Welcoming Mr. Sharp

Stepping into the doorway you glance at the new arrival, your breath slightly ragged after almost being caught like that and having hastily straightened your clothes. In the outer office stands a quite young looking but pretty handsome man, not exactly the prototype of history and geography teacher with the spotless credentials you had helped pick out for the shortlist of candidates to be interviewed by the board of regents. Glancing at the clock you let out an annoyed sigh and stare at him with cold eyes.

“Mr. Sharp, I assume. You’re late,” you leave no doubt about your feelings regarding that tardiness, having higher expectations for someone with such a resume and at a similar age as your own, having worked hard these past years yourself.

“I had a little trouble finding your office,” he excuses himself.

“Hardly a recommendation for a geography teacher,” you almost scoff before nodding for him to follow you inside, “come in Mr. Sharp.”

The sound of the suitcase he drags with him catches your attention as you move behind the desk once more. “You can leave that at the door. Have a seat.”

“Very pleased to meet you Ma’am, and very pleased to be here,” he smiles as he takes a seat on the chair opposite you.

“I’m sure,” you nearly hiss, his words reminding you of your own view on men coming into this exclusive and very important place for you. "Well let's not waste time,” you quickly move on to your welcoming speech, “The students will arrive tomorrow, although a few of them are already here. Monday there will be orientation meetings for students, sorted by grade.” Turning to the stack of prepared intro kits for each new teacher on the table you begin handing them over to Mr. Sharp, “Here is the schedule. Classes begin on Tuesday. Here is your classroom, and schedule of classes. You will be housed in Faculty cottage 5. Here is the key. You will share it with another Faculty member. A man of course. Here is a map of the campus grounds. Do you have a vehicle?"

“No Ma’am.”

"Should you acquire one, there is a parking stall in the underground garage. You can find that on the map,” you finish, eyes staring at him as you ask, “Any questions so far?"

"It all seems straightforward so far."

"There will be a staff meeting tomorrow evening in the Faculty lounge. Seven o'clock. Precisely. Understood?" you ask pointedly, stern eyebrows raised.

"Yes Ma'am," he pauses, his eyes locked with yours. "My apologies for being late Ma'am. We seem to have got off on the wrong foot."

Holding his gaze for a moment, considering your reply and reminding yourself of maintaining a certain level of professionalism, you take a deep breath before laying it out for him.

"Mr. Sharp, if you find my attitude curt, you are correct. I am not in agreement with the decision to bring men into the faculty. The board of regents may believe that male teachers will have a positive influence, but I disagree. I suspect the presence of men will lead to some unhealthy and inappropriate behavior among the more willful students."

"I see," he replies.

"Do you?” you challenge his sincerity, “I hope you do. I trust that you can behave in an appropriate manner even if some of the girls cannot," you sigh, carefully eying him. "You're a relatively young man, Mr. Sharp and not unattractive,” you find your heartrate jump a bit as you catch those words coming out of your mouth. “This may prove a distraction to some girls. I trust that you will not exacerbate that factor."

"I came here to teach Ms. Naylor, that's all I came to do," he assures you.

With that you stand back up and indicates the end of the interview with a nod, glancing at the hand offered to you as he follows suit.

Reaching for it and shaking it you add a few final words. "Welcome to Pink Rose Academy Mr. Sharp. Let us hope the board of regents has no reason to regret their decision."

"They won't. At least not on my account," he smiles, his hand keeping hold of yours for few moments too long, making your blood boil with a mix of annoyance and something else as he turns and leaves the office.

Sitting back down with a huff you glance at the file on Mr. Carter, the new biology teacher, and then check the time to see how close to his scheduled arrival you’ve gotten following the delay in getting Mr. Sharp settled in.