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Today was the day that Neal was coming into my classroom. The room was pretty empty, as school drew to a close, most of the rooms were boring. I made sure everything was the way it was and wiped down my desk. We still had a little less than an hour until the class would start.
"It's been a long time since I was in a school."
"What kind of student were you?" I was generally curious.
"Punctual most of the time, got good grades, I minded my own business. I'm guessing you were a goody two shoes?" I glance up at him as I straightened up my desk.
"Maybe." He chuckled. "I was the teacher's pet. Always the overachiever."
"That makes so much sense." I smiled and rolled my eyes at him. "You know I was a teacher once."
"Really?"
"Manhattan Prep a few years back."
"That was the one with the missing scholarship funds, right?"
"You remember that?"
"I heard from Mozzie."
"I went undercover. I had a great time."
"Well, well, well, if it isn't thing one and thing two." I turn my head to see Savannah in the doorway. "Excited for the game tonight?"
"I'm thrilled, someone else isn't." I motioned towards Neal, an unsatisfied look on his face, my rubber band ball in hand.
"I don't see how it's exciting. A guy hits a ball and they run the bases." I raised my eyebrows and looked at Savannah.
"I can't believe you said that!" Savannah asked, pretending to be offended. "It's because you've never been." I got it.
"Think of it this way, it's like a con. It's a rush. The atmosphere, the players, the people...okay, maybe not the people. But being under the lights and enjoying some popcorn while rooting for your favorites, it's a lot of fun." The warning bell rang, signaling that the class was starting soon. "Sav, do you want anything from the game?"
"Yeah, I want number 99, please."
"You and me both." I walk to behind my desk, Neal's eyes on me. "What? Is someone jealous?" No answer. "But why would I want him when I have you?" I tell him, a cheesy smile on my face, getting a grin out of him.
✰✰
They all walked in and took their seats, some telling me that they were happy to see me. Neal went around the corner to the vending machine which gave me time to introduce him.
"Okay, close your books. Since it's the last day of class, I figured it should be a relaxing day, so we have a guest! Some of you wanted to know if I knew and thanked the man that saved me, and the answer is yes. His name is Neal and he isn't a stranger, he's my neighbor. Today he's here to answer some questions. We don't mind if you ask about that day, but be courteous with the questions you ask."
