Chapter 4

"Well, Ms. Neru how are ya enjoying lunch duty? It is pretty basic and straightforward." Kai joked watching the students start cleaning up after themselves. It was amazing how mature some of these kids were, some went as far as reminding other students to clean up. "So when do we get to eat? Do we eat next lunch and just take it back to our classrooms?" I asked to watch students file out of the cafeteria to head back to their lockers for the next period. "Oh yeah we eat after this period ends I usually prefer eating in the teachers' lounge or my classroom when I got papers to grade as soon as possible. You can join me if you'd like to." He offered the invitation as we made our way towards Ms. Orimono talking with Shouta about spirit week from what we could hear. "What's spirit week? I've never heard of it." They laughed at my confused look before they all turned towards me to give their own definition of what a spirit week is. "Spirit week is a week full of fun activities and competitions to get students and faculty excited for the football game at the end of the week." Kai and Ms. Orimono explained going in oddly specific detail like they just experienced it as if they were back in high school. "It's the email I mentioned you should probably check at some point but overall it's just to hype up the football team and the cheerleaders to make them feel extra special. I heard that the first day is decade day and we gotta choose a decade and dress up like we're from that decade." Shouta commented rolling his eyes in annoyance before Kai and Ms. Orimono began discussing which decade they were going to dress up in before turning their heads towards me. "Neru. What decade are you going to choose? Jenna is going back to the '60s and I'm going to probably do the 80's." Kai smiled proudly as Ms. Orimono clapped her hands happily. "Oh um I'm not sure maybe something historic like the 1940's fashion. I'm sure I can find a dress before spirit week begins." Shouta suppressed a laugh by trying to cover it with a cough he wasn't very subtle about it. "Since when are you a history buff Rirakkusu?" He joked poking my arm teasingly like we were back in middle school. I loved history ever since I was a kid and would listen to war stories from my grandfather and his friends. Some fought in World War II others in Vietnam when they were in America all their stories made me fall in love with history. What those men and women experienced in possibly the best or worst time in their lives never knowing that they'll shape the future of our country and political standards which in my opinion could use a little extra work. "I've always been a history nerd I just preferred English classes as a profession. I have a history teaching degree but that spot was already taken." I joked sticking my tongue out at him before the bell rang ending our lunch duty period but I had to head back to my classroom to retrieve my wallet out of my bag. I was so hungry I forgot to eat breakfast but I finished my coffee in one period after of course interrupting Shouta teaching. Oh god his laugh was so deep and rough if I had a tail I would be wagging it so fast right now it was the laugh that made women swoon and babies smile. Of course, that was short-lived upon seeing Mrs. Tight dress swaying her hips as she walked past us saying hi to Shouta and ignoring Kai, Jenna, and me. I'm not sure why she hated me so much but I refused to get sucked into her kindergarten games over who's the favorite. "Oh yeah that reminds me, hey Shouta we're going to Kai's classroom for lunch did you want to join us?" I asked him to fix my shirt before I walked off with Albatta and Orimono. If he wanted to join us he could do so but I wasn't going to force him into something he didn't want to do so. Mrs. Tight Dress ended up stealing his attention in some conversation as I walked out of the cafeteria heading back to my classroom so I can buy lunch for myself and check that spirit week email he mentioned again. I can't believe I forgot about that damn email again! He's so distracting sometimes I just don't understand why and it's so frustrating. Sometimes he acts cold to me or just is annoyed and the next he's somewhat happy to see me cracking jokes and laughing with me. And then there's that teacher he's talking to now, what was her fucking deal? I just started here and she hates me or maybe she doesn't hate me and I did something to upset her somehow. I don't know what her issue was but I am not one to mess with my work life with some petty drama cause someone doesn't like me. And besides, it is my first day I'm sure the longer I work here maybe she'll hate me less or just ignore me like I am going to ignore her and her stupid games. I'd rather not have any drama affecting my life right now I don't need to be more stressed worrying about someone's rumors while I have to worry about my students' grades and their capability to pass midterms and exams. "Even if you don't worry about her it'll just piss her off more and you know it. You've dealt with her kind of people for years." I didn't want to admit it but my thoughts were right I have dealt with her kind before. Bullies, I've had more than my fair share of narcissists or spoiled brats or people that feel they're gods just because they peaked in high school and want to relive their glory days again. If she wants to bully me she can try but I can't guarantee her she'll cause any damage to my self-esteem.