a quiet knock hit mrs. johnsons door as catherine entered her classroom. "hi jay,"
"cat! just the girl I wanted to talk to." mrs. johnson smiled. "what are you doing after school today?"
"I uh-," catherine thought as she put down her books. " I don't think I have anything. why? are you trying to make me go to another pep rally or something? because i'm not."
"no," the teacher laughed. "trust me, I learned my lesson with that one."
the pair laughed at the awkward memory.
"no cat, I was going to ask if you would like to tutor one of my students for me? it looks great on your resume and it's for the election of 1800, your favorite."
"of course!" catherine exclaimed.
"since you're here early," the teacher began.
"yes turn it on!!" catherine said as the room was suddenly filled with a scratchy radio playing the morning news.
-----
the squeaky locker opened up revealing the athletes mix of books and workout clothes. there was about ten minutes before the late bell rang before class, so naturally the team was together.
there was always some gossip in the group, but sam tended to stay out of it. was archie the boyfriend or out of her teammates league? was kianna really going on that bumble date? whatever was happening sam, had no interest.
as they walked the hallways ready to head into their first period, sam got distracted. what was catherine doing in mrs. johnsons classroom?
not that sam had never noticed the bookworm in her classes, but she had never given two thoughts. but for some reason, she was stopped in her tracks. there was something odd about her. was it because she hardly ever talks? because her smile was like winning the lottery? because her only companions are 60 year old teachers? because she didn't fit into the expectations of her peers? whatever it was, it was odd.
"yo sam- what are you doing?" ac asked over the hallway chatter. her gaze locked onto where sam's previously was. "oh, what a kiss up, right?"
"uh um yeah," sam stuttered taking one last look.
just as the brunette took her last glance, catherine began to walk out of the classroom for her first class locking eyes with the volleyball all-star.
while they both had thoughts racing, neither could figure out exactly what they were.
