The Girl he Wants

6- Game on.

"Okay class." The teacher climbs to his feet after he finishes calling the roll and slaps his laptop closed. His dark eyes glimpse every person's expression as he says, "I am Mr. Scott, your Honors English teacher."

When none of the class speaks, he continues. "The first thing we are going to do is get to know each other a little bit."

Elizabeth shifts uncomfortably at the thought of getting to know her judging class as the teacher talks. "Let me tell you a little bit about me before we start sharing, okay?"

A few people nod, a couple sigh, but Elizabeth silently stares at the teacher as he tells everyone, "I've been teaching at this school for two years and every single person I have taught, so far, has passed."

"I am married." He raises his hand and wiggles his ring finger, which has a silver ring clinging from it. "I have one little boy on the way and one baby girl named Sophie."

   "Okay." He states as he claps his hands together. "I don't mind talking about myself all day, but I'd rather learn about you guys. Who wants to go first?"

   Elizabeth doesn't raise her hand. With her stomach tossing and turning inside of her, Elizabeth watches as the teacher's positive expression fades. He says, "I guess I will have to pick who goes first, since nobody would like to volunteer."

   He waltzes around his desk, steps in front of it, and then leans against it as he crosses an arm over his chest and uses the other one to rub his goatee. "How about we start at the front. Young lady, would you stand up and start us off?"

   Elizabeth's heart ceases when she meets her teacher's expectant gaze and realizes that the teacher is talking to her, asking her to get up and talk about herself. Elizabeth's whole world seems to stop, but somehow she manages to gradually rise from her desk.

   "Go on. Turn to the class." Her teacher orders her, his eyes glittering with curiosity.

    Elizabeth's heart slams against her chest like a sledge hammer as she swallows and stares out at the class. Girls and boys all stare at her, some whispering to others, but most sitting quietly.

   The teacher has the whole class to pick out of and he picked her? This is just great. Just wonderful.

   Elizabeth avoids Sebastian's gaze as she begins. "Hi. My name is Elizabeth. I am new here..." She pauses to take in a shaky breath. "I love to read books, and I love music."

   She hurriedly turns around and slides back in her seat as her teacher nods in approval. He says, "Who's your favorite author?"

   "Probably Nicholas Sparks or Nora Roberts." Elizabeth replies smoothly.

   "I see. I, personally, like Lisa Jackson." The teacher mumbles, and then goes on to the next person. Each student talks about his/herself, and Elizabeth listens intently from her spot in the front row. When it finally gets to Sebastian's turn, Elizabeth's heartbeat picks up speed. The teacher says, "Your turn."

   Sebastian glides out of his desk and stands, his light brown eyes meeting the teacher's gaze. He says, "I am Sebastian, and I love photography." His kind eyes suddenly fall to look into Elizabeth's. "I hold the opinion that when you see something beautiful, you should capture its beauty before it's too late."

   Elizabeth's heart throbs as blush washes over her cheeks. She bats her blue eyes away, smiles, and fidgets her fingers nervously. The teacher comments on Sebastian's depth of his reasoning for loving photography, and then the teacher continues on down the rows, listening to other people blab on about themselves.