Expectedly Holding On - Book 2

Blast from the Past

*Four Years Later*

"Alright look, chapter 4 test on Monday, you can use the outline so make sure you do it!" I said to my 9th grade class.

One of my students, in the back, raised their hand and I nodded for them to speak.

"If we don't do it, can I use someone else's?" He asked, his friends laughing around him.

I raised a brow," if you don't graduate can someone else go to college for you?" I asked causing the class to break out in "ooo's" and say, "you got burned!"

The student, Markus, rolled his eyes, crossed his arms, and slouched into his seat.

The bell rang and the class jumped up, leaving instantly.

"Markus, a word." I called to him.

Groaning, he stopped and came back to my desk.

"Look man, you're a smart kid, I've graded your tests and seen your report card. Don't fall behind in class because you want to impress your friends. Their grades aren't like yours, their work ethic isn't like yours, and they're not like you so don't try to be like them." I said looking in his eyes.

He held up his cool front, acting as if he didn't care about a word I was saying.

Putting my hands in the pockets of my cargo shorts I said," you remind me a lot of myself when I was a freshmen. Nonchalant, cocky, trying to fit in. I grew out of it, went to college and now I'm a successful teacher."

"Whatever."

I pinched the bridge of my nose," Markus. Do you know what career you want to pursue?"

Clearing his throat he mumble," perinatal nurse practitioner."

"Right. I remember you told me that when I taught you across the street," the middle school was across the street from the High School," you know how hard you have to work to get there so don't lose your momentum trying to show off to your friends."

He nodded and pointed to the door, asking to leave.

"Go ahead."

Sighing I put the papers in my bag and walked out the classroom. Locking the door behind me before I went home.

"Abbie I'm home!" I called.

JJ ran down the stairs and jumped into my arms causing me to drop my bag.

"Hey little man," I hugged him.

He beamed," I missed you." He pouted.

Kissing his forehead, I set him down," it's Friday, you know what that means?"

"We go to the park! I gotta get momma!" He exclaimed running up the stairs.

Chuckling to myself I went into my room and changed into a pair of grey camo joggers, a white Nike shirt, and black Nikes.

"Momma's ready and so am I." JJ said jumping down the last step.

Abbie came down after him. Both of them were wearing shorts and shirts.

"To the park we go!"

***
I grinned and spun the laughing boy hanging from my shoulders around.

"Again again." JJ squealed.

I set him down," come on, let's take a break." I patted his shoulder and he ran over to the swings.

"I'll be back I'm going to go grab a coffee, you want anything?" I asked Abbie.

She shook her head and smiled," no thanks."