You're doing great. Sierra told herself as she made the black marker's tip slide on the whiteboard, writing several mathematical formulas in her natural cursive handwriting. She tried to ignore the murmurs of the Grade 12 as they were so closely watching her every move.

She wouldn't lie. She was nervous and uncomfortable. It was her first time teaching a class of senior high-schoolers and even better, an elite class. She turned rapidly to them, attempted a brief forced smile and continued with her explanation in a clear and smooth voice.

It's been already half an hour now. They did not look excited. Their stoned face, still judging her... She felt the chill in her spine but nonetheless she carried on. Sigh, seemed it'd take them a while to warm up to her. With a clear voice and composed face, she made eye contact with them while they listened and jotted down the important things she was saying. They seemed to be paying attention though. All good.

The door opened abruptly, all eyes turned to a single direction as a boy appeared, carrying a military design backpack over his shoulder and wearing jeans and a black shirt with a superman symbol. His black hair with tints of brown was all messy. He gave her an awkward judgmental look and he walked pass her without saying a word, a faint scent of cigarette following him. She cleared her voice, "Ahem, why are you late?"

He stopped, tossed her a bored look, "Could as well ask for my name and introduce yourself?"

She was stunned, not expecting that kind of response from a student, "Well, I'm Ms Danvers, your new mathematics teacher." He was almost the same height as her.

He burst into a mocking laugh, "You? So you're replacing Driscoll? You know, that lady ran off?" The name rang a bell in her head. Maria Driscoll was known to be an excellent and strict teacher in the industry. She was literally a personality known for her severity and disciplinary actions. The impudent boy then chuckled and approached her, "I was driving her nuts."

Sierra didn't think she wanted to know that, didn't need to feel more uncomfortable than she already was. She took a step back, "Daring behaviors will not be acceptable in my class, Mr..."

He smiled defiantly, "Who are you to make the rules anyway? I'm Jace Torres."

"Alright, Jace. Get back to your seat." She would not have a student throw stones on her path and definitely not on her first day.

He lightly said, amused, "You clearly did not catch my point here. Just came to get my jacket." There were a lot of whispering going on in the class and she was confused.

"Your name is on the register."

"I know."

"Then you better stay in my class, Jace. Kindly take your seat."

He walked to an empty desk, performed a fist bump with a nearby classmate, winked at two girls who were eagerly gesturing and whispering at him, grabbed his leather jacket and proceeded to go out again much to her surprise. She would not allow that. She needed to display a little bit of authority with that turbulence. She quickly grabbed his shoulder as he so deliberately ignored her, stopping him, "I don't give you permission to shirk my classes, mister."

He impatiently snapped, not liking that, "Back off, miss."

She stood on her ground, "One last time—"

"In simply five...four...three..." The whole class began to count with him in a whisper and the moment they reached the first syllable of 'zero', the bell screeched out loud, announcing break time. He gave her a playful wink, "Too bad for you, teach'!"

He brushed off her hand and walked out of the classroom, slamming the door behind as the school bell still rang in the corridors. The students chuckled when he was gone. Was that something normal? So much disrespect! Ugh. Annoyed, she asked, crossing her arms, wondering what just happened, "What's up with him?"

The student council of the class responded as he started packing his things. "That's Torres for you, ma'am." Torres... And it was only now that she realized that this name could mean a lot more than she understood.

The girl sitting on the second row commented, too lazy to pick up the pencil she just dropped, "He does what he wants when he wants. A real big jerk."

And Sierra saw a challenge instead. She pursed her lips. That...little pest just ruined her smooth first day! Well at least, she set the ambiance with some of the students. She waited for everyone to leave the classroom, greeting them and she exhaled deeply. Students: check. And now it was high time to go and socialize with the other teachers! That was another kind of ordeal.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ileana had trouble finding the canteen. After a bit of asking here and there and trying out many ways, she arrived at an open space in the infrastructure where a lot of students were gathered around small tables and eating to their contentment. She was awed at the area. It was so gorgeous. Small trees were planted in the midst and above her head, she could see the clear sky. This was fantastic. It felt so free.

She couldn't, however, see an empty spot for her. The queues were also long. She squinted her eyes to find students also serving out food to the other students and tending to the register.

An electronic menu board of today's items were displayed on a wide-screen and as she ventured towards the east side, amidst the other chatters, she heard a distinctive voice, "There you are, my curious kitty. I was waiting for you."

She was so caught up with the features of this place that she hadn't notice him. He was standing before a vending machine, the key in his hand. She approached him and gasped as she understood that this special key was used to unlock the vending machine. Only the school management was supposed to have this! Oh gosh! "That's illegal!"

He simply hushed her, "Fancy paying $2 for a coke. Not for me." He inserted the key, twisted it and the door of the vending machine opened effortlessly. He grabbed one for him and asked proudly, "May I serve you something, newbie?"

She dryly refused, "No thanks. Out of question."

"Your loss." He made a thumb up to his friends and they eagerly made their way towards the machine to serve themselves freely, more students joining in the hoard. She watched hesitantly, wondering if it was actually good to do something like that. She followed him to his reserved table and they watched as the machine emptied itself within minutes.

He gulped down a refreshing amount of his fizzy drink and deliberately said, "Only someone stupid would refuse free drinks."

He tossed a mocking glance at her and she retorted, "Only an idiot would do something like that." He instantly slammed the can onto the table and leaned violently closed to her, "Watch your tongue, princess. You don't get to talk to me like that."

She stood, her heart beating fast as she wondered what she was doing with him, "I'd rather not talk again. You're clearly full of yourself."

He didn't deny her, "Of course I am, sunshine." She tossed a dismissal wave, showing that she was done with him and the moment she turned, she collided with a girl of almost the same height as her. She was dressed in a tank top and jean shorts. She looked up to her, "Sorry!"

The girl furrowed her eyebrows, running a finger along the tip of her ponytail and asked, "You blind or what? And how dare you talk to our captain like that?" She placed one hand on her hips and her band stood by her side dramatically.

Oh great, Ileana thought, not wanting to feel intimidated by the number which showed up before her. Just what she needed.

The girl pressed her hand on her shoulder, gripping her, "You better say sorry to him right now."

Jace rolled his eyes, "Forget about her, Quincy. She's not worth it."

"You're absolutely right!" She walked pass Ileana to plump down beside Jace, followed by her friends.

Ileana sent a quick uninterested look at them before she walked away towards the queue who had shortened greatly as most of the students had hurried to get their free drinks to the vending machine.

"Who's that babe?" Sam, his best friend asked as he joined him at the table, placing down a plate filled with goodies. Jace served himself, "Not so sure. Think she's a transfer student."

"At that time of the year? Woah."

Quincy asked, removing her iPhone and leaning towards him, "Hey Jace, can we get a selfie? I need something hot to post."

The lead cheerleader asked him and Sam rolled his eyes, "There comes the fan club." The girls excitedly said, "You're our champ!" Sure, he scored three baskets with ease during the last match with a rival high school but it was a team work. It was always the teamwork.

He lifted his can and they cheered...and took pictures. He eyed Ileana for a brief moment. She was ordering at the counter now. Seemed she already forgot all about him and Quincy and her band.

Funny how what just happened didn't get to her. He returned his attention to his own group where things were getting pretty interesting as Sam was competing with one of the cheerleaders about who could eat the most chocolate muffins in less than 30 seconds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For a first day, she was already tired. No wonder the salary was highly attractive. Those kids were like a running engine. She waited for Ileana outside. Principal Keaton was personally speaking to her niece about her score. She looked at the time and when she raised her eyes again, she saw Ileana walking towards her, humming a happy song.

She smiled curiously, the happiness naturally contagious and Ileana exclaimed, "Guess who's a genius!"

"Knew you'd do well! That calls for a celebration!"

"Really?"

Sierra pensively said, "Think I saw an ice-cream parlor on our way here. Come." They headed towards her modest second-hand 2012 Honda Fit car. The car engine took a moment to heat up and she drove away only to pull up ten minutes later, at the parlor.

They ordered pistachio ice-creams and Sierra stretched herself already as they sat at a small table there, "How was your day?"

"Nothing extraordinary except I think I met a jerk."

She laughed, "Oh really? So fast? And I realized that senior students can be pretty annoying. Do I look that young and inexperienced?"

Ileana teased her, "You could literally pass for a student yourself." Sierra narrowed her eyes, focusing on her ice-cream. She laughed heartily, "I'm only joking! But you sure are pretty younger than most teachers there. Oh, can you imagine, that jerk boy broke open a vending machine at the canteen and everyone could serve themselves for free."

Sierra chuckled, "That's something. I guess things are a little pricey. Hmm, oh yeah, and a literature teacher kind of asked me on a date."

Ileana was pleasantly surprised. "Don't tell me! And what happened?"

"He was so friendly. We talked a lot. He seems nice, not to say a little desperate but I said no. A tall lean man. You happen to know him by any chance?"

"I think he's the one who gave me my assessment papers. He's really kind. Maybe you should give it a go, eh?"

"Nah...no. I'm not good with these things." Sierra gave her a gentle smile before looking out towards the road, as other people walked by, busy in their own ways. Ileana held her breath. She knew she shouldn't talk about this sort of things to Sierra. That woman never talked about her love life to her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

James Torres was reviewing the overall performance of his schools and clinics when he noticed a silhouette whooshing pass his study in the corridor. He called out, "Jace, give me a second, will ya?"

Jace leaned against the study door, looking at his father with an annoyed look, "What?"

"Someone broke a vending machine at your school today. Have any idea who it could be?" The sarcasm in his voice was so clear that Jace didn't need to hide anything.

He smirked proudly as he crossed his arms, "Aww, poor you. You wouldn't dare get me rusticated, right dad?" James chuckled at his notoriousness, "No, but I sure hell can get your credit cards cancelled or you know, sell off your damn bike, you little brat who gets everything."

Jace grumbled as he walked in, "Everything except motherly love." And that was always his number 1 argument.

"You already go to that woman on weekends...and that's enough."

Jace could hear the annoyance in his voice. Yes, his parents were divorced but he didn't blame his father for he was faultless. He had one day hoped they'd get back together but seeing how things were, it was kind of impossible as his mother was dating another man and she was happy there...or so it seemed to be.

Jace sat opposite him and casually asked, "Why don't you date?"

James focused his attention back on the digital reports, "What kind of question is that?"

"I don't know. There are tons of women who are crazy for you."

He dryly laughed, "Crazy for my cash, yes."

"You don't even give a damn try."

"And it's better this way."

"You'd die an old lonely man."

James laughed, briefly making eye contact with him before returning to his documents, "I'm glad you care for me. Now be good and go. I have to work."

Jace pursed his lips, "By the way, I unlocked the vending machine because the cans are too expensive."

"You'll ruin my business someday."

He smiled, "And anyway, you won't make your own son pay for something you sell, right?"

"Uh-huh. Especially when that son made his mighty must to quench the thirst of dozens of kids."

Jace grinned, "Oh you are so proud of me."

James grimaced, "Of course."

Jace didn't need to be told twice. He knew he was busy. Without saying anything else to his workaholic father, he made his way to his room, sat before his computer and searched Ileana Danvers on social media platforms. He was kind of curious about her. Strangely, he could find her nowhere. Absolutely no profiles about her! Was she an introvert or what? Nah, maybe she used a nickname or something.

He left his desk without bothering himself anymore about this, turned on his PS4, put on his headphone and grabbed the game controller. It was time to rule the virtual world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

11/12/2019