Shattered Ties(7)

“Don’t take offense. He’s just shy.” I heard Emma whisper to Todd.

He had obviously picked up on my unfriendly attitude and had taken it as a personal insult.

I wanted to laugh when I’d heard Emma say I was shy. I was the furthest thing from it, but I tended not to get wrapped up in bullshit things like being social, so I often came off as shy or an *. I hoped that the latter would apply around here, so everyone would take the hint to leave me alone.

They both turned their attention to the front of the classroom as the teacher entered. She was an older woman, and I could already tell that she was going to be strict. She just put off that dreaded no-nonsense vibe.

“Good morning, class. I’m Ms. Mason for those of you who don’t know me. For those of you who have had me before, you know what I expect out of my classes. Those of you who are just now getting the privilege of taking one of my classes, I want to be clear now. I won’t put up with any of your silly little games that so many students like to play. If I give you an assignment, I expect you to do it and have it turned in by the due date. No excuses. Yes, I am strict, but I’m also fair. Just don’t cross me.”

I rolled my eyes. Isn’t she just a breath of fresh air? It looked like this class was going to be one that I needed to focus a lot of my attention on.

“Let me take attendance, and then I’ll pass out your books,” she said as she sat down at her desk.

I didn’t miss the disapproving look she’d given me when she called my name and I raised my hand. My tattoos were obviously not going to be very popular with most of the staff around here, but I was used to it. Everyone always thought that if you had ink, then that automatically made you a criminal.

She wasted no time in passing out our books as soon as she’d finished with attendance.

“I would like to speak with you after class,” she said as she handed me a book.

“Sure, no problem,” I grumbled as I took it from her.

Emma glanced at me worriedly, but I gave her a small smile, hoping to reassure her. I could handle whatever Ms. Mason wanted to dish out.

We spent the rest of class working on chapter one, and she even assigned the questions at the end as homework. She obviously didn’t care that it was practically a rule that no one should give out homework on the first day of school.

When the bell rang, I threw my books in my bag and stood up. Emma grabbed my arm just as I started to walk to the front.

I gave her a questioning look. “What?”

She seemed uncomfortable, but she hid it well. “I just wanted to tell you where the cafeteria is. When you leave this class, just turn right and then left at the end of the hall. Just go straight after that, and you’ll find it.”

I was surprised that she was trying to help without me asking for it.

“Thanks,” I said as I looked down to where she was still holding my arm.

She looked down, too, and she quickly pulled her hand away when she realized that she was still touching me. “You’re welcome.”

I continued walking up to the front. I stood next to Ms. Mason’s desk as the rest of the class disappeared out into the hallway.

“Thank you for staying, Mr. Daniels,” she said once everyone was out of the room.

“Sure, no problem. What did you want to talk to me about?” I asked, already knowing that it probably had something to do with the tattoos covering my body.

Everyone might as well get used to them. It wasn’t like I could take them off while I was here. I had even made an attempt to look somewhat civilized with this damn polo shirt I’d found at the local thrift shop, hoping that it would make them happy.

“As you know, this is the first year that we have done this scholarship program. All of the teachers were given a file to look over for the new students, so we would know what to expect. I have to say that you completely shocked me when you raised your hand today. From what was in your file, I was expecting someone a bit...tamer. It’s quite obvious that you are a very intelligent young man based off of the fact that you’re standing here now in addition to the grades that your old school sent to us. I just want to make sure that we aren’t going to have any problems since you’re not what I had envisioned.”

“Are you profiling me?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

People like this woman pissed me off, and if she were anyone besides a teacher, I would have told her to f*ck off by now. Instead, I was forced to hold my tongue and be semi-polite.

She frowned. “I am not. I just want to make sure that we’re on the same page.”

“No, you are. You think that just because I have tattoos that I’m some lowlife with anger issues and a drug habit. I can assure you that I am not. Like you just pointed out, I have very high test scores, and my transcripts are damn near perfect. I was never suspended from my old school either, so it’s obvious where your concern lies.” I held out my arm, so she could see the tattoos on my right arm. “This doesn’t change who I am. I’m that guy in your little folder. I just happen to like color.”

I swore that I’d seen her mouth turn up in a grin, but a second later, it was gone, and I wondered if I had imagined it.

“That’s good to hear, Mr. Daniels. You’ve been blessed with a great opportunity, and I’d hate to see it go to waste.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I understand what being here means, and I will continue to keep my grades up, just like I always have.”