- Dallas, Texas -
September 1, 2019
First day of school.
Something different about this day for Stephen Masterson, eleventh grade science teacher at Edensburg Catholic and Prep since 2015.
Things weren't unusual that day, but the feeling was unshakable. Something in himself, in his head, told him it wasn't going to be a typical first day.
"Hey Masterson!" Another teacher called out. Turning his head and peering across the parking lot was Ethan Cortez, social studies teacher and football coach.
"Hey Cortez." Masterson smiled, clapping Cortez on the shoulder, bringing him into a hug.
"How you feel about this year, eleventh grade, huh?" Cortez asked cocking an eyebrow.
"Eh, yeah don't remind me. Apparently a kid in my fourth period, Reyes, had in school suspension, four weeks, for 'inappropriate touching' in the auditorium." Stephen cringed as he swung his bag over his shoulder and locked his car.
"Yep, Reyes has had a reputation for... indecent relations his entire high school career so good luck with him." Ethan, only being 5'7, let out a laugh as he looked up to Masterson, a staggering 6'2.
The two walked across the parking lot and into the doors of the school, more and more kids coming into view, filling the halls and classrooms quickly.
Nothing really excited him anymore other than the drama going on with the other social studies teachers, it was dry as usual.
The two continued down the hall, stopping at Masterson's class. "But, I actually have a question."
Stephen rose an eyebrow in suspicion, as he set his bag under his desk. "Yeah, what's up?" He replied, slumping in his chair.
"We actually are short a football coach this year. You've talked about playing in high school before haven't you?" Cortez asked sitting on the edge of his desk.
Masterson scoffed, rolling his eyes, "When I said I played, I meant I didn't even touch the ball my entire high school season."
"But you were on the team!"
"Yeah so what. You want me to coach the kids sitting on the bench for the JV team or something?"
"I want you to coach Varsity with me."
Stephen froze as he studied Cortez's face watching for smile to crack through or a hint of a regret in his voice. There was none.
"You must be shitting me, Cortez." Masterson chuckled as he stood from his chair to the window, opening the blinds ever so slightly, beams of sun flooding into the classroom, illuminating the desks and whiteboard.
"No I'm being serious. Thompson quit just before the season ended, said that his girlfriend was pregnant and needed help at home. We need another coach."
Walking from the windows back to his desk, Masterson slowly pulled out his rosters from
his bag and started to scan them. "Didn't Thompson get with his old student after she graduated?"
Cortez nodded, "Heard that they started fucking before she graduated too."
The two laughed uncomfortably, "Well, I don't think I'm the guy you're looking for. Isn't there some new young algebra one teacher you can recruit on the first day of school or something."
"It's yours to think about Masterson," Cortez replies as he lugged his bag over his shoulder and headed to the door, "But if you pussy out of this, I will kick the shit out of you, you jolly green giant motherfucker."
