Page 16 of Their Knotty Pack
My cheeks flush at her assessment. "Not as smart as you would think."
"Andthat explains the atom tattoo on the back of your hand." I glance down at the tattoo in question, a black outline of an atom in front of a swirl of purple and blue made to look like a galaxy. The colors disappear under the cuff of my button down shirt, but I know yesterday she saw the way the colors melt into the background for my favorite tattoo, a sword running down the outside of my forearm.Thatpoints to a gaming controller for the console I grew up playing. I've been working on the sleeve for a few years now.
"Don't be fooled, little nymph." I turn and smirk at her. "I really just love the job because I get to exchange ribs with teenagers who know how to make it fun and drop eggs off buildings."
She laughs, shaking her head. "I bet you're their favorite teacher." I can't help the bashful as fuck look that takes over my face as I smile at her. She really is perfect.
By the time I make it into work, I'm almost late. I couldn't resist going back to Bethany for "one last" kiss.
Five times.
She doesn't have to work until nine, so she has plenty of time to head to Lanie's and change before work.
Before I get out of my car, I do a sniff test to make sure my de-scenter is doing its job. The thing about entering a building full of pubescent teenagers is that the air is already full of hormones and changing bodies. We don't need to add more to the mix. All alphas and omegas on staff are required to practically bathe in de-scenter before coming into work.
Once I'm satisfied with my lack of scent, I get out of the car, hiking my bag over my shoulder. "Hawthorne!" A familiar voice calls out from a few cars over. "You running late today too?" Frowning as I check my watch, I see he's right. It's seven forty-five and we're supposed to be here at seven thirty.
"I suppose I am." I tell the beta. Damien grins at me as we fall into step beside each other, his rainforest scent instantly calming my spike in anxiety. I'm not sure why his scent always does that to me—I must really love rainforests. "I didn't get much sleep last night."
"Rough night?" He asks slyly, then waggles his brows. "Or agoodnight?"
Damien Silva is a flirt. He's the ceramics teacher, so we're not in the same building, but that doesn't stop me from hearing all sorts of things. He used to get written warnings all the time for 'fraternization', but weirdly enough, I haven't heard anything through the gossip mill since winter break. He's still just as attractive as ever, so something in his personal life must have changed. Maybe he settled down.
I bark out a laugh. "I never kiss and tell."
"Oh, so areallygood night." He chuckles.
"You have no idea," I admit.
"Hey Mr. H!" A voice calls out as we enter the courtyard, where students are hanging out before the bell rings.
"Hey there, Andy," I give Damien a quick nod goodbye before I turn my attention towards my most hard-to-pin-down student. "Did you get the homework done?"
"Yeah, uh, that's what I wanted to talk to you about," he rubs the back of his neck, "my mom…she uh…had work last night and I had to babysit my baby sisters. Is there any way I can get an extension?"
I frown. Starbrook High isn't in a run-down area by any means, but that doesn't mean that there aren't students who come fromlower-income areas. Andy is one of those students. His mom often leaves him at home with his three younger sisters, all under the age of ten, for days at a time. She's not going on a bender or anything, she's a flight attendant, doing the best she can to earn an income for her family.
"I'll do you one better," I tell him, adjusting the strap on my shoulder. "Come in at lunch and we'll work through together so you have it done by fifth period."
A huge smile lights up his face. "You're the GOAT, Mr. H!"
Chuckling as he races off to meet back up with his friends, I make my way towards my classroom.
My phone vibrates, and I pull it out of my pocket.
Nymph
Miss you already
Unable to keep the grin off my face, I type a message back
Me
Miss you my little nymph. My place tonight?
She answers instantly.
Nymph
