Monday at School

Randy had picked up Dan & Emma on the way to school. They were mid-conversation regarding Dan's new love life and future scene ideas for their movie after filming with Addison.

“So your idea for another video we could shoot wouldn't even involve us performing? “ Dan asked Randy.

“I've been chatting with Sarah, and she might be open to filming with us. I know we all owe Manny, and I thought this would be a better way to pay him back than a few dimebags.” Randy explained.

“I kind of like the idea. There's that hot dynamic involving an older guy with a younger girl. The age gap is definitely a turn on.” Emma interjected from the back seat.

“You thinking about Addison, Emma? “ Dan asked her.

“Maybe a little,” Emma answered.

“So you told Nicole about our little video project yet?” Emma asked.

“You are the second person to ask me that,” Dan replied, looking at Randy.

Randy pulled up in the school parking lot, and the three of them got out and walked over to the main school building. Dan could see Starla, Nicole & Lieke hanging around in front of the steps leading into the building. All three were wearing the standard uniform expected of girls at their school. White shirt and knee-length plaid skirt. As Nicole saw Dan, Emma and Randy approaching, she ran towards them and practically jumped into Dan's arms. She kissed him fully.

“Down, girl.” Emma joked.

“I missed you. Nicole told him.

“I missed you too,” Dan replied, giving her a light kiss on the cheek.

The two of them walked hand in hand back to their other friends.

“The two of you make a really cute couple.” Lieke complimented in her light Danish accent.

Dan took a moment to take a look at Lieke. She was tall, with long, wavy blonde hair down to her chest. Lieke was also quite busty, and the outline of her bra could easily be seen under her shirt. She was wearing knee-high boots. Lieke was a dream girl for many guys at their school but did not date very often. She spent most of her time doing extreme sports and skated with Emma fairly regularly.

Dan thought about asking Starla about the video but decided not to as he was not sure what Nicole had discussed with her.

“You moved quick, Dan. “ Starla teased.

Dan ignored her. “What's everyone got on this morning? He asked.

“English with Randy. “ Emma answered.

“Science with my lab partner,” Nicole replied, nudging Starla.

“Drama with you, Dan,” Lieke said.

“Meet me for lunch.” Nicole kissed Dan once more before heading off to class.

Lieke and Dan walked together, heading towards their shared drama class.

“You two seem like a really good fit for each other,” Lieke told him.

“We've been friends for years, and Nicole is really fun. I wish I'd been brave enough to make a move sooner.” Dan replied.

Dan was not sure if Lieke was aware of the video from Sarah's party. The two of them entered the classroom that they shared with ten other students. Their drama class had a smaller class size than many of the other classes in the school. Their teacher, Ms Miller, was a former stage actress who had moved into teaching in her early thirties. Her teaching style was fairly casual, and she encouraged her students to take a more improvisational approach to things. Ms Miller was a tall blonde with really soft blue eyes. She was wearing a loose blue blouse and grey trousers.

“Morning, class. I hope you all aren't too hungover after the weekend.” Ms Miller joked. “Get together with your scene partner and work on your parts with each other. We are still looking for our leads for the school's production of Romeo and Juliet.”

Dan and Lieke had previously decided to pair up. Neither of them had any serious intention of being the leads in a school play, but they enjoyed acting alongside each other. Dan wandered over to the shelves where Ms Miller stored the school copies of the play.

“Morning, Dan. Good weekend?” Ms Miller greeted him with a bright smile.

“Got together with Nicole. How was your weekend?” He replied.

“Good for you, Dan. She's really sweet. Went on this really good long hike by the lake.” She answered.

Dan grabbed two copies of the text and headed over to Lieke, who was waiting patiently. She took a copy from him and started flipping through it. Dan opened the text and found the section they had been rehearsing before.

“Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy. Be heaped like mine and that thy skill be more. To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath.” Dan recited the dialogue but paused midway through.

“Why did you stop, Dan?” Lieke asked.

“Sorry, Lieke. Still not fully getting into the flow of the character. I know it's Romeo and it should just flow naturally.” Dan answered.

“Why not think of Nicole? The passion? “ Lieke suggested.

Dan smiled. “ I have an idea, but just go with me on this.

“As much to him, else is his thanks too much,” Dan recited.

Lieke tried not to giggle as Dan started what were previously her lines to her. She joined in and began performing as Romeo.

“Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy, Be heaped like mine and that thy skill be more,” Lieke said back to him.

The pair of them started trading lines back and forth, having fun with swapping roles. They were interrupted by Dan getting a message on his phone.

He quickly put his phone away when Ms Miller approached them both.

“I've been watching the two of you perform this morning, and I really enjoyed this gender swapped performance the two of you are giving.” She complimented them both

“We were just having fun.” Dan explained.

“Don't be so modest Dan. If the two of you are interested, we might have found our leads. Not sure if the Middleton school board will go for a man playing Juliet.” Ms Miller told them.

“I would like the opportunity,” Lieke replied.

“So we have our Romeo.” Ms Miller quipped.

“I would need to think about it,” Dan told her.

“There's no rush, Dan. The production wouldn't be for a few months anyway.” She replied reassuringly.

They were forced to wrap up their conversation as the bell went, indicating the end of class. Lieke and Dan headed out into the hallway. They parted ways as Lieke was heading off to another class. Dan heard cursing coming from behind him. He turned to see the school's history teacher, Ms Harris, glaring at a younger student. The papers she had been carrying were in a mess on the floor.

“Watch where you are going, young man.” She shouted at him.

Dan had always had a soft spot for Ms Harris. She was one of the younger members of the school's faculty. She was a very pretty, pale-skinned brunette with shoulder-length jet-black hair. She was wearing a retro-style black dress, which had a very chic look to it. She bent down to start picking up her papers.

“Hi Christa. Can I help?” Dan approached her.

Without waiting for her to answer, Dan bent down and helped Ms Harris with her papers.

“Thank you, Dan. This is why you are one of my favourite students.” She replied.

Dan helped Christa into her history classroom. Dan noticed she appeared to be favouring one foot more than the other.

“You okay, Christa? Dan asked.

“Asshole first year stepped on my foot and made me drop all my papers.” She told him.

There had always been a slight attraction between Dan and Christa. He had always liked her class, and she had always shown an interest in her students getting involved in class. Teaching was not just a job for Christa she liked to encourage and help young minds develop. If they showed a passion for a subject, she would always engage with them. They had been on first-name terms for a while after a really fun trip to the Smithsonian a few years back.

She had a devilish look in her eyes. “ Close the door, Dan.”

Dan got up and locked the door. Christa got up and walked round to her desk. She retrieved a small glass bottle and sat back down. Dan sat down near her.

“My foot's really sore and tender, Dan. I don't have another class for an hour, and I'm sure you can be a little late for your next class. I always thought a man's hands on my feet work wonders and relieve my stress.” Christa said suggestively.

She offered Dan the bottle. Christa didn't wait for Dan's response and kicked off her shoe and put it in his lap.