Chapter 11

Time flew after the incident with the Grade 12s, and no teacher that day was able to see the Grade 13s because they were detained for their unruly behaviour and they had shown no remorse, however, it is sorted, tomorrow they will be ready to learn, said Mrs Windhoek giving me brief feedback through Lucas who suddenly like himself, the self I have been interacting with the past few days, not the one I saw today in class. I am still shaken.

I glance at him as he talks, I can't get myself to forget the cold eyes, he looked like he. was going to snap someone's neck apart from their body.

"Oh...thanks" I purse my lips. I start packing my backpack as the bell has already rung and I can't wait to throw myself on my bed. Excluding the Grade 12 incident, the FET classes have been keeping me busy.

"Thanks to Paris, we have no afternoon classes" Announce Thabo. Everybody claps their hands in joy.

"Look at you, all new and leading us to freedom. I think I will start liking you now" Mrs Grey exclaims and sit on her chair comfortably.

"Oh... be careful what you say, Luca doesn't like what you said, look at his face" Ayanda grins.

"What did I say? " Mrs Gret asks clueless

"The word like, don't you see, he is always on her desk and even drives her to and from work" Ayanda clasps her hand. Her eyes sparkled with joy.

The staff room filled the room with joyous laughs and other people are nodding their heads.

"Of course..." The room went icy " You would like it if I take her away so that you don't have competition anymore. Ayanda, stop spewing nonsense and making Paris uncomfortable. Not everybody has ulterior motives when they are with people" He stands up and walks to his desk. The smile was gone, he seemed upset. But I thought he was interested in me. But does it matter in this context, the less they talk about it the better?

"So Paris can be mine?" Thabo interjects to cut in the shameful silence.

"Nonsense! She is better with Mr Ice or Ntshuxeko than you" Mrs Grey replies

"Or maybe with you, I see you are trying to score points. You want to secretly cheat on your husband with beautiful Paris huh? I mean we will never the tea" Thabo fires back and cracks laughter as Mrs Grey starts fuming.

"Oh fuck me right! Being Bi means I go around falling for everything and associated with betrayal. Fuck you Thabo, and Bye beautiful people" She takes her bag and vacated the room.

"That was extreme..." A male voice comments

"What? You trust her, plus I gotta shut her up, she can't be bad-mouthing me in front of beautiful Paris"

"Argh! Everybody knows you will never bite this forbidden apple, let us go home before Mrs Head changes her mind" Ayanda stood up and turns to look at Ntshuxeko "Ntshuxeko do you want a lift? I can drop you at home" She muffs her chuckles and everybody starts giggling.

Oh, dear Lord! How did I get myself in this predicament and how do I get myself out of it? I release a small sigh. I stand up.

"Come on!" Ntshuxeko tries to not smile.

"Goodbye, see you tomorrow" I walk out.

"Come on Paris!" They all hail at me and laughed.

"Wait for Mr Windsor, he is running after you, Wait..."

I hear Ayanda's voice accompanied by laughter as I close the door. I quickly vacate the corridor and joined the route that leads to the gate.

Damn, it! I don't want to be that teacher. I guess today I walk by myself to avoid feeling these rumours. It's the kids now ny co-workers, how do I salvage this situation? My eyes become teary. I sniff holding back the tears. I can not afford to start bawling right now, I will be known as the new teacher who jumps into people's beds and cries in the streets. Hold yourself together, you got this.