mr. Condie grins. I notice that he has straight white teeth. "I graduated here," he answers.

"How many interns are in our school?"

"I'm not sure," he says. "In our university, we are five."

"He looks too young to be our teacher," Caleb says matter-of-factly.

"Because he's not," I say, "he's just an intern."

"I hope we'll have an intern in Algebra," someone says from behind me.

"Okay class," Mr. Condie says, "if you don't have questions anymore, let's do an activity. Get a pen and a paper."


*****

I'm sorry for the late update! Were you surprised when Parker's name came up? :D

(Parker Condie is a character from The Bet.)

The song is I Know About You by Dashboard Confessional.

Thank you so much! =)

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