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Leelee-bug. The torment was starting already. She forced her voice to stay light. “Maybe I can tell them some stories next year when we have more time.” And when she wanted to crush their idol worship.
None of the students showed any interest in returning to their desks. They huddled around Carson like football players awaiting instructions.
Olivia glanced at the clock, and through a gritted smile, said, “I thought you weren’t coming until after school.”
“I believe in being punctual.”
“Class doesn’t end for ten more minutes.”
“Being early is part of being punctual.”
She didn’t really get to say more because several guys started asking him questions about the NFL. When one asked for his autograph, he strode to her desk to get a pen and had the nerve to sit on her desk like some sort of king holding court. The boys talked football to him while the girls looked onadoringly. He was in his element again—the center of attention. Olivia, on the other hand, had become invisible in her own class. It was like high school all over again but on steroids.
Finally, the bell rang. The students didn’t disperse.
Olivia clapped her hands together to get their attention. “School’s out. Put your chairs on the tables before you go. See you next year.”
None of them moved.
One of the girls cast Olivia a curious look before returning her attention to Carson. “Are the two of you dating? Is that why you’re here?”
“No,” Olivia said quickly. “We’re just working on a project together.” She motioned towards the tables. “Make sure you don’t forget anything. You don’t want to miss the bus.”
Carson slid off her desk and walked around it. “I’ll put your things in my truck. Are those bags going too?”
“Yes, but I’ll carry them.”
“No problem. I’ve got it.” He tucked the art supplies bag under his arm and grabbed the other around the middle. The side slid down, revealing her pillow and sheets.
The students stared at them, transfixed. “Where are you going together that you need a pillow and sheets?” one asked.
Olivia felt her cheeks warming. Telling them that she would be living in Carson’s cabin for the next month and a half wouldn’t dampen their speculation. “Um, we’re working on a construction project,” she said vaguely, “out of town.”
Her answer didn’t make things better. A couple of the boys snorted. One said, “What are you constructing?”
Carson dipped his chin and fixed the boys with a stare. “You all need to mind your manners. Miss Travers is perfectly respectable. And also teachers can still give you detention on the last day of school. I know that from experience.”
The students laughed, still hanging on his every word.
“If you miss the bus,” Olivia said, “it’s a long walk home.”
The kids finally gathered up their things, put their chairs on the tables, and headed to the door.
She ought to say something to the students as they were leaving, something that would make her feel like the teacher in charge again. “Have a great summer,” she called.
“Apparently not as great as yours will be,” one of the boys called back. Their laughter echoed down the hallway.
She inwardly groaned. The summer was off to a great start. “Why did you have to come early?”
He pulled her suitcase handle up. “We’ve already established you’re a flight risk.”
“No, we haven’t. You have my car.”
“Your brother took off. That sort of thing is probably genetic.”
She huffed and went to pick up a chair someone had left on the ground. “Now I know why you failed biology.”
He rolled his eyes. “Okay, I came early because I’m in a hurry, and we still have to stop by the grocery store. I’ll help you do whatever teacher things you need to do so we can leave.” He headed toward the door. “And by the way, biology was the one class I aced. Meaning a solid B minus.”
