Page 9 of Substitute for Love

“Yeah, I mean, but then while Miss Williams was distracted they were making rude, uh, gestures behind her back.”

He peered at all the students. “That’s what happened?”

The students nodded. The three boys in the back slid down in their chairs.

Gabe dramatically stomped around the classroom with his arms folded, acting as mad as possible. How could he actually be mad? He was a class clown himself. But he was never disrespectful. Some students laughed at his overdramatization, that is, until he turned to them and gave them a look.

“Let’s all stand and recite the school motto, shall we?” he said. The students grumbled. “Come on, come on. We all need a reminder.”

Everyone stood and repeated together: “Building a community of discovery, learning, connection, and respect.” The students sat.

“We should always respect each other,” he said, “but especially new people. That includes teachers. I can’t fill all the substitute jobs myself. Not like there’s a line out the door to step in and teach all you at a moment’s notice. So behave. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Good. Don’t make me come back. I’m in my prep period. Oh, and you three boys, separate. Now.” They shuffled quickly.

Gabe opened the door to find Avery waiting outside. Her mouth gaped but no sound came out. She shook her head. “How did you get them to behave?”

He shrugged. “Be silly sometimes, but always be in charge. And remind them Scorpions are always respectful. The mascot comes around and drills it into them regularly. It’s kind of weird, but effective.”

She smiled. “Thanks. I appreciate your help.” Avery’s smile melted him.

She was unexpectedly one hundred times prettier when she smiled, her eyes bright and hopeful. And because—for a second—she didn’t look so anxious. He had helped her feelcomfortable, and he liked that. Like he had rescued her from danger, or something.Dang it, Gabe. Don’t overdo it. Stay businessy and teachery.

“But how did you know what to say? How to get them to calm down?” she asked.

Gabe searched his brain. How to put his teaching method into words? “What do you think those three boys in the back wanted to gain from telling jokes?”

“Attention.” She shrugged.

“Yes, but from who?”

A lightbulb seemed to go off in her brown eyes. “Ahh. The girls.”

“Who then reciprocated, but because you were frazzled you thought it was directed toward you.”

Avery held up a finger then put it down. “Okay, fine. But weren’t you frazzled on your first day?”

Gabe smiled, then as he turned and walked away, said, “Nope.”

He turned back to see her put a hand on her hip, and Gabe could tell she was hiding amusement under a playful scowl.

Which wasn’t as cute as her real smile, but still a victory in his book.

Chapter 4: Avery

Monday August 25, 11:25 AM

Avery stared down the hall as Gabe headed back toward Mr. Spencer’s room. She told herself she was merely delaying going back into her classroom, not gawking at him like he was a hero. Or a gentleman in a regency novel—like Mr. Darcy later on inPride and Prejudice.

Her shoes were still laying on the floor across the hall. She groaned, wishing Gabe hadn't witnessed her tantrum.She picked up her shoes.

Okay, so Gabehadbeen kind of a hero, which infuriated her. How could he waltz in and immediately know what to do with an entire classroom of teenagers? Like he was born to do this. And Avery was definitely not.

As Gabe reached room 101 and grabbed the doorknob, he turned back, meeting her eyes which shouldn’t have been trained on him. She panicked and rushed into her classroom.

The students glanced at her, then a look passed between them. A boy in the back said, “One, two, three…”

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