Teach You How To Love

The Prank

April 1st

Mitch smiled as he guided the choir through their song. It was for the concert, and he and Avi had previously discussed scrapping it. It was very difficult, in the defense of the kids. But, they had really pulled it together this last week before the concert, and they were doing really well.

"Measure eighty-one," he murmured, and he smirked when the sound improved. Some students were still having trouble keeping up. It was a fast song, so he couldn't blame them. However, less and less of them were needing him to call out the measures.

As the song ended, Mitch lowered his arms. "Good job, guys!" he said. "We'll have that really good when it's time for the concert. But it still needs work, so you guys should probably practice it over the weekend as well. Anyway, let's go to scale five on your sheets, to get into the new key signature for the next piece." He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Also, I've noticed that when I call out the measure numbers periodically, then some of you guys look at me like, 'Mr. Grassi, do you really think we need that?' Yet, every time I do it, I am further convinced that you do, because the sound improves every single time. So, why do ya'll think that you don't need it? Collectively, you do. Is it something to do with the fact that many of you are in musical theatre, and Scott and Kirstin don't do that? Just know that there is a need."

One student raised her hand. Mitch called on her. "Why did you call them by their first names?" she asked.

Mitch smiled. "Sorry," he said. "It just kinda happens sometimes. They're my friends, after all. A lot of the teachers here will call each other by the first names, you'll notice, even if they normally use the last names in front of classes. A good portion of you have Mr. Manio for math, right?" Several students nodded. "Well, he's close to Scott, like I am. He never does it in front of students, but you can sometimes hear him refer to Scott as 'Scotty.'" Mitch shrugged. "We're friends, like I said. It makes for a better work environment. Anyway, let's go to the scale. No talking, please! Quiet on the set."

A few students were already talking, and they looked up, dismayed, when he said that last part. Mitch smiled. Scott and Mark would both despise him for this, but Kirstin would love him. At any rate, it wasn't as if he had told any lies.

_

Mark sighed, sitting dejectedly at his desk. He was bored of reading, and had nothing else to do whiled the kids were testing. He finally got up and walked around, looking at the students' computers and making sure there was no cheating going on, as well as seeing how far along they were. But he could only do that for so long, and eventually returned to his desk, sitting sadly again.

Finally, someone finished and came up to the desk, so he could grade the test and explain the grade to the student. He looked at the test, having the computer to grade it. This didn't take any time at all, and he explained what had been wrong and why it was wrong. "Any questions?" he asked.

"Yeah, is it true that you call Mr. Hoying Scotty?" she asked.

"I'm not answering that," he said. "Where did you hear that?"

"From Mr. Grassi," came the response.

Mark got up. "If any more of you guys finish before I come back, just wait. I have to go scold the troublesome choir instructor."

_

Mark hesitated outside the choir room door. After a moment, he knocked. A student went to open the door. "Thanks," he said softly.

The student nodded, then returned to his seat. Mitch was talking to the students. He turned and saw Mark, and he let out a resigned sigh. "I'm gonna let the student teacher conduct for a little bit, actually," he said. Then, "Mr. Sallee! Can you come out here, please?"

Matt came out of a room off to the side, Avi following him. "What is it?" he asked.

"Would you mind conducting them for a few minutes?" Mitch asked.

Avi glanced around, noticing Mark. A scowl crossed his face. "What have you done, Grassi?" he demanded.

"Nothing!" Mitch let out an awkward, unnatural giggle. He seemed like a child who knew he was in trouble and was trying to avoid it as long as possible.

Avi sighed. "I'll be out here, making sure that everything goes correctly." He turned to Mark. "Don't feel bad about chewing him out if you need. Tell me what he did to bring you here after."

"Okay," Mark responded. He was frequently entertained by Avi. He was so sweet to the students, and very popular among them. But to the other teachers, for the most part, he was known to be, at times, a bit harsh. He always made sure that people were doing what they were supposed to. He was kind, but disliked people doing things they shouldn't. It amused him that the two groups each saw him so differently.

Mitch sighed, walking past him. "Come with me," he mumbled as he passed him.

Mark followed him into the room Avi and Matt had come out of. There was a sign by the door that read, "Choir office."

"What is it?" Mitch asked, closing the door.

"You know what I'm here for," Mark responded. "Why would you tell them that?"

"If you must be mad at someone, be mad at Kirstin," Mitch said. "She told me to do it!"

"If Kirstin told you to do something illegal, and you were taken to court, and said that someone told you to do it, would that get you out of trouble with the law?" he demanded.

"No, but this isn't an illegal activity," Mitch pointed out. "It's a harmless reveal. I mean, it's April Fool's Day. This was to prank Scott and you. Come on, have some humor!"

Mark was silent for a moment. Then, he said, "You're lucky I'm nice. Scotty won't be as forgiving as me."

He then turned to leave. Before he did, though, he explained the situation to Avi, who promptly cracked up. "You're supposed to be mad at Mitch!" Mark complained quietly.

"I can't!" Avi said. "Come on, that's kinda funny. I'm not even surprised Kirst did that. She's not exactly the nicest person here...."

Mark pouted at that. He was right.

He then turned to leave. As he did, however, he stepped into the hallway and saw heard a door open--loudly. Mark turned, knowing what door it was. Scott stepped into the hallway from farther down, seething with barely-contained rage. He shivered nervously, unable to help himself. Poor Mitch.

***

I thought I did well on this chapter. It was one of the longer ones that'll be in the story. I don't know why, but it's hard sometimes to make these chapters as long as they are in my other stories. But it doesn't really matter.

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By the way, speaking of which, what do the votes do? Is it basically just like a 'like' button, or does it have an actual purpose? I'm curious.