Extracurricular Activities (Arjayoh x Eternal Thrill)

[Arjayoh]

James and his parents stood outside of his suburban single-family home and took photos of Jackson on his first day of school. It was a tradition for so many families, and they weren't the only ones on the street doing it, but Jackson's mother was missing from the fairy tale picture, and despite everybody knowing why, there was obviously something missing for the young boy that his friends hadn't experienced. James had left Jackson's mother half way through the previous school year when she'd announced she was pregnant with her second child. It was relatively easy to deduce that the child wasn't James', considering they hadn't slept together for at least six months, which led to a relatively easy divorce proceeding that saw James and jackson move across town in to a different school district.

Now, Jackson was more nervous than ever to start school and have to make new friends. The summer was a big help for the boy, getting used to the new neighborhood and having plenty to do with the boys and girls around the area, but school was a totally different beast altogether.

They had signed the boy up for the school bus, but Ryan and his parents had decided to take Jackson to school, at least for the first week, just so he could get used to it and not have to go alone so soon, which is why when the bus pulled up, James let the driver know he didn't need to stop for the next week, but to be back the following Monday.

Walking back to the house, he knelt in front of Jackson and smiled. "Alright buddy, we got this. Come on let's show these new school kids who the coolest new soccer star is, huh?" He asked, giving the boy a pep talk as they walked to the car and drove together, chatting along the way, trying to keep his mind off of everything.

Arriving at the school, James walked with his son to his first class, homeroom, where he'd meet the teacher he'd see daily for the next year. Knocking on the door, the 6ft tall man with trimmed stubble smiled at the woman sitting behind the desk. All eyes were on him, from the front to the back of the classroom, and for a second James felt like it was his first day of second grade, never mind Jackson's.

"Um...hello. I'm James and this is my son Jackson. It's his first day. I thought I'd bring him in, he's a little nervous," James said as he stepped inside and Jackson hid behind his dad's legs. "Come on bud."

Looking up to the teacher, he smiled and realized how beautiful she was. For a split second he forgot any of the kids were there, even his own son, before snapping out of it and extending his hand. "Hi....James," he grinned. "Jackson take your seat buddy, I'll be here to pick you up this afternoon."

 

[Thrill]

The previous week was a hectic one for sure. Getting ready for the first day, always took up a lot of your time. Nora was excited though. She loved seeing her students. Most of her she already knew from the kindergarten class next to hers. Seeing them in the hallways, with their tiny backpacks and sticky fingers. She made sure to get know all of them. Chances were they would be in her class the next year. Some would be new kids just moving to town, or transfers from other schools. In fact she knew for sure of one student that would be starting today. Jackson Rothwell, he would be the only one joining her class today.

Nora busied herself that morning placing little welcome bags on each of her students desks. Nothing super special, just a couple colorful pencils, some stickers, and one of her favorite books. There was also a little note card for each student to write their name and an interesting fact about themselves. Each bag had a students name written on it with a purple glitter pen. The classroom was set up with desks in a circle. This was a way to keep each child from feeling alienated. In the corner of the room was a large ferret cage. Inside were two ferrets, Tucker and Zoey. Those two always helped to break the ice at the begging of the year.

Glancing at her watch, the bell was just about to ring. Signaling the official start to the school year. Taking her place right out side the door, she stood waiting for the horde to enter the building. Soon the sound of hundreds of running feet filled the halls. She watch as most of the teachers rolled their eyes, and let out huge sighs. They were not nearly as excited as she was. But this was the closest she would ever come to having kids. What with Mike refusing to even speak on the subject anymore.

Ten minutes later, she had all her students ushered into their chairs. She made them all wait patiently to open their welcome bags. Sitting quietly at her own desk, she spoke softly "we are going to have a fun first day. We all have so much to do, getting this room to look awesome." Looking among the faces, and glancing at her list of names. She noticed there was one student not here yet. The moment the thought came to her head, the door opened. Stepping through was a tall man, behind him a boy attempting to hide behind his legs. Pushing her chair away from the desk she stood, extending her hand to the parent. "Glad to meet you James, I'm Nora. Mrs. Nora actually."

Looking to the boy behind his legs, "we have been waiting for you Jackson. Do you like to be called Jackson or Jack?" Crouching down so she wasn't towering over the boy, she smiled and gave him a little wink. "There is no reason to be nervous, everyone in this class is very nice."

 

[Arjayoh]

James knelt down too, him and Mrs. Nora now eye level, a couple inches apart, not exactly what he had expected on Jackson's first day of school, but it was completely innocent. "It's okay buddy, don't be shy," he said squeezing his shoulder softly as he often did.

"Uh....J-Jackson, I like Jackson," he said lifting his shoulder to shift off his dads hand, and James chuckled a little before standing. "He'll very quickly open up, he's a bubbly kid," James said to Mrs. Nora and smiled as Jackson made his way over to the open seat and was instantly welcomed by the two boys on either side of him. They started chatting a little bit as James grinned and turned to Mrs. Nora again. "See, social butterfly," he laughed.

The rest of the classroom had their eyes fixated on Jackson, as most of the kids seemingly knew each other, so the boy was that day's hot commodity.

"Thanks for welcoming him so easily, I think he's going to do fine with you as his teacher," he grinned and took a step back towards the door. Looking back at Mrs. Nora, he couldn't help but think how beautiful she was, but quickly glancing down to her hand told him that she was married, and that seemed to be the end of that. James had decided that recently he was ready to start dating again, but this was a tough sell for any woman who found out he was divorced and had a six year old.

The second bell rang and he decided it was time to get going, knowing she had a class to teach.

"Okay, thanks again! I'll be back this afternoon," he grinned and waved to Jackson who waved back, much more comfortable than he was five minutes earlier.

Leaving the school, thoughts frequently went back to the gorgeous teacher Mrs Nora, and James was a bit excited that he'd get to see her often this year. Maybe he'd have to tell the bus driver not to come next Monday at all.

 

[Thrill]

"Jackson it is then," she smiled, "You can call me Mrs. Nora." As the boy hurried off to the open desk with is name on it, she stood. "Not to worry, he will be fine." For the first time she was able to take a good look at the father. Opposite from Mike, in just about every way. Where Mike was clean shaven and precisely groomed, this man had scruffy appearance. His facial hair was trimmed, but his hair was rather messy in an intentional sort of way. Mike was also heavily into fitness. Around the same height, but broader in the shoulders. Nora could help but realize she liked this mans appearance a lot. Looking at his hand she could still see the faint tan line from a wedding ring. Divorced for sure, she wondered if Jackson's mother would be picking him up sometimes.

Take a few moments to reassure James that his son was in good hands. Once he walked out the door her focus returned to her students. Giving them all the go ahead to open their welcome bags.

The rest of the school day went fairly well. All her students got settled in, and it looked as though Jackson already made a new friend. Adam was a boy who started the school in kindergarten. He was being raised by his grandparents. She felt good that Adam would have someone to talk to.

She explained the classroom chore chart, and assigned the weeks tasks to her students. She gave Jackson the honor of feeding and watering the two ferrets. This was a big job, but also the most fun. Her plan was to get him comfortable in the new setting. Tucker and Zoey were good confidence boosters.

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The last bell rang through the halls. "Okay Knights, remember tomorrow is when class really starts. So I want you all to get a good nights sleep and be ready for some learning." Taking her place at the door, "you are free to go." She released them all, making sure they left calmly. "Jackson, would you like to wait here for your father? You can help me get Tucker and Zoey in their pet carrier." Naturally the boy agreed. Who would pass up the chance to hold the ferrets one more time.