Ch 11. Leo and Edna Team Up

After the second day of teaching ended, and with some effort, Leo finally tracked down Edna Krabappel—the driving force behind the teachers' strike.

She was sitting on a weathered bench on the outskirts of Springfield Park, the early afternoon sun casting long shadows across the grass. A cigarette dangled lazily from her lips, the smoke curling up and dissipating into the cool air. Her posture was slouched, weighed down by exhaustion, and her eyes stared out distantly, lost in thought.

Leo approached her at a relaxed pace, his footsteps crunching softly on the gravel path.

"Mind if I take a seat here?" Leo asked gently, gesturing to the open space beside her.

Edna exhaled a plume of smoke, flicking the ashes from her cigarette before turning her head to look at him. Her eyes swept him up and down one time before she turned back toward the park.

"It's a free country" she replied, her voice flat but not entirely dismissive. 

Leo nodded appreciatively and sat down, leaving a foot and a half distance between them. For a few moments, they sat in silence, watching as the smoke from her cigarette twisted and swirled in the slight breeze. The distant sounds of birds chirping filled the background. Leo found it peaceful, though he doubted Edna felt the same.

He glanced sideways at her.

"I take it you're not just here enjoying the park," he remarked casually, breaking the silence.

Edna sighed, tapping her cigarette on the edge of the bench to release more ash.

"You could say I'm soaking in defeat," she muttered, her voice heavy with bitterness.

Leo leaned back, resting his hands on the bench.

"I know what defeat looks like," he said thoughtfully, gazing ahead. "But that's not what I see here."

She raised an eyebrow, turning her head slightly to study him.

"No? Then what do you see, if you're so knowledgeable?" she retorted with a touch of sarcasm.

Leo met her gaze, unfazed by her sharp tone.

"I don't know too much, but I see someone who's been fighting for something important," he said earnestly. "Someone who cares deeply about what they do and just needs a little support."

Edna let out a dry laugh, her lips curving into a humorless smile.

"Support, huh? I've been fighting the same damn battle year after year, and what do I get? No change. No respect. Just the same crap, every single day. You do that long enough, and you start to wonder why you even bother."

She took another drag of her cigarette, her eyes locked on some distant point as if she were trying to escape her reality.

"I used to think I could make a difference. But reality has a way of crushing those ideals. Now... I'm just tired."

Leo nodded. "I get that. But going on strike—that takes guts. It means you still believe in something, even if you're tired of fighting for it."

Edna shot him a skeptical glance, puffing on her cigarette again.

"So you know what I've been rambling about, huh?" Her voice was tinged with irony. "And here I was hoping some random handsome man was hitting on me just because he found me interesting."

Leo smirked, unfazed by her sarcasm.

"Who says it can't be both?"

For the first time, Edna smirked back, the faintest hint of amusement breaking through her usual defenses. She stubbed out her cigarette and turned more fully toward him.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Leo," he replied, extending his hand.

Edna shook it, her grip surprisingly firm.

"Edna. Though I'm guessing you already knew that."

Leo smiled slightly. "I've heard of you, yeah. You're kind of famous around the school."

Edna rolled her eyes. "Famous... right."

A moment of quiet passed before Edna glanced at him sideways.

"You're one of the substitutes, aren't you? One of the people they brought in to fill in while we're out?"

Leo nodded. "Yeah, I am. But that's not why I'm here."

Edna arched an eyebrow.

"Then why are you here? Just to flirt with a miserable teacher?" She didn't sound completely opposed to the idea, but there was wariness in her voice.

"Flirting does sound fun, but actually, I've got an idea," Leo said, his tone becoming more serious. "Something that could help end this strike and get you and the other teachers what you need."

Edna's skepticism returned.

"And why would you want to help me? Help us?"

Leo leaned in just a little, his smile growing.

"Because I think you're right. This fight you're in? It's worth it. Besides, spending another day in that classroom is going to make me lose my mind. And helping out a beautiful woman in need? That's something I'm always up for."

Edna chuckled softly, shaking her head as a blush crept onto her cheeks.

"Smooth, Leo. Alright, I'll bite—what's your grand idea?"

Leo shifted, leaning in slightly as his voice lowered. "Right now, you're stuck waiting for Skinner to pull money out of nowhere. We both know that's not going to happen anytime soon with that stubborn man. But what if you didn't need to wait on him?"

Edna gave him a skeptical look, crossing her arms. "What do you mean?"

Leo's smile widened. "What if you could bypass the whole school budget mess entirely? Get funding from somewhere else—businesses, for example."

Edna snorted. "Businesses? You really think anyone in this town cares enough about the school to throw money at us?"

"Not donations," Leo corrected. "Sponsorships. The school hosts an event, something that pulls the community in. Businesses sponsor it—get their names out there, advertise, sell items, whatever. In return, the money they contribute goes directly toward what the teachers need—new supplies, field trips, better resources for the kids."

Edna looked at him, clearly intrigued despite her reservations. "And you think Springfield's business owners would go for that? This town isn't exactly swimming in philanthropists."

Leo leaned in even closer, his confidence unwavering.

"They'll go for it if they see it as an investment. Sponsorships give them exposure. It's good for business. And if we run short locally, I've got connections outside of Springfield. We can get the funding. Trust me."

Edna's gaze softened slightly, though she still seemed cautious.

"Okay... let's say we get the money. What's to stop Skinner from blowing it on something useless, like that death trap of a school bus?"

Leo's grin widened. "That's the best part. What's going to stop him is you."

Edna blinked in surprise. "Me?"

Leo placed a hand gently on her exposed thigh, the gesture casual yet deliberate.

"You'll be the point of contact for all the sponsorships. You control where the money goes. We'll pitch it to Skinner as a way for him to get the funding without raising taxes. He'll have to agree. But to make it work, you need a new role on top of being a teacher—'External Funds Manager.' You make sure the money's spent where it should be."

Edna stared at him, the idea sinking in. She didn't seem to mind his hand on her thigh, her initial skepticism melted away as genuine intrigue took its place.

"And you think Skinner will go for this?"

Leo shrugged confidently.

"He has to. The sponsors are ready. Once we've got the money lined up, Skinner won't be able to say no without looking like he's throwing away free resources. And the current situation, although slightly working right now, is still doomed to fail, I'm sure of it."

Edna's lips curled into a smile—a real one this time.

"You really thought this through, didn't you?"

Leo chuckled softly.

"I'm not a fan of sitting around waiting for someone else to make things happen. Besides, you deserve better than what you're getting right now."

He began to trace circles with his finger on her soft skin.

Edna glanced down at his actions, then back up at him. There was a glint in her eyes now, one of interest beyond the professional.

"I like the way you think, Leo. And I think I'd like to get to know you better... once all this is over."

Leo chuckled, appreciating her bluntness.

"I'd like that, too."

It seemed like his effort was worth it.

…

…

…

Leo and Edna strolled down Main Street, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the town. It had not taken long for them to meet up again and begin their plan to secure sponsorships for the school, in fact it was that same afternoon.

As they neared the building, Edna hesitated, her pace slowing slightly. She flicked the remains of her cigarette to the ground, grinding it under her heel before glancing at Leo out of the corner of her eye. He could tell she had something on her mind.

"You okay?" Leo asked, stopping just outside the door. He turned to face her, giving her his full attention.

Edna sighed, crossing her arms as she looked at the shop's worn exterior. "Yeah, it's just... well, I've never done anything like this before," she admitted, her voice quieter than usual. "I'm used to asking things from parents, faculty, students—people who interact with the school. But businesses? This feels... different."

Leo took a step closer. "Different how?"

Edna sighed again, running a hand through her hair.

"I've been getting rejected by people at the school for so long that I guess... I don't know. Maybe I'm just worried I'll hear the same thing from these business owners. It's one thing to have Skinner or maybe a student brush me off, but if these people turn us down, it's like I'll never succeed or make a difference anywhere in life."

Leo smiled, sensing her vulnerability and stepped closer to her. He knew when they were vulnerable it was the best time to capitalize on it. He grabbed her hand, taking it in his.

"I get it. This is new territory, but you're not doing this alone. I'm right here with you. We've got a solid plan, and businesses need exposure—this benefits them as much as it does the school. You're not begging for anything; you're making a deal that helps everyone."

Edna looked down at their hands for a moment, then back up at Leo. She could see the confidence in his eyes, the reliability in the way he carried himself. It was... comforting. For once, she didn't feel like she had to do it all on her own.

"Thanks, Leo," she said, offering him a small but genuine smile. "I guess I just needed to hear that."

Leo squeezed her hand gently. "We're in this together," he said softly. "You've got this."

For a moment, Edna felt a strange flutter in her chest. She wasn't used to leaning on anyone, especially not someone she'd only just met. But Leo... well, he seemed different. She felt safe with him, and that was something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Taking a deep breath, Edna nodded and released his hand, straightening her posture. "Alright, let's make this happen," she said, her voice steadier."

They walked in together.

…

…

…

The agreements had been made, and the future expenses were secured. It hadn't taken long. Leo's expertise in the business world made it easy for him to know exactly what the businesses wanted to hear. By leveraging their interests, he made sponsorships appealing, and after only a few hours of visiting local businesses, they had secured a reasonable amount of promised funds.

The next morning, before school hours, Leo and Edna found themselves standing in front of Principal Skinner's office.

"You ready for this?" Leo asked, keeping his voice low as they stood in the hallway.

Edna glanced at him, her lips twitching into a smirk. "I've been ready to end this nonsense since the strike started. Let's get it done."

Leo nodded and grinned, giving the door a sharp knock.

"Come in!" Skinner's voice called from the other side.

Leo opened the door, walking in first with Edna close behind. Skinner was sitting behind his desk, hunched over a mountain of paperwork that looked more like busywork than anything urgent. He looked up when they entered, a surprised look crossing his face.

"Ah, Leo! My wonderful substitute teacher," Skinner said, standing up. "The complaints have dropped to almost zero for your class since you've started! I can't thank you enough. Now, what brings you—"

His eyes landed on Edna, and he faltered. "Edna? What's going on? Why are you here with him?" His voice grew cautious.

Leo stepped forward, answering for her, his tone confident but measured.

"We're here to end the strike, Principal Skinner."

Skinner blinked, taken aback.

"End the strike? I didn't think the teachers were willing to negotiate." He shot a wary glance at Edna.

Edna stepped forward, arms crossed and her gaze steely. "We're not negotiating, Seymour. We've found a solution. A way to get the funding the school needs without raising taxes or cutting more from your 'precious' budget."

Skinner raised a skeptical eyebrow, his hands still resting on the desk.

"A solution? What kind of solution are we talking about?"

Leo took the lead, flashing a confident smile.

"Sponsorships from local businesses. We've already secured commitments. These businesses are willing to sponsor school programs, field trips, and supplies. In return, they get advertising space, branding opportunities, and participation in school events. It's a win-win."

Skinner leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowing deeply.

"Sponsorships... from businesses?" His voice was heavy with suspicion. "And you really think that will be enough to cover the costs? The school's budget is tighter than you realize."

Edna, arms still crossed, leaned forward slightly.

"It's more than enough, Seymour. We've already gotten commitments from businesses that will meet the teachers' demands. This plan works."

Skinner looked back and forth between them, his face twisting with doubt.

"But... control. How do I make sure these businesses don't try to decide what happens in my school? I won't have outside interests meddling in school affairs."

"That's where I come in," Edna said firmly, her voice sharp. "I'll manage the sponsorships and oversee the funds. Every dollar will go exactly where it's needed—new supplies, better resources for the students. You'll still be in charge of the school, Seymour, but I'll make sure the money is used properly."

Skinner's eyes narrowed, and he began tapping his fingers on his desk, clearly hesitant.

"You expect me to just hand over control of the funds to you? How do I know this isn't some kind of backdoor power play?"

Leo wanted to laugh at his concerns but didn't. 

Edna's gaze hardened. "Seymour, you don't have a better option. The strike is costing the school more every day, and the temporary solution with replacement teachers is falling apart with most of them. The complaints will start again and you wouldn't be able to secure these sponsorships on your own, even if you tried. We both know that."

Skinner's face turned slightly red at the bluntness of Edna's words.

"I'm still the principal, Edna," he said defensively. "This is my school to run. Are you suggesting I should just... sit back and let you handle the money?"

"No," Edna replied. "I'm suggesting you let me handle the parts you clearly don't have time for. You focus on running the school. Let me make sure we get the funds and use them where they're needed."

Skinner stared at her, drumming his fingers more rapidly on the desk.

"I don't know if I like this idea..."

Leo stepped in.

"Skinner, this is your chance to get the funding you need without raising taxes or cutting into the budget. You'll still be in charge. The businesses are already lined up, and if you walk away from this, you're walking away from guaranteed resources. Think, if the school's quality suddenly went up, wouldn't you be given the credit for that success? Don't you want that?"

Skinner paused, visibly wrestling with himself, thinking of what Leo and Edna proposed. His fingers stopped drumming, and he rubbed his chin, deep in thought. After a long silence, he finally let out a deep sigh.

"But are you sure I can't be the one to manage the money? I could—"

"No," Edna interrupted flatly, leaving no room for debate.

Skinner hesitated, as if scrambling for another argument. "But think about it, Edna. I've been running this school for years. I—"

"And it's still barely hanging on," Edna retorted. "This is the best option you've got, Seymour. You know it, and I know it."

Another long silence filled the room. Skinner's face softened slightly, his posture slumping in resignation. Finally, he nodded, still clearly uneasy about the idea but realizing he didn't have much of a choice.

"Very well," he muttered. "Let's get this over with."

Edna couldn't suppress the satisfied smile that spread across her face. "Good choice, Seymour."

As they left the office, Edna was practically beaming.

"I didn't think it'd be that easy," she said, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Leo chuckled. "Skinner's not one to fight back when the solution's right in front of him. The way he acts, I think he's had someone telling him what to do his whole life. We probably reminded him of that person when we were in there."

Edna raised an eyebrow, smirking at the thought of Agnes Skinner, Seymour's overbearing mother. 

"Yeah, I can see that."

She glanced at Leo, her smile lingering. "You really are something, Leo."

…

…

…

Lisa walked into the classroom, practically buzzing with excitement. The past two days under Leo's teaching had been nothing short of incredible. She felt bad admitting it, but Leo was better than Miss Hoover. He was attentive, engaging, and, most importantly, he understood how to push her to think deeper. His extra assignments had challenged her in ways she hadn't experienced before, and she loved every second of it.

Today, she was excited to discuss the latest assignment she had completed last night and receive some sort of validation. She could barely contain her grin as she stepped into the room, eager to see Leo at the front of the class.

But her smile faltered the moment she saw who was standing behind the teacher's desk.

It wasn't Leo.

It was Miss Hoover.

Lisa's heart sank. "Miss Hoover?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Miss Hoover looked up from her desk, offering a polite smile. "Good morning, Lisa."

Lisa hesitated in the doorway, her mind racing.

"Umm... where's Mr. Leo?"

Miss Hoover raised an eyebrow. "Leo? Oh, you mean the substitute who was here? He went back to wherever he works, I suppose. The strike's over, so everything's back to normal."

Lisa's stomach twisted. Back to normal? That meant no more extra assignments, no more engaging lessons...

She stared at the floor, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over her. She wanted to protest, to demand Leo's return, but what could she say? Miss Hoover was her teacher again, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Lisa had the strongest urge to suddenly fall to her knees and yell out to the world, cursing its cruelty.

[A/N]: I had something to say but I forgot. Enjoy! Oh! I would also love to receive reviews on the story, tysm