The Point of No Return {sequel to The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [teacher]}

The Point of No Return {sequel to The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [teacher]}24

Our principal hesitated; in one hand he didn’t want to seem too obnoxious, but in the other, he didn’t want to seem like a pushover. I could tell by his expression and his stance.

Finally, he spoke, ‘Two seconds.’ He then nodded abruptly before settling himself back down into his chair; putting one of his legs over the other and placing both hands around one knee; making him look very intimidating.

Cole didn’t look the least bit frightened as he turned back to the audience with an encouraging smile. He continued where he was cut off.

‘So you see, pretty much all of you have found someone who has not only been very kind but also such a great person, in the form of our principal. If anyone else had been in charge of this school, I am sure we would have been subjected to such anarchy that barely any of you would be standing right where you are at this moment. He has handled all the situations that have come his way extremely well. To tell you the truth, much more has been placed in his lap in these past couple of months than most of you would be aware of. But please, trust me when I say if it were any other principal, they would have broken already. You may look at me and think “But hasn’t he already broken since he’s technically leaving?” and with that I answer to you, simply no. It is not as though he is running away, but merely he is lacking that self-confidence that is needed for this job. He says he can’t do it which disables him to do it. This may sound like complete nonsense to you but please, I am sure some of it makes sense. Now, the true reason I am standing up here, confronting all of you with such an issue. I propose an idea. I do not take credit for it; I had lots of help from some…special people.’

Cole hesitated for complete impact before continuing.

‘I know it is too late to save his job as principal as he has already resigned and we have our new very own principal coming very shortly; which is unavoidable. And so I come to you offering a compromise. I say we give him another job; one he has had plenty of experience previously with; a teaching job.’ He waited, letting everyone’s reaction come out while Cole simply stood at the podium with his arms folded behind his back and a conceited-like smile upon his features.

I looked straight to Principal Maletos to see his thoughts on the subject but he remained silent. His brow was heavily furrowed in thought. His gaze drifted out to nothing in particular, meekly in thought and contemplation.

Murmurs spread around my fellow peers and teachers, none of them individually detectable among the rest.

Meghann nudged me softly in the ribs with her elbow. I turned to her as she winked at me with a playful smirk.

Kiren showed his fist squarely between us. Meghann and Ashton both joined their fists, awaiting my approval.

I sighed, ‘Guys, we haven’t won yet. This could all go to “bollocks” –as Cole likes to say – in a matter of seconds.’ I said, trying to be heard over the top of everyone else’s chatter.

They all sighed and nodded in agreement before turning back to the front, waiting in anticipation for the scene to play out.

It was as though Principal Maletos shook himself back to normal as he came back to himself.

He stood up and looked to Cole, acting as though they were the only two people here right now.

‘And Cole . . . you’re serious about this? You . . . really want me to get my teaching job back right now, even though I haven’t taught in fifteen years?’

Cole smiled kindly and nodded. ‘I do.’ He reassured before continuing. ‘And so does everyone else here. So . . . what do you say? Will you stay?’ Cole pushed.