A Solitude in Hugs

1/story one/

"Good morning class," Mrs. Jackson called.

"Morning," the kids mumbled. I glanced at all of them awkwardly, remembering when I was in high school and in this position.

"As you may know, the school is experimenting with letting students from the university come in that may want to become high school teachers. While earning their teaching degree, they will be working with you and helping out the teacher with certain things. I was chosen to host one of these student teachers," she smiled, gesturing to me with a wave of her hand, "This is Mr. Lester. He will be my student teacher, and will be available all year for extra tutoring lessons, and when I am absent will most likely be your substitute. Please welcome him warmly."

"Hello, Mr. Lester," the class said, and I smiled at them. "Hi," I greeted. It felt weird being called Mr. Lester. I was a university student after all, not an old man. I was twenty three years old, an aspiring English teacher, and very awkward towards new people. I felt like every teenage eye was judging me.

"You're hot!" Some girl in the back called, making the whole class laugh. I felt my face flush, "T-thank you."

"Louise, that's a detention for harassing our new student teacher," Mrs. Jackson said, shaking her head and mouthing a sorry to me. I only smiled because I didn't really mind much. It was better than her shouting "You're ugly!" I think I would've cried.

"Now, I would like it if Mr. Les-"

That's when the door swung open and a flustered boy walked through the door, his backpack slung around one arm. He looked as if he'd been running here, the way his face was pink and his curls were all astray on his forehead. He looked at me for only a second before averting his eyes.

"Sorry I'm late," the boy said, "I was going to be even later, but then I had to run from my neighbors demon dog on the way here. She almost bit my ass off." Giggles sound in the class at that.

Mrs. Jackson rolled her eyes, "That's the third tardy this week, Mr. Howell. And that language is unacceptable. You can join detention today with Louise."

He smiled, revealing a dimple that made his rosy face that much prettier. "As long as I get to see you there, Mrs. Jackson."

"Sit," she demanded, and that smug smile didn't leave his face as he sat next to the girl called Louise, and they then gave each other a high five and started whispering about something.

"As I was saying before Howell interrupted," she said, giving him a look as he waved with a smile, "I think it would be nice if you all introduced yourselves to Mr. Lester, considering he'll be with us all year. We'll start with the back row, and make our way up. Share your name, and either something about you, or your biggest accomplishment."

The kid in the last seat stood up, a smile on his face. A couple people whistled as he did, so apparently he was very popular.

"My name is Joe Sugg," he says, "I'm uh...hot basically. My biggest accomplishment is probably my jawline, and my abs."

"Wooh!" The class cheers. "TAKE OFF YOUR SHIRT!" The boy called Howell shouts, making everybody start laughing and chanting "Take it off! Take it off!" Joe laughs, apparently used to the attention.

"Class, settle down!" Mrs. Jackson shouts, and they all stop. They must be very scared of her. "Joe, if that shirt leaves your body, so will your will to live when I'm through with you."

The class oohs and Joe gulps, "Yes, ma'am."

She rolls her eyes and points to the next person, who's name I learn is Caspar. His biggest accomplishment is being a pineapple apparently. They go down the line, and some are normal, some are weird, and I'm having a lot of fun listening to them for some reason. When we get to the boy who was late, I perk up. Something is just so interesting about him.

"My name is Dan," he says, smirking slightly, "And my biggest accomplishment is my big, long, d-"

"-Detention," Mrs. Jackson sighed, "You're big long detention, since you can't seem to act appropriately in front of our guest. I now expect you here all week, Daniel."

The class laughs at him and Dan rolls his eyes, "Should've known I wouldn't get through that one." When he sits down we make eye contact and a slight smile appears on his face. I smile back and he winks, causing me to blush as I see him chuckle.

What? I blush easy.

Class seems really short. The bell rings and the class all stands up, hurrying out of the classroom door. Dan stops in front of me before he leaves, smiling. "I look forward to learning with you, Mr. Lester."

Something about the cheeky way he says it and his dimpled grin makes me blush again. I nod and say thank you as he leaves with a cute wave. I don't want to think it's cute, but I do.

"Don't let that smile fool you," Mrs. Jackson said as he left, "He's smart, but sometimes he's a whole lot of trouble."

I nod, "Does he act like that often?"

Mrs. Jackson shrugs, "Only when he's trying to impress someone usually. I can always tell, and he knows it."

"Who was he trying to impress?" I ask. At this point, new kids start walking in for second period and give me an odd look before sitting down. I give them small smiles.

"I don't know," Mrs. Jackson laughed, "I've hosted a lot of detentions with him, but we don't spend a lot of time talking about his love interests. Well, sometimes he does, but not lately. He really loves to talk about himself sometimes. It's mildly amusing."

I don't know why Dan interests me so much, but he does. I wonder if he knows how his teachers feel about him, and what they think of his humorous persona. But apparently he isn't always like that. Only around people he wants to impress.

And as the bell rings to start the new class, I can't help but wonder who it is.

-

AN: this one will make you slightly sad.
Also this book will be one of, if not my last, and I'm excited for you to read it.