#and teacher/substitute teacher gets an ‘oh wow that’s a hard job..’ and then when i tell them high school they call me brave asfj

[wcmi-22]

School Days

By Allison Blossom

It had been another hard day for Alice. She had volunteered to be a substitute teacher for one of Wonderland’s many schools and was excited to do so at first. For Alice longed to mold young minds and give them the excitement of the wonder of God’s great universe that she has had the joy of learning as a child. Yet, when she started teaching, the students gave her quite a hard time. They were bouncing off the walls, pulling pranks left and right, and even messing with their chairs. It was bad enough she was flustered about the lesson since she constantly had a little bit of stage fright but, it was worse that the students could still smell her fear and lack of confidence. On the first day she tried to be fun with them and tried to make learning fun but, unfortunately, that didn’t work out because she ended her day cleaning up the refuge of an overactive class. The next day, she tried once again to be friendly but eventually snapped at the students and had them be silent for the class period. Though it had been only two days but, they had been the longest two days of Alice’s life. She did everything to prepare for the subjects and did everything to study for what to expect in the classroom but, what she wasn’t prepared for was having the students be so difficult and her being so nervous that it caused her to embarrass herself. What was worse about this situation was how Reginald, the mad hatter, also became a substitute teacher for another classroom and his children were so well behaved!

This caused Alice to think to herself on the stoop outside of the school building, “If it is this bad for these two days, I can’t imagine what it will be like today?!”

As Alice sat there on the stoop of the school building, she was debating to herself whether she should go into the building or just give up on this dream of hers. I mean she was already happy with working at the bookshop. Who really needs to be a teacher anyways? Besides, its not like the children like her anyways. If anything, she had more comments on how strict she was or how they wished their teacher was back. The comments alone were the biggest things that crushed her spirit the most because, she thought she was doing well with trying to help the students and make them like her but, apparently, she couldn’t be confident with them, nor could she be liked by them either. Suddenly, Alice leaped a little when she felt a warm hand on her shoulders.

“Alice?” the voice said in a tender tone.

Alice then looks up and sees that it is none other than Reginald himself.

“Alice are you crying?” he asks.

Alice then straightens herself up and wipes the tears from her eyes quickly.

“No, no its just allergies!” Alice lied but, to no prevail Reginald could easily see through the lie. Cause if Reginald knew anything about his cricket, he knew that not only was his cricket was a terrible liar but, also, she always was persuasive to push him away.

“You know you don’t have to lie to me , Cricket.” He said gently “ can always tell when you’re lying.”

“Ok fine. I was crying!” She confessed sternly then gently said “I just thought, being a teacher could be something great in my life. I always hear how wonderful it is to give children knowledge to help them through life and how you can inspire children to be better than the people who made the big mistakes in life so the next generation would be better. I thought “Hey I can do that!” “I’m not completely useless in my life sometimes!” you understand?”

Reginald suddenly felt bad for his cricket and sat by her on the stoop as she talked some more.

“I mean I love working at the bookshop with Belle, and I love that that’s my job but, I’m just not sure if I want that to be for the rest of my life. So, I figured since the school needed a substitute, maybe I would find my purpose and the kids would like me and maybe even learn something. But all I’ve proven is that I am just a silly girl with silly dreams.” Alice then places her hands over her eyes to relieve the tension and stress in her face.

Reginald frowned and rubbed Alice’s back for a moment until an idea popped into his mercury ailed brain.

“Cricket.” He said to her gently and had Alice’s head raise to him. Reginald then took off his hat and searched around it to find what he needed. To Alice’s surprise Reginald had a lot of junk in his hat such as old tea pots, ribbons and even a plunger. Finally, he found a tiny picture and gave it to Alice. Alice looked at the picture to see that it was Reginald and a group of students only, these weren’t the boys and girls he had in his classroom, these were different.

“Was this… did you teach another class before this?” Alice asked confused.

“Yes, I did!” Reginald confirmed

“But I thought this class was your first substitution job?”

“No, Cricket, I’ve done 7 substitution jobs! No, wait, 8. 8 substitution jobs!”

“Wow!” Alice said, “you must have learned a thing or two from all those experiences!”

“I did! But there are three things you need to know, Alice!” he says.

“What is that then?”

“Number one, you have faith in what you do and know that you are doing your very best because I’ve seen in the last few days what you are capable of and yeah you may need to work on confidence but, like they say Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

“I guess that’s true.” Alice says calmly and thoughtfully.

“Another thing you need to know is that, even when you have these obstacles like discipline problems and such, you need to stand your ground and fight back! I mean this is Alice Liddell I am talking to, she has disciplined and scolded me like a child every week so, you’ve had practice!” Reginald explained.

Alice smiled and laughed “ Well, I guess so. So, what’s the third thing I need to know?”

Reginald then puts his hand her shoulder, smiles and says in a gentle, tender tone “You’re doing great! Even when you had it hard the firsts day, you came back the second day. And just because you’re not like other teachers, doesn’t mean you won’t be the best teacher for these students.”

Alice smiled and had tears in her eyes. Then she did something so unexpected that even Reginald didn’t see it coming. She spread her arms out and hugged Reginald.

At first Reginald was shocked by this but, then smiled and hugged her back. They hugged for a while until Alice realized what she was doing.

“*cough* Well, Mr. Theophilus!” She said sternly and stood up.

“The third!” He interjected.

“Thank you for the lovely advice but, now I must get to my students now and give them their lessons!” she said and left quickly.

Reginald just merrily smiled and put his arms behind his head as he leaned into the stoop.

“She wants me!” He said with a sharp toothy grin but then felt something hit him in the back of the head.

“Ouch!” he said and saw that Miss Liddell threw him a little present which so happened to be a red delicious apple.

Reginald then stood up and leaned down to pick up the little gift. He then rubbed the apple onto the sleave of his orange coat and proceeded to bite into it.

“Oh well,” he said with a mouth full of the tasty fruit “Waste not want not!” He then proceeded to go into the building into his classroom for the day.

The End

[xpeachesncream]

acquainted | three

summary: the biggest goal of a grad student is to get through school in one piece - no petty drama involved, no sweating over the little things. however, that plan almost always never follows through. sometimes, you can’t help but fall into the most unthinkable, unexpected traps and learn the hard way. like, exhibit a: being unable to resist your engaged, substitute teacher, kim seokjin.

pairing: (2nd bts member to be revealed later on) x reader x engaged!teacher!seokjin

genre: grad school au, student life au | fluff, angst, smut (to come)

words: 2.0k

warnings: hoe-ish thoughts / implied sexual content, cussing, mentions of death/car accident, your friends being extra like always

notes: flashback scene towards the last half of the chapter. start and end of flashback will be indicated!

tags: @laurynne5​, @yiyi4657​, @bluesharksandfish​, @miinoongi​ @teamtardis-notdead​ (pls msg me if you would like to be added to the taglist!)

It was a cold morning, with the wind slowly picking up, bringing the clouds over from across the bay. You grabbed yourself a cup of coffee and sat on a table near the food cart on campus, finishing up your last items on your to-do list for work. You didn't wanna sit in the office for remainder of the day, and luckily, your job gave you that flexibility. You rubbed your hands together, hoping it could provide some relief to the cold taking over. You were too lazy to make your move at this point, and Mr. Kim's [or shall we say Jin since we aren't in a classroom right now] class wasn't too far away from where you were sitting. It'd be an easy, breezy walk.

Your brain felt foggy; even though you didn't have much left on your to-do list, you couldn't seem to focus and you knew why. Chance's death anniversary was coming up, and it was always something you dreaded. You wish you could skip the day and continue on with the week without having to revisit shit like this. Your friends are your biggest support systems, but they too, have their own lives to tend to. And as much as they tried to physically be there for you, sometimes it just didn't end up happening that way.

"Miss Y/N, are you doing alright?" You looked up to see Jin standing in front of you, a concerned expression plastered on his face while he held his cup of coffee.

"Oh yeah, sorry. Just spaced out trying to get things done for work."

"No need to apologize. I feel that, 100%." He chuckled. "Mind if I sit for a minute?" You shook your head and moved your things closer to you so he had some room for himself. "Glad to see you got home in one piece."

"Sure did." You smiled at him, tilting your head slightly to get a good look at his handsome ass face while he brings up his foot to rest on his knee. Honest question: is it ever too early for hoe thoughts to make an appearance?

Did I put on deodorant today?

"You work nearby?" He sipped on his coffee and glanced at you.

"Yeah, I work for a cloud-based software company as a project manager. Sometimes, I'll help chime in with graphic design projects too, if I'm not too swamped." He nodded.

"That's pretty amazing."

"What about you? I assume this isn't your only gig." He chuckled.

"You're right, it's not. I, uh-" He paused. "I'm a CFO for a tech company in the city." Your eyes widened. Handsome, and a fucking boss? You have got to be kidding me.

"W-wow. Holy shit." You quickly shook your head and shut your eyes in embarrassment. "Sorry, holy crap." You corrected your previous statement.

"Y/N, I don't care if you cuss." He laughed. "I'm a 30 year old man who still finds the need to slip it in between every other word when I'm not in class."

"Sorry, just— holy fuck. I wasn't really expecting that, but good on you!"

"What do I look like to you? Honest question."

"Oh, I mean. I just thought you worked in business or something like that. As someone important, but not that important. I-I mean—"You sighed and pursed your lips into a fine line. "You know what I mean, I hope."

"I think I do, don't worry." He smiled, feeling slightly amused with how cute you were acting.

"You must be really busy all the time."

"Mm, no actually. I do have quite a few meetings and deadlines to reach but other than that, it's not too bad." You rested your chin on the palm of your hand. "Are you from here?"

"I am, born and raised. Are you?" He shook his head and slightly pouted.

"I moved here a couple of years ago from Seattle when my fiancé Grace started to get serious about her cooking. She wanted to open her first restaurant here."

"Oh, that's neat. She's a chef?" Stupid question, but you weren't sure how else to keep the conversation going about his soon-to-be wifey.

"Yep. She's a wonder woman, for sure." He pauses to sip more of his coffee. "Do you have family members that live around here?"

"Yeah I do, my parents live about 30 minutes away from here. I go and visit them when I can. But sometimes, I get too occupied with work and school that I just long for time to myself. Being 25, you'd think I could handle more but I'm still learning how to balance my time, I guess." He nods. He's a little relieved to hear you aren't that far off in age, to be honest. He wasn't sure if he was being weird harmlessly getting to know his students. He genuinely wanted to build relationships with them so they didn't think he was a professor they couldn't turn to. However, when it came to you, he couldn't help but feel slightly captivated. He was impressed with the way you carried yourself, down to how you'd participate in class and how you didn't come off like a student who hated every fucking professor they came across in their academic career. He appreciated the tiny details. "Not gonna lie though, I do get a little homesick whenever I don't get to visit for awhile, even though they don't live far. Truly makes me appreciate having my friends around."

"Ryujin, Taehyung and Jimin? No siblings?" He asks. Impressive. He paid attention.  Although, it's definitely not hard to figure out when you four were constantly [for the most part] stuck at the hip.

"Yup, those punks. I'm the only child so they've become family to me." You smiled hearing your friends' names. They honestly meant the world to you, and you weren't sure where you'd be without them.

"That's sweet. It's good to have people like that on your side of the court."

There was silence for a moment, with Jin looking at you over the rim of his cup, while you tried your hardest to keep yourself together. You felt the heat radiating throughout your body the longer you kept your gaze on him, the tension slightly building. You were a little relieved he didn't bounce the question back about your love life or anything regarding the matter. You almost feel guilty that you're digging pretty deeply into this situation yet again, but you felt comfortable with the way the conversation was going and the energy he was exuding.

"I, um--" You pause as you tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. He keeps the same gaze on you, almost like he's trying to figure out what you'll say next by reading you and your body language. "I hope--"

"Y/N!" You hear Taehyung's deep ass voice yell for you from behind. "Oh fuck, sorry dude. Am I interrupting something?" To be quite frank, you were happy Taehyung interrupted when he did because you were just about to tell Jin how good he looked, respectfully, of course. You were going to keep it PG and comment on the tie he was wearing and how the pattern complimented him and the rest of his outfit.

"No, not at all." Jin chuckles. "We were just wrapping up, I have to get going." He stands and smiles at the both of you. "See you both in class soon."

"Peace out, Mr. Kim." Taehyung throws up the peace sign like a dumbass as you both watch him take his exit and walk towards his classroom.

"Peace out, Mr. Kim? Really, Tae?"

"I mean, he seems cool enough for me to do that, don't you think?" You shake your head and continue finishing up your work on your work laptop. "What was that about? Are you in trouble already? What'd you do?"

"Why do you have like, so much fucking energy right now?"

"I downed two redbulls before I got here."

"You're an idiot."

"Me and Jimin were up all night hunting."

"I stand corrected— you both are idiots." Taehyung clicks his tongue before raising his eyebrow, manspreading and leaning back into the chair.

"So, what was that really about?"

"We just had a chat!"

"Sure. You both were definitely eye-fucking each other. It was weird to walk into."

"Not everyone is like you, trying to fuck everything they see." You rolled your eyes. "He had just sat here for a minute and we talked about work and where we were from."

"Okay." He snorts and shrugs.

"You're being so dramatic. It was harmless."

"Definitely looked otherwise."

"You weren't even here for the majority of our conversation?"

"Didn't have to be, sweetheart." He winked, playfully caressing your chin. "Your secret is safe with me."

"You are so full of shit. I don't know how I've dealt with you for so long."

"Who's so full of shit?" Ryujin comes strolling along, with a tired Jimin who was sipping on an iced americano. He wore a cap and sunglasses with sweats and a fitted crewneck, looking like he just rolled the fuck out of bed.

"Taehyung, who else?" You both stood up to start slowly walking towards Mr. Kim's classroom. "Are you okay, Chim?" You asked, genuinely worried about him, but also trying to change the subject.

"Tired. Just tired." He shakes his head, lowering his the brim of his cap even more. "This dumbass kept messing up our hunt last night."

"I didn't mess anything up, you just weren't clear on the directions." Jimin smacked him upside the head. "And Y/N's just mad I caught her and Mr. Kim on a date." Ryujin gasped, while Jimin choked on his iced americano and coughed trying to get himself together.

"Excuse me, come again?" Ryujin squeezes your arm, causing you to slightly wince in pain before you can shake her off.

"Tae, really?" You rolled your eyes. "It wasn't a date! He just sat with me for a minute and we talked for a little bit. That's literally it."

"You forgot the part where you both were eye-fucking each other when I came along."

"What the fuck is even going on right now?" Jimin finally chimed in, making you sigh deeply.

"We were not!" You pushed Tae. "You're such an instigator."

"First, helping you with your groceries, now this? I didn't think you had it in you, girl! Actually pursuing an engaged professor." Ryujin joked, making herself laugh out loud. Jimin is now walking alongside of you, while Taehyung throws his arms around both you and Ryujin, swinging his big ass head back and forth between the both of you.

"He helped you with groceries last night? What?" Jimin is honestly so confused and is unable to keep up with the chaotic conversation.

"Look, I just ran into him at Trader Joes and he offered to bring my groceries to my car since it was getting late. And today, we just ended up talking for a little bit. That's it. Can we drop this?"

"Mr. Kim has the hots for Y/N!" Ryujin teased.

"That's it. I'm going to find new friends." You shrugged. "Unbelievable." Did they not listen to one word you just said?

"You should go for it and have fun." Taehyung winked.

"No, no. She shouldn't go for him or do anything." Jimin states loud and clear, making sure he grabs both Ryujin and Taehyung's attention by waving his hand in the air.

"Ah, come on Chim, it's just a little fun."

"Ry." Jimin says sternly.

"Okay, kidding." She rolls her eyes.

"This is getting so out of hand." You say as you all approached the door to Mr. Kim's classroom.

"Hey Mr. Kim." Ryujin waved her hand playfully, followed by Jimin and Taehyung who simply nodded and gave him a toothless smile. He happily returns her greeting, then flashes a small smirk as you pass him while arranging the papers on the front desk.

"Hmph." Ryujin smirks. "Told you so." You roll your eyes.

Chance's death anniversary arrives quicker than you'd like, causing you to pick yourself up and force yourself to get on with the day whether you like it or not. After work, you quickly visited his grave at the cemetery, balling your eyes out as you spend quite awhile sitting in silence, staring at his photo on the tombstone. Every memory, every good and bad moment that you shared with Chance flashed right before your eyes.

It was irreplaceable.

[ start flashback ]

"So, who would you want next to you if the end of the world was coming?"  You kept your gaze on the 'List of questions to ask your significant other' photo on your phone.

"What kind of morbid question is that?" Chance laughed as he continued to hug you tightly while you laid on his chest. "You, of course."

"Aw, thanks bebe. Same here."

"Are there any happy questions in there?" He scrolled down the list. "Like this one - what's the cutest thing your partner has ever done for you?"

"When we had dinner on a boat and you sang to me and everyone else having dinner." You laughed.

"Yeah, that was pretty cute wasn't it?"

"Shut up." You playfully covered his mouth. "Your turn."

"The cutest thing you've done? I don't know sweetheart, you've done a ton of cute things. I'd have to say you waking up next to me. It reminds me how real you are." You smiled and pecked him on the lips.

"I love you, chance."

"I love you too." He says almost at a whisper while caressing your chin. He was pulled out of the moment when his phone rang. "Ayo." He says. You watch as his facial expression changes. "For fuck's sake man, alright. Hang tight, I'll be there. Yo, don't be stupid and drive home drunk. I'm about to leave, okay? Your ass better be there by the time I get there." He sighed as he hung up the phone.

"What's wrong?"

"Josh is drunk as hell. I'm gonna go pick him up before he does something stupid."

"Can't he find a ride there?"

"Everybody left him. I can't just leave him there."

"I know, but--"

"It's gonna be fine, okay baby? I promise. I'll be back before you know it."

"Alright." You sighed. "Be safe, please."

"I will."

[ end flashback ]

When you finally arrived at school, you checked out your appearance to make sure you looked decent enough to get through class. You were hoping your psychology classes would go by quickly, just so you could get out of there and feel less suffocated.

"I'm sorry I can't come over." Ryujin pulls you into a tight hug and caresses your back. She had planned to spend time with you, but her sister called her last minute to ask if she could babysit her niece until late night. "But let me know if you need me, okay? I don't care if it's 1AM, I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Same. I'll do what I can to get out of this family thing." Jimin gives your arm a gentle squeeze. Jimin's family was visiting from Korea on a whim, so he had been pulled into some family festivities for the evening.

"Look, you guys. I'll be fine, okay? Don't worry about me. You know I love you both no matter what, do what you need to do."

"I'll text you when I'm on my way?" Taehyung is the only one who is able to spend time with you tonight, after he helps his younger brother with a project. You simply nodded before you split ways with your group and headed for the library. You were going to stick around and do some work at the library until Taehyung was free because there was no way you were going to go home alone, feeling the way you were feeling. You weren't going to get anything done, and you weren't going to have the energy to pull yourself together.

Today was heavy.

The library wasn't any better for you because your thoughts seemed to be louder in such a huge, quiet space. You were looking at the clock time and time again, hoping Taehyung would text you, letting you know he'd be on his way with tons of dessert and wine. Just cause that's what you wanted, right at this moment.

You sighed and cracked your neck from side to side, getting yourself into Steph Curry "Lock in" mode so you can push through your assignments that needed to get done. But, it just didn't happen that way. You were becoming frustrated and restless, so you quickly packed up your things and shoved them into your bag before walking out. The campus was lit with street lights, with barely any students walking around. It felt a little eery, but the walk to the lot wasn't too bad being that the garage was well-lit, with security guards on every level. You felt your phone buzz in your pocket, causing you to try and reach for it even though you were hauling the rest of the books that didn't fit in your bag. Next thing you knew, you had your phone, but your books had fallen to the floor, the papers stuffed in them falling out and getting wet from the wet grass next to the concrete walkway.

"Fuck!" You groaned to yourself as you quickly glanced at Taehyung's 'be there in about 30 minutes or so' text and bent down to pick up your mess. You really had no reason to cry over this shit, but all of the pent up frustration and emotions you had been feeling today pushed you over the edge. You aggressively wiped your tears away as you stuffed your wet papers back into the books and stacked them on top of each other.

"Y/N?" You look up to see Jin, tears still falling from your eyes. "Are you alright?" He bends down to help you gather your books, towering over you as he gathers the majority of your things.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you." You slyly wiped your tears once more as you grabbed the books from him.

"Hey." He placed his hand out to prevent you from walking any further. You look up at him, watching as he dips his head down to examine your face, your eyes still wet and glossy from the tears. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Look, I'm fine and I don't wanna take time away--"

"You clearly aren't." His expression fills with worry. "And you aren't going to be taking time out of my evening." He finishes your statement for you. You sigh and close your eyes as your head dips lowly.

"It's just been a tough day, that's all."

"Let's talk about it." You look up at him as he nods for you to follow him to a bench near the parking garage. "Come on. I really won't forgive myself if I went home without trying to help." You silently follow him and place your things down before sitting. He sits next to you, with enough space placed between your position and his. "What's on your mind, Y/N?"

"Um." You pause and look at him. "On this day 3 years ago, I lost the love of my life to a car accident." You wiped your tears in between words. Jin's expression softened as he watched you break down in front of him, his heart breaking seeing you in pain like this. He wanted to do everything in his power to comfort you, hoping it would relieve some of the pain even though he knew it was something that would forever be embedded in you. But if he could provide any relief, then that would make him feel a little better.

[ start flashback ]

"It's been close to two hours, where the hell is he?" You said as you looked at your phone, sitting on the couch as you, Ryujin, Taehyung and Jimin watched a movie. Suddenly, breaking news flashed through the screen, cutting the movie to another commercial break earlier than expected.

"Breaking news - a white Lexus sports car and a Ford truck were involved in a head-on collision early this morning on Highway 101."

"O-oh my god." Ryujin says, as they look at the totaled cars. The Lexus was completely sandwiched at the median, while the truck was wrecked, but still stood in one piece off to the side.

"T-that's Chance's car." You said as you put your drink down on the coffee table to take a closer look at the car.

"Y/N, I'm sure Chance is fine and is on his way back." Taehyung chimed in from behind you.

"N-no." You stuttered, the feeling of despair in the pit of your stomach growing bigger by the minute. "N-no, I know his car."

"We might just be overthinking this." Jimin says, gently grabbing your wrist to pull you back down onto the couch, but you continued to stand.

"There was said to be one intoxicated passenger in the white Lexus, who is in critical condition and is being taken to the nearby trauma center. The driver of the truck was also intoxicated and injured, but is expected to survive. However, the driver of the white Lexus was pronounced dead at the scene." All of a sudden, you felt weak and dizzy because you just knew. You knew Chance wasn't okay, and you knew he wasn't on his way back to you. Soon after the news announcement, loud knocks came at the door. You looked back at your friends before making your way to the door, revealing two police officers standing before you. At this point, you felt like your entire life had been sucked out of you as you fell onto the floor, crying loudly while your friends tried their best to comfort you and speak to the officers for you. All you could remember hearing was the "i'm sorry's" from both police officers before everything turned into white noise. Everything felt numb.

[ end flashback ]

"I am so sorry, Y/N. I know my apologies are going to do much to ease the pain, but please know that I'm here for you whenever you need someone to talk to. I wanna do what I can to provide some relief." Is all Jin says as you continue to divulge about that night's details.

"You know," You looked up at the moon. "It's been 3 years, but it feels like it just happened yesterday. The pain always feels so fresh and it still feels so painful to think about it. It used to make me question why I was so deserving to continue living my life. I'm not an angel, I haven't been perfect. You know? Yet, someone who was so close to perfect, someone who was always so selfless and never hesitated to put others before himself was taken away from this world so easily? How did Josh survive, but Chance didn't? He was just going to help his friend out because he didn't want anything to happen to him, yet he ended up getting the short end of the stick. I was so mad." You shook your head. "I was so mad at Josh for awhile. I never understood and I still don't. I still don't fucking understand this." Your tears fell as you looked back at Jin.

"I can only imagine. There's things we'll never understand and quite frankly, it fucking sucks. But, I really don't want you to beat yourself up over this. I'm sure Chance wouldn't want you to, either. A lot of things happen for a reason, whether we like it or not, and it's hard to look at it in a different perspective. He's still with you, all the time. You're strong, and he knows this."

"I just don't know how I did this without him. It hurts so bad."

"I know, and it's okay to let yourself ride it out. Don't try and suppress the feelings just because you feel the need to act strong. If you don't let yourself process these feelings, it'll never get easier. It's okay to not be okay." He nods reassuringly. You smile at him toothlessly before sighing and getting yourself together. Although it had been quite the day, you felt a little relieved being able to talk to Jin about what's been going on. You felt a little more put together than you did earlier in the day and that's all that mattered. Baby steps.

"Is it okay if I give you a hug?" You asked shyly. You didn't know how else you could thank him for listening to you. You were sure he had tons of things on his plate, yet he still took time to sit with you out in the cold just to make sure you were okay. He chuckles and stands, his arms wide open, ready to envelope you. You wrap your arms around his torso, taking in his scent and breathing him in. He gently rubs your back before you pull away and smile up at him.

"I'll take a hug any day."

"I hope Grace won't be upset with you for coming home a little later than expected."

"She'll be fine. She's at the restaurant working late." His lips were pulled together in a fine line.

"Thank you again." You pull out your phone to check the time. 30 minutes from the last time Taehyung texted you was almost up, so you felt the need to get going sooner than later.

"It's not a problem." He puts his hand out, signaling for your phone. "Do me a favor and just let me when you get home, though? I'd feel better knowing you're safe and sound." You nod and hand him your phone. You knew you couldn't get wrapped up in whatever this was, no matter how flattered you were from the attention you were getting from him. He was still engaged, and he was still planning a life with Grace. The last thing you wanted to do was ruin that for someone genuine like Jin.

But God, was he making it difficult for you.

"I can do that."

"Thanks." He smiles toothlessly at you. "If you're ever in need of company or someone to talk to, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be there in a heartbeat."

"Okay." You grabbed your things before walking away. Jin stood there, watching you walk deeper into the garage, feeling good about having been there at the right time. Something as simple as the hug you gave him had his thoughts running wild, just feeling your touch and your body against his. Albeit, it could be the lack of attention between him and Grace causing him to feel this way, but it was enticing all at the same time.

You were enticing.

And he could pick up on your little habits that made him want to know more. The way you'd look at him inside and outside of class. The way you always dressed so nicely when you had to take his class. The way you passed closely to the front desk, allowing him to take in your scent. The way you and your friends acted around him, knowing they were teasing you.

He knew, and he also knew what he was doing when he put his number in your phone.

He gets home and just as he mentions, Grace is still out at the restaurant working late. He kicks his shoes off to the side and heats up some leftovers to eat before retreating up to the master bedroom to call it a night early. As he's getting out of his clothes from today and heading into the shower, he notices his phone vibrating on the bathroom countertop, signaling a text.

[unknown number] 9:37pm: Hi, I'm safe and sound at home. :)

He smiles to himself before responding and heading into the shower.

[jin] 9:38pm: :) Goodnight Y/N, see you tomorrow.

[shinidamachu]

Neighbor Crush (The Thread)

Summary: modern AU, anyone? This was heavily inspired by a twitter thread I read a while ago, about a guy who developed a major crush on his neighbor’s voice and, with his roommate’s help, managed to ask him out.

Word Count: 2.015  Genre: fluff  Fandom: InuYasha  Pairing: Inukag  Format: oneshot  AO3 Link: 🌹  Fanfic.Net Link: 🌹

“I’m home!”

The abrupt sound of Miroku throwing his keys and briefcase at the table made InuYasha jump on his sit. It was a rare thing to do, taking him by surprise that way.

Unfortunately, Miroku knew so.

“You’re eavesdropping her again, aren’t you?”

It was hard to say what pissed InuYasha off the most: that Miroku had startled him, that he got caught in the act or the infuriating smugness in the bastard’s tone.

“Mind ya business.”

Ignoring his temper, Miroku went to their refrigerator and returned with a loosened tie and a couple of beers. He handed one to InuYasha and sat beside him on the couch.

“Come on, this is getting ridiculous. You have been obsessing over this girl for what? Three weeks, now? Just go downstairs, knock on her door and ask her out.”

Miroku took a long sip of his Heineken, as if rewarding himself for giving the world’s greatest advice. InuYasha wished he would choke on it.

“I’m not knocking on her door and asking her out, dipshit! We have no idea what the girl looks like!”

“Then do us both a favor and go find out!”

To be totally honest, her appearance was what mattered the least about this girl, although he couldn’t deny his curiosity.

Her voice.

It was her voice that started it all.

For two years he had been sharing this little apartment with Miroku and for two years it had been easy for them to ignore each resident of the building without a second thought. InuYasha was in no way a social guy and even though Miroku had a weak spot for the ladies, he had vowed not to get involved with a neighbor, ever.

“Location, location, location.” InuYasha remembered Miroku explaining once. “It’s simultaneously the best pro and the worst con. I’d rather not risk it, it could get pretty ugly.”

Knowing his tendency to hit and run, it was probably the smartest call.

And life went on as usual.

Until InuYasha heard her voice.

It was exceptionally loud. That was the very first thing he noticed. The second thing was that he incredibly didn’t mind at all. There was a sincerity tone to it that was ever present. Almost as if physically unable to lie. Sweet. Gentle. Smooth. But not in a generic way. He could download it into his GPS and drive forever. Her laughter had over him the same effect of sunbeams reaching out the untouched ground of a frozen forest and when she talks too low, something primal and urgent wakes inside him, letting him dying to know what his name would sound like between her whispers.

Then it became less about how and more about what she talked.

Her name was Kagome. She was in her twenties and had just graduated from pedagogy school. Three weeks ago, she had moved in with the girl who lived precisely in the apartment below theirs to save money as she adapted to the new job of substitute teacher. She had a cat named Buyo, couldn’t swear for the life of her, sang a lot, a bit clumsy, definitely a half full kind of person... Single, as far as he could tell.

Kagome had the most hilarious stories, most of them starring her little brother, her grandpa or her friends. He was especially fond of the ones in which she tried to be nice and it ended up blowing on her face spectacularly. Her heart was too big for her own good.

On the floor below, the girl in question left what InuYasha assumed was her kitchen and walked to the living room, turning the TV on. Even now, when the current conversation was supposed to be his focus, he found himself painfully aware of her moviments.

Miroku didn’t have to know any of that.

“That’s insane.”

“Why? How is that insane?”

“Hi, I’m InuYasha, your upstairs neighbor. You don’t know me, but I’ve been listening to everything you say or sing in your apartment since the day you moved in. Often on purpose, like a creepy person. Anyway, wanna have dinner sometime?”

“Lose the ‘creepy’ part and you’ll be fine.”

“Drop it, it ain’t happening.”

“Well, at least you recognize your obsession. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recover.”

“You’re my problem,” he mumbled.

“Wrong, my friend. I’m the solution. You just gotta listen to me.”

“Yeah, don’t count on it.” Miroku laughed. “So how was work?”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“Damn straight I am.”

They made small talk and drank for a while, then Miroku pulled out his phone to check his notifications and InuYasha searched Netflix for an action movie they haven’t seen yet. The girl was binge-watching a sitcom. A good one, judging by the way her laughter reached his ears every now and then.

He smiled.

In moments like these, it was crazy tempting to walk down the stairs and go for it, but InuYasha wouldn’t dare. He was perfectly fine just hearing her life from a safe distance so they couldn’t hurt each other, because this is what love inevitably leads to — and that was assuming she wouldn’t reject his advances, in the first place.

Might as well save them both some pain.

“So what do you say? Shall we eat ramen for the third time in a row or order some pizza? InuYasha?”

But he wasn’t listening. In the apartment below, a door opened. Her roommate, Sango, had arrived.

“Hey!”

“Hey!” Replied Kagome. “I hope you’re hungry, ‘cause I just made lasagna.”

“And I hope you’re thirsty, ‘cause I just bought Tequila.”

“Tough day, huh?”

“Tough week.”

“Balcony?”

“You bet.”

The girls turned the blender on.

The balcony was their favorite spot to chat. It was also where the acoustic sounded better. To the point even human ears could catch the words.

One look at InuYasha and Miroku realized what it meant.

“Is she going to the balcony?” He asked, but didn’t wait for an answer.

InuYasha ran, intercepting Miroku just in time. One hand securely covering his friend’s mouth, the other holding him still. They were now in their own balcony.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

There was an attempt to speak, but it came off muttered. Even so, InuYasha refused to budge his hand. Until Miroku licked it. “Ugh!”

“What does it look like?” He questioned while InuYasha compulsively wiped his hand on his jeans. “I’m being your wingman.”

“I don’t need a wingman and will you shut up, already?” His whispered, angry. Miroku was ready to deliver a cunning comeback when the blender stopped and the girls stepped into the balcony.

“So I had to break up with Kuranosuke today.”

“Break up? I thought you guys were friends with benefits or whatever.”

“YES! WE WERE! THANK YOU! Now could you please be a lamb and go tell him that? Maybe I didn’t make myself clear the first four hundred times! Oh, stop laughing!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Go on.”

“It was a nightmare! The whole week he kept sending flowers and Valentine’s Day cards to the precinct. It’s not even february!”

“I’m surprised you didn’t get him arrested.”

“Believe me, I was this close. It’s hard enough getting their respect, you know? Being a female cop and all. He wasn’t helping.”

“I know. But hey! Someday you’ll find the guy for you. Someone who’ll understand how much your job means. I’m serious! You will!”

“Nope. That’s it for me. I’m done with men.”

“Funny, I’m in the opposite vibe.”

“Really? Now that’s interesting.”

“It’s just… I haven’t dated anyone since Koga.”

“Damn, you’re right! I haven’t realized it.”

“You know what? You should set me up with someone.”

Miroku playfully punched InuYasha’s shoulder, getting his attention. “That’s your chance,” he mouthed. The half demon shook his head.

“Hmmm… Wouldn’t Ayumi, Yuka and What’s-Her-Name be a better option for that? I’m usually cuffing most guys I meet.”

“Eri. And no way! They would just set me up with Hojo.”

“Right! And why won’t you date him, again?”

“Because he’s my friend!”

“He is cute.”

“A cute friend.”

“He likes you.”

“Not my fault.”

“Fine. I’ll d—”

“HEY, NEIGHBORS! NEIGHBORS!”

Mortified, InuYasha watched Miroku make a fool of himself. Like in a movie, his body seemed to forget how to react.

“Hi!” Greeted Sango. “I’m sorry. Were we being too loud? We’ll keep it down.”

“No, it’s okay, the walls are really thin. Listen… I have this friend. And he’s really into your friend’s voice. I was wondering if she would be interest in going on a date with him.”

“What?” Kagome let out a shaken giggle.

“Is this for real?”

“Yes! I gotta go, but check his Instagram out. It’s @InuYashaTaisho.”

Apparently very pleased with himself, Miroku walked inside.

“You’re a dead man!”

“What do you think?” Kagome asked, while InuYasha chased Miroku around the apartment.

“It can’t hurt to give a look,” Answered Sango.

“Five years from now, when the two of you get married, you’ll be thanking me for this.” Miroku dodged the pillow InuYasha threw on his direction.

“Don’t ya worry. Imma make sure to write this on your tombstone.”

“Sango!”

“Wha—Wow! This is him? What are you gonna do?”

InuYasha threw another pillow. Miroku caught it in the air. He was cornered on the wall and nothing could save him now.

Bzzt! Bzzzt!

Impertinently, his phone choose that exact minute to vibrate. InuYasha fished it off his back pocket and the notification took his breath away.

Kagome Higurashi started following you.

“Is that her?”

InuYasha ignored him. The only important thing was the dark haired beauty smiling brightly on his screen. Her eyes were big and warm, framed by extremely long black lashes. She had adorable bangs and sharped cheeks. The perfect shape of her lips rivaled those from a greek statue and they seemed to be painted in a natural shade of pink in almost every picture. Except when they were burning red.

He couldn’t have put a better face to the voice if he tried.

Scrolling down her feed, InuYasha continued to connect the features he didn’t know with the names he did. Sango. Her mom. Sota. Buyo. Her grandfather.

“Let me see!” Miroku ran to his side and hang on his shoulder like a parrot, whistling in approval as InuYasha went on. “Woah, wait, wait, wait! Who is that?”

“That’s Sango, the girl you just embarrassed me and yourself in front of.” He followed Kagome back.

“I think I’m in love.”

InuYasha glared at him.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“He followed me back!”

“Oh, it’s going down!” Sango laughed.

“Watch me.” Defied Miroku.

“What the fuck happened to the ‘not dating neighbors’ rule?”

“If four years of law school taught me something was that every rule has its exceptions. In this case, the exception is the absurd level of hotness of said neighbor.”

“On a second thought, go ahead and date her. It’s about time someone put you in jail.”

Miroku smirked.

“Should I say hello?”

“Definitely!” Encouraged Sango. “Don’t schedule anything until I check him for bad precedents, though.”

“You’re such a cop.”

Bzzt! Bzzzt!

Hi!

Hi! I’m sorry about my friend. He thinks ‘boundaries’ is an indie band.

She chuckled.

“Hey!”

“Don’t you have a pizza to order?” InuYasha faced him, eyebrows raised. Miroku narrowed his eyes and left.

“This isn’t over.”

That’s okay. So... you’re a dog demon. I’m assuming this is how you can hear us down here?

Actually I’m half demon, which means I’m only half responsible for invading your privacy. The other half is on you for being so damn loud.

Excuse me?! I thought you liked my loud personality! Wasn’t that the whole point?

To be fair, what I liked was your killer cover of Livin’ On A Prayer.

OH MY GOD! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU HEARD THAT! Okay. This isn’t fair. You’ve been listening to my voice since I moved in, but I have no idea what yours sound like.

The next text he sent her was his phone number.

A/N: it’s been a while, yes? Tell me if you guys enjoyed this one. Fluff is not really my thing. Let me know if I can interest you in a Part II of them dating and send me sugestions of where they could go, if you want to. If I liked them better than the ideas I have in mind, I might end up writing it (is not a priority, though).

Also, I want to dedicate this piece to @xfangheartx​. Thank you for always being a sweetheart.

[fanficsaremylifeline]

I’ve got homework...

For the fantastic @fictional-worlds-are-exquisite, who prompted this story :)

It’s on AO3 too:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22450930

***

“Hi Mr Stark!” With an excited grin, Peter skipped into the workshop, and, after throwing his backpack into the corner, he turned to Tony. “How are you doing?”

“I'm good”, he smiled. “And you?”

“Me too, thanks.” Peter sat on the table, letting his feet dangle. “You remember that robot we made last week? You know, the one for physics class?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“No big deal, but I got an A for it”, the kid smiled, and blushed  pinkish in pride.

“Wow”, Tony nodded, “that's something...”

“No need to be impressed or anything”, Peter grumbled as he crossed his arms and the blush was substituted with creased eyebrows.

Tony walked up to the kid, trying to bite down his grin. “I mean, it's not like you did it all by yourself...”

“Well, Mr Stark, I'm very grateful for your materials and your time and your assistance, but...”

“Assistance?”, Tony snorted. “I ain't nobody's assistant.”

Peter just looked at him and gave an exaggerated and exasperated sigh. “Yes, sir.”

They held the stare for a moment or two, before Tony burst out with laughter and put his arm around Peter's shoulders. “Good job, I'm really proud of you. All the planning and shit, that was you. And, even though it might pain me to admit it, but it's not like you really needed my help for it, did ya?”

With a meek grin Peter looked up and just shrugged.

“Yeah, thought so”, Tony chuckled and gave his shoulders another squeeze. “Change of topic, though. And please, just stay calm, don't freak or anything, alright?”

“Ok...” The curiosity was written clearly all over Peter's face, and, sitting so close to the boy, Tony could almost feel him vibrating with anticipation. Oh boy, maybe he should put some safety distance between the two of them...

“So, there is a mission...”

“OMIGOD!”, he squealed, definitely a few octaves too high for Tony's liking, and all but jumped up, until he stilled all of a sudden, when remembering Tony's earlier plea. “I'm sorry, Mr Stark”, he remarked after a moment of silence, clearly giving it his all to sound nonchalant. “Please continue.”

“Of course.” In all fondness, Tony couldn't help but shake his head at the excitement; it distinctly reminded him of a little puppy, or a child on Christmas morning. “As I was saying, there is a mission...” Tony decided to ignore the little jump Peter did and the high pitched squeal. “Low-level stuff, a right-wing terrorist group, SHIELD has been monitoring. Swoop in, secure the guys, and done.”

“That sounds very good”, Peter nodded; his forced casual diction was absolutely ridiculous, as was him grabbing so hard onto the table, he actually warped the metal.

“Figured, that's why I thought that you would like to... Oh, shit.”

“What is it?”

Now it was Tony, who had to practice all his restraint and not burst into laughter. “I totally forgot!” Shaking his head, he turned to Peter, who looked all worried about what might have happened. “Sorry, of course you can't come along!”

“What?” And cue the face drop. Wow, this was what a kicked puppy looked like.

“Don't you have homework?” At this remark, Tony couldn't help the smug grin breaking through.

“Wha... You're the worst.” With realization came the creased eyebrows again and a look that could probably kill.

“Peter, your education is important, and I understand if you need to take a step back and...”

“Shut up!”, Peter moaned and boxed Tony's arm. “Nazis are worse than geometry.”

“I know that”, Tony nodded, “but will your teachers understand?” As hard as he tried, Tony couldn't keep up the concerned facade and let the grin shine right through.

It did drop at Peter's counter-measurement, though.

“I'm gonna tell May that you haven't been nice to me.”

“I can't believe you”, Tony grumbled. Playing the woman-Tony-is-afraid-of-card? That was low.

“Thought so”, Peter grinned; that damn shit-eating grin that warmed Tony's heart and made him want to tousle those unruly curls. “So, how about some light engineering, before you brief me on tomorrow's mission?”

***

***

“Hi Pepper!” Before Tony had even realized her walking inside, Peter had already wrapped himself around her in greeting.

“Peter, really good to see you.”

“You too”, he beamed up at her.

“Should I leave you two be?”, Tony deadpanned, seeing that nobody seemed to realize or care that he was there, too.

Peter turned immediately bright-red, let go off Pepper and jumped a bit away.

“Drama Queen”, Pepper rolled her eyes, before smiling at Tony, that perfect, breath-taking smile, that still robbed him of his breath.

“Still said yes”, he beamed back. When that epitome of amazingness stood in front of him, Tony couldn't help it; he somehow was a lovestruck teenager again, who couldn't stop but smile at the wonder that was Pepper.

“Lucky you. Anyways, I was looking for the two of you.”

“What's up, then?”

“Crime Stats. Since you're legally an independent contractor to the Avengers and have therefore no real connection to SHIELD and we're your contact people it's on us to get that information to them.”

“Why?”, Peter asked, “are they trying to keep tabs on me?”

“In a way”, she admitted. “Though the are really mostly interested in the numbers and statistics; for transparency reasons. Those numbers will be published, and passed onto authorities, as was agreed in the Accords.”

“Huh. Alright”, he nodded, “but you can just get all the stats from KAREN.”

“Yeah, I just need a hand to sort through the masses of information, so I can turn her log into an official document, which is why I need you too.” Now she turned to Tony. “He's a minor and as his employer, you're the one to sign.”

“Why not May?”

“Because then we'll reveal a bit too much identity”, Peter explained in her place and locked eyes with Tony. He could see it clearly in Peter's face: he was not in the mood for that right now. And neither was Tony; they were about to head to the lab and work on a spider-suit update. He was just about to shrug at the kid, á la 'guess we'll have to go through this', when something in his look changed to downright mischievous. Even before the boy started to speak, Tony knew he was not gonna like what he was about to say.

“That sounds like just Tony would be enough”, he remarked and turned back to Pepper; the grin gone, instead he shot her his best puppy eyes. “It's just... You know, I have a lot of homework...”

That little shit. Tony knew for a fact that this was not true.

“Oh, of course”, Pepper nodded. “School stuff is more important.”

“You need help with that?”, Tony asked, shooting the kid a look, communicating all the 'you better get me out of this'.

“Nah, I'm good”, Peter grinned. “It's history homework, you know?”

“Oh, yeah, you don't want Tony's help with that.”

“Hey!” He turned to his still perfect fiancée, and even managed a reasonably angered glare. “I am a genius for a reason!”

“Sure you are, honey”, she smiled and patted his shoulder. “Come on, let's get to the crime stats and leave Peter to his homework.”

“Fine...” He followed Pepper out of the room but, just before the door closed, he turned one more time towards the very smug teen, who just waved after Tony.

Oh, he was so gonna get him back...

***

“Hi Mr Stark!”, Peter chirped as he skipped into the kitchen.

“Heya kiddo”, he grinned back and downed the rest of his coffee. “You ready?”

“I hope you are”, Happy answered instead of the boy. “I gotta take you to SHIELD; monthly meeting, remember?”

Shit, now he did. Ugh, Tony'd rather cuddle a cactus that sit in there, listen to Fury and Rogers go on about... Something, probably; Tony never paid attention. And, since that has never caused any issues whatsoever, he didn't really have to go there now, did he?

There was one way though, he might just get out of that.

“I honestly didn't remember, and I already promised Pete to help him with his homework.” He turned to the kid, who didn't quite get what Tony was playing at; understandably, since it had been their original plan to tinker around with Mark XVI. “Didn't you say it was for a grade?”

“Oh yeah”, Peter nodded, catching onto Tony's plan and unpacked the one sure-fire way to get Tony out of having to attend; the mightiest weapon the Avengers could offer: Peter's puppy eyes. “I really need his help to get this right.” For good measure he patted his bag.

“Fine”, Happy groaned, not really trying to fight the puppy eyes, “I'll get Rogers to excuse you.”

“Thank you so much”, Peter beamed, “you just saved my life.”

“Yeah, right”, he grumbled and, after nodding at Tony, he turned and walked out of the kitchen again.

“Thanks, Pete”, Tony smiled, “saved me a world of pain.”

“Not so sure about that...” The skew grin Peter shot him was... Tony wasn't sure.

“Out with it.”

“I do have homework, for a grade and I could do with some help. It's just in English...”

Oh fuck. The puppy eyes Peter had just shot in Happy's direction were now aimed at Tony. And English? Well, Tony knew how to speak it, but other than that... Besides, comparing poems and shit? Who the fuck had time for that?

“Fine. Let me see what you got.”

“Great”, he giggled. “So, it's basically choosing an important happenstance in my life and comparing it to a similar situation from a book. Issue is, most important things in my life are kinda arachnid-powered and I can't write about that, can I? I mean, Batman, right? Watching Uncle Ben being... you know, and then becoming a superhero... But secret identity.”

Peter didn't even give Tony the chance to interject, which he'd like to do, since the kid got more and more morbid.

“Then I thought Hamlet, because you know, my parents, but my Uncle isn't evil, so nope.”

Shit, that was depressing.

“Then I thought Frankenstein?”

“What, engineered superpowers and now everybody wants you dead?”

“Maybe?”

Tony just shook his head, and Peter jumped up with a groan.

“This sucks so much! You know, I could do Alice in Wonderland! But no, it's all top secret.”

“As I take it, you don't have to fit with an entire book.”

“Fine. Then I feel like Bilbo Baggins”, Peter continued. “Just want to be left alone, but no...”

“Come on, now, we're two certified geniuses, we can figure this out. What do you want to write about?” Maybe this way they would get somewhere.

“I mean, I don't want to write about my parents or Uncle Ben, because if I do, I'll be sent to see a shrink again.”

“Which isn't a bad thing...”

“Mr Stark, focus. If I write about getting together with MJ she'll dump me right away, and I don't want that. Then I thought about you know...” He turned away and started to blush. “About... meeting you.”

“Well, it is a world-changing happenstance”, Tony smirked.

“OMIGOD!”, he cried out, “I got it! My Fair Lady!” With an excited grin he beamed at Tony. “Because, well, you, scooping me up from the streets, teaching me the ropes, not the societal ones, but like engineering and shit. And superheroing, too, but again, nothing I can write about.”

“So, you're Eliza Doolittle?”

“Yeah!”

“And I'm Higgins?”

“I mean, sorta...”

“No”, Tony shook his head, “I'm not taking part in that.”

“Come on! It's perfect! And, like you said, I don't have to fit the entire book!”

Damnit, Peter might just have a point with that story. Him, tracking down the kid; Peter over and over showing up, literally nagging  Tony into becoming an official Avenger. And he did learn and work hard to improve. “I guess it fits. So fine. As long as you make it clear that I am not such an asshole towards you as Higgins is towards Eliza.”

“I will speak of you only in the highest reverence”, he grinned and got to his bag, to get out his pen and paper, softly humming: “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain...”

Oh, what the hell did Tony get himself into right now? Well, at least it was better than sitting at SHIELD.

***

Tony was spread out on the couch, waiting for Peter to finally pick up.

“Hi, sorry”, he chirped eventually, just before Tony was about to hang up. “Was just changing, couldn't answer.”

“So I don't need to take it personally, good”, he chuckled. “You civilian or vigilante right now?”

“I'm just myself, Peter Parker.”

“Right then, Peter Parker. I had an idea for an upgrade for your other personality, wanna come over and check it out?”

“Uhm, no, sorry, I can't.” All of a sudden, the giggles turned into almost nervous stuttering. “I... I got homework, you know?”

“Oh.” Tony didn't buy that. Not at all. “You sure?”

“Yeah.”

Tony still didn't buy it. “You need help?”

“Nope.”

“Right then.”

“I can come tomorrow, though and we can work on that upgrade then, ok?”

“Sounds great.”

“Perfect. See you!”

“Call ended”, FRI announced.

Huh. Peter was keeping things from Tony now? Yes, 'having homework' was their excuse for every kind of meeting they wanted to avoid, but Peter had never used it on Tony. Should he worry?

Tony could just track Peter's phone and be at where or whatever the kid hid from him. And then Peter would never trust Tony ever again.

Probably it was just some weird nerd stuff with his nerd friends, nothing to worry about. Absolutely nothing. This weird feeling in his stomach? Absolutely nothing that deserved another look at or that needed to be divulged in.

Only question: was Tony worried that the kid was in danger, or was he pissed that the kid kept it from him? Neither of those options were fair to Peter, though; he was old enough to make his own life choices and had every right to keep some things private, after all. If only Tony wasn't so curious...

.

“Hi Mr Stark!”, the kid beamed as he waltzed into the lab the next day with the widest grin on his face.

“Hey Pete.” Tony looked up to see him dance around Dum-E, before hugging Butterfingers and all but jumped over the workstation, landing right in front of Tony. “Wow, you're chipper.”

“Why wouldn't I be? Isn't the world just wonderful?”

“You really had fantastic homework yesterday, didn't you?”, Tony smirked at the teen that immediately turned beet-red.

“Uhm, yeah...”

“Kid, you're allowed to say no to me, you know that, right?” He put his hands on Peter's shoulders who looked up with wide eyes. “If 'having homework' is your way of doing that, I'm cool with it. Just don't feel like you have to lie to me; I can accept a no.”

“You sure?”, he grinned, still blushing, but a lot more cheeky now.

“I am. You wanna get to work then?”

Instead of giving an answer, Peter blurted out: “I was on a date!” He was somewhat embarrassed, somewhat proud, but mostly so damn smitten...

“I assume with Michelle?”, he smiled. The kid barely shut up about the amazingly smart captain of the Academic Decathlon Team, who was so badass and really funny and oh so pretty...

“Yeah”, he cooed and, if it was possible his entire face turned into one giant heart-eye. “We went to the Natural History Museum, they have an exhibition about Murderous Animals, like the serial killers of nature. Like Meerkats for example. They kill each other ten times more than humans kill each other! And like chinchillas, they're on fifth place. That's so weird, because they seem so adorable!”

“And your paramour liked that?”

“She loved it! It was like the perfect surprise.” Now it was pure pride that Peter exuded. “And then we got takeaway and watched the sunset from a roof top and it was so romantic.”

“Sounds absolutely perfect.”

“It was. And I'm sorry I said the homework thing... I just...”

“It's alright. Like I said, you don't have to justify yourself to me. Bigger question, though: Are you too caught in thoughts about your girlfriend or are you able to concentrate on not blowing us up?”

***

Tony thought he knew what pain and torture felt like after Afghanistan. But watching Peter like this, sorrowful and almost heart-broken, managed to top it off once more.

Today's patrol went absolutely disastrous. Tony hadn't managed to get the details out of the kid yet, but what he did gather was that during a bank robbery one civilian, trying to take down a robber, got shot, and that only moments before Peter had the chance to get there.

And now the kid was wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, curled in the corner. All Tony could do was stay close, and he was ready to get or do anything Peter might need from him.

“Hey Tony.” Steve walked up and sat next to Tony on the couch. “How's he doing?”

Tony just shot him a stare á la 'what do you think', but didn't get the chance to say just that.

“He can hear you, you know?”, Peter grumbled from his blanket pile.

“Sorry, kid.”

“Yeah, whatever...”

“What's up?”, Tony turned to the super soldier, who should actually know better than to crowd Peter when he was upset; it had unfortunately happened a few too many times.

“We need his statement.”

The wince coming from the blanket pile was quiet but Tony clearly heard it.

“Seriously Rogers, now?”

“I know, I know. But if we don't get it signed now, we'll be in a lot of trouble with Ross and the Accords.”

Shit. Peter stayed silent, but he balled himself up even more if it was possible. There was no way in hell, Tony was gonna let anybody force Peter to do any official shit.

“Well, first of all, since he's a minor, his signature is useless anyways. And besides... Peter has homework.”

“Homework?” Steve creased his eyebrows, until he got it. “Oh, right”, he nodded, “homework. Yes, that's important, I agree. And yes, since he's not a legally grown-up, my signature should more than suffice. ”

“Thanks.”

Steve nodded, got up and, just before he walked out of the room, the blanket pile moved a little. “Thank you, Mr America.”

“Anytime, Pete.”

***

“Peter, good you're here”, Happy smiled at the bushel of brown curls that peaked out from a bunch of wires.

“What's up?”, he called and only then resurfaced.

“Meeting Room C. In five minutes.”

“Aw, shit”, he groaned.

Tony couldn't blame him, Meeting Room C meant that it was some politic representative from City Hall. And that equalled deathly boredom. Thank the heavens, Tony was no longer responsible for all that.

“Come on”, Happy urged him.

“Sorry, Hap, I can't”, he decided. “I've got homework.”

It was silent for a moment, then Tony burst out laughing. The kid grinned cheekily at Happy, who looked like he just wanted to quit.

“Peter. You're 25, you're no longer in school.”

“Sorry, kiddo”, Tony wheezed, “doesn't work any more.”

“Aw, man”, he moaned but still got up and begrudgingly followed Happy. “This sucks.”

***

“Seriously”, Tony groaned for the umpteenth, “time for bed!”

“No, it's not”, Peter decided, “I'm a grown-up, remember?”

“And I'm almost a grown-up!”, Morgan stated. That she was only 11 didn't seem to matter right now.

“I'm a grown-up, too”, Tony shot back. “And I'm tired, want to sleep and you crazy kids are keeping me up.”

“But Daaaad”, Morgan moaned, “I can't go to bed! I've got homework, and Petey has to help me!”

Oh fucking hell. Morgan and Peter looked up at Tony with the smuggest grins and damnit, Tony was not in the mood to start arguing with them.

“Peter Benjamin Parker. I thought that joke died with your graduation.”

“Clearly not”, he shot back.

“Right then.” The quickest and easiest way was just to play along. “Homework, and then bed.” He sat himself at the table and looked expectantly at his daughter, who started to blush. Peter on the other hand had to bite down hard to keep from laughing out loud.

“Ugh, fine.” Morgan rolled her eyes and got up. “Good night.” She leaned over and put a kiss on Peter's cheek.

“Was a nice try”, he chuckled. “Sleep well, sweetie.”

“Come on, Morgoona.” Tony held his hand out and, albeit with an anger glare (as intimidating as the anger glare of a tired 11-year-old could be), she took the outstretched hand. “Don't worry, tomorrow morning you and Peter can do all the homework the world can possibly offer.”

[scretladyspider]

I blocked this anon but let's take a look at this, because the moment you do this shit on anon is the moment I lose all respect for you. And just in case you're reading this thinking "gee I'm tired of seeing her ask for help" or you agree with this anon, lemme give you a lesson in ableism and privilege.

First of all if you presume that I'm not always giving 300% with a body and mind that have limitations, limitations that if I don't follow them could land me in the fucking hospital, fuck you. When you're a spoonie you have to give all your percents all the time and hope that you have a good day where you wake up with more spoons, and it's a gamble. You don't know what you'll get. It's a pretty stressful existence.

Second, they didn't give me the option for full time. It's actually not a bad job, though it's tiring. It is pretty ridiculous that if I were making a living wage that would be a huge deal. Before this I was working as a maid, and I couldn't make both jobs work. I looked into substitute teaching and I am too poor to buy food, medicine, gas, and a substitute teaching liscense, so I'm planning to reapply later. I actually just accepted a second job in which I'll be doing janitorial work at night. I am too poor to work as a substitute teacher. Think about that.

Do not fucking presume I'm not working my ass off you judgmental fuck.

"Sometimes you just have to suck it up and do it" yeah bitch the fuck do you think is making me so tired all the time (besides chronic illness)? Gee why didnt I think of that when I was spending hours applying for jobs every day? Why do you think I started a job where I get more hours - maybe it's because I needed more work? Hm? It's kinda like I did and I'm literally working myself into exhaustion trying to escape homelessness. Holy shit, why don't I just try harder! That's how working for a set amount of money per hour works! Gosh if I just suck it up I won't be disabled anymore! Wow you've given me a fucking epiphany!

Now none of my disabilities are visible but believe it or not that doesn't get rid of them. Neither does trying harder. And guess fucking what - I've been hospitalized 6 times, that shit is expensive, going back while this job is new could cause me to be unemployed again.

You know the exhaustion you feel when you have a really bad flu? Imagine that that is sudden going to hit you at any point in the day and you have no control over it. It will hit you so hard you physically can't stay awake. Also your stomach might suddenly feel like it's being stabbed. It's all random, and the best way you can manage it - and you have to manage it or you won't be able to do literally anything no matter how hard you try - is to get enough rest and take your medicine. That's it. That's like the only thing you can do. Oh, and you dissociate like crazy and you have ADHD and depression that's hospitalized you 6 times and if you don't take your medicine for your stomach you might need major surgery or develop cancer.

That is a glimpse into the body I live in every fucking day and if me reaching out for help pisses you off so much, guess what you can do!

Here's a tutorial, you ableist fuck. 🙃 Since you couldn't figure it out yourself, why, here are instructions!

Life is expensive, especially when you're being paid very little. With my maid job I was making about $120-$140 a paycheck. With this new job I haven't even gotten a full paycheck yet. I still have to eat, buy medicine, put gas in my car, and try to save up to move. Here and there I've seen a movie to destress because being homeless doesn't change that I am human, and I've seen them at discounts because I feel pretty guilty for taking a couple of hours to be a fucking person. I've had to rely on kindness of others to eat and been extremely thankful for any help I've been given, and in the meantime I've been busting my ass. Believe it or not I can't will away disability. That's not how anything works.

So you know what? Fuck you.

TL:DR; Disabled people can't "suck it up" and stop being disabled. If caring for our disabilities to stay alive pisses you off, reevaluate your life, and stay the fuck out of ours.

[mahoikutranslationproject]

MGRP: Black Chapter 1 Thoughts and Reactions

So I’m actually in a unique position because as a translator I can’t exactly “react” after I read it, and I’ve read MGRP way before I started translating it, but, then I had a thought.

What if I type out my reactions, put it in notepad or some other text document, preserve it, and then after I translate it, post them all up? That way, it’ll technically still be my reactions and thoughts at the time, and I can kinda sorta join in the fandom discussion.

With Black coming out I thought Black was the perfect arc to start it, so I’ve been typing up my reactions starting with Chapter 1. I actually wanted to do it for Queens too, I just only had the idea after I was halfway through Queens. In any case, here we go:

NOTE: By this point I only have knowledge of Chapter 1 as I read it.

The Entire Regulations and Rules section before the Prologue

This part reminds me of something like DanganRonpa or something similar where the rules are quite normal and nice until you get to stuff like “DON’T TALK ABOUT ANYTHING TO SOCIAL MEDIA >:C”. Which I guess makes sense for Magical Girls, but there’s a vague air of... sinisterness? I wonder if Pythie was behind this school.

Also I like the school anthem. I wish there was an accompanying background music, but I’ll try and sing it in my head.

Gradually, her ego took form, and the girl began to regain her sense of self. She stretched her body, and hit a flat hard object. It was cold, and her butt also felt the same. Perhaps she was sitting on the floor. Without rushing, but without being slow about it either, she opened her eyes, as if realizing this is not how things should be. 

A woman was smiling straight ahead. Who was she? She was bending down and looking at her, tilting her neck. Beside her, there was a human-sized object that was tied up in chains and stuck with a tag.

The girl blinked, held her breath, and gulped.

Actions that she should’ve done without thought now felt agonizing, as if this wasn’t her own body. Why? She wondered, and as if answering, her mind replied If you have questions, just ask. She opened her mouth and said “Uh.” After confirming what her voice sounded like, she looked towards the woman, and asked her question.

Okay, so is Kana asking herself a question in her mind? Curious how her power works here. Also, what was that about a human-sized object tied in chains and stuck with a tag? That’s... bizarre. Kana where are you? Also she’s clearly been out for some time, probably. Like she’s probably not used to having this body. My other guess is that she’s not used to the sensation of being a Magical Girl.

“This isn’t my body anymore, is it?”

Wrong. This was definitely a girl’s body.

“You haven’t used it for a while, have you?”

Supports my theory above.

She was inside a small room, with concrete walls and floors unadorned with any decorations. It was about twice her height. Meanwhile, its width and depth were about six times her height. When she looked behind her, she could see a cylindrical vertical container. Did she just come out of it? The floor, walls, and the colors of the container were all pale white. Its material was soft, like resin or something. The only exit was the one metallic door frame. The woman in front of her was standing as if she was guarding said door. While her smile seemed like an average smile, but there was something off about it. As soon as she took her eyes away from her, though, she couldn’t exactly place why it felt so off. She wore a skirt, with high heeled shoes, and glasses. The impression she got from her outfit was that she was formal, yet her smile was mischievous.

What the hecky was she in cryostasis!? Also this sounds like Pythie/Yoshioka

“......Where are we?”

The woman didn’t answer. But the answer popped into the girl’s head regardless. This was a prison. The woman bowed and spoke,

Okay so this is Magical Girl prison.

“I am Yoshioka. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Yoshioka.”

I knew it.

“But now the tides have changed.”

“The Land of Magic doesn’t change so easily.”

She knows about the Land of Magic. Kana you are interesting. 

“You are a Magical Girl named Kana. Do you remember?”

“Kana.”

She shook her head rapidly, and grabbed any unkempt hair. Now that she mentioned it, that did seem right. Within her vague memory, she recalled a Kana hidden somewhere there.

“Right. Kana. My name is Kana.”

“Now, as for what you did before-”

Before she could even utter another word, a name popped into Kana’s head.

“Caspar…”

At this point I’m thinking she’s probably related to Ratsumu? Is she potentially the actual Third Sage? She doesn’t seem Sagey but she’s got like... a potential for it. Especially cause she said she recalled “a Kana hidden somewhere”. What if she’s only a fragment of the Sage? Like how Ratsumu’s name is inhumanly long.

“Perhaps you may have noticed, but that is your Magical Skill. When you ask a question to someone, you will immediately know their answer. A wonderful, powerful ability, though one that shouldn’t be abused.”

“And why shouldn’t I abuse it?”

Immediately, the answer popped into her head. Because answers are subjective. If the respondent would answer a lie that they believe to be true, the answer will be distorted as well. There are also things that are better left unknown. Also, it was much better to use your own head to figure things out rather than relying on your powers. Perhaps because it might be a breach of privacy to Yoshioka. Kana certainly didn’t want her own privacy being breached. A variety of answers popped into her head. All of them Yoshioka’s, perhaps gained through her powers.

What happens if Kana asks someone a question in a livestream... Also this power is less powerful than I expected, which means it may not be Sage-level, but it doesn’t rule out the fact that she could be a Sage.

She followed Yoshioka into a hallway filled with a series of rugged iron bars, which led to large pillars further ahead, and these iron bars and large pillars continued to surround her path forward. There were doors lined equally on the sides, with prisoners just like Kana imprisoned inside, pacing around as they stared at the iron bars. This scenery repeated across the floors until they reached the sixth floor. This was a pretty big facility. If there was one prisoner per door, she’d guessed this jail housed about 100 or 200 prisoners. There were tags within tags, used to mark these prisoners down. Naturally, security was supposed to be strict, but other than Yoshioka and the Magical Girl packed inside that object, nobody was here visiting anyone else. 

Wow. This is a huge prison. Were they all stripped of clothing and equipment too, or was it just Kana? Also, a thought that occurred to me later on past my initial reactions during my readthrough, “why wasn’t Kana tagged?”

“That’s yours. Please feel free.”

“Clothes and underwear.”

She turned them around, and the bright light inside the room bounced from her silver hair to make a shining circle. There was also a matching skirt.

“This doesn’t look like a costume.”

“It’s a uniform.”

It looked like a sailor suit with a crimson color scheme. It had a design that had low degrees of exposure. This would be too plain for a Magical Girl costume. Kana didn’t feel like this matched her. She wasn’t flashy, sure, but this was even worse. It also felt Eastern somewhat.

“This doesn’t look like something you wear for a Magical Girl job.”

“Oh, my apologies. These clothes are enchanted by magic, so it won’t ever break. Not to worry. And, it fits where you’re supposed to go.”

That explains why Kana’s clothes are so plain. This wasn’t her actual costume at all.

☆ Mariko Fukuroi

Black is officially the best arc. Case closed.

All of a sudden, Mariko became known as the head of information. She was then entrusted with more things than would befit a temporary assistant. With there being two Magical Girls in this school, school life was generally very chaotic.

How did she get so many jobs. I mean, I’m proud of you Marika but how. Weren’t you just a sub?

Originally, Mariko had only been sent as a substitute teacher because one of the homeroom teachers was on maternity leave

Yes, you WERE!

Despite that, Yamada kept exercising on his own. His spirit was nearly unbreakable, even to the eyes of a Magical Girl. But who knows how far that’ll take him. Carefully, but also quickly, Mariko sought out a way to solve the problem, by listening, being attentive, and alert.

I hope you become a Magical Girl some day Yamada.

Turning around, she saw two girls. She knew their faces, but they weren’t from her class. In fact, they weren’t even the same grade. Standing in front of her was Yoshiko Yoshinoura, with an expression that showed how determined she was. Behind her, Sari Kasuga seemed worried. Both, however, seemed to be anxious. Both were friends of Koyuki Himekawa.

Props to Yoshiko for also surviving all the way to Black. She, Snow, and Ripple are the only long-running survivors at this point. If Snow and Ripple bite the dust, this ironically makes her the one who outlived literally every other cast member. Poor Sumire never shows up again though.

“Hey teach, you’re kinda looking a bit weird. Gritting your teeth like that.”

“Mmph?”

It seems her face had contorted from her clenched jaw. Yoshiko’s suspicions only grew further. Mariko managed to cover by coughing twice. Mariko went back to a cool nonplussed “What? You didn’t see anything” kind of face.

“I uh, have canker sores.”

“Really?”

“Uh huh. I swear, I do.”

Mariko Fukuroi—the Magical Girl Marika Fukuroi—always hung out with Snow White whenever they were both Magical Girls. She’d help her with anything she had on her plate. Whenever she did so, Marika was almost always filled with joy. Such was the freedom of the Magical Girl known as Marika Fukuroi. However, she still had trouble remembering all her students’ faces. They flickered back and forth in her mind. Her inner storm didn’t really make for a nice warm personality. 

Answer. Your. Phone. Snow.

Also, it’s cute how Marika cares so much about Snow White this way. I always knew she did, but now it’s even better. Marika’s a huge brutish brawler, but she also just has trouble socializing, and letting out her actual feelings. This is great.

After opening the door to the science lab, she closed it and held it down with her body, the girls still outside. Then, she bit back a loud scream and pulled her hair.

I really wish this was animated, or drawn, or just... something. I really really really want to see this.

Snow White’s new Magical Phone—that she hasn’t used yet—began to vibrate inside her costume. Whatever the reason, it’d be interrupting what she was doing now. So she held her hand to her costume and turned off her phone.

ANSWER. YOUR. PHONE. SNOW.

She had faintly heard the voice of someone’s mind from beyond the trees, meaning she had to close the distance. She made a circle with her thumb and index finger, and the Magical Girl running up behind her, Uluru, saw her signal.

I am so glad they’re partners now. Snow White and Uluru, Batman and Robin, it fits so well.

“There she is! That’s the girl you beat up in the cave…” Uluru said, pointing to a blue Magical Girl standing in front of the trees. Princess Deluge.

Whoa, they found Deluge already? Wait, are they going to fight again? OH MY GOD ARE THEY!? ARE WE GONNA SEE ANOTHER FIGHT? IN THE PROLOGUE?

Back when Puk Puck had raided the caverns, Uluru had told Snow White that she fought with Deluge, and then promptly thought that it might be a bad idea to mention that. The Uluru she knew before would always say what’s on her mind without fault. Now, Uluru had grown. She cared for others, and chose her words carefully.

I like how we’re checking in with everyone, and I like that Uluru is growing as a person and a partner. This fills me with joy. Snow and Uluru are one of my favorite Snow pairs next to Marika, cause both of them can basically kick ass Batman Robin style (well with Marika it’d be Batman and... uh... insane battle hungry Robin? a nicer Jason Todd Robin?)

Standing around Deluge were Armor Arlie, Blade Brenda, and Cannon Catherine, all facing Snow White. These three black-suited Magical Girls had also been manipulated by Puk Puck and fought alongside her. However, Arlie, who had never taken off her visor, even while in briefings, breaks, or fighting with Puk Puck, had now lifted her visor. She looked just like Brenda and Catherine, yet she was also completely different from before.

Snow White smiled back in reply to the black-suited Magical Girls who were happily waving about their weapons, before relaxing her expression and facing Deluge.

D’awwwww she LIKES them!!!!!!!!!

Alright, Chapter 1 proper. I can’t believe it ends THERE! So wait, Armor Arlie’s still Arlie, and there’s no Dory, which means... Where is she? Is she part of Deluge’s group? Wait, where’s Shadow Gale? Did they just... leave her at home? Without a babysitter? Does she have food? Will she be okay?

☆ Tetty Goodgripp

The nearest station from her house was around three minutes; from there, she’d catch two trains, then she’d exit the largest station from the west side, and walk one minute until she arrived at her destination. The building had no elevator and was all broken down and rusty, but she still had to travel up to the seventh floor. Finally, she would reach the Gate to her school. This was her normal route to school.

So the school uses a Gate in the 7th floor? That’s pretty rad.

From there, she entered the building from the roof. She had considered the fact that the rooftop door not being locked was a sign of courtesy for other Magical Girls.

Isn’t she breaking the rules here, Class Rep?

 As she ran across the hallways, she saw a sign on the wall that read “No running in the halls.” It’s fine. It was a short walk to class anyway.

That’s two rules broken.

They all belonged to one of the three groups. Group three to be precise. Hearing Fujino’s footsteps, they turned around, in time for Fujino to say a warm “Good morning!” towards them.

I’ll not paste every single one of their descriptions but while I can see Lightning being hime-girl, Diko being mohawk girl threw me off so much.

“Ello.”

“Ewo.”

God, these two are gonna get me so much.

These three groups refuse to interact with each other at all. At best, they’d greet each other, but the only one who would respond with a smile among anyone was Sally Raven. The rest are generally salty to any outsiders. Except for one girl in group two, who wasn’t just elementary school friends with Fujino—she also became a Magical Girl in the same exam.

Fuko Sayama—Magical Girl name Mepis Pheles. She had been estranged from Fujino when she transferred out, but miraculously, they made a reunion here. At first, they got along well, but then they started to talk less and less because she kept getting mad whenever they played cards.

Mepis is one person I didn’t expect to be the angry type, but now I’m even more interested in her.

At this point we’ve gotten an illustration, and I notice compared with the human illustrations in twitter that they’re arranged in exactly the same way as their groups! Which means the ones that don’t have human illustrations WASN’T Arlie and Dory, but Calcolo (cause she’s a teacher) and Kana. This was further confirmed when the two twins actually ARE Arlie and Dory.

“Well duh, they’d be a Magical Girl! This is a Magical Girl CLASS! I’m talkin’ about somethin’ ELSE! They’re a bit more mhm mhm, y’know?”

With her fingers on her sun-tanned cheeks, Wrappy Tip shook her chestnut hair out and about. She normally speaks loud, and now she spoke even louder somehow.

WRAPPY!!! WHY DO YOU SCREAM SO MUCH! I’m joking I love you for that Wrappy. Your Magical Girl form looks like Tepsekemei but you’re actually HIGHLY ENERGETIC!

“I’m glad OUR group has five! If we had four, then WE’D get the inmate! God, can you imagine the TENSION!?”

“You don’t have to be so mean.”

“I’m not MEAN! I’m SCARED!”

Wrappy’s words seemed nervous, but her expression and tone were completely at odds with it, being so cheerful.

I have a feeling Wrappy is going to be like this for the entirety of Black. She’s just gonna be in danger and be like “OH MY GOD WE’RE IN DANGER!” with googly eyes and a gasping look on her face.

“So hang on, you’re telling me she’s been released, right?”

“Well, she wouldn’t have broken out, would she?”

“Prison Break.”

“Season 2.”

The fact that Arlie and Dory knows Prison Break and Season 2 of Prison Break leads me to believe they watched it with Deluge or something and Shadow Gale during their stint at that hideout. Which is both cute and amazing.

Her height was 170cm, and her face seemed so mature. She had trimmed natural blonde hair that reached her shoulders. She had fair skin, blue eyes, and a European Magical Girl name. But unlike Arlie and Dory, her Japanese was very fluent. Thunder General Adelheid made a warm smile and waved her right hand.

THUNDER GENERAL ADELHEID!!!! Now this is one Magical Girl I’m going to keep an eye out throughout Black.

“Hmm, it seems you’ve heard the rumors.”

“About the PRISONER!? YEAH YEAH, WE DID!” replied Wrappy Tip while violently headbanging.

My opinion of Wrappy shot up due to her violent headbanging.

“For now, I shall treat her as if she were kin. However, I do feel like she may quarrel with Mepis.”

Little did I know, this was the understatement of the year.

She hadn’t changed one bit. Her appearance had changed, now wearing glasses and braids, but her personality hadn’t. Despite being seemingly literary and well-read, this girl was surprisingly quick to anger, and felt more like a gangster. When she was in elementary school, it didn’t matter if it were boys or even seniors, she picked a fight with everyone—mostly people she found annoying. The Daifugo card game during her lunch break was cancelled early because she had a tantrum for losing, and the teachers couldn’t handle her, so they just banned her from bringing cards at all.

Okay Mepis is going to be a fun ride when she finally does get a POV and dialogue. That being said, the glasses girl was one of my secondary and tertiary guesses for Mepis solely because a winky face human is a little too obvious. It’s hilarious how so out of personality her human self looks from her Magical Girl self though.

Tetty Goodgripp had been chosen to become their Class Rep. Still, group two’s problems should be solved by group two. Thinking about it though, it seemed their leader was Mepis Pheles, and considering how their leader was the one itching for a fight, there was no way they could solve any problems whatsoever on their own.

The consistent opinion among these girls seems to be “Mepis is not going to be a good time”

When she looked at Miss Lille, she saw that she seemed almost pale, as if saying “I’m sorry for what you’re about to endure”. Wrappy meanwhile was just waving both her hands in the air as if saying “HI GUYS! WE’RE TALKING ABOUT YOU!”

Wrappy shoots up yet again in the best Black characters rank, though so far everyone’s off to a great start personality-wise.

Dory meanwhile was grabbing her spear and was bonking Arlie in the head repeatedly. Arlie looked sad, but Dory kept bonking.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA WHAT!? WHY?

These two looked like they came in a set, yet most of the time, they kept on fighting each other. It’s hard to tell if they were actually close with each other or not.

So do they actually just hate each other? That’s hilarious.

☆ Halna Medhi Melen

a mage? Oh boy. And a new one too. Side note, I really love how we can just determine mages from their ridiculous names. Mana, why isn’t your name so ridiculous?

Calcolo may be a talented Mage herself, but she was far from mature, so she’d make a horrible teacher.

GASP!!!! CALCOLO’S A MAGE MAGICAL GIRL!!!!! AAAAAAAAA!!!! We’ve heard this being possible in Breakdown and F2P but this is our first main series character to BE one.

Halna glanced at her own pointed ears

First off. Elf. Secondly, how the hell do you glance at your own ears???

The cause of the Calcolo’s nervousness was 20% Magical Girl and 80% Calcolo’s timid personality.

Oh Calcolo’s gonna be a favorite. She’s like 7753′s personality mixed with Kuru-Kuru Hime’s job.

“My name is Halna Medhi Melen. I am the supervisor of this school. This is Calcolo Callumph. She’s your homeroom teacher. Her Magical Girl name is Calcolo.”

Callumph is such a nice last name, but why is your Magical Girl name literally your actual name, Calcolo? Didn’t you learn from Nokko-Chan and Akane?

Also the entire section of this part was just Halna raging at Kana as Kana innocently answers questions was the best. Calcolo’s boss is much angrier than 7753′s was for sure, and that makes for a brand new flavor of “depressed office worker Magical Girl”, of which there are so many in MGRP.

Since being assigned to Class 2-F, there has been no day where Calcolo didn’t feel pain and agony. What kind of a teacher has no mood for classes, or any abilities, or just seems to complain whenever there’s an event? Why did she have to make up a rule to ban cards during lunch? Why can’t the kids just get along?

I knew I’d love her. She literally has 7753′s personality about her job.

She remembered her first day as a teacher, when she was determined to be the best teacher she could be. She opened the door and saw a girl with a mohawk and tattoos on half her face like she was from the feudal age. That’s when she thought “Yeah. No. I don’t think this’ll work out.”

Hey, I’m sure Diko didn’t mean anything bad by it. That being said this made me laugh so much and got Calcolo even higher on my best characters list.

Her bloodline can be traced back to one of the Three Sages, Shayn Osk Val Mer, and not only that, her proficiencies are on the level of specialists. She has eyes that could peer through the essence of others, and has a fierceness that enables her to make decisions without hesitation. She had pointed ears and heterochromatic eyes, which seemed an anomaly even for Mages

So, does this mean Osk had children? Also, is this where elves came from? Her heterochromatic eyes are also shared by Puk.

There’s like an entire section dedicated to how the school is just a proxy war between the factions and I love how they’re still scrambling at each other despite not physically having the capabilities to.

For now, they focused on finding any Mage who can transform into a Magical Girl. Thus, the spotlight shone on Calcolo, the girl who studied day and night to become an authority on criminology. Oh, and she can transform into a Magical Girl too.

I like how her degree was used first. This makes Calcolo sound like Buzz Lightyear during his Mrs. Nesbitt phase in Toy Story 1.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“No? What’d I forget?”

Her expression, or lack of, felt like she’s not really judging her or being mad, but Calcolo felt like she was going to dive into a pit of something much much worse.

“Well, classes are divided into two sections. General Education, and Magical Girl Education. Gen Ed classes will be taken in your human forms, and Magical Girl Classes in your Magical Girl form.”

“Okay,” Kana said, pulling her chair out and standing up.

Oooh boy, I’m gonna love Kana’s interaction with everybody if she keeps this up. She’s not exactly clueless, but everyone else thinks she’s an idiot. Which I can’t blame. She looks kinda dumb.

Basically, if Calcolo reported any problems with Kana, worst comes to worst, Halna will pick a fight with Caspar.

I enjoy the fact that Calcolo basically said “If I report Kana, I may indirectly cause a war with Caspar. Nope.”

“Your clothes-”

“It’s the school uniform.”

“No, I know. I just meant, parts of them are torn.”

“It’s to make it easier for me to move in.”

I didn’t notice this at the time, but my editor pointed out that she basically ripped the “unrippable” clothes. Kana what are you?

Well, those are my initial thoughts on it. When I first read chapter one, I was super intrigued at how the school worked, and what Halna and Calcolo’s plans are for it. It seems I was mistaken that the school was a Pythie-run thing, but I do think Pythie is using Kana in some way. I also think Kana’s potentially related to the third Sage, Caspar herself. Time will tell how this plays out.

[easy-p-lemon]

Surprise!

Summary: Y/n has a bad day and Shawn makes it better.

Warning: Umm they take a bath together? No smut, just some TLC but I thought I should mention it :)

You worked as an elementary school teacher, and normally you loved your job. Normally you loved the kids and had so much fun with them, you would laugh almost all day and always felt so proud at how much your students were learning. Normally, when people made a joke about how terrible it is to be a teacher you would laugh it off and explain that is truly a dream to work with such wonderful children.

Normally.

But today was not one of those days. Not even close. You had already had two parents call - in the middle of your class - to complain about your teaching methods. You had to send a student to the nurse because they cut themselves with safety scissors and then had to clean up an apple juice spill, even though they were only allowed to have water at their desks. Today, you had to manage all the kids by yourself because your student teacher was out on a personal day and your school didn’t provide a substitute. Today, you forgot your coffee on the kitchen counter and then remembered that you never put in the grades that were due in by 5 pm.

You had just dropped the kids off for gym class and were now back to your room. You had an hour for class and desperately needed Advil for the major migraine assaulting your brain. You checked the clock and groaned out loud when you saw the time. It was only 10 in the morning - the kids are dismissed at 3. 

You kept reminding yourself that it was Friday and that you could do this. Only 5 hours left.

Checking your phone you noticed a text from your boyfriend.

iMessage from Shawn: Just made reservations, our hot date starts at 7 ;)

Shawn was an amazing boyfriend. You two had been dating for the past 2 years and you moved in to his condo 8 months ago. Monday, he told you that he needed to “Take my girl out. It’s been to long since I’ve seduced you.”

At first, you were excited. It had been a while since you had gotten dressed up for a date, and Shawn had insisted he take care of everything so all you had to do was show up. But after the day you had had, all you wanted to do was burrow into your pajamas and cuddle your boyfriend.

After staring at his words for a little bit, you decided you should be honest with him and admit that you needed a night in.

iMessage to Shawn: I’m so sorry but my day has been horrible and I really just want you to hold me. Do you mind postponing our sexy date to tomorrow?

Immediately after sending the text you felt bad. Shawn had been hyping tonight up all week and you knew it meant a lot to him to be able to take you out and just be Shawn your boyfriend and not Shawn Mendes the pop star.

iMessage to Shawn: Actually, forget that. I’ll be ready for 7 - you better knock my socks off. I love you :)

You could do this for Shawn. And who knows? Maybe by the end of the day things would be better.

~

Things did not get better. You missed lunch because you had to cover an art class, a student threw up at his desk and the buses were late, resulting in all the kids being dismissed 45 minutes late. Not that that mattered ,considering you ended up staying until 5 anyway to put all your grades in because you didn’t get to at lunch. 

When you finally shut the door to your car you were hungry and seconds away from breaking down. That was was when you remembered that you told Shawn to keep the reservations. Realizing you couldn’t just go home and hide under your soft sheets until the end of time broke you. A sob escaped your mouth and your body shook with the force of your defeat. You pulled out your phone out to call Shawn only to see he had texted you at lunch.

iMessage from Shawn: Nope too late. Reservations have been cancelled but our date has not. I’ll get pizza for dinner, you just come home and take a shower. When my girl need cuddles she gets cuddles. I’m leaving the studio at 6, I love you more.

iMessage to Shawn:  On my way home now and can’t wait for tonight - thank you. <3

You smiled for the first time that day and put the car into drive, finally excited to go home.

~

When you finally pulled into the parking garage you were almost giddy with anticipation. You had spent the whole drive fantasizing about your taking your shoes off and wiping off you makeup. Walking to the elevator you pressed the button for your floor trying to decide if you would eat first or get clean first. Walking out to your floor you decided you’d take a shower - no - a bath first. You were so distracted by your day dreaming that when you opened the door to your apartment, you didn’t notice all the noise coming from your living room.

“Surprise!”

Your bag hit the ground with a thump as you jumped to see that your mom, dad, sister and her three daughters were sitting on the couch.

“Wow!” you put your fake smile back on and locked it in place. 

You were originally from the states, so when you moved to Canada because you wanted a change of scenery, you only expected to stay for a year. After meeting Shawn, a year turned into the foreseeable future and your family promised they would visit as much as possible. You loved them, but you after the day you had, you really wished they could have waited one more day to talk in person and not over the phone.

“What are you guys doing here?” you worked hard to keep the disappointment out of your voice.

Your sister gave you a big hug before pulling back and explaining with a smile.

“Oh well Theo” her husband “has a business trip for the next five days and the girls are out of daycare so I thought it would be the perfect time to come and visit! When I mentioned it to mom she said how she could come and we could surprise you and well - here we are! Isn’t this great?!”

Before you could say anything, your mom pulled you in for a hug. “Oh Y/n its so good to see you honey! Come sit down, we need to catch up.”

You sat down with a sigh. You were hungry and desperately wanted to at least take a shower, but you never saw your mom anymore and wanted to give her your full attention.

~

Shawn pulled out of his parking space after tossing the pizza in the passenger’s seat. He was eager to get home and give you a hug. While he had been looking forward to a date, the moment you mentioned you had a bad day, his focus shifted. He knew you wouldn’t say anything unless it was pretty bad and also knew you probably felt bad canceling.  He was sure you’d feel up to it another night and for now he just wanted to help you de-stress.

Finally getting to the apartment, he pulled into the space next to yours and took the quick trip up the elevator. As he walked up to your door he slowed down when he could voices coming from the apartment. Confused, he slowly opened the door to be met with a sight that made his jaw drop. 

Your nieces were playing with dolls in the corner of the room. Your dad was sitting with his feet propped up on the coffee table scrolling through his phone. And then his eyes met you.

You were sandwiched between your mom and sister on the couch. Your hair was messy as if you’d been running your fingers through it all day and you had dark circles under your eyes that weren’t there this morning.  Your shoes were abandoned by the couch and your feet looked red and swollen. You had your best fake smile on, but Shawn could see right through it. His heart broke wishing he could just make everyone disappear, knowing that when you had a rough day you liked to have some quiet time. He knew you loved your family but he also knew when you needed time to collect yourself and regroup. He closed the door behind him, prompting everyone to look at him, but he kept his eyes on you.

“Hey babe, I’m home,” he was hesitant to ask how your day was and make things worse so instead he decided to acknowledge everyone else. He turned his head towards your family and greeted them with a surprised expression and open arms. “Hey guys! What a nice surprise!”

“Uncle Shawn! Uncle Shawn! Hi!” your nieces yelled, running up to him.

He bent down to their level to say hello and when he straightened again, you were standing in front of him.

You had never been so happy to see him. Finally, after everything that happened today, you felt like you were able to relax. 

Without a word he took your hand and brought you to the kitchen. Once it was just the two of you, he put the pizza down and engulfed you in a hug. You melted into his touch and held him as tight as you could. He rubbed big soothing circles on your back and started to slowly sway you side to side.

“Hi” you mumbled from where you are tucked under his chest.

He pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Hi.”

“We should go back to everyone.”

“Mmhmm” he agreed but his hold on you only gets tighter.

You sighed into his soft sweatshirt. “I needed this. I needed you.”

“I’m right here. Always.”

After a few more stolen moments in your kitchen you convinced yourself to pull out of his grasp. He let you go only to capture your lips in a searing kiss.

After pulling away for breath he leaned his forehead against yours.

“Did you know they were coming?”

“Nope.”

“Are they staying here?”

You rubbed your thumb over his cheek in a small caress. “Don’t think so.”

He pecked your lips one more time before leaning back against the counter.

“Eat a piece of pizza, I’ll go talk to them,”

You just nodded and opened the box. You groaned noticing how hungry you were and how good it smelled. “I love you so much.”

He just chuckled as he headed back toward the living room, “I love you too babe.”

~

After talking with your parents, you found out that they had already booked a hotel about 5 miles from your apartment. It was around 7 o’clock now and your family had decided to drop their bags off at the hotel and then go to dinner. They invited you and Shawn to join them but before you could say anything Shawn answered for you both.

“I actually had a crazy day today and could use some sleep. What if you call us tomorrow and we can give you a grand tour of Toronto?”

Everyone agreed with his idea and after promises of calling tomorrow they left the apartment. As soon as everyone was gone, you collapsed onto the couch -drained of any energy you had had after leaving the school.

Shawn knelt down next to you and gently smoothed your hair out of your face.

“Love?” he asked in a quiet voice. You only found the energy to mumble in response. “How about I go run you a bath? Then we can have cuddles and a movie.”

Picking your head up you looked over at him with an eyebrow raised. In a hopeful voice you asked “Harry Potter?”

Shawn gave you a small smile and chuckle. “Whatever you want babe.” 

“Ok.”

You reached out with both your hands and let Shawn pull you up, and before he could move, you locked your arms around him and took a deep inhale, finding comfort in his cologne and masculine scent. Shawn didn’t say anything, his only response was to hold you back just as tight and gently rock side to side.

Eventually he stopped his rocking and pulled as far as you let him - which was just enough so that he can see your eyes.

“Y/n?” you met his gaze, “Let’s go take a bath ok? I think it will help you feel better.”

You gave him a small smile. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Now come on.” After planting a quick peck to your lips Shawn led you to the bathroom. He had you sit on the closed toilet seat while he got the water temperature just right, turned the lights down low, dug through the closet to find the two fluffiest towels you had and added way too much bubble bath soap. Once he was satisfied with his work, he turned to you and gave a sweeping gesture towards the tub.

“My lady, your bath awaits.”

You offered a soft smile and stood up with your hands raised. Getting the hint, Shawn helped you peel your shirt off. He then dropped to his knees and planted a kiss just above your bellybutton, whispering a soft beautiful against the skin there. He dragged your pants and underwear down your legs in one smooth motion, while pressing more kisses to your legs. You stepped out of your pants while he stood back up to help you unhook your bra. Finally naked, he helped you into the tub and placed a soft kiss to your forehead. He turned to leave before you reached out to grab his wrist. 

“Wait!” you said, slightly confused. “Where are you going?”

He raised an eyebrow. “I thought you’d want some alone time. I know -”

You cut him off. “Nope. I appreciate the sentiment, but right now I just want to take a calming bath with my wonderful boyfriend so I can put this completely trash day behind me.”

With a smile a said “I can do that,” and proceeded to take off all his clothes too. After some moving around, Shawn was finally situated behind you. You melted into his chest, finally -finally- able to leave your day behind you.

As he started washing your hair, Shawn asked if you wanted to talk about today.

You let out a loud sigh. “Honestly? No. I mean, my day was bad but it wasn’t one major thing, you know? The kids were crazy and my schedule was all messed up and I had to stay too late which sucked. And it was so nice to see my family, don’t get me wrong, but it totally caught me off guard, you know? And a part of me still feels bad for canceling our date because I know you were looking forward to that. But just being here with you, in this bath that has way too many bubbles, makes everything so much better.” You leaned your head back so that it fit into the crook of his neck. “Thank you.”

Once Shawn was sure that you had ended your small rant, he placed a kiss to your forehead and started to play with your hands. “Y/n, don’t feel bad about dinner. This, taking care of you, is more important than any other plans we had. If I was having a bad day, you would easily cancel a reservation, right? This is what we do babe - we take care of each other. I’m so sorry you had a bad day, but it’s the weekend now, so give yourself a break. And your family is lovely, but I agree it would have been nice if they had given a warning. But we will enjoy the rest of tonight and tomorrow we will have a great day with them. Ok?”

With just a few words Shawn was able to make up for everything that had happened. You immediately felt better.

You turned to pressed a kiss to his lips, “I love you so much Shawn.”

“I love you more Y/n. Now let’s get out, the water is getting cold.”

You both got out and dried off in comfortable silence. You shared smiles while you changed into pajamas and brushed your teeth, both happy to not be doing anything. You crawled under the covers and Shawn got Harry Potter on his computer. As the movie started you cuddled into his side, stealing his warmth.

“How was your day? I’ve gone on and on about me and I didn’t even get to ask what you did.”

His hands hugged you closer while he answered. “Oh it was fine. The studio was good, we think we’re almost done with this one song.”

You felt your eyes droop as you tried to listen. “Really? Have I heard it?”

“Ummm no I don’t think so.”

You let a hum and leaned even farther into Shawn. “Yea,” you whisper, words thick with sleep, “What’s it called?”

Shawn noticed your losing battle against sleep and ignored your question as he set his laptop on the night table and turned off the lamp. Pulling the covers up he cuddled into you, your back to his front, and pulled you impossibly close. 

“Go to sleep baby, we’ll talk in the morning.”

You let out a loud yawn. “Mmm ok. Love you, g’night.”

He pressed a tender kiss to the back your head. “I love you so much Y/n, sweet dreams.

A/N : Oof it’s been a while since I’ve posted! I hope to get back into it, but I’ve been swamped with school work lately! Please let me know what you think - even if I don’t respond to your ask I promise I see it! Thank you xoxo

[michael-radi-the-glamorous-life]

Those Who Can...

It’s an old and cliched phrase at this point, but I do still occasionally hear people say: “Those who can’t do, teach.” Which is really a misquote from George Bernard Shaw’s Maxims For Revolutionists:

"He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches."

Now, is there any truth to this? Perhaps for some people. Though I would bet that those who go into teaching purely out of disappointment of falling out of their chosen profession aren’t very good teachers, nor are they likely to be teachers for long.

And yet this idea persists. Why?

It’s Been A While…

Several times in the past six months I have spoken with people who I haven’t seen or heard from in many years, and the conversation generally goes something like this:

Them: It’s been so long! I want to hear what you’re up to - you must be doing great things!

Me: It’s certainly been my busiest year so far, especially with the production of The King’s Legacy coming up this summer.

Them: And I see you’re doing a lot of shows. Where are those happening?

Me: Two of them are back to back at the studio I work at -

Them: Studio?

Me: Yeah, I teach voice and musical direct 5-7 days per week at an after school studio throughout the year. And the third show I MD, which crosses over with the other two, is at a Long Island high school.

Them: Oh. So these are school shows.

Me: One is a school show, but all are educational, yep.

Them: That’s nice.

Me: Well, it’s hard work and it’s rewarding.

Them: …I’m glad you’re working. So [and on to the next thing]…

And then that’s that. It’s like teaching doesn’t count as work, professional or otherwise. And why? Because non-professionals (aka students) are involved? Sounds crazy to me.

Compare this to the general conversation I have with other working theatre professionals today:

Them: So what do you do, besides the writing and performing?

Me: I work at an after school theatre studio teaching voice, musical directing, and playing for classes 5 days per week, and I MD two of their shows each year. I also MD the annual musical at a local high school each spring.

Them: Wow, that’s a lot.

Me: Yep, but it pays bills and keeps me in theatre constantly!

Them: How many voice students?

Me: This year it’s 33.

Them: That’s crazy! I wish I had those skills. I stopped playing piano at [__] years old and I really wish I hadn’t.

Me: It’s insanely useful.

Them: That all sounds more fun than my day job.

Me: Yeah, I kind of substituted the fun and theatre for less money. What do you do? [Etc.]

That’s a different conversation, isn’t it? And I think I’m beginning to understand the difference.

Great Expectations

People we’ve known from previous points in our lives have very different perceptions of us. They knew us at a certain time and have not been involved in any of the subsequent growth/change/improvement/evolution/etc. that comes with the continuation of life. So they extrapolate from what they knew and they have expectations. Likely, specific expectations. And when it comes to theatre careers, everyone always expects that you are constantly inching yourself toward THE BIG WHITE WAY. What other path or goal could there be? And anything else is just a pit stop along the way, or a detour, or something holding you back. Right?

And those people tend not to be in the business - whether or not they ever were. Or else it probably wouldn’t have been years since you’ve spoken with them.

Whereas people who are in the business now understand a few truths of the current socioeconomic environment, particularly where theatre is concerned:

1) You take the survival jobs that you can get with your skills.

2) You keep the jobs that allow you to not go crazy.

3) Broadway is not the only goal.

4) Jobs that keep you in theatre help you hone your skills constantly.

5) No survival job is a hindrance unless you let it become one. Then you make decisions from there.

6) Young people - especially young theatre people - are awesome.

7) Teachers help shape the future of our country, society, and industry.

These are easy to forget if they’re not constantly in your face, which is probably why the old idea of looking down on teaching persists. It is natural that people get older, leave the business, forget what it’s like to be in the trenches, and adopt these negative or bitter-sounding ideas. But awareness of that could help.

“By Your Pupils You’ll Be Taught”

As much as I complain about the number of hours, the amount of mental/emotional/physical energy required, and general lack of workplace benefits, I love teaching. I do. I wouldn’t have chosen this as my survival job otherwise - the work is too time consuming and it doesn’t pay as much as other survival jobs.

And why do I love it so much?

1) Young people inspire me. Was I that cool and interesting and progressive-seeming to my teachers at that age? Let’s be real, probably not. But damn! Have you met these kids? If they are the face of our future, I am so on board.

2) They keep me young. Seriously. Adults constantly tell me that I’m not a “real adult” and I totally agree! Not because I don’t pay bills and buy groceries and do all of those “adult things,” but because I find that I’m not getting more jaded or bitter or conservative as I age (thus far). I have energy. I have focus. I have consistent emotional capacity. And I can tell you - without a doubt - it’s from being around young people all the time. I swear, this is why combined daycare/elderly care facilities are so successful.

3) I get to teach what I know, which refreshes my own knowledge. I tend not to lose the important information about theatre that I’ve learned over the years, because I constantly have to teach it. It forces me to refresh myself on topics that I would otherwise likely forget.

4) They challenge me. Oh boy, let me tell you. Every student is different. Not all techniques will work on all students. I have to find new ways to speak, explain, teach, and modify all the time. There’s no way around it, which is great, because it only makes me better at teaching. And as a lovely added bonus, I often find new ways of teaching that help me as a professional as well! It’s a true win-win.

5) They teach me. Every damn day. I walk into these rooms and I learn probably as much from them as they are learning from me. This is the wonder and the joy of teaching. I wouldn’t trade it and I’d never want to give it up entirely.

Why Today?

If I’ve been having these conversations throughout the year, why am I writing this post today?

Well, tonight Legally Blonde opens at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, and these kids have got me in an emotional place. They are talented, yes, but oh so much more. They’re intelligent. They’re open to new ideas and new people. They’re honest. They’re kind. They’re willing to do and try. They care. They are constantly learning and blossoming, and it’s a joy to watch.

Also, three times in the past month I’ve had students say to me that when they grow up, they want to be just like me. If that doesn’t make you understand why teachers teach (and give you a feel or two), then nothing will.

I’m proud to be a teacher and to work with young people. I hope everyone gets the chance at some point - it will likely change you for better.

(PS, Break a leg NHP Theatre!)

[artificialqueens]

You’re A Kite, Dancing In A Hurricane

Hi guys. This is my first fic so any feedback would be much appreciated. This is also just the first chapter.

AU of Hurricane Bianca. Where Roy is a struggling science teacher who moves to a small town in Texas and Danny is a troubled student who performs at a local gay bar at the weekends. Its virtually inevitable that their relationship will be anything other than ordinary. Danny is 18 in this fic.

Roy stared at the contents of the back of his car, otherwise known as all his worldly possessions, as he got ready to leave and start a new chapter of his life in Texas. A few suitcases, a goldfish, and some nicknacks he’d picked up along the way was all Roy had to show for 37 years on this earth. Not that he cared much. He just hoped that in this next adventure hew would find something more meaningful. And hopefully more permanent. Roy had moved around a lot throughout his adult life, between being a substitute teacher for various schools, moving in and out of shitty apartments and having different groups of friends he had never stayed anywhere long enough to call it home. The closest he had to this was his two best friends D.J and Willam, who were waiting anxiously by his car. But he was getting to old for his life to focus around parties and drinking, hence him taking up the teaching job in a Milford, Texas. He hugged his two best friend and set off on the road. Next stop- new beginning.

—

As soon as Roy arrived the new town he realised how foolish he had been. It was shit. His house was tiny, and next door to the most bigoted prick he had ever met. The town looked as though it had been left abandoned for years. Hopefully the school would surprise him, he thought as he approached the front steps. He eventually found his way to the Vice Principals office where a student with a black eye was in the process of being scolded.

“It’s time for you to leave kid, you’ve been cluttering up my office for half the day.” The small woman behind the desk, who Roy presumed to be the Vice Principal, shooed the boy away.

“The nurse said that I need to sta-“ The boy protested. Roy looked the boy up and down. He was tall with beautiful black collar length hair and one hell of an “I don’t give a fuck” attitude. If it weren’t for the black nail polish and distressed tee, Roy would’ve presumed the kid to be quite the chick magnet. Although he was guessing that he has his mind set elsewhere.

“I don’t care what the nurse said you’ve gotta go.” The kid was holding an ice pack to his bruised and swollen cheek. He clearly wasn’t fit to go back to class, and any sane teacher would be in the process of hunting down whoever did this to such a sweet angel. Wow. Calm down Roy.

“I hope you don’t mind me interjecting”, Roy took the gap in the conversation as an opportunity to begin speaking. “But I really don’t think this kid should be going anywhere”. The boy smiled bashfully and looked at his feet.

“Actually, Sir, I do mind.” Said the woman behind the desk. “This particular kid has been a problem for the school for some time, and I’d like him to leave my office now.” The boys face snapped up and into a frown.

“Problem? Fuck that, I just mind my own damn business and keep to myself but somehow still managed to get beat up left right and centre. I never ask for it. You can fuck all the way off if you think I’m the problem here.”

Yes! Kids got some balls! Roy was trying to suppress a smile at not only the kids outburst but his language. He also felt kinda sad that the kid clearly needed help and vowed to do whatever he could to help him out of whatever mess he was in.

“Okay, that’s it. Detention after school for one hour every night this week, starting tonight.” The kids eyes started to well up with tears and Roy just wanted to hug him. He watched as the kid picked up his raggedy, punk rock looking satchel off the floor and stomped away, muttering an array of colourful language under his breath. What a lovely introduction to the school.

“So what can I do for you, as you can see I’m a very busy woman so keep it quick.” The woman behind the desk looked at him and began tapping her foot impatiently on the floor. Rude.

“Hi. You must be Debbie Ward! Im Roy Haylock the new science teacher.” Roy tried to suppress his anger towards the woman and held out his hand for her to shake. She ignored the offer and immediately began speaking.

“Well then Mr Hoyle, here’s your lesson plan,” She said, thrusting him a copy of ‘Creationism’ which looked as though it was from the 1950’s. “Your class is in room 115.”

“Thank you!” Roy plastered on the fakest, biggest smile he could muster and turned to leave.”

“Oh and one more thing. Since you seemed to care so much, you can be on detention duty with the problem child.” She added, looking pleased with herself. Brilliant, an extra hour of work every day. Nice going Roy. At least this would be his chance to figure out a way to help this kid.

—

Roy waited anxiously for his new class to sit down as he stood in front of the beautifully written “Mr Haylock” on the chalkboard. Two girls in cheer costumes were the first to actually acknowledge his presence. One of the girls handed him a box of chocolate and sat back down. Roy began to think this school might not be as bad as he had first thought. Until he went to take a bite and noticed the girls giggling. He knew girls like this from his own time being relentlessly bullied in high school. He decided, much to the girls disappointment that he would leave the chocolates for later.

“Good morning class. As some of you have very kindly noticed” he said, giving side eye to the two cheerleaders on the front row,”I am new here. Now, I moved here from New York City, so some of the shit you may have gotten away with with your previous teachers ain’t gonna fly with me.” The students giggled at his abrupt and sweary manner and Roy smiled to let them know he was at least in part joking. “Okay so before we start I’ll be giving you a quick rundown of what we’ll be doing for the rest of the year-“ Roy was interrupted by the sound of the door. As he turned round ready to berate the offender, he stopped when he realised it was the kid he’d seen in the office this morning.

“Sorry I’m late.” The kid shuffled to his seat at the back of the room.

Roy was torn between wanting to show the class he didn’t take any bullshit but also not wanting to go to hard on the kid after the shit he’d been through already today. “Luckily for you, I hadn’t started anything important. Don’t let it happen again.” Roy ended with a light smile.

“Whatever.” The boy drawled, turning to stare out of the window. He barely moved from that position for the rest of class. Roy was nervous about what tonight’s detention would bring.

—

Roy sat in his classroom at the end of the day anticipating the arrival of the boy, whose name he had not yet learned. He decided to make that a top priority. The boy eventually arrived, 15 minutes late and reeking of weed. “Do plan on arriving late for everything?” Roy asked as he walked to his usual seat at the back of the room.

“Ya probably.” The kid shrugged and took out a notebook. Hey, at least he was honest. The boy began writing in his notebook and Roy sat awkwardly neatening everything on his already impeccable desk. After a few minutes of awkward silence Roy attempted to start a conversation.

“So kid what’s your name?”

“Danny.” He said, not looking up from his book. After a couple of minutes the kid spoke up again. “What’s yours?”

“Roy.” This time, Danny looked up from his book, looking confused. “Shit you meant my teacher name didn’t you?”

“Um. Yeah.” Danny smirked.

“Mr Haylock.” Roys face blushed red with embarrassment. He would have to get used to this teaching adult aged kids thing. Danny continued writing in his book, after a few minutes he looked up again.

“Can I call you Roy?” Danny asked with a grin.

“No way.” Roy laughed at the cheek of him. He was starting to like this kid.

“Pretty please.” Danny batted his long eyelashes and gave Roy the biggest puppy dog eyes he could manage. Roy laughed.

“Do you want more detentions kid?” Roy laughed some more.

“Only if they’re with you.” Roy spluttered slightly. Hold on was this kid flirting with him now? Roy went bright red with embarrassment for the second time in the past five minutes.

“Sure thing kid.” Roy hesitantly replied, whilst Danny laughed some more. Did that count as flirting? Had Roy just flirted with a student? The laughter eventually settled into comfortable silence and Danny continued to scribble away in his notebook.

“I’m not a kid you know”. Roy rolled his eyes and smiled. “No I’m serious, I’m 18 I got held back a year when my dad died.” Danny said nonchalantly, in a way that broke Roy’s heart.

“I’m sorry to hear that Danny.” Roy said in a more serious tone. The fact that the student he’d been flirting with was actually a legal adult was brushed to the back of Roy’s mind as he remembered that the kid was most likely desperately in need of some help.  He decided to try and approach the subject as gently as he could.

“So what’s this book you’re writing in. Seems to me like you’ve written more in it than you wrote in my class all day.” Roy began whilst walking to the desk in front of Danny and turning round the chair to face him.

“Nothing.” Danny said quickly and snapped the book shut. Roy felt bad for the kid. Clearly this was some sort of diary and he was worried that he’d crossed a line by bringing it up. Roy tried a different approach.

“So how’d you wind up here today?”

“Mouthing off to Debbie. You were there.” Danny smirked at the memory.

“I mean before that.” Roy smiled softly.

“You mean how did I get myself beat up? Oh just by being super cool, having loads of friends and being queer.” Danny laughed. Roy didn’t. “Two of those were a lie by the way.” Danny laughed again.

“You know you can talk to people-“

“Hold on let me tell you how this next part of the conversations going to go. You’re going to tell me that her are people here to help me and I’m going to tell you that that’s a big crock of shit and you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Danny said in a more serious tone. Roy looked stumped.

“Maybe there’s something I can do.” Roy tried again.

“Look I know you’re new here but you need to learn that nobody here actually cares about helping m- anyone but themselves. Okay. This town is shit. Nothing will change. Get over it.” Danny said raising his voice slightly. Roy took a moment to process Danny’s outburst.

“I’m sorry that that’s how you feel, but I genuinely do want to help you. And I’m not going to sit here and watch while any student of mine is getting treated like this.” Roy spoke softly and attempted to look Danny in the eye. The younger boy was looking out of the window, looking as though he was on the brink of tears. The two sat in silence for a minute longer. Roy glanced at his watch and noticed that they had another 25 minutes of detention left.

“Do you want to leave early, Danny?”

“Yes please.” Danny whispered, his voice breaking slightly at the end. Danny picked up his notebook and his bag and walked quickly out of the room. Roy remained looking at the space where Danny had been just moments ago, thinking about the events of the past half an hour.

—

When Roy got home he called his best friends from New York to talk to them about his confusing first day. The pair squealed with excitement when he answered call connected.

“Ahhhhhhhh girl we missed you. This bitch has been driving me crazy.” D.J laughed and nudged Willam. “So tell us everything. What’s your house like? What’s the town like? Have you got grindr yet? Have you met anyone yet?”

“Have you fucked anyone yet?” Willam added. Roy laughed at his two best friends. He missed them so much and was definitely starting to think that he’d made a mistake in coming to this hell hole.

“Which one of those would you like me to answer first?” Roy cackled and waited for his friends stop giggling before speaking again. “Okay. House is shitty. Town is awful. No grindr. No friends. I want to come home. So how are you guys then?”

“Wait you didn’t answer the last question. Who you fucking girl?” D.J squealed as Roy went bright red.

“Nobody.” He laughed trying to hide the embarrassment on his face.

“Roy-Lady, you’re gonna tell us eventually girl so you might as well just spill.” Willam insisted.

“I met him at work” Roy admitted.  The boys on the other end of the phone squealed.

“Ooooo a teacher. Is he hot? Is he good in bed?” His friends took turns at over excitedly asking him questions.

“He’s not a teacher. And I haven’t slept with him. I’m not into him, at least I don’t think I am. I can’t be anyways! He’s just… interesting.” Roy fumbled over his words. He’d only known Danny for a day and he was already managing to get inside his head. Roy was in trouble.

“Girl, interesting is just your smart ass way of saying you want to fuck him. So what does he teach?” DJ asked. “Biology” He suggested, and wiggled his eyebrows.

“I told you he’s not a teacher.” Roy mumbled the rest of the sentence under his breath.

“Speak up bitch.” His friends shouted down the phone.

“He’s a student.” Roy admitted.

“Nuh-huh honey that’s wrong. You can’t be messing with them kiddies up in that backwards little down you done found yourself in.” D.J scolded him and Roy went bright red once more.

“He’s not a child! He’s about to turn 19! And nothing has even happened. God am I an awful person.” Roy rambled.

“Oh girl if he’s 19 that shits fair game. You shoulda said baby.” Willam reassured him.

“I didn’t get a chance to before you guys jumped on my ass. Nothing’s going to happen anyways, I’m still his teacher regardless of how old he is.” Roy said in a serious tone.

“Girl it sounds like you need to get yourself a drink and loosen up.” Willam said, feeling bad for his friend. After saying their goodbyes and Roy promising he would stop being so melodramatic, Roy hung up and decided he would actually go out and get that drink he apparently so desperately needed. After arriving at what appeared to be the only bar in town Roy learnt that they did not serve any alcohol he drove disappointedly home and sulked for the rest of the evening.

__

Ashamedly, Roy spent all of Tuesday waiting for his detention with Danny to come around. He taught his lessons and insulted his students half-heartedly, all while wondering what tonight’s detention would bring. When detention finally did roll around Roy sat behind his desk and began to grade some assignments, as he expected Danny would be fifteen minutes late. As though on cue, Danny arrived late and reeking of weed once more.  Danny took his usual seat at the back of the room and started tossing a ball back and forth in his hands.

“Sorry I was a dick yesterday,” Danny drawled. Roy laughed and gave a fake disapproving look at Danny’s language.

“Really Danny, with the language again?” Roy laughed and started walking towards his seat across from Danny’s desk. Danny laughed and Roy thought it just might have been the sweetest sound he had ever heard.  Roy noticed the small plastic ball that Danny was tossing between his hands and decided to try and start a light conversation.

“What’s that you’ve got there?” Roy asked.

“It’s s stress ball. You know like for stress and stuff.” Danny answered and tossed Roy the ball. Roy turned the red foam ball over in his hand and noticed small marks in the shape of fingernails, presumedly from repeated and forceful pressure. Roy was saddened at the thought of Danny being so upset and angry at the world that he could cause this damage. He wished there was something he could do.

“So you wanna talk about anything?” Roy asked and tossed the ball back to Danny.

“Where are you from?” Danny asked and tossed the ball back again.

“I meant anything serious” Roy laughed and smiled at Danny.

“Nope.” Danny laughed, holding out his hand for the ball. Roy tossed it to him and he continued. “So come on Mi Amo we don’t have all day. Where are you from?” Danny grinned as Roy blushed.

“New Orleans, originally. I moved to New York after Hurricane Katrina and have lived there ever since. Well until I moved here.” Roy explained as Danny tossed the ball back to him.

“New York. Party.” Danny beamed. “What’s it like-” Danny started, before Roy cut him off.

“I believe it’s my turn to ask a question. Have you lived in Milford all your life?” Roy asked, punctuated by throwing the ball back to Danny.

“No I’m from Azusa. I’ll stab a bitch.” Danny answered, followed by a delicate giggle which indicated it was very likely that he could not stab a bitch. “We moved here after my dad died cause my mum met some new guy.” Danny said, looking slightly sad. “Do you have any siblings?” Danny asked, throwing the ball back to Roy and continuing the game of questions/ catch that they had begun.

“I do. I’m one of five. What do you want to do when you graduate?”

“Get the fuck out of here.” Danny laughed and Roy smirked at his answer.  “What’s your favourite food?”

“My favourite what? Is this some kind of slumber party now?” Roy teased Danny about his childlike question choice.

“It can be.” Danny said flirtily. Roy didn’t know how to respond so he just continued as though it hadn’t happened, whilst trying to suppress a blush.

“I don’t have a favourite food. What’s yours?” Danny laughed at Roy’s discomfort.

“Pizza.” Danny grinned. Roy couldn’t think of any more questions so the pair settled into a comfortable silence tossing the ball back and forth. After a couple of minutes he decided to check in on Danny’s injuries from yesterday.

“How’s your head?” Roy asked cautiously.

“Haven’t had any complaints.” Danny laughed at his own joke and Roy cursed himself for setting it up for him.

“I mean your injury.” Roy stammered, trying to move past Danny’s blatant flirting.

“It’s fine.” Danny answered, brushing the question off. After that the pair settled into the steady questioning for the rest of the detention. It was twenty minutes after Danny was due to leave before they realised the time. Slightly embarrassed that he had let himself become so distracted, Roy quickly said his goodbyes to Danny and they went their separate ways.

[deltabrony7]

MLP Season 8 Adventures: Friendship Recap

*In the castle, Delta asks Twilight about what they did*

[Delta Brony] “So Twilight, you went to Mount Aris with the Cutie Mark Crusaders to meet the Hippogriffs?”

[Twilight Sparkle] “Yes. The cutie mark crusaders solved their first friendship problem. It wasn’t easy at first.”

[Delta Brony] “Then Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst went to Sires Hollow to meet their parents. Right?”

[Twilight Sparkle] “Exactly.”

[Delta Brony] “Neato!! So, how is your first days as a teacher, including your friends?”

[Twilight Sparkle] “It’s great so far. The students are getting along pretty well.”

[Delta Brony] “Oh really? I would love to meet them for the first time.”

*At the School of Friendship, Twilight introduces the Student Six to Delta*

[Twilight Sparkle] “This is Smolder the Dragon, Yona The Yak, Silver Stream the Hipporgriff, Ocellus the Changeling, Gallus the Griffon, and Sand Bar.”

[Silver Stream] “WOW!! A alicorn colt. We never had one in Equestria until now!!”

[Delta Brony] “Whoa there.You’re getting pretty excited there for a subject of Queen Novo. Princess Celestia taught me everything about Mount Aris when I was a filly.”

[Smolder] “So, what do you do as a prince?”

[Delta Brony] “I help others in need and protect the Mane 6 at all cost. Unless you want to tell you everything that I have been through.”

[Gallus] “Sure thing.”

*A few minutes later, Delta tells everything about himself*

[Delta Brony] “So there I was... with the ponies as their cutie marks were taken by an evil femme fatale known as Princess Dark Matter. But, we have our own partner that that helped get the ponies cutie marks back. We form together as a group to destroy Dark Matter and saved Equestria.”

[Sand Bar] “That was awesome!! But, I still like the part where you helped the alicorns get their magic back from a pony that looks like Twilight Sparkle.”

[Delta Brony] “That’s how I got my wings. Heheheheheheh!! WHOA!!”

Delta looks at Ocellus, who somehow disguises herself as Delta.

[Ocellus] “You’re me!!”

[Delta Brony] “You’re me too!!”

*Ocellus changes back to her original form*

[Ocellus] “I know. It’s always fun when the changelings have the ability to change into anything.”

[Delta Brony] “Indeed. Once again, it’s pretty nice to meet you all. Twilight and the other ponies are gonna love ya when you graduate. But, it’s just the beginning.”

[Twilight Sparkle] “That’s right. School is a hard job, but they will know everything we teach them.”

*While the ponies are talking, the Trix return as they look behind the window.*

[Icy] “You see that sisters, they have a school just like us!!”

[Stormy] “And there is that pony princess.”

[Darcy] “I’m not too shabby of what happened.”

[Gaea Everfree] “So, are we going to attack?”

[Icy] “Not yet Thorny. We need to come up with another plan. Let’s go*

*The Trix walked away and it transitions to Delta leaving the school*

[Twilight Sparkle] “You wanna take part as Substitute Teacher?”

[Delta Brony] “Twilight, I would to anything to take your place if you are absent.”

[Twilight Sparkle] “Ok. See ya later!!”

[Delta Brony] “Ah!! First the library, then a castle, then a school.”

[Princess Dark Matter] “Then comes her downfall.”

[Delta Brony] “What?!! PRINCESS DARK MATTER!!”

*Princess Dark Matter shows Delta the Phantom Ruby, before she teleports away she says...*

[Princess Dark Matter] “This... is a sample of this powerful artifact!!”

*Princess Dark Matter vanishes before Delta can attack*

[Delta Brony] “No!! IT CAN’T BE!! THAT’S... THE PHANTOM RUBY!!”

To Be Continued...

[mcjour]

the other day S reached out of me out of the blue to ask about what happened during the retreat. kinda caught me off guard. also, I remember S was a toxic friend to the point where i knew i had to end it, but I think I blacked out whatever it was that she did due to (other) trauma. i literally don’t remember what she did. So that’s awkward. but we are friendly and have just casual conversations, so i can live with whatever pseudo friendship we have.

and honestly it was a good conversation. i gave her the play by play of what i could remember from each of the days. and she was like wow what a shitshow. but then she disagreed about the last day. long story short, if anyone is reading this without context, the second day we did this shitty ass cross the line activity that was highly triggering and traumatic for everyone, (in what workplace is it appropriate to say cross the line if youve been sexually assaulted and make eye contact with the people across the line and other similar intrusive questions) but especially hard for me given that i have quite a lifetime of trauma and cptsd on top of it. so by the next day, i had totally lost my mind. like full mental breakdown triggered by my ptsd, lost control of my mind and body, felt like i was drowning, having trouble breathing, had weird visions of me cutting myself, etc. So i said listen like i need to go home, i can’t stay here any longer i am very sick, i literally can’t stop crying and i don’t even know what is going on. but they forced me to stay so i sat out of the activity. it was a bad situation because they activity changed to be a conversation about race. i knew i shouldn’t sit out of it as a white person, but like i’m not kidding when i said that i was very sick. they made me make a split second decision when my brain was fried and i chose to sit out, thinking that the last thing that the people of color in the room needed was me uncontrollably sobbing in the corner and taking up space during a very tense conversation (there were other events that led up to this tense atmosphere). i fully intended to try to catch up on what i missed, but also knew it would be no substitution for the real thing.

anyway S was saying that if she was there, she would’ve been upset that i was in the room and i totally got that. if anything, i have been waiting to have that conversation since that day, but my therapist is not quite there to have that conversation, she’s a white lady and while i think she generally is good about social justice issues, she would definitely be like oh no! you’re not racist! kind of a thing. S and I were on the same page, I think. We agreed that i was very triggered in put in a bad position where like no matter what i chose would be a bad choice sort of a thing. it wasn’t anything “new” but it helped clear things up all the same. and maybe she is right, maybe i DID make the wrong choice. But like I said, both choices were bad and i was literally not even in the right mind to make any decision let alone that. S was also saying that she would’ve understood anyway, because this was like a one time situation and she knows i am constantly standing up and speaking up on social justice issues and she would know i was supportive even if i wasn’t in the room. 

SO yeah. i left that conversation feeling good. ok not good. but felt like i had some clarity and i thought it was a productive conversation and we both listened to each other even though we were initially kinda disagreeing.

anyway turns out that wasn’t the end of hte conversation. the next morning she was brining up some of the people we both knew and she also mentioned someone had been talking shit about me to her and i was like oh? and she sent me screenshots.

the screenshot looked like it was in june, so it was in response to something else, not specifically my latest expose LOL. 

but basically this girl V was like saying that i am biased in my hate against the organization, i can’t separate my feelings from what is actually going on, i was fired because i caused harm to my team and with teachers and never take accountability for my actions.

would love to know how V thinks she knows all this shit..? like where is she getting this info?? her own asshole??? or fed to her from my abusive boss’ friend? like?? what’s happening???

can’t separate my feelings from what’s happening?? ok... so where do you think my feelings are coming from if not from what’s happening....? did i just pull some hate out of my ass? like i don’t just hate shit for no good reason LOL.

yep, i did cause harm to my team and and i took accountability and i actively worked on it and got positive feedback for it. so i’m confused what is happening here. did i right every wrong before i was fired? no. but to say i didnt take accountability is ... wrong.

the thing is just that i don’t just view actions in a vacuum. so there were legitimate things happening that caused me to act the ways that i did. aka my abusive boss fucking with my head. of course i struggled to support my team when my boss made it clear that she would never consider me a part of the team. and i don’t say that to shift the blame from me to her. but you can’t just focus on me and not her role in that?

and it’s wild you say that i caused harm on the team and with teachers? because my boss did all of that and at least ten times worse than i ever did and she didn’t get fired.

ALSO they told me i was getting fired for my mental health issues. which is fucked up. maybe they lied and V is right? i doubt that first of all. but ok, even if they did, they did tell me i was leaving as a compelling personal circumstance, on good terms, would still be eligible for my scholarship. of course i never got that scholarship because they asked for wild fake documents. BUT if i was getting fired for doing such a bad job, wouldn’t they have told me that? or at the very least not told me i was leaving on good terms??? IDK is it legal to lie in an exit meeting? 

and also wtf is the harm with teachers???????? i know my boss accused me of shit talking her with the teachers but that simply was not true lol. a lot of teachers actually came up to me on their own accord to shit talk my boss LOL. they decided on their own that she was shitty, they had their own eyes and ears and brains. but even then i would redirect them and tell them to talk to my boss about their problems with her! the only thing i can think of was a situation with the teacher next door.

the teacher next door hated her cy. she liked me better. it was super awkward. she was also really good friends with my teacher. so i was put in a weird uncomfortable position where i liked her (as a friend/ coworker lol) so i felt awkward telling her off especially when there was this power difference of her being a teacher and then with her being friends with my teacher too. like if i told her to fuck off, would i ruin my relationship with my partner teacher? my partner teacher was all i had left because of the way that my abusive boss isolated me from everyone else. i admit that i believed this teacher over the cy and i have since talked to the cy and we both apologized and understood each other’s perspectives so like, as bad as i feel, there’s nothing else to be done, i guess. well, not that i could do anything so long after the fact anyway. and like it wasn’t llike i did absolutely nothing anyway. i kept in contact with my manager about it but like i was already overworked and underpaid and all that and sorry but im getting paid below the poverty line so trying to solve this weird dispute that has nothing to do with me is a bit above my pay grade

but here’s the kciker: this woman was literally a pedophile who was manipulating all of us! like me, my teacher, the cy, even up to the assistant principal! so hello! no wonder i felt so trapped! how the hell was i supposed to outsmart a pedophile at this below entry level job! and i don’t say that to get out of accountability, V. trust me, it eats at me to know that i was blind to a lot of fucked up shit that was happening. but once again, actions don’t happen in a vacuum. this woman was a manipulative mastermind and she used us as her puppets! dude i am 24 years old and this is my first job out of college and how the hell was i supposed to see that coming without any training. 

so i would love to know how v came to these shit ass conclusions without ever stepping into my school or into my life or having a single ounce of perspective.

which is so fucking wild to me because these people are working with highly traumatized kids????? so if y’all keep viewing everything through your stupid tunnel vision eyes then you are gonna fuck some kids up the way you fucked me up.

[trecotrash]

Something’s Fishy About Atomic Blond

A/N: BECAUSE SAM MITCHELL LOOKED LIKE A BLONDE CLARK KENT ON TUESDAY NIGHT GAME FIGHTS AND JUST UGGG! Also, thanks to @hausofinserts and @writesamwrite123 for helping me with this (and coming up with everything that goes along with this AU! And another thanks to Itza for coming up with puntastic title!)

If you want more of a backstory, I’d suggest reading Itza’s imagine first.

Not Your Mama’s Super Hero

Pairing: Sam Mitchell x Reader

Description: Sam is a English teacher by day and superhero by night (more or less), but when it comes to leaving in the middle of class, he can always count on Reader to be his substitute for the rest of the day.

“Another job well done,” the Mayor told Atomic Blond. “Thank you for keeping our city safe!”

Atomic Blond nodded and flew up into the sky. He knew school was about to end, but he needed to grab the papers to grade before tomorrow. He landed on the roof and quickly changed into his slacks, button up, and blazer. He threw on his pair of glasses and raced down to get to his classroom. 

He checked his watch. Seven minutes until the bell rang. He composed himself before he walked into the classroom. He looked around and noticed his students were idly chatting. He smiled and walked up to the oh-so-familiar substitute teacher. 

“You know, I should be asking you to sub for me now,” (Y/N) teased. “I’m amazed you got in here before the end of the school day.” 

“Well, I had to come back at some point.”

“Although, for someone who isn’t here all that often, I would expect your desk to be a lot neater Professor Messy Lord.” 

His students started to laugh. “Well, I guess I’m just that busy.” He turned his attention away from his sub to grab his students’ attention. “Alright, so don’t forget to read chapters 13 through 16 tonight. There will be a scored discussion tomorrow.” There was a collective groan. “Also, don’t forget to have your group topics picked out for next quarter’s presentation.” 

The bell rang, and all of his students packed their things up. He leaned on his desk and let out a long breath. “Let me guess, long day today?” He nodded. “You’ve been leaving in the middle of the day way too often at this point. How many family emergencies can one person have?”

“I ask myself that question every time it happens,” he nervously joked. 

(Y/N) giggled as she packed up her things. “What was the emergency this time?”

“I...I uhh...had to take care of my niece’s fish!”

“You had to take care of your nieces fish?” she repeated. “How is that a family emergency?”

“Well you see,” Sam starts, “my niece will kill me if I don’t do this completely real detailed list she gave me. She has specific times to feed it and clean it and play with it and-”

“Why do you need to play with a fish?”

“It has separation anxiety...”

“What does it do? Swim aggressively?”

“Hey, you’d be amazed on how hard it is to take care of this fish.” She rolled his eyes. “I’m not joking! My niece is still mad at me last time I took care of her fish because I didn’t go along with her detailed list!”

“You killed the fish, didn’t you?” He nodded. “Well, I’ll leave you to grab those essays.” She started walking towards the door before she stopped and turned around. “I read a few of them. Good luck.” He chuckled as she walked out. “See you tomorrow!” she called out.

He sat down at his desk and logged onto his computer. He took the first essay and started reading through. “Wow, she really did mean it when I needed luck to get through these essays,” he mumbled to himself. He wasn’t able to finish grading one paper when his watch alarm sounded. “Can’t I have a break just this once?” He stood up and ran back to the roof. He stripped himself of his civilian outfit to reveal his Atomic Blond attire. He threw his glasses off and replaced them with his blue and black mask. 

He flew off and looked at his watch for the exact location. “Great, just a normal robbery.” He landed in front of the store, and the masked criminals stopped right in front of him. “Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, and if I’m being perfectly honest, I have work I have to do.”

The men dropped their bags and grabbed their guns. They started shooting at him, only for their bullets to drop straight to the floor. “Haven’t you guys heard that I’m untouchable?” 

“Oh shit!” The two men grabbed their bags and ran. Atomic Blond just chuckled as he flew and grabbed the two men. The police showed up just in time too. He flew to the ground.

“Here you go.” He tossed the two men to the police. 

“Thank you Atomic Blond!” one of the police officers said.

“Well well well. If it isn’t Atomic Blond.” Everyone look up to see Mistress Titanium floating to the side. She gracefully landed on her feet; arms crossed, and a smirk placed ever-so-smugly on her face. “Why waste your time on these petty criminals? I mean, wouldn’t it be better if you picked on someone your own size?”

“Well, Mistress Titanium. I didn’t expect to see you for another few hours.” 

“Aww, aren’t you happy you get to see me earlier?” She strutted over to him and grabbed the bags off the ground. “Now I’d love to stay and chat, but I have some business to attend to.��� With that said, she jumped off the ground and flew away. 

“You’re not getting away this!” Atomic Blond jumped up and flew after her. He quickly caught up to her. “You know, you’re not as fast at flying as you think you are sweetheart.”

“Who said I was trying to be fast?” She stopped in her spot and watched as he flew a bit farther out. He stopped and turned around to face her. “I feel like you keep forgetting who you’re dealing with.”

“Oh trust me, I don’t think I’d ever be able to forget you.”

“Aw, I’m flattered.” She bat her eyelashes. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to bring this somewhere.” 

“Oh no you don’t!” He rubbed his gloved hands together and shot out his Atomic Blast. It hit Mistress Titanium’s hand. She dropped the bags, and he flew straight for them. She rubbed her hand and watched as he grabbed them before it reached the ground below them. “You know, these belong to that store over there.” He flew back to the store to return them. She chased after him. He landed on the roof of the store; she was right behind him. “After last week’s antics, I didn’t expect you to piggyback off of someone else’s work.”

“Well, I didn’t want to work that hard today.” She leaned in closer. “Plus, I don’t really have the time for something later.”

“Aw, so I won’t see you again today,” he jokingly pouted. “What a shame?” She scoffed. He threw the bags down to the police. “Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a fish to babysit.” He winked at her and flew off.

He made it back to the rooftop of the school. Since he figured no one else was there, he grabbed his civilian clothes and walked to his classroom. He felt as if there wasn’t a reason for a quick change if no one was there. He walked into the classroom and threw his clothes on his desk. He plopped himself into his chair and leaned back. 

“Hey Sam, I think I left my-” (Y/N) stopped herself mid sentence to see Atomic Blond sitting at her coworker’s desk.

Sam jumped out of his seat. “(Y/N) I can...I mean hello there civilian! What can I do for you?”

“You’re him, aren’t you?” she asked. “You’re Atomic Blond!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” She walked up to him and reached for his mask. He made no effort to stop her as she took it off. 

“Sam,” she whispered.

He walked over and closed his door. “Look, you caught me red handed. I’m Atomic Blond!”

“Who knew that Professor Messy Lord was Atomic Blond,” she chuckled. “That explains why your desk is so messy all the time.”

“Look, you know you can’t tell anyone.” She nodded. “And you now know I’m going to have to keep an eye on you for a while now, right?”

“You know, I can take care of myself, right?”

“I just….look, there are a lot of people trying to keep tabs on me. They aren’t the best of people.”

“IE, you mean those villains you fight every day you’re not teaching students.” She giggled. “This is exactly something out of a comic book. You have to protect me because sooner or later, someone’s going to find out that I know who you really are. Then someone’s going to kidnap me and try to get me to spill your secret.”

“Well...ummm…”

“Listen. Your secret’s safe with me. Just buy me a drink and we’ll call it even.” Sam looked at her for a moment. “You’ve known me for how long? I’ve been your sub since forever. I know your lesson plans and practically teach your class at this point. Don’t you think you can trust me?”

“I guess I could,” he sighed. “I just don’t want to see you get caught up in all of this mess. It’s a lot to take in.”

“I think I’ll be fine”

“If you say so…”

“So, about that drink?” she inquired.

He laughed. “How about I take you for that drink this weekend? After all, I still have all of those essays to grade.” 

“Well then, see you later, Atomic Blond,” (Y/N) winked. 

As she walked away to leave Sam to his grading, her smile turned into more of a smirk. “Looks like I’ve found my advantage over Atomic Blond.” She took her wallet and grabbed the picture of her and her brother. “Looks like I’ve found a way to avenge your death bro.” 

[batsbirdsandspeedstersohmy]

I have posted on tumblr in like forever. School been hard and then even when break started I’ve been working everyday and never really had the time or energy. I start school on Tuesday, my engineering class got cancelled they just told me about it yesterday. There was only 4 of us sign up (I can actually name all four of them since we sign up before finals last semester and our teacher said not to worry others will sign up looks like that didn’t happen) so I’m not sure what I’m going to do about that yet :/

@batboyblog Tagged me I really enjoy doing any tag question thing and I can’t believe you thought about tagging me so thank you

how old are you: 19 (I only have like 4 more months then I’ll be 20 wow )

what’s your current job: substitute teacher at kiddie Academy (your be surprised how often they need me)

what’s your aesthetic: sitting on my bed doing my calculations homework at 3am. Sitting in my spot at the library reading one batfamily post/fanfic chapter in between my physics homework problems.

do you collect anything: superhero T-shirt/jackets, books, random stuff I do not need and will never used.

what’s a topic you always talk about: SPACE, Comics, Society, what stupid things people are doing and what needs to change, School, Narnia.

what’s a pet peeve of yours: people who could do so much and could get so far with half the amount of work as I'm doing but decided that it too much work and so don't do anything productive. (Okay a little more than a pet peeve, but that all I could think of right now)

good advice to give: don't listen to people who tell you you can't accomplish something. It may take you twice the amount of work as most but that doesn't mean you can't do it.

three songs you would recommend: Youth by Daughter, Soldiers by otherwise, and House of Gold by twenty one pilots are some songs that I’ve liked recently.     Oh yes now time to tag 10 people @windydaymv and @ace--jace and anyone else to wants to do it.

[gamenu]

ADACHI.

                  “Friends? Yeah, didn’t have any of those…” After he entered middle school he dropped all his elementary school peers for the purpose of studying and studying. It would only take over his life further in High School leading him toward TOTAL self isolation, “Sure I had people who tried but they gave up just as soon as they talked to me for too long and realized I wasn’t gonna be exactly what they wanted to be and gave up.”

                 It’s spoken a lot more CASUALLY than he actually felt. The thought of those assholes who approached him with the expectancy of some sweet innocent nerd who was just a little shy like was some DATING SIM TROPE drove him over the edge. How dare they? So he was rough with his words if they were gonna approach him they might as well come with the thought that he might not be what they conjured up in their head. JUST A THOUGHT. 

               He exhales slowly, a bit of frustration having been building up in his lungs, “I’m guessing you were too smart for your classmates if making friends was that hard. Then again, I never found Rubik’s Cubes to be very hard but I guess with ten sides that’s a different story.” He chuckled pretending to tap his head in thought, “Ya know, we may have to come up with a list. With how dull things get around here I feel like some stupid activity is well needed… Just as long as it doesn’t cost me my job I need that.”

             Scooping a bag of frozen peas up from the containers in the frozen food section he presses his other hand to his chest PRESENTING it to her with a bow, “For the lady.”

         “--A’ leas’ they had a reason ta no’ like youse. I dunno why people didn’ like me,” {/She had to admit, it was pretty sad to be rejected by classmates regardless of what the reasoning was. But gosh darn, it was pretty frustrating the more she thought about it. Nicole never understood why people didn’t like her. She hated the feeling it rendered. It made her feel like less than a person. Like she was worthless. Like she didn’t matter to those who she was supposed to be able to turn to since they were all experiencing the same thing.

          But what did she care? She didn’t need a bunch of shallow bastards to be her friend. If they could hate her for nothing, then they probably needed something stupid to like her with. It wasn’t worth it, she figured. Besides, it gave her time to focus on her studies and on clubs. She excelled. She did better than them.

          Choking her anger down like a hard to swallow pill, she gives a small snort.} “Yeah. Tha only time they ever wanted ta be nice ta me, was when they wanted ta copy my homework. ‘er wanted me ta lie ta tha substitute teachers ta watch movies an’ do nuffin’,” {/It was annoying, but teachers tended to rely on her to relay messages and make sure work got done. People think they can just be all buddy buddy and get her to do shit by saying one nice thing. Nicole wasn’t that easy.

          Gratefully taking the frozen peas with a mock curtsey of her own, she pulls the sleeve down on her jacket so it’s covering her wrist more, then places the peas on top. Just a little something so she doesn’t get the possibility of a freezer burn.} “Oh wow. Buyin’ me dinner already, Adachi? So forward.”

[educator4academicintegrity]

My Learning Experience: Year Two

I spent much of the summer of 2015 collecting, organizing and cataloging the data and documentation that evinced the academic and attendance fraud which took place during the fall and spring semesters of 2014-2015. As I slogged my way through all the documents and data, I realized that the academic transgressions were far more numerous than I had imagined. It was going to take a tremendous amount of work to catalogue all the cheating; so, I made the decision to focus only on the most extreme cases. I then began to construct summaries of the data as well as course completion tables that all lead to the same inescapable conclusion: wide-scale academic fraud was taking place at Del Rio High School. The reader can judge for themselves, as I have provided for your perusal the same summaries and course completion tables that I sent to the Texas Education Agency. If you choose to pause and take a look, remember, these completion times correspond to semester-long courses. For those who wish to continue with the narrative, I will leave you with a few highlights. One student completed a semester of Chemistry in less than 2 hours; another student finished a year (2 semesters) of English in 8 hours.

As amazing as these results were, they pale in comparison with the efficiency with which students gained credit during the summer school credit recovery program of 2015. In the span of two months the credit recovery teachers of summer established course speed records that made their school-year counterparts jealous with envy. Well no, that’s not true. The summer school teachers were the same seasoned pros you came to love in year one of our story: they were all there to pick up a nice summer paycheck while providing the invaluable service of advancing students closer to graduation. A new speed record for completing a semester of Chemistry was established: 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 49 seconds. Wow, I’ve had lectures that lasted longer than that. Not to be outdone, another student completed an entire year (2 semesters) of Algebra II in 7 hours and 50 minutes. But the real star of the program was student #237. Ah, yes, student #237! I remember when we first met—in document form only. I still do not know who this individual is, but he or she was able to accomplish something most astounding. Student #237 completed 18 semester credits in less than two months. That is more than one-third of the credits needed to graduate from 4 years of high school in the state of Texas. With this track record, I assume he or she went forward and graduated college in less than a year. Sigh, we will never know. Nonetheless, Student #237’s tremendous feat is documented and the summary table is provided for your viewing pleasure.

All the data contained in the tables are backed up by thousands of pages of documents. All told, the online courseware documents numbered well over 10,000 pages. Throw in attendance records, emails, and sundry other documents, and it came to over 20,000 pages. Even though the evidence was overwhelming, I realized that I would need the advice of someone who was familiar with education rules and regulations and had experience dealing with the Texas Education Agency. This meant hiring an attorney. The search began and ended in July. Unfortunately, I was so busy readying the documents for TEA that I did not perform due diligence in finding a good attorney. My choice ultimately was swayed by a professional-looking web site. During our initial consultation, he told us (my husband and I) that my case was “substantial, important, and would attract significant attention from TEA.” He took our $1500 retainer fee and then ignored us.  Why is it so hard (and expensive) to do the right thing? So, the school year of 2015-2016 began and the evidence was still not in TEA’s hands.

Then, on August 22, 2015, the Saturday before the start of school, the credit recovery supervisor sent all credit recovery personnel an email that contained the “Credit Recovery Guidelines and Procedures” for 2015-2016. What?! You mean we now have actual guidelines to follow; the previous year the only guidelines were the verbal directives proffered by my supervisor. Finally, it seemed as if my complaints and protestations had borne fruit. Maybe they had reconsidered and codified guidelines that would assess the students’ learning and knowledge. Maybe the delay caused by my absent attorney had been a blessing in disguise. Maybe there would be no need to proceed. Maybe they had seen the error of their ways and all would be forgiven. Yea, right! Nonetheless, I read the guidelines with eager anticipation. Most of the information pertained to student behavior and protocol. As I read, I kept asking myself, “Where are the guidelines that address assessment?”  Finally, I saw a guideline that contained the word “test”. It said, “Every pre-test must be done without any additional assistance.” I thought to myself, what about the Posttests and the End-of-Semester Tests. There was no mention of those. So, I sent my supervisor an email that asked, “Does this policy also apply to Mastery Tests, Unit Posttests, and End-of-Semester Tests? My supervisor was prompt in her response, which she sent to all credit recovery teachers. Her email response stated, “The policy of no additional assistance applies ONLY to pre-tests.” By the way, putting ONLY in all caps was her idea. Wow, thanks; now I have another document to add to the TEA submission. So, my search for a new attorney was back on. But we will leave that for another time. Because you are now about to encounter a substitute teacher who would turn out to be one of the most villainous characters of our story.

I arrived for the first day of the 2015-2016 school year and it appeared that history was repeating itself. I was the lone teacher for ACAP. The two teachers who I had shared the classroom with the previous year had moved on to greener pastures. One had been rewarded with a classroom of her own; she was now a Del Rio High School English teacher. The other had also been given the job she wanted; she was now the district’s teacher for homebound students. My independence did not last long. My supervisor informed me that they had hired a long-term substitute teacher to help me with ACAP and Credit Recovery. The next day I met the substitute teacher. During her first week, she spent a great deal of time with my supervisor in closed-door meetings. I assumed that my supervisor was telling her about ACAP and the duties of a credit recovery teacher. It would not be long before I discovered that there was something much more sinister happening behind those closed doors.

One week after the substitute arrived we had our first ACAP staff meeting. We were a small group, just me, the substitute, and the ACAP Counselor who is here referred to as my supervisor. The substitute began the meeting by suddenly, without provocation or warning, announcing, “Ms. Davis does not do her job.” What?! What is she talking about!? She had been there only 5 days and was a substitute teacher! Then my supervisor, who seemed unfazed by the comment, said, “Oh, really. What do you have to say about that, Ms. Davis?” Then she began scribbling in her notebook. I looked at the substitute and said, “You never once talked to me about any concern you had. Why would you say this?” Then, as I sat there listening to the substitute and watching my supervisor write in her notebook, it came to me, almost as a flash. The substitute was not there to teach ACAP and Credit Recovery students, for she was not certified in any of the core subjects they needed to graduate. The substitute was a plant; she was put there for her ability to bully and harass. Maybe she was there to help my supervisor fill up her notebook; maybe she was there to get me to resign. I don’t even know if there was a grand design for her purpose in ACAP. But her meanness and nastiness went unchecked by my supervisor; and, if fate would not have stepped in, I probably would not have lasted to write this Memoir.

Roughly two weeks after our first ACAP staff meeting, another teacher joined the ACAP staff. She was a certified English teacher who had been transferred from the Blended Learning Academy. She was personable, funny and easy to talk to. I felt a sense of cautious renewal, but, with an emphasis on cautious. Four days after the new teacher’s arrival in ACAP, the substitute pulled off one of her disappearing acts. The substitute would sometimes leave the room for entire periods. I never knew where she went and very soon I stopped caring, for she was given free rein to do as she wished. On this day, however, soon after the substitute left, my supervisor appeared in the classroom and asked the new teacher to come to her office. Then they both left for my supervisor’s office. Awaiting their arrival was the substitute. My supervisor asked the new teacher to have a seat. Then, the substitute said her line, “Ms. Davis does not do her job.” My supervisor then asked the new teacher to confirm. She quickly said, “I haven’t been here long enough to confirm anything,” and abruptly left the office. The new teacher came back to the room, gave me a quizzical look, and then later told me the story. From that day forward, I had a co-worker who treated me fairly and gave no ear to false rumors. I finally had someone I could confide in. As a veteran teacher, the new teacher offered insight into the life of a secondary public-school teacher. She mentored and advised; and, she informed me of the environment at the Blended Learning Academy, and the story behind her transfer to ACAP.

The Blended Learning Academy is a non-traditional campus for grades 8-12 that “blends” credits earned through traditional classroom instruction with credits earned through credit accrual on the courseware system. ACAP, a credit accrual program, was included under the Blended Learning Academy umbrella. But there was a problem. The new campus that housed the Blended Learning Academy was not finished. So, even though ACAP was officially part the Blended Learning Academy, the program remained at Del Rio High School for 2015-2016. Confusing, yes. But the upshot is that the Blended Learning Academy principal was now the official supervisor of ACAP.

The lack of physical space and facilities during Blended Learning Academy’s first year of existence meant that the student population was confined to the 8th grade. The Academy’s mission was to take students who had been unsuccessful in middle school (largely because of behavioral issues) and place them in an environment that relied on smaller classes blended with computer-aided instruction. This noble mission led the new ACAP teacher to leave her position as an 8th grade English teacher at the middle school and accept a position as the English teacher for the 8th grade at the Blended Learning Academy. It was a decision that she would come to regret. She related to me that although the student population for each class was about one-half what it was at the middle school, she spent double the amount of time on discipline issues. She said that sending students to the office became a daily activity. She related one story in which a student told her to “Fuck off”. She sent the student to the principal’s office only to have that student return before the end of the period, without any penalty, laughing as he entered the room. Within a matter of weeks, she felt she could not take another day.  She told me that she walked into the office of the principal, and said, “I’m leaving; I just can’t handle it anymore.” The principal tried to calm her but she remained steadfast and said that she would not work in that classroom another day. Not wanting to lose a veteran teacher, the principal asked her if she would accept a transfer to ACAP. She agreed.

In September, I concluded my search for a new attorney. Mr. Tony Connors, out of Austin, looked at the evidence that I had collected and agreed that this was very significant. We wrote another check for $1500; but unlike the first attorney, Mr. Connors began to work immediately on the required paperwork to file a complaint with the Texas Education Agency. Mr. Connors, who had previously worked for TEA, said that he had never seen evidence this substantial nor so well documented. He said it would send shockwaves through the district. He said that probably what would happen is that those educators who were cheating would be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Most school districts, he continued, would immediately try to correct the problem and punish the guilty parties to avoid the wrath of TEA. Finally, on November 20, 2015, my complaint was simultaneously sent to the Texas Education Agency and the Superintendent of SFDRCISD. I braced myself for the aftershocks.

Then, you know what happened? Nothing! During the weeks leading up to Christmas break, things continued as before. No new policies were forthcoming; teachers continued to do the tests with/for the students. No one was placed on administrative leave. It was as if nothing happened. I did notice that the principal and her sister backed off from me somewhat, but that was it. Returning from Christmas break these same administrators followed precedent and set up an after-school credit recovery program, in which the “angels” were hired to help students gain course credits on the online courseware. And trust me, they continued as before. I was confused. I formulated many hypotheses. Maybe administration was keeping it quiet to catch the teachers in the act of cheating and thus defer blame. But if that was true, why would the Del Rio HS Principal expose her son. It didn’t make sense. Were these people really that determined to cheat no matter what the cost?

On January 8, 2016, I came into work a little earlier than usual. I walked into my room and turned on the lights. Immediately, I noticed a large book bag on my desk. I opened it and saw multiple spiral notebooks and loose-leaf pages filled with handwritten answers to the online courseware Unit Posttests and End-of Semester Tests. Upon a cursory reading, it appeared that all the courses were represented. Realizing the sensitive nature of the material, I made the decision to copy all the pages, each of which contained no instructional material—just the answers. Then I waited for the owner to come and claim his or her bag. Around 11:30 AM, a likely suspect appeared; it was one of the “angels”. She said that she had left her bag in the room from the previous afternoon session of credit recovery. She asked if I had it. I said yes. As I gave her the bag, she said over and over, almost muttering, that she had it out only for some formulas. She continued to defend her possession of the bag’s contents, but I told her that I did not need an explanation. With that, I gave her the bag. The next day, I sent electronic copies of the pages to TEA. I thought to myself that should seal the deal. I mean, I have provided evidence that the cheating continues even after they have been reported to TEA. It shouldn’t be long now.

Yes, it would take much longer. I assumed at the time that TEA would lead the investigation. But that is not how it works. The TEA first allows the school district to investigate itself. Many school districts hire an outside investigator, usually an outside law firm, to investigate. But my school district, the SFDRCISD, thought it best to keep the investigation in-house. It delegated the investigation to Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP., (hereafter referred to as Schulman and Associates), which is a law firm that has represented the district for many years. Forgive my ignorance, but I always thought that a lawyer’s professional responsibility is to pursue his or her clients’ interests. Were they really intent on performing an impartial investigation? I don’t mean to disparage the legal profession but I had my doubts. Initially, Schulman and Associates requested to interview me; they also demanded that I give them the evidence I gave to TEA.  So, on December 10, my attorney sent the district’s attorneys the Course Completion Reports that I had compiled, accompanied with the courseware documents (student names had been redacted) that showed test and course completion times. I also provided them with the emails in which I was directed to count students present even though they were absent. In redacted form, it came to 2,289 pages. I even provided them with a Table of Contents and a Student Number Key that associated each assigned student number with the district’s Student ID. That way, if they wished to talk to Student #237, for example, they could.  Upon receiving the information, Mr. Schulman told my attorney that due to the clarity of my submission there would be no need to interview me. That was great news. Perhaps, my initial judgment of attorneys and their responsibilities had been too harsh.

Returning from Christmas break, the tone of the district’s legal counsel had changed. I was told that I would be interviewed by Ramon Medina, a legal investigator employed by Schulman and Associates. On January 28, 2016, I sat down with Mr. Medina to answer questions concerning my allegations. After several benign questions, Mr. Medina asked me about the technical problems associated with the online courseware. I told him that there were no problems with the software, but that the computer hardware was not the greatest. I told him that these problems were rare and sporadic. He returned to the “technical glitch” theme again and again. I did not understand, at the time, his fascination with software and hardware issues, but I answered his questions the best I could. Mr. Medina, a former director of the audit division at TEA, commented that the complaint report that I provided to his law firm and TEA was one of the most thorough complaint reports he had seen in all his years at TEA. Mr. Medina was civil throughout the interview; then, he said he had one last question. Contained in his question was the accusation that I had not prepared the report myself. As I left the interview room, I knew that the district and their legal counsel had chosen to fight the allegations and I also knew by the tone and content of Mr. Medina’s last question, really an accusation, that I had been underestimated. That’s fine. As an immigrant to the United States, who had been speaking English for only about five years, it was not the first time that someone had underestimated me, and it would not be the last.

The advent of the Spring semester also witnessed a makeover of the ACAP staff. The new teacher, who had transferred from Blended, accepted a position as a 9th grade English teacher. I knew that she had wanted to return to the classroom, so I was happy for her. But also, I was sad to see her go.  To fill the void, the principal hired a college student whose parents were teachers at the high school. Feelings of isolation once more began to take root, which were exacerbated when our absentee boss, the Principal at the Blended Learning Academy, announced that she was delegating full authority to my former supervisor, the ACAP Counselor, whom she referred to as a friend and someone who had her complete trust. Here we go again.

The substitute wasted little time seizing the opportunity. Returning from my lunch period on January 20, 2016, student #273 informed me that she had reported the substitute to a Del Rio High School Counselor. The student had told the counselor that she did not like the environment in the classroom; specifically, that the substitute was always bullying me and talking bad about me when I was not in the classroom. I reported this to the principal at the Blended Learning Academy. Other than sending me an email in which she said that she was “concerned about allegations of harassment, bullying, and retaliation directed at [me] by certain individuals employed at Del Rio High School,” she did nothing. I encouraged her to talk to the high school counselor; I told her that the student wanted to speak with her. But she took no action on either front. Perhaps she talked to the ACAP Counselor who defused any concern she may have had; perhaps she was just too busy with the Blended Learning Academy campus to care; I don’t know.

I continued to document and keep a record of everything from the cheating to the substitute’s volatile outbursts. I did not bother making reports to my supervisor. I concluded that would be a waste of time. On March 24, student #261 showed me a letter that she sent to the Chief Instructional Officer for Secondary Education. The letter charged the substitute with bullying, cheating, and inappropriate contact with male students. After reading the letter, I asked the student if she was sure of the charges contained in the letter. She said, absolutely. I asked if I could have a copy of the letter. She agreed and I made a copy. Then I waited. Was I surprised that nothing happened? Not really; I had come to expect the unexpected. So, I continued to do my job, simply knowing I had catalogued another document. Then on April 1st, the substitute had an outburst that was especially disruptive to the class and involved another teacher. A Del Rio High School Vice Principal asked that I submit a written report of the April 1st incident. I did so; after which, we met for a follow-up conference. I told him that the April 1st incident was just one of many such incidents involving the substitute. He asked if I could provide him with a report detailing other incidents. I did not tell him that I had been writing down and documenting everything. I simply said that I would be happy to provide him with such a report.

On April 3, 2016, I sent the Vice Principal a report that provided a timeline and description of various incidents involving the substitute. The three-page document contained fifteen entries. One of the shorter entries dealt with student #261’s letter. The Vice Principal forwarded the incident timeline to the Chief Human Resources & Instructional Support Officer, who requested that I meet with her to discuss its contents. At our meeting of April 12th, she said that she had read my report and that student #261’s allegation that the substitute had inappropriate contact with male students was a red flag for her. She did not seem too concerned with the other charges, namely the substitute’s bullying behavior in the classroom or her proclivity to cheat by giving select male students the answers to their tests. I informed her that the student’s letter had been sent to the Chief Instructional Officer for Secondary Education 3 weeks ago. Surprised by my statement, she said she would try to locate the letter. She then asked that I send her an email to provide her with further details concerning what I know about the allegations contained in the student’s letter. The next day I sent her the requested details and on April 15, 2016, the substitute was placed on administrative leave. I guess she found the letter. But the big question is why did the Chief Instructional Officer for Secondary Education choose to suppress this information. Were he and the substitute friends? Did he know that she was a plant? Did he think that because it involved a female teacher and male students that it wasn’t important? Again, I am at a loss to understand the motives or behaviors of many administrators within my district.

Still feeling isolated, I began to talk to classroom teachers who were out of the purview of the credit recovery program. When I introduced myself as a credit recovery teacher, I sensed a feeling of frustration. I encouraged them to tell me of their experiences with credit recovery. What I heard simply confirmed my fears and reinforced my resolve to speak out. Teachers told me that they had students who would sit in class all semester, do nothing, and I mean literally, do nothing, and then fail the class; whereupon, the student would be placed in credit recovery. Within a matter of weeks that student would be back in class, revealing to all that they had passed the class. This frustrated many teachers, and rightly so. Teachers told me that students knew that the easiest way to pass a class was through credit recovery. This became a self-perpetuating system. I decided to email the department heads to inform them of the lack of academic rigor in credit recovery. Most ignored my email, but two department heads responded, confirming what teachers had told me previously. I tried to reach out to other department heads who failed to respond to my email, but with little success. One department head and I had a conversation in which she initially welcomed my revelations. Then, the very same week, I went to talk to her again. Before I could get within a personal distance she waved me off and said, “I don’t want to talk to you.” I respected her wishes. Her fears were well founded. One of the two department heads who supported my efforts to clean up credit recovery would inform me at the end of the school year that they had been replaced as department head and, they believed, it was directly attributable to their support of my efforts. I felt bad, but I assured them that as soon as TEA completed their investigation everything would be better. Unfortunately, this was a promise of which I had no control to keep.

With the substitute’s departure came replacements. Two new tutors joined the ACAP and Credit Recovery staff at the end of April. I saw this as an opportunity to improve the academic credibility of the credit accrual and credit recovery programs. On May 9, I sent an email to the new ACAP tutors with a list of expectations, one of which that urged the ACAP team to behave “ethically, respectfully, and professionally…” I met with both tutors individually. I encouraged them to follow the credit recovery guidelines and to use our time with the students to teach them the material. Early signs of hope were quickly followed by signals of discouragement. Within a matter of weeks, they were following the example set by others in credit recovery. These tutors were both young, new graduates of two different education programs. When and where did they conclude that cheating in the name of diploma attainment was acceptable? Did they acquire this belief in college or before? Or, was it simply a manifestation of first job insecurities being reinforced by social and professional pressure to please those in authority? I wish I had the answers to these questions. I just hope that these two individuals are not representative of our future educators.

On May 23, to meet the end-of-year rush in credit recovery, ACAP hired another tutor. He was another college student and, more importantly, the son of my supervisor, the Principal at the Blended Learning Academy. The very next morning, my supervisor issued a memo directing that any staff member—tutor, substitute, etc.—can sign the report that is turned in for credit accrual or credit recovery. The next day, I sent an email to my supervisor expressing my concern. I informed her that one of the new ACAP tutors had signed a report in which student # 302 did not finish a Unit Post Test. While, I assumed it was just an oversight due to the new tutor’s lack of experience in credit recovery, I argued that as the only certified teacher in ACAP, I should review all reports before they are turned in for credit. My supervisor did not address my suggestion and kept the directive in place. On June 1, 2016, I discovered that the same tutor had changed 22 failing grades in the courseware system to passing. These grade changes corresponded to just one student. I assumed there were more, but I did not have the time nor energy to investigate. I sent an email informing my supervisor of the grade changes. I received no acknowledgement from my supervisor concerning my email and the tutor continued signing reports that were turned in for credit accrual and/or credit recovery.

The last week of the school year of 2015-2016 in credit recovery was just as crazy and hectic as my first-year experience. Students were coming in with just a few days left in the semester saying that they needed numerous semester credits to graduate. I told each student that I would do my best to help them, but very soon they became frustrated by my slow pace. It seemed that they had heard different stories and expected different results. One student came on the last day before the graduation roster was complete asking me to help them gain credit in Geometry. I told this student the same as I told the others, but when they saw that I would not directly feed them the answers they became upset, grabbed their referral, and said, angrily, “Forget it!” But there were success stories. One student, whom I never met, showed up in credit recovery on May 31, needing to complete a full year (two semesters) of Algebra 2. The next day, June 1, 2016, the student received credit in both semesters. Just in time; commencement was on June 3—one more success story at Del Rio High School.

Administration was proud of its success. The previous year, Del Rio High School had set a record with 93% of the class of 2015 graduating from high school in four years. Progress had been substantial since 2007 when Del Rio High School graduated just 69.1% of its class. During this same period graduation rates had also been rising in Texas. In 2007, public schools in Texas graduated 79.9% of its students in four years. By 2015 that rate had increased to 91.7%. Were the numbers a direct result of the pervasive new and powerful instrument known as on-line credit recovery? Or were these results attributable to other known or unknown causes. Unfortunately, I do not have the answer. But I can tell you that there is a direct correlation with the rising graduation rates and the use of online credit recovery.

Despite online credit recovery’s correlation with rising graduation rates nationwide, I still thought our program was different. I mean, again, we were directed to do the tests for and with the students. Surely, this was not right. I thought that designed correctly, an online credit recovery program would still allow districts to raise graduation rates, but what was happening at my district was just out-and-out academic fraud. And I continued to ask where was the Texas Education Agency in all this. I mean, another graduation was taking place and TEA had not responded to my complaint. I felt almost like one of the SETI researchers looking for signs of intelligent life in the universe: TEA—Is there anybody out there? Despite this, I continued to believe that if ethical and responsible people were informed of what was happening it would stop. So, with this hope and ideal in mind, I decided to contact the SFDRCISD Board of Trustees directly, thus circumventing the Superintendent, and hopefully bringing resolution and closure to my commitment to stop the cheating at the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated School District.

On June 2, 2016, I drafted and sent to the Board an email in which I detailed the academic fraud in the credit recovery program at Del Rio High School. I have provided the actual email sent to current SFDRCISD Board President Overfelt for your inspection. In the email, I provided documentation and a personal account of the cheating that was taking place. I told them of the scope of the problem. I related my belief that it was possible to design a credit recovery program that was both academically sound and helped students gain the credits needed for graduation. I encouraged them to use their authority to stop the cheating because we were, after all, sending the clear message that cheating brings success. I can’t think of a more destructive example a teacher could set for his or her students. I ended by requesting to meet with them so that I could answer any questions they might have. Five of the seven board members ignored my email. The other two members (both newly elected) were quickly told by the Superintendent to cease all direct communication with me, an order they dutifully followed. The very people who were elected to protect the interests of the community’s schoolchildren were afraid to talk to me. Wow! So, I continued my search for ethical and responsible people that had the power to put a stop to the cheating. Unfortunately, these people did not sit on the Board of the Trustees at the San Felipe Del Rio CISD.

Commencement ceremonies took place on June 3, 2016. It was another successful year. The class of 2016 had a graduation rate of 92.2%. Likewise, it was a successful year in credit recovery. Students continued to complete courses in record times. Once more I have included the actual course completion tables and summaries that I sent to TEA for the 2015-2016 school year. Physics, Chemistry and Math continued to lead the list of subjects in which credit recovery students excelled. Who says Math and Science are difficult?

My pleas to stop the cheating had now exhausted the ears of supervisors, two principals, the superintendent, and all seven members of an elected school board. It was now up to TEA, the Texas Education Agency to act. But why were they taking so long? Over the summer recess I pondered this question with guarded optimism and I continued to hope that my search for ethical and responsible educators that had the power to stop the cheating would not end in vain. I felt like a child whose experiences were leading them to the conclusion that Santa Claus may not exist. As a new educator, I was beginning to doubt that the public-school system in the state of Texas cared about academic integrity. Nonetheless, I waited, still with a strong belief that the Texas Education Agency would step in and stop the cheating. In year 3 of my learning experience, however, I finally found out that there was no Santa Claus.

[raystart]

Amos Kennedy Jr.: From Corporate Analyst To Modern-Day Artisan

At age 40, Amos Kennedy Jr. walked into a printing demonstration while on vacation in Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and fell in love with a letterpress. Within five minutes, he decided to quit his job as a Chicago-based systems analyst for AT&T and become a printer.

He studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and eventually moved from the Midwest to Alabama and settled for a far less lucrative income—to the tune of $7,000 a year—but what he felt was a more satisfying vocation and lifestyle. Now in his 60s, Kennedy has made a name for himself as a first-rate printer and artist, although he dislikes the word artist and instead says he’s someone who “makes stuff.” But his talent—along with his distinctive uniform of overalls and a pink dress shirt—has made him a leader in his field who can’t be ignored. In 2012, filmmaker Laura Zinger made a documentary, Proceed and Be Bold!, capturing Kennedy’s artistry, activism, and irreverence, as well as serving as a window into the life of an artisan in modern-day America.

Kennedy’s greatest contribution, however, might be his insistence on living a life of his choosing, one with low overhead that enables a healthy balance of work and play. He subscribes to the idea that all humans should do what they can to be happy, and that the “pursuit of happiness” is not an American luxury but a must for humanity. “Following your bliss and being happy is a human trait,” Kennedy says. “I think it being corrupted is a trait of advanced civilization because you have to corrupt it in order for people to submit to advanced civilization—what we call an advanced civilization.” 99U spoke with Kennedy about his dramatic midlife career change, how the issue of race significantly impacts his work, and what it’s like being a craftsman working by hand today.

Kennedy Jr. photographed in his letterpress studio and throughout his Detroit, Michigan neighborhood.

Proceed and Be Bold! is an excellent title for your documentary. Do you suppose you would have inspired a film had you stayed at AT&T?

I would have inspired a performance of Death of a Salesman.

Or Death of a Systems Analyst! Your decision to dedicate yourself to printing is a kind of variation on the American dream—chuck everything, financial security be damned, and do what you love. Was there any fear in that decision or did you feel you had no choice?

I actually think it is the American dream, because the people who originally colonized the United States, they dropped everything and took off someplace where they didn’t know where they were going to live or survive.

Five minutes with a letterpress changed everything, but you could have just as easily found your calling that day in blacksmithing or apothecary. What was it about printing?

I had studied calligraphy for a very long time, about 10 years, but I wasn’t good at it. The letterpress appealed to me because I was attracted to books. I love letters; I love books. It was a way of working with letters, making books, and also the fact that you can make multiple copies.

Can you describe the conversation in your head during those five minutes?

What I was thinking was, I got to find a place in Chicago where I can learn this.

I love what you said at the end of the documentary, that all you have to do to have your life is “declare yourself crazy, and do what you want to do.” Why do you suppose that’s so hard for people?

Because we have been taught all our lives that we have to work for somebody else. We have to have security. Again, I think it was my generation, and even now, we have this model of working forever for somebody and then retiring and going off to play golf. And that’s the good life. We aren’t taught to be independent and free, although we scream that we’re an independent and free nation. We talk about personal responsibility, but personal responsibility is first for your happiness. That happiness comes from finding that internal peace, and I think a lot of people don’t find that. That’s how come you have these substitutions that are accepted by larger society, such as consumerism or the sports fanatic. These sort of things. The people are trying to find a good substitute, but that freedom that we so long for is, basically, an ability to express ourselves and just be happy.

You have—and have had—many admirers and apprentices. Your son Adric prints, too. What are you teaching them besides printing?

I think I’m just showing them that there’s an alternative lifestyle, that pursuing what makes you happy will do exactly that. With that comes a lifestyle that you can be comfortable with. I will never own a Mercedes-Benz, but that’s okay. I don’t need a Mercedes-Benz. I have something else. Because I think a lot in this nation and civilization… a lot of consumerism, it’s like what they say about a heroin junkie. You get that high. It goes away. You can function for a little bit, but then you got to go get that high again. But each high is just a little less high than the last one. I really think consumerism functions at that level in this society.

I read the paper by Andrew Steeves, “Print! Amos Kennedy, Jr. & the Fine Art of Rabblerousery.” He wrote that “at first your work appears to be chaotic and accidental.” Can you describe what you’re doing?

What I am doing is actually mimicking my world vision. The vision of what I think is the world. It can be very easily summed up in the snowflake. No two snowflakes are the same. No two of my posters are really the same. It speaks to the individuality of each person; the uniqueness. They are unique on their own when you take time to look at just one, but if you look at them collectively, they are equally as beautiful.

What I am doing is actually mimicking my world vision. The vision of what I think is the world.

Your former professor, Walter Hamady at the University of Wisconsin, he’s known for many things, including his book series The Interminable Gabberjabbs, and his use of satire and poking fun. It seems you found in him a kindred spirit.

I did. He is a master craftsperson. He pays great attention to detail, and his work is very intentional. This is one of the things that I’ve learned, and he is a very irreverent person. And that’s part of his talent … people either love him or hate him.

Gabberjabbs influenced your NappygRams [negroes in art collection], right?

They did in one respect, but he just questioned things. He questioned and he explored. The NappygRams started out purely as a political statement, as a manifestation of a frustration I was experiencing [while teaching] at Indiana University. The first NappygRam was “Affirmative Action is a Joke.” I was just tired of it. I was just tired of what we think about affirmative action; the critics of affirmative action. The fact that if it was really working then we wouldn’t be having this discussion 20 years later.

Which brings me to the fact that you don’t shy away from politics in your work. It’s a major part of what you do. Would you say activism was always part of your life, or really only since you started “making stuff”?

I tell people, I’m always a person who will disagree with everybody. Sometimes for fun, but a lot of times because I just saw that there was an injustice somewhere. I would challenge teachers when the normal people would not. Or the way that they would challenge them would be in some rough, traditional way. I would just challenge them on the point.

You play a lot with race, identity, and perception in your work and in yourself, i.e. calling yourself a “humble negro printer,” being “Mr. Overalls” and using racially charged images like Sambo and Aunt Jemima. Are you successful as a provocateur, and what are you hoping to accomplish?

I think I am successful to a point, and what I’m hoping to accomplish is to change people’s perceptions of these things. The racially charged images are actually paying homage to the fact that these were images that were used. We cannot whitewash our history, OK? We have to look at it, and say, “Wow, this is what happened.” One of the most racially charged, hatefully charged images is the swastika, but you see it all the time. But the sun sign is what the swastika was based upon… People say, “Oh I can’t put that up because it’s the swastika.” There was once a saying that if you want to sell a book, put the swastika on the cover and you would sell another 10,000.

You go to India, you see it everywhere. It means something entirely different.

Right, right. How is it that one political party can take a sign for less than 50 years and turn it into, we don’t even want to see this anymore. That sign that has been around for millennia. But the swastika we see all the time. This is in one way a racist act. In one way we’re praising the Nazis but damning the Indians who had the sign, and that sign is universal. It’s a very primitive sign. You find it in African cultures. You find it in European cultures. It was everywhere in the United States before WWII.

And you feel you’re making your point?

Yes, it is being made and it’s being made slowly… it’s reclaiming. It is very much like the word black. In the ’50s, people who were descendants of African slaves did not really want to be called black. But in the ’60s, we reclaimed that word and turned it into something beautiful. “Black is beautiful.” “Black Power.” That is similar to what I’m doing. That’s one reason why I use the term negro, because it is offensive to people. I use the term “ni***r,” and I tell people that’s not my problem that they labeled it that. This is a word, and so I claim it. Right now I say that I am a negro, but technically I am a descendant of the enslaved peoples of this civilization because I want to reclaim my heritage of being enslaved. So when you look at me, you remember that this nation was built on the labor of enslaved people. Honor my ancestors and the sacrifice that they made that you can live in the wealth that you think you have.

And on the flip slide, you’ve eschewed the wealth you could have had in that civilization to go do the work you do.

Right.

Your family left the Deep South for Michigan when you were still a kid. When you started printing, you moved to Alabama for a while, and a few years ago you settled in Detroit. Why did you leave the South once again for the Midwest?

I needed an airport. I do a lot of traveling, and so I needed to be close to an airport because my traveling was requiring me get up at two o’clock in the morning, drive 90 miles to the airport, and then take the early flight. Air travel was taking the entire day.

You couldn’t have moved near Atlanta?

Well, Detroit was the only city that I could live in at the lifestyle I had. I could move to Atlanta, but I would have to work harder, and I think that would ruin my relationship with the work that I do. I tell students if what you want to do is print, you find the place where you can afford to print more.

You raised beyond $30,000 to meet your mark for the Detroit Printing Plant, the print shop, the book bindery, and the handmade paper mill that you have wanted to have built in Detroit. What is the status? Is this fully operational at this point?

No. Unfortunately Detroit, I tell people, believe the hype but don’t believe the hype. I thought I could roll in there, three months later have a building and boom—six months it would be up and running. It didn’t work that way. The status now is that we have secured a building. We changed the name of the project to simply the Printing Plant, the Printery of the Americas. We’re a 501(c)(3). We’ve also secured a house for people to live in, and a plot of vacant land for a garden. And now I’m on phase two. Those funds have been depleted, but we are going forward because I found a new source of some funds to allow for the occupation of the building.

Would the occupants be apprentices?

I would not call them apprentices. There will be people who want to explore their relationship with letterpress printing. To have an apprentice means I would have to make money, and I am at the point now where I want to make as little money as possible. I will have to earn money for the renovation of the building. That means I’m going to have to work much harder. That’s a cause I want to do. I don’t want to say, “Janice is dependent upon me paying her $2,400 this month so she can have her rent and she can live her life.” I’m willing to make a big capital investment, but the ongoing maintenance should go to the building.

You have said you print because you’re good at it. You have also said that your goal was to be a master printer. Are you there yet?

No. I still have a long way to go. There’s a lot to learn, and I have seen people who move with great fluidity through the print shop, through the whole process. It is almost an effortless motion. It’s like water going down a creek, very slowly, very gently. Like watching a leaf float down the river.

And that’s how you’ll know? How does anyone know when they are that and when they’ve mastered something? Can they see it in themselves?

I believe that they can. I am hoping that I will be able to say, I am now at the point where I can really learn. And let me just add that at this point in my career, I do not believe that I am mastering the craft so much as I am allowing the craft to explain the workings of the universe—the workings of the universe and the connections that make the universe flow.