The Teacher.

After class

"Ms. Ryland Millar, is it?" asked Mr. Osborne as everyone filed out of the room. He was sitting at his desk highlighting notes on his iPad. When he looked up at me, he took off his glasses. 

A slight gasp escaped my lips and my face got hot again. 

"Yes, Mr. Osborne," I replied, my voice sounding a bit too high pitched and my heart beating out of my chest. 

He stood up, gestured for me to sit down in one of the desks in front of him. He closed the door the classroom. Coming back to me, he leaned against the oak desk, studying me. "I find it intriguing that you're into history." The glint of light that escaped from the sun went thru his eyes making them appear more green and translucent than before. He held a smirk on his face. 

Sexy...

Swallowing, I said, "I... I guess so?" 

Picks up the iPad, scrolls through fast, then sits it in front of me. "You see, there's an event coming up and I know I'm just a new teacher, but I've already picked a few other students to join me for this event," he paused, looks at me with a bit of hope in his eyes. "I would like for you to join us. It's a few students from the other school I used to work at and some from here." 

There were photos of an old castle like building surround by an outstretch of land that went for miles. This looks like the castles in the fairy tales we used to read about. Huge and old with gargoyles sitting at the top of them. Dad used to tell me that they were supposed to protect the castles from the evil spirits and demons that tried possessing them in the night. Roll my eyes at the ridiculous rumor. Mr. Osborne started swiping through the photos, showing me more and more of what the place looks like on the inside. 

"It's in my home town, Yorkshire in London," he elaborated. "The ticket will be paid for, homing provided...." Looking at me for a word, he continues. "It'll be a fun history experience." 

Going on a trip to a different country, not having to pay for it at all would be fun. Let alone, it's a trip for history, a subject that I love. Mom and dad will think this is an experience of a life time. If I were to turn this down, it'd be me missing out on a handful of fun. 

"Is there a permission slip," I said finally. His eyes smiled, but he didn't smile. Takes the iPad and went to his desk sorting through his paperwork. He pulls out a paper, setting it down in front of me. "Thank you." Going to the door, I hear him clearing his throat. 

"Oh and Ryland," he said. 

Turning to face him, he had a sly smile on his face. "I'm glad to have you in my class," was all he said. 

My hear drop a little seeing as how his eyes scanned me. Rushing out the door, I shoot a quick thank you to Mr. Osborne. 

After school at home, Mom was in the kitchen sitting at the island drinking  a glass of water while eating grapes from the fruit bowl that sat in the middle. She looked up at me when she notices I walked into the kitchen. "Oh hey, sweetie," she said with mouthful of grapes. "How was school?" 

Reaching inside my back pack for the paper, I say, "It was fine. I got a new history teacher." 

Sitting up, she raises an eyebrow. "What's this teacher's name?" she asks. 

"Mr. Osborne. Some guy from the UK. He offered a spot for this historic trip he's taking some students from his old school and from my school," I mention as I sat the permission slip in front of her. On the paper, it has the link to where we're going to be staying at. All the details written in fine print and Mr. Osborne's contact information. "I wanna go," was all I said as I see her reading through the paper. 

Finally, she looks up at me. Licks her lips before saying, "Who is this Mr. Osborne? You guys just met, what makes him think that it's normal to offer a trip to you?" 

"I mean, he said he liked my explanation on what I liked. That he's never met a student like me that actually likes history...." my voice trails off as I watch mom's face go through a trail of emotions. 

Then an excited smile sprouts on her face. "This is great, Ry," she finally says wrapping her arms around me. "I think your dad is going to be happy about this." 

"Dad's going to be what?" 

Dad's voice boomed from the front door. He walks in and sets down he phone and suit case, removes his tie, leaning over the island tossing a grape into his mouth. "What's this?" grabbed the paper from mom, scanning it. "This looks fun. Educational, informational." Squints his eyes. "Mr. Osborne--who's that?" 

"My new history teacher--" 

"He's from the UK," mom chimes in. "She made a great first impression on him." 

"Isn't that obvious," dad said waving the paper. "This is great, dumpling, honestly. I'm proud of you." Plants a kiss on my forehead and running his fingers through my hair. "Where's the pen, best get it signed now."