Teacher pays attention too

As Connor sat still and stared at her, Ms Fern finished her notes on the whiteboard, and stood to face the class.

"Alright, has everyone copied that down?" she asked, to general silent agreement. "We may as well end here then. No! Don't run yet," she continued as half the class leapt to their feet, "We've got another six classes scheduled. I'll be using them as office hours, so I'll either be here or in the staff room. Just find me if you've got any questions, and study hard. I'm putting faith in you all here, but this is how things will be at college, you know. Better prepare you for it! And Mr Jones, you'd better stay a moment."

Connor gulped, and finished scribbling down the last notes as the room emptied. He was rarely in trouble with teachers - except when he decided their classes weren't worth attending - and Ms Fern was one of his favorites.

She sat down in the chair next to him, and rested her chin on one hand.

"Is everything ok, Connor?" she asked, "It's not like you to be so distracted."

Connor was relieved that she was so friendly. Concerned more than angry. Well I could ask her. It's not like I can ask Mom about this sort of thing... he thought.

"Um, it's a few things," he said, "My Dad's in town tomorrow, and I haven't seen him in years. And there's stuff with Joan too, I guess. Just a lot on my mind today."

"Awww... I hope everything goes fine with your father," she said, although she didn't know a thing about him, having barely dealt with Ms Jones, "and as for Joan - the two of you are a couple, right? I mean, I'm not the school counselor, maybe I shouldn't pry."

She reached out and stroked Connor's shoulder. It seemed like a static charge shocked him. He'd been avoiding her gaze, but now he looked into her concerned eyes.

"Yes, and I like her and she definitely likes me, but it's... I don't know how fast we're going and if it's-" he said, speeding uponly to halt in sudden, embarrassed silence.

"It's what?" asked Ms Fern softly, continuing to rub his shoulder.

"It's not... too slow for her." said Connor. His teacher looked surprised at this.

"Well, normally it's the other way around!" she said, "I mean, the stereotype. Boy chases girl to 'give it away'-" for a moment, her hand left his shoulder to form air quotes, but then returned, closer to his neck, "and girl decides whether to let him have her. I'm kind of glad you're not the sort to pressure her. You've always seemed such a nice boy."

She leaned closer, and Connor suddenly realised she was playing with the hair on the back of his neck. His lips opened to say something, but before he could she leaned in and softly kissed him.