Thread: Overneath the Path of Misinterpretation (Alvis Alendran&Malicious Lullaby)

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. The students all stood and Esther turned sharply when she heard the scuffle of desks. She narrowed her eyes down on them playfully and they all halted their movements. Whats the rule? She asked her senior class. They groaned and sat their rumps back in their plastic chairs before reciting in unison. What could she say? She ran a tough ship. The bell does not dismiss us. Miss Martin does. She smiled proudly and put her hand over her chest. And you may be dismissed. She saw several eye rolls and if anything, it made her grin with much glee and also amusement, as if taking pleasure in their annoyance. No, she loved her senior class but they were seniors on their way out of high school and she made it her duty to let them know that just because they would be graduating, did not mean this year actually meant to slack. No, if anything, she pushed them harder so they realized how important their last year. It could make or break them. She was a teacher that cared. What could she say? Turning, she grabbed the eraser and started erasing the white board and making sure all was clear for the next day. She wasnt yet to leave. She had papers to grade, grade books for both grades she taught to update and the next day to plan aside from the required curriculum. She had her lesson plans set a week in advance, but she always tweaked it depending on each class and their progress. Each class was different, with a different set of students and a different set of learning and intellect. She adjusted her plans accordingly. Just as she sat down, her hazel eyes looked up and she saw one of her students lingering. His name was Donnie Reeves and he was one of the slackers she seemed to have pushed hard enough that he brought his F up to a C. She was very proud. Hey Donnie. Hey Miss Martin. He stepped towards her and she stood up slowly. Is everything okay? She taught two grades. She taught three freshman English classes and two American Literature classes, for her seniors. The rest of the periods was divided up into one period being her lunch period and she had two prep periods. Lucky, lucky. Yeah, I was just He paused, his eyes assessing over her. She wore an off white blouse with a bit of beige tint to it, made of satin and black skinny jeans with black ankle boots. Her long dark brown hair was tied into a modest ponytail, her bangs free from the restraint so she still looked her age yet she held a modicum of professionalism as a teacher. A year and a half ago, she graduated at twenty-one from college with a degree in education, a licensure in teaching and qualifications in English and Math. She was kind of the shit and the school, while they wouldnt admit it but she knew it enough, was lucky to have her. She was given the classes with the students who werent exactly up to speed yet she made immense and incredibly progress with them all. She was working fast to get off her two year probation. She was a determined teacher. Its what she was most passionate about. Still though, the way Donnie looked at her, even she couldnt ignore. She saw this boy in the halls often, watched how he tended to be more all over girls he could never have rather than his homework. While he did make tremendous progress, thisunnerved her a bit, how he perused her. Yes? She asked. Donnie stepped towards her and Esther stepped back instinctively, especially when she saw his hands lift. Her own lifted up in her refusal and she shook her head. What are you doing? Come on Miss Martin. Ive seen you watching me. Ive seen how you looked at me. You want me too, as much as I want you. Donnie, you have seriously misinterpreted my care and worry over you and the rest of my students for something else. This is highly inappropriate. That was an understatement. His face screwed in a sort of displeasure before he backed off. Im sorry Miss Martin. She sighed a soft sigh. Its okay Donnie. Just go home and dont forget to do your reading due Monday, okay? He simply nodded, muted and then turned to leave. Esther ran her hand through her hair and she went back to her desk, doing her work. About an hour later, the school principal came to her open class door. He knocked on it and she looked up and smiled. Hi Mr. Stinson. Hello Esther. Her face dropped the way he said her name. Um, care to sit? She asked, standing, motioning to a desk. No, but I think you need to. Why? She wouldnt sit. A student of yours, Donnie Reeves, stopped by my office. He claimed that you made inappropriate advances towards him, touched him and made several innuendos in private. Asked him to stay after class often he trailed off and her eyes widened in horror and her jaw dropped. M-Mr. Stinson, that is a load bullshthat is so untrue! She was outraged. Im sorry Esther, until we can further investigate this, were going to have to immediately suspend you until we find if the allegations are true or not. Her eyes watered and she took a moment before she picked up her jaw and composed herself. Do I need to go now? Yes, take what is yours. You can hand over the grade books to me for all your classes. I will make sure the appropriate substitute understands and can carry on until we sort this out. Is there any legal action I should take? She asked. He sighed softly. I dont know. This is actually quite serious and I cant just let it go. Even if I do believe you more than Mr. Reeves, I have to take appropriate measures. He is a student and you are still on probation. She wanted to cry, this wasnt fair. She just nodded her head and turned, gathering her things, handing over the drive in which she stored her grade books and looked at him. Bye Mr. Stinson. Bye, for now, Esther. He patted her shoulder and with a defeated sigh, she left the premises. On her way out, she saw Donnie and he just smirked smugly. No witnesses around. She ran her hand over her hair and shook her head, going home. When she did get home, Mallory, her college roommate, best friend and current roommate beamed seeing her but her face immediately dropped seeing her friend in the dumps. What happened? Esther threw her bag on the couch and slumped down, covering her face. She started crying. Mallory came to her in an instant and wrapped her arms around her. Through her sobs, Esther told her everything and as Mallory stroked her hair to calm her friend down, the light bulb went off. She got her degree in music. How well that panned out for her considering she was a secretary to one of the partners at the law firm she worked at. But thats why it worked out kind of because the idea came to mind. Esther, I can talk to my boss. She hiccupped softly and wiped her eyes, smudging her eyeliner in the process. Mallory cleaned up the rough edges she smeared and smiled. I cant ask you to do that. You didnt have to. Your sobs said it all. Mr. Stinson said I probably dont even need a lawyer. What if you do? Hes not going to take it and from what youve told me about your boss, Mal, I highly doubt he would take this case. Besides, I couldnt afford it. Theres such a thing as pro bono! She chirped. Esther grumbled and shook her head. No, I will take care of this on my own. Did you minor in law? Esther worried her bottom lip. N-No, but I didnt hit on him, he hit on me! Let me make the call. She stroked her hair. Do you want some wine? The best way to distract a distraught Esther was to give her wine. Yes. She muttered sulkily. Nodding, Mallory stood and she went into the kitchen. She looked back and then produced her cell phone from her pocket, before dialing the number, all the while she took a chilled bottle of Chardonnay from the fridge and opened it. At least that way itd seem like she wasnt going behind her friends back and calling her boss. And technically, Esther never said no to the final time Mallory said she'd call her boss.