Art

Artemis

By: Rio

            Derek and I started a new school today. He looked a little nervous, but I just offered him a kind smile and told him that it’ll be alright. We didn’t have any classes together, but we had lunch. I handed my schedule to the librarian as she smiled at me.

            “Artemis, huh?” She asked as I nodded

            “Ah, her twin brother is Apollo, and her Roman name is Diana” A male Southern accent said from behind us. I turned and found…My eyes widened as I realized who it was. Christian Black. My dad’s best friend.

            “Christian.” The librarian laughed softly as he smiled

            “I’m Christian Black. I’m the AP English 11 teacher” He introduced himself as we shook hands.

            “I’m Artemis and this is my little brother, Derek” I introduced as they shook hands. Derek got his text books already.

            “It looks as if you’re in my morning class, Artemis. First period” He said as I looked at my schedule.

            True enough, there it was. I smiled faintly and nodded. I got my text books as we left. Derek and I left to find our lockers. I found mine and Derek was on the other side and down the hall. Some people were watching us, but I shrugged it off. The bell rang as everybody made their way to their class. I waved at Derek and wished him good luck.

            I found a seat in the back of the class—school had already started and I’m coming in on the 6^th day. I’d have some catching up to do—maybe. Today, I’m wearing my Beatles shirt and skinny jeans with my boots. My hair was in a messy bun and I wore what I usually wear for jewelry. For make-up, I’m just wearing eye liner and eye shadow.

            Mr. Black came in and smiled at me as I noticed the novel we’d be reading. Then I smiled because I’ve read it before. But, on a side note, for those of you who don’t know—I’m a huge fan of The Beatles. I know every single song by heart and I own every single album. I have 2 or 3 posters and I own a bunch of Beatles clothes. I play guitar and piano and a bunch of other instruments. I’m a huge sci-fi freak and I love going to cons—but that’s my geekier side.

            Class went on as the bell rang. I gathered my things as Mr. Black called my name. I went over to his desk.

            “Yes?” I asked

            “I noticed you smiling throughout class. May I ask what you were smiling at?” He asked as I chuckled softly.

            “You have a few Beatle posters. I love The Beatles” I stated as he laughed softly

            “A true Beatles fan, eh?” He asked as I nodded

            “I got autographs from Ringo and Paul” I stated as he smiled

            “I have autographs from all of them” My eyes widened

Now, I’m jealous.

            “My father got them” He laughed at my expression

I left as his other class started filling in. I had a feeling that Mr. Black and I were going to get along just fine.

***

            My day is going by just fine. I had lunch with Derek and he even signed up for a club. Me? I’m still undecided, so I hung out and waited for Derek. I was sitting in the cafeteria, working on my math when Mr. Black sat across from me. I paused in my problem and blinked at him as I slide my glasses on my face.

            “Hello, Mr. Black” I greeted

            “Hello, Ms. Calaway” He greeted back

            “How are things?” I asked as he shrugged

            “How was your first day?” He asked as I shrugged

            “It was good. Everybody I met was nice. All my teachers are okay”

I hide my grin at his pout.

            “I’m just okay?” My lips twitched as a laugh threatened to come forth.

            “Christian! We have that meeting!” The principal exclaimed, calling him as he got up and gave me a parting smile and left.

            “He’s the most hottest teacher around” A female voice said from behind me.

I looked and there was Kayla. She’s also in my English class. She has neon purple hair and a bright yellow Mohawk.

            “What’s his story?” I asked

I learned that Kayla knew everybody. What they’re doing, how they did it, etc.

            “Well, he’s originally from New Orleans, he was an FBI agent in DC, then he became a teacher” She answered, “Oh. He’s not married, he’s not an asshole, and he’s not gay, either. He doesn’t have any kids. He has a dog”

            “How do you know all this?” I asked

            “He told us on the first day of class” She answered, “But not the asshole or gay part”

            “Why would he go from an FBI agent to a teacher?” I asked as she shrugged

            “I’ve been asking myself that question also. But he is gorgeous.” I nodded and agreed

            “I have a feeling you and I will become very good friends, Artie”

I twitched. Hard. I hated being called Artie. She must have noticed as she laughed.

            “Sorry, sorry. I had to see what your reaction would be. I hate being called Kay”

            “Hey, Art! Ready to go home?” Derek called out as I nodded

            “Hey” He nodded towards Kayla as she nodded back.

I packed up my stuff as Kayla and I exchanged numbers. We all parted ways as Derek and I went to my car. I’ve had this car for about a year and I love it. We put our bags in the backseat and got in.

            “How was it?” I asked as he shrugged

            “Okay. Nothing to write home about” Was his response as he turned on the radio.

He then looked at the selection of CDs that rested on my passenger side visor. I have one on the driver’s side as well. He took out my Beatles one and replaced it with Forever the Sickest Kids. Their song “What do you want from me” came through the speakers as we talked about our day.

            When we pulled up, our parents were sitting outside, laughing with…Oh My God!

            “Dude! Isn’t that your English teacher?!” Derek exclaimed, eyes wide. I about crashed my car out of shock.

            “Holy shit, dude!” I swore as I safely parked the car as we got out and grabbed our bags.

            When we walked up to them, my mom smiled at us.

            “How did your first day go?” She asked

Derek answered, but I was still staring at Christian with shock on my face.

            “Artemis!” My dad stated, waving a hand in my face as I snapped out of it

            “W-what?” I stuttered, a blush staining my cheeks

            “This is—“He started, “Christian Black. I know, dad. He’s my English teacher!” I finished.

            “Ah-ha!” The adults laughed

            “Christian and I went to college together. We were roommates. Played college football” Our dad explained as I just nodded dumbly.

            We all headed into the house, Derek still talking to mom as I headed upstairs.

            “You’re not staying down here? We have company!” Mom stated

            “I’ve got a lot of homework, mom… Oh. That reminds me…” I dug into my backpack and pulled out some papers and handed them to Christian.

            “I’m done with all these” I stated as he took them.

Dad and Christian headed for dad’s den as I headed upstairs.

***

            A short while later, mom called me down for dinner. I marked my book as I went downstairs. Christian was still here and he got to sit next to me. Tonight, we were having taco casserole. Derek’s favorite. But, being lactose intolerant, mom made me something else. God, being LI sucks. I can’t have scrambled eggs; I can’t have anything with a milk base. They have pills for it, but I just don’t bother.

            “What are you having?” Christian asked me as I poked my chicken salad

            “Chicken salad. I’m lactose intolerant, so I can’t eat taco casserole” I informed him

But I wasn’t very hungry, so I ate bits and pieces. I only ate half of mine.

            “May I be excused?” I asked as my dad nodded. I wasn’t avoiding Christian, honest.

I washed my hands as I grabbed my book off the shelf in the kitchen, sat at the breakfast bar and waited for everybody else to finish. It was my night to dishes.

            Soon enough, everybody came in with their dishes. I marked my place and began to wash them, putting them in the dishwasher.

            “I’m not avoiding you” I told him when he leaned next to the sink.

            “I know. This must be weird—“I cut him off

            “I’ve had weirder, Mr. Black” I stated

            “You can call me Christian outside of school” He said as I glanced at him.

I’ve seen him in pictures with my dad. He was one of my dad’s best men at his wedding. I vaguely remember him as a child, but he’s one of my dad’s closest and trusted friends. I finished with the dishes and cleaning the kitchen up from dinner. Mom had set out coffee and dessert in the living room on the coffee table. I didn’t really stay down there, but dad did give Christian the tour.

            I was in my room, listening to Pandora on my Mac and sitting at my desk, when a knock came at my door. I told whoever it was to “Enter” and in came Derek. He shut the door and sat on my window seat.

            “You usually don’t knock” I stated, turning to face him as he shrugged

            “Sup?” I asked as he sighed

            “You know that club I signed up for?” He asked as I nodded, frowning

            “What about it?” I asked

            “One of the guys hit on me afterward” He admitted, blushing as I swallowed in an attempt not to laugh.

            “What did you do?” I asked

            “I just said I have to go”

I shook my head

            “What?” He asked

            “Nothing, nothing”

            “What was with you tonight?” He asked as I raised an eyebrow

            “What are you talking about?”

            “With Christian. You like… made yourself scarce”

I shrugged

            “I had homework” I defended as he rolled his eyes

            “That’s not all he had” He teased

            “Oh right. Like you didn’t have one over your science teacher!” I exclaimed, laughing at his horrified face

            “Did anybody else see that?!” He asked as I shook my head

            “No”

***

            Tonight is Sunday and my day was pretty uneventful. I went to work (I work at Buffalo Wild Wings as a waitress), paid my cell phone bill, paid insurance and then came home. Oh yeah, I also got gas in my car. I love my car. I have a Buick Verano. I love working at BWW; why? Because my co-workers are hilarious—so is my boss. I’ve been working there for a year and I love it (like I said above). My boss is really nice and is flexible with my schedule.

            Tonight, mom just made stew and bread. It was mom and dad at the end, and me and Derek at the sides.

            “Have you picked out any names for the twins yet?” Derek asked after he swallowed as they shook their heads

            “You going for the Greek theme again?” I asked, smiling when dad winked at me.

            “I don’t know yet” Mom answered

            “How about Luna for a girl and Remus for a boy?” I suggested

            “Harry Potter? Really?” Derek asked, throwing a piece of bread at me as I caught it, rolling my eyes.

            “Hey, if it weren’t for me, your name would be Frederick” I stated, smirking faintly at his look of horror

            “I like it. Luna and Remus” Mom said, looking at dad as he nodded. I grinned

            “Then who picked your name out?” Derek asked me

            “’Thena did.” I answered

After dinner got over, it was Derek’s turn to wash the dishes, so I washed my hands and headed upstairs for some much needed sleep. I was exhausted.

***

            Ugh. Monday morning and my alarm is shrilling like crazy. I reached out a hand to slap it off, managing to knock it to the floor, but at least that incessant noise is gone. I groaned and rolled out of bed, stretching as I yawned. I picked up my alarm clock and put it back onto my nightstand, and then I proceeded to do my morning routine: Brush teeth, shower, and dry hair, get dressed, and then brush my hair and do something with it. I felt something flutter in my stomach as I realized I would be seeing Christian again. Oh my. I walked into the kitchen to find my parents talking. Dad was at the table reading the paper and drinking his coffee, while mom was at the stove, making breakfast. Derek was still upstairs. I made myself some Pumpkin Spice Tea and sat across from my dad. Mom set a plate of pancakes and runny eggs in front of me. I thanked her and began to eat.

            “You’re not wearing your glasses” Dad said when he put his paper down as mom set his breakfast in front of him.

            “I don’t need them all the time, dad” I said, chewing my pancake.

            “I know, but still” He said as I rolled my eyes

            “They’re in my backpack. I wear them during all of my classes. That’s when I really need them or if I’m reading or whatever” I said as he rolled his eyes

            “I was there when the eye doctor told you all of that” He informed me, eyebrow raised

Just then, Derek walked downstairs all dressed and ready to go. He sat at the breakfast nook and scarfed his breakfast down.

            “Don’t forget about your appointment for your braces today” Mom reminded him as he groaned, “So that means come home right after school”

            Our mom’s a good driver. Dad said she made a good transition from living on Asgard to living on Earth. Of course, she goes back to Asgard and meets up with Thor whenever possible, but other than that…

            Anyway, I got my car when I was 16 as a birthday present. Mom and dad said that I had pulled all A’s and didn’t get into any trouble and they said because I earn whatever I want to get, they figured they’d buy me a car. I love it. It’s blue. They said because they bought it, then I could pay insurance and payments on it. Which was fine with me. My job pays enough for me to do that—and make payments on my cell phone.  

            Derek and I left for school at 7am, and we got there at 7:42. Our new school is a 42 minute drive from our house.

            “Are you excited to see Christian?” He asked as I flushed, whacking him as he laughed

            “He’s my teacher” I huffed, turning into the school parking lot.

            “So?” He asked as I rolled my eyes

I parked as we grabbed our stuff and went inside. I dropped my stuff at my locker and headed to English. When I arrived, I sat in my seat. Christian looked up and smiled at me. I smiled faintly and took out a piece of paper and began sketching.

            “Good mornin’, Ms. Calaway” He greeted, a hint of amusement in his voice

            “Good morning, Mr. Black” I greeted back, glancing up at him

            “How are you?” He asked as I shrugged, my glasses on my face

            “Could be better”

Right when he was about to ask why, the bell rang. Students were now sitting in their seats and class began.

***

            About half way through class, thunder boomed really loud outside. My windows were rolled up in my car and the only I had to worry about was hail. Big hail; it was kind of weird seeing Christian out of school, but I remember him as a child. Who knew he would become a teacher? I’ll have to ask.

***

            I sat in my AP Physics class, taking notes. Apparently we’re having a test tomorrow and we’re getting a study guide (with an answer key) to check our answers. Oh fun. I work tonight also.

***

            At lunch, I decided to go into Christian’s classroom. No doubt, there he was, eating lunch and grading papers. I sat in a desk in front of him as he smiled at me.

            “What can I do for you?” He asked

            “Can I ask you a…personal question?” I asked as he tilted his head

            “Sure”

            “Why did you decide to become an English teacher? I mean… Why leave the FBI?” I asked

He smiled and laughed

            “That’s two questions, Artemis.”

I shrugged

            “I can’t tell you why I left the FBI, but I can answer why I became a teacher. I became a teacher because I love English. I wanted to teach it to other kids” He explained

I must have had a troubled look on my face because he sighed

            “I resigned from the FBI. I’ve been working there since I was 23 years old.”

That’s right! Dad said he was a Navy Seal. He went in at 18, and came out at 22. He went on top secret missions. He should’ve stayed a Navy Seal. Even when I was growing up, I remembered how hot he was in his uniform.

            “You should’ve stayed a Seal, Christian” I murmured, watching his reaction

He gave me an amused smile

            “Who says I’m not a Seal anymore?” He murmured back

My eyes widened. Holy shit… Right when I was about to comment, he smiled at me and winked.