Balancer's Soul
Page 3
School and Life
When she walked behind the desk Connor realized this stunning creature has to be the new teacher Mark spoke of earlier this morning, but she looked more like a student. But there was something about her sent his instinct off.
Connor tore his eyes away from her so he continued to blandly stare outside, but unfortunately he got a very good look at her. She stood far shorter than he, barely five foot at most. She could be about the same height as Kara if not slightly shorter, by his initial guess. Her figure was obviously petite with a heart shaped face and perfect porcelain skin. She looks about to be in her late teens or early twenties and has a flawless complexion. Long, silky brown hair flowed down to the small of her back. The hair looked thick and held only the slightest touch of natural curls, but she kept her hair loose. Her long hair reminded him of healthy, nutritious earth. What really caught his eye in that single moment he looked upon her were those knowledgeable emerald green eyes. It’s the color of life and also his favorite color.
As he continued to stare out the window, hoping to find the playful creatures again, Mark sharply elbowed Connor’s in the ribs. He felt surprised that Mark didn’t hurt himself to gain his attention. Connor casually turned to look at him and he heard something unexpected. “Look at this new teacher; she is as bland and plain as the wallpaper. Talk about giving your hopes up.” He said in a very quiet voice that only Connor could possibly hear. And Mark’s eyes were hiding something else as he looked upon her… or did Connor imagine it? Mark’s eyes must be playing tricks again.
Connor looked at him fully, but didn’t say anything. Inside his head it was a different matter. “Who are you talking about? Not the new teacher? Why would you say that about her? She’s perfect! I just wish I was older and braver to ask her out on a date one day…Dream on…” He shook his head to clear out the random thoughts growing out of control.
She then wrote her name on the board. Ms. Sarah Branderson
Connor had to look away from her again because he could feel something in the air, energy? drawing him in. And finally she spoke.
“Hello everyone I’m your new history teacher, Ms. Sarah.” She had a very feminine and velvety voice. She is also quite soft spoken. “Where in the world did I hear her voice from? ... Wait! Is she my new neighbor?” She went on saying “This is my first time teaching so bear with me if I make a mistake.” Her tone and the sudden shift of her eyes spoke otherwise. “Why are you lying?” But Connor remained quiet. Sometimes catching someone in a lie and confronting them about it was the worst thing a person could do. She ended her introduction with a question “Since this is a history class and time is always a factor and constantly moving forward, adding that much more to our histories. How do you personally tell time?”
Connor assumed the class looked around at each other in confusion. Some of the talkers went silent while some chairs grated on the floor as the person it supported tried finding a comfortable position. Mathew, who is also in class, answered first. “ You mean like a clock?” She nodded her head approvingly when Connor caught her vague reflection on the glass. Why, even when he tried looking for the squirrels, did his eyes seek hers, even in a reflection? She went on and calmly, asking every student how they tell time. Some said their TV, her watch, his calendar, computer, cell phone and so on.
Connor could hear her steps and even they were perfect.
Mark then answered her with “My Tablet!” as he pilled it out, fully displaying the time boldly across the screen which made everyone in the class laugh and it pulled Connor out of his rampantly warring mind. Finally she got to him. “Great, now everyone will laugh. Oh well I’ll just do it regardless.”
Ms. Sarah called “What’s your name, Sir?”
“Connor.” He said, forcing himself to look out of the window and not directly into her exquisite eyes. Just thinking about them again quickened the pace of his heart and he began feeling slightly flush. Thankfully his hair would hide most evidence of his reaction.
“Ok, Mr. Connor. How do you tell time?” She asked innocently.
“You’ll laugh like everyone else.” Taking a deep breath through his nose was a mistake because she smelled too pleasant. Her fragrant smell already permeated the room. She smelled just like apples and strawberries. “I use nature as my time keeper!” He blurted out before the smell of her could make him any worse or spontaneously combust.
Everyone laughed, just as expected, but Connor heard a distinctive sigh amongst the boisterous laughter. He had to make sure he didn’t hear his imagination getting ahead of him once again.
Through the hair that shaded others from his eyes he looked at everyone around and for some reason Ms. Sarah stepped up right in front of his desk. By their will alone, his eyes went up and met her lovely emerald green eyes and noticed she wasn’t laughing or making fun at his expense, like the others. It was a first and for some reason Connor cherished her ignorant innocence of not knowing what everyone else thought of him. And she asked in her velvet coated voice “Can you give us some examples?”
Connor stared at her for a long moment and noticed that no one in the class currently laughed at his expense any longer. He forcibly tore his eyes away from her and noticed all of his classmates were staring slack jawed at her. He thought it was because no one has ever asked him such a question, in a polite way before. Only two people were smiling in encouragement, both Mark and Sarah. “No Connor, its Ms. Sarah.”
At last he answered what he knew that few others did, looking out the window again “The sun and the moon reveal day and night and were the original means of establishing time. There are four seasons; Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. I use the phases of the moon to tell the date, for even it is constant for setting time and date. It is more accurate than our calendar system because it stays remarkably the same, even as it moves further from the planet each year. Also tonight there will be a full moon, if you’re wondering. There is also the sun dial which our ancestors used as a clock by reading the dial’s shadow during the daylight hours. It must always face north to function properly.” Connor finished with confidence because he knew precisely what he was talking about. He finally looked up at Ms. Sarah and she had a look of nostalgia written on her expression (probably remembering something from her past.) The look revealed compelled him say something that apparently caught her off guard. “Another thing that would be pertinent Ms. Sarah, our ancestors also regarded balance as nature’s one true law. It’s balance is the only reason we can create a timeline.”
Ms. Sarah gasped and for the first time she truly looked upon him. Her green eyes were blazing with intensity, and he got the feeling that she was looking through him. Also there was this sudden and weird sensation, like someone scratching at his brain. It became quite irritating.
After a few moments, she turned away quickly and started to the front board. She said “Everyone please read chapter nine, section six and answer question number seven. Then turn your answers in at the end of class.” As she finished writing on the board, she slid into her chair. Her brow furrowed and Connor knew that look all too well. She began having a bad migraine.
While everyone began working on the assignment Mark leaned in close and quietly asked “What was that all about? Connor seriously, when you said something about balance, she looked like you were a long lost friend or lover. Or maybe a snake would be more precise.” adding a smile he continued “And you look like you finally found something you’ve always strived for, Buddy.”
“I’m just glad it’s Friday.” He sighed while trying to change the subject and answer the book’s question. When he finished answering the lengthy answer he looked up from his paper to noticed Ms. Sarah glancing back at him from under long eyelashes with a curious and delicate brow raised. Then she bit her bottom lip nervously, but the migraine remained, plaguing her.
The bell rang and he turned in his answers, on her desk. Connor then strolled out the door and on his way. Kara sometime later met up with him at their usual spot. Pu
lling out the wagon from the thicket Kara asked “How was your day, Brother?”
Only one word came out “Weird” and he took off running back home.