The Coach

The Teacher

Zoey

    "Well, kids. It is time to open your books on page twenty. We will work on the periodic table today" I ordered my students while I wrote on the board the assignment for the day, "we are going to learn metals and nonmetals today"

    I pulled down a periodic table that was rolled on the wall and showed them the different elements to which it was composed.

    I am Zoey Torres and I am the high school special educations teacher. I also help coach the high school football team, our previous coach retired and they have yet to find a new one. I moved to this city two years ago, when I was about to get married to my high school sweetheart, Gabriel Huertas. He was offered a job as a an engineer, but when he finally got it, he called our wedding off with the excuse of him wanting to focus on his career. Now I was here, teaching the most amazing kids I've ever had.

    "Miss Torres? What are the different colors on the table?" Martha, one of the students, asked.

    "Well, Martha. The colors are a great way to scan the elements. And that is what we are going to do today with the metals and non-metals. So I want everyone to pay attention, and that includes you Gary!" I called one of my students in the back who was always a jokester.

    "Sorry, Miss Torres" he apologized and turned around to find the page on the book. The class went by fast and I was ready to go home. I wasn't looking forward to it though since, despite the break up, Alan and I were still living under the same roof. But I was too tired, and I needed my bed.

    I grabbed my bag and closed my classroom. As I walked to the car, I noticed a few kids in a crowd, chatting and laughing. "Hey, kids! Aren't you guys supposed to be home?" I asked, walking over to them. They quickly ran away and I noticed Martha was on the floor, scared out of her mind.

    "Oh my goodness, my sweet girl. Are you okay?" I asked, leaning to help her up.

    "Yes, Miss Torres, I am okay. They were just playing with me, it was nothing really" she said in a timid voice. I dusted her dirty clothes and looked at her in the eyes. I noticed she had a small bruise next to her mouth and I took her to my car. These kids were bullies and I would deal with them at the principal's office.

    "Let me take you home at least" I offered and she was hesitant to get in my car, "what's wrong?"

    "My brother says if he doesn't know who I was riding with, not to accept rides/"

    "Martha, look at me, sweetie. It's just me, you know who I am" I said, reaching for her hand and trying to get her to get in my car, "let's do this, why don't I take you home and I meet your brother. That way he can know who I am and he knows you are safe with me"

    She smiled and nodded, "well, he is not at home right now. He is at work. He is a very busy man" she said. I got in the car after helping her and switch it on.

    "Well, let's take you to wherever he is at, is that okay?"

    "Okay!" she said, excitedly. She must love her brother. She gave me the address and I drove to her brother's workplace. As soon as we arrived, the valet person opened my door and offered to park my car.

    "I am not going to stay long, I-"

    "Come on, Miss Torres. You would love to meet my brother. He will be grateful that you gave me a ride here"

    I gave the valet my keys and walked inside the building with Martha. The receptionist saw us and with a big smile on her face, she greeted us.

    "Hello, Miss Bradford. How are you today?" Martha approached the desk with a sweet smile.

    "Hi, Tina. Is my brother here?"

    "He is in a meeting at the moment, but if you want to go upstairs and wait for him where you always do," she said and Marta pulled me by the hand.

    "By the way, she is my teacher, see you later Tina!" she said her goodbyes, and we walked into the elevator. There were a lot of buttons and I saw her press the button number thirty. I took a deep breath since I was afraid of heights and I didn't want to look nervous. The building seemed to be really high from the ground.

    "What kind of job does your brother do?" I asked, trying to focus my attention on Martha, so I didn't have a panic attack.

    "He is an architect, and he is one of the best in the city" she replied. The elevator was slowly going up, and I was getting anxious. When we finally made it to the top floor, Martha led me to the waiting area where she always sat until her brother ended the meeting.

    "And...he was voted the sexiest entrepreneur on a magazine too" she added.

    "Don't think I don't know what you are doing" I said, poking her on the arm. She chuckled, shrugging her shoulders and showed me a few interesting science magazines.

    "You deserve love Miss Torres. I know it was hard to break up with your boyfriend and you are sad, even though you don't show it"

    "I know sweetheart, but trying to play matchmaker is not going to work" I replied, opening the magazine and checking out some ideas for class.

    We waited around two hours when we saw the double doors open and a few businessmen were walking out.

    "He is done with the meeting, let's go say hi!" she pulled me by the hand and we walked towards the crowd of men shaking hands and waving goodbye.

    "Sebastian!" she called and one of the guys turned around to greet her. He was handsome, to say the least. Blonde hair and brown eyes, and under that suit there must be a very well built body. I looked at myself and I wasn't the model type, but I wasn't too big either. I had curls on my ebony hair and my eyes were the color of honey. I don't think a man like that would even put his eyes on me.

    "Hello, my little Pumpkin!" he said as he hugged her and ruffled her hair. She pulled away and playfully punched him on the arm.

    "Don't call me Pumpkin and don't mess my hair up. I am in high school and that nickname is for kids" she said, with a big pout on her lips. I couldn't help but laugh at the interaction.

    He looked at me with his eyebrows raised and I instantly felt hot. "Hello, I am Zoey Torres, Martha's teacher" I extended my hand to shake.

    "Hello, Zoey. I am Sebastian Bradford" he shook my hand back and I couldn't help but blush.

    "Nice to meet you, well Martha, I have to go, at least you are safe and sound. Have a good day" I waved at them and rushed to the elevator. It was a very awkward but exciting moment, and I thought to myself if I will ever see him again.