Teacher (Mr Mendes)

Chapter 5

My first day of being Mr Mendes teacher assistant had reached and I couldn't have been more ready. I turned up to the classroom an hour early, as he asked and would stay for another hour afterwards as well.

Just as I was about to knock in the classroom door, it opened and Mr Mendes appeared.

"Cassiopeia." He whispered. Nobody called me that, but I loved it.

"Mr Mendes" I replied looking down awkwardly and entering the classroom. He followed me and said, "Didn't I tell you to call me Shawn outside of class?" He smiled in a jokey way, obviously enjoying this.

"Yeah, sorry. I-um- it's just a little weird calling a teacher by their first name." I placed my bag on the floor after taking bout the necessary equipment needed for today.

Mr Mendes-Shawn, chuckled ever so slightly before placing a pile of papers on the desk in front of me. I looked up alarmed by the amount of work in front of me.

"Don't worry. We've got a week or two to get through these. Now I've got your help, I'm sure it'll be even quicker." He handed me the marking scheme and we got started.

Although I did enjoy the extra time with Mr Mendes-Shawn, it was hard work and I also had to endure my lesson and then another hour. At least I do get some things out of it.

Throughout the hour, I kept stealing glances at him. I couldn't help but to sometimes hold my gaze. His hair was perfect today. It was always perfect. He was always perfect. Before I could snap out of my daze, Shawn looked up at me and in the process he somehow drew on his cheek. Perfect, an excuse. I'll just say that the pen mark had been there for some time.

"See something you like?" He asked, laughing to himself. He's such a dork, laughing at his own jokes.

"I-um... no, I um you've got pen on your face and um... yeah." Why could I just say one thing to him without saying 'um'?!

Mr Mendes' eyes widened and he self consciously brought his hand up to his face. "Where exactly?" He asked. I told him that it was down his left cheek.

"Have I got it?" He asked. I replied by saying, "A little more to the right." It was obvious that he just wasn't going to get it, and apparently he was thinking the same thing.

"I can't get it. Can you help me?" He looked directly into my eyes and I couldn't help but nod. I brought my hand up to his cheek and gasped slightly (so he didn't notice) at the softness of his cheek. With my thumb, I started to rub on the spot where the pen was drawn. Although I do admit that I liked it, nothing was happening.

"Um do you have any wipes? It's not coming off." I looked down due to awkwardness. He shook his head but instead suggested that I just lick my fingers. I did so and tried again. This time, it came off almost immediately. He was watching me the whole time with a warming smile on this face.

"Thanks. I'm lucky I've got a brilliant TA to help me get pen off of my face." His smile grew into a grin, but it fell when the bell surprised him and the students started to enter the classroom.

I can't say that my grin didn't fall as well. At least I had another hour to look forwards to after class.

About half way through the lesson, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked at the culprit, expecting them to be messing with me. I raised my eyebrow at the boy sitting to the right of me. He had dark brown hair in a quiff and chocolate brown eyes.

"Hey, I'm Zac. Sorry I didn't introduce myself yesterday, I guess I forgot." Zac's smile wasn't nearly as great as Mr Mendes'. However I still smiled back and said, "It's fine. I'm Cassie." I shook his hand, which I must admit was rather sweaty. Gross.

When I got my hand back, I wiped it on my leggings just when he wasn't looking. I didn't want him to think I was a bitch.

"So, are you new here? I haven't seen you around." He asked, trying to spark up a conversation. I nodded and told him that it was my first year here. It was quite easy to talk to him considering we had a very strong common interest: writing.

We talked for the rest of the lesson and when I took a glance at Mr Mendes, he was eyeing us. Actually, it was more like he was glaring at Zac. His jaw was stiff and his fists clenched. What did he do wrong? Was it a crime to make friends at school? Well great. Now I have to cope an hour with one angry Shawn.