“Ah. What are you teaching now? How are your students?” Az prompted.
“Shakespeare,” Gabe said between bites, and he proceeded to talk about his classes and his students, including some of the ones he was more worried about who were at risk of not graduating. Az asked questions and nodded along, and before Gabe knew it, their plates were empty and it was time to go.
They cleaned up and Gabe grabbed his keys by the door, but before he opened it, he looked questioningly at Az. “They’re going to wonder why you’re there. You aren’t dressed like the typical student, either.”
Az merely smirked at him, saying, “Don’t worry; leave it to me.”
Gabe did worry, but they got down to the car without any sibling run-ins (thankfully—he was still avoiding Michael), and Az asked more questions about his students and classes in the car, and before he knew it they had parked and were heading into the school building.
Gabe braced himself as he walked into the front office, unsure of exactly how he’d explain Az; he figured a guest speaker might work.
Nadine, the secretary, greeted them before he could get a word out.
“Oh good! I see you’ve found our new faculty member! Principal Zemecki said Mr. Lusten would be shadowing you for a week or so to see how things are run since he’s coming in more than halfway through the school year.” She handed over keys, an ID badge, and a parking decal to Az, all while Gabe simply stared in horror.
“Thank you so much, but I won’t be needing the parking decal. Gabe has very nicely offered to drive me in since we live so close to one another,” Az replied.
“Oh, lovely! I’m Nadine, the principal’s secretary. Margot and Barb are also here in the front office. I’m sure Gabe will show you around the building, and Jim Bedenki has the health curriculum for you so you’re ready to take over next week.” She leaned forward conspiratorially, saying, “I’m not sure why they have you shadowing an English teacher when you’re going to be teaching health, but perhaps since it’s senior health they wanted you to get a sense of the students.” She leaned back, shrugging.
Az smiled and thanked her, steering Gabe, who was literally shell-shocked, out of the front office.
“Mr.Lusten,” Gabe hissed.
“I thought it was a fitting name,” Az smirked. “But perhaps we can continue this conversation in your classroom instead of the hallway?”
Gabe marched down the hallway, trying to control himself. He unlocked his door, let Az in, relocked it, and turned to face the demon.
“Youcannotmasquerade as a high school teacher!” he exploded. “And senior health? Are you serious?”
“Yes,” Az chuckled. “Who better to teach about human sexuality, after all? Really, teaching in the same building is the perfect cover. I’ll shadow you for a week before taking over the health classes, provided our work is not done by then. I can assure you that I’m quite qualified to discuss everything in the curriculum. I’m very familiar with human anatomy and everything related to human sexuality.”
Gabe just sputtered at him. He couldn’t believe… How did Azpossiblythink this was a good idea?
“You’re ademon. You cannot masquerade as a high school teacher!” Gabe growled.
“Why not?” Az asked.
Gabe just sputtered some more, pacing over to his desk and throwing himself into his chair. He couldn’t even begin to explain to Az why this was a very bad idea. Az just stood there, however, looking all model-perfect and serene.
“First of all, they’re all going to want you. How do you expect students to focus when you’re standing up there, looking all…” Gabe gestured up and down at Az.
Az smiled. “Aww, Gabe, do you think I’m attractive?”
Gabe just rolled his eyes. “And you’re alustdemon. You’re going to have a horde of horny high schoolers. They’ll be sneaking off to have sex in the bathroom!”
Az did that one eyebrow thing again, which just irked Gabe even more.
“I mean, fine, they already sneak off to make out in the bathrooms, but that’s what I mean! You’ll make it worse!” Gabe groused. “They already can’t focus! I figured I could claim you were a guest speaker and hide you in the faculty room for most of the day. I didn’t think… I can’t imagine…”
Gabe didn’t even know where to go with this. It was such a bad idea, on so many levels. He was only getting more panicked the more he thought about it.
Az walked over, resting his hands on Gabe’s shoulders, gently rubbing them.
“Gabe, Icancontrol myself. I already told you, I do not interfere with minors. Sex requires consent, and I do not consider them of the age of consent for sexual activity.”
“Some seniors are eighteen,” Gabe grumbled, but he already felt the tension starting to ease from his body.
“I will treat them all as though they are minors while we are within these walls. Does that satisfy you? Lust is not merely sexual, after all. Perhaps I will influence them to be passionate about their real interests. Weren’t you just complaining that many of them appear apathetic? Perhaps a little desire, of the nonsexual variety, is exactly what they need.
