Teacher's Pet 5
by Redkage
It was two in the morning, but I was still up grading papers. Between my substitute teaching job and my full time job, this was the only free time I had to do this. Tonight’s project was the quizzes I had given my first period class. The red ballpoint pen in my hand hovered above the paper while my eyes sought out any mistakes. The moment I spotted one, with a flick of my wrist a crimson streak would appear in a flash. After I was done, I counted the number of wrong answers before I wrote the total percentage on the top and moved on to the next one.
There were quite a few A’s and B’s quizzes, though I was disappointed to find some failing grades mixed in. I knew I only had been teaching them for a week, but I felt like I still haven’t fulfilled my duty just yet.
That feeling intensified when I reached Ethan’s quiz. Unlike all of the other kids, the only thing Ethan wrote on the quiz was his name. I scowled as I wrote a big fat zero at the top of the quiz. Closing my eyes I leaned back in my seat. How was he supposed to accomplish anything if he didn’t even try? The fact that my words weren’t reaching him made me feel like a complete failure. I couldn’t even get him to come to class on time!
However, I wasn’t going to give up that easily. Before my time at the school was up, I was going to turn him around and set him straight no matter what it took. With that firmly etched in my head, I resumed correcting the papers.
The next morning class proceeded the same way it always did: the bell rang, I began teaching and somewhere between thirty to forty-five minutes Ethan would walk in and flop down in his seat in the far corner, with his stupid hat once again on his head. This time I didn’t let it get to me and continue teaching the class, which actually seemed to baffle Ethan. I guess he was expecting me to give him some sort of yelling and yank off his hat like always. All too soon the bell rang, and everyone began to leave.
"Ethan, can you stay back please?" I asked as he stood up.
He actually seemed genuinely surprised by request, though I couldn't see why. He usually stayed behind anyhow to harass me in some way or another regardless.
"You wanted to see me Mr. Brian?" Ethan walked up to my desk. God, every time I saw him, I felt as if he was bigger and taller than he was before. Today I shoved my attractions aside and focused on what I had to say.
"Ethan, I would like to talk about your constant tardiness." I looked at him.
For a brief moment I thought I saw a flash of disappointment in his eyes, but that immediately gave way to the same cocky attitude that drove me nuts. "Fuck, you still gonna bug me about that? I'm coming everyday aren't I?"
"Yes, but most of the time it's when class is almost over." I told him. "Listen Ethan, punctuality is an extremely important quality in the adult world. Being late constantly will only cause you trouble." Hell, even I was learning that lesson first hand from my boss at my night job. "I'm concerned that if you don't start learning these things now, it'll cause you a lot of unneeded problems for you in your future.
"You're...concerned about me?" He looked down at me with surprise.
"I really am." I looked at him firmly.
For the first time I've seen him, Ethan looked uncomfortable and unsure. "Well, err...how about this? Meet with me after my basketball game tonight, and we'll talk. Is that cool?”
It was better then nothing, I suppose. At least he wasn't making an empty promise to make me stop nagging on him…or so I hoped. And luckily for me, I didn’t have work that evening. "Alright, I'll see you tonight then. But we will talk."
Ethan flashed me a grin, and then left for 2nd period.
I knew it was only a small accomplishment, but I couldn’t help but feel in high spirits for the rest of the school day. Once I was done, I went to the faculty office so I could borrow the phone to call Kevin’s cell. If I was going to stay back to watch a basketball game, I had to see if he could give me a ride home later.
“Sorry Brian, I’m swamped right now!” I heard Kevin’s voice over the banging and yelling that accompanied a kitchen. “We’re expecting some important guests to come in tonight, so the head chef is making us all work overtime. I won’t be able to come out until- HEY!”
Kevin’s booming voice caused me to jerk back from the receiver.
“ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE!?” I heard him even while holding the phone at arm’s length. “YOU PUT SAFFRON IN THAT POT AND IMMA GONNA CHOP YOU UP AND SERVE YOUR ASS TO EVERYONE AS TONIGHT’S SPECIAL!” I heard some muffled swearing and some pots banging following Kevin’s threat.
“Sorry about that.” Kevin started up again. “Anyways, it looks like you’ll have to find some other ride home tonight. Opps, gotta go. The head chef just walked in.”
“Ah, Kevin, wait!” I started, but he had already hung up on me. I began to mutter a few choice oaths. Great, now what was I supposed to do? The bus routes didn’t go anywhere near my apartment during that time, and my only ride was stuck in the kitchen. It looked like I was going to be walking home, but that was quite a few good miles to go, especially in the middle of very chilly January.
“I take it that it didn’t go well?”
I jumped with a start and nearly dropped the phone. “Mr. Kennedy!”
“Why is it that you always sound like you’re surprised to see me?” He chuckled as he shuffled in, his hands in his pockets.
“I-I’m not!” I said, putting down the receiver. “Anyways, can I help you with anything?”
“I was about to ask you the same question. I couldn’t help but overhear you needing a ride. If you want, I’ll be more then happy to drive you home later.”
Normally I would jump at the chance, but the memories of being stabbed in the back by the last principal I had called my friend pulled me back. “Thank you for the offer Mr. Kennedy, but-”
“Ah, there you are Mr. Kennedy.” Mr. Cartier interrupted me as he entered the room. “I had been looking for you.”
I gritted my teeth hard. Being interrupted during a conversation was one of my pet peeves, and the fact that Mr. Cartier caused it made me want to break something.
“What is it Nicholas?” Mr. Kennedy asked.
“Tonight I am to dine with my family, and I would like to invite you to join me as an honored guest.” He stated.
Instead of accepting, Mr. Kennedy winced. “Oh, sorry, I just promised Brian here that I would drive him home after tonight’s basketball game.”
It could have been my imagination, but I thought I saw his eye tick slightly. “We will be dining in a rather well renowned restaurant this evening. I am sure the temporary substitute teacher will be able to find someone else to convey him home this evening.” He informed him.
Again, my willpower barely prevents me from picking something up and chugging it into his face. I had a name, after all! The least that pompous ass could do was use it. And he didn’t have to rub ‘temporary’ in there, that ass.
To my complete surprise, Mr. Kennedy help up his hands and shook his head “Nope, sorry, but a promise is a promise.” Suddenly he broke out into a broad grin. “Besides, I’d like to watch tonight’s game as well. Tonight we’ll be facing against the Wasps, regulars at the state championships, so it’s bound to become a very exciting match. But thanks anyways for the offer. Maybe next time we can go into a pizza joint I know of and split a large pepperoni between us and drink some beer.”
“I look forward to it.” He replied in a neutral tone. As he turned to leave, his eyes met with mine for a brief second, and I was sure I saw a flash of irritation before he walked away.
Well now, it seemed that for once I pissed off the jackass and not the other way around. I knew I shouldn’t be feeling this, but it gave me a bit of smug satisfaction to see him annoyed.
Mr. Kennedy didn’t seem to notice as he turned towards me and smiled. “So then, shall we head off to the gym now?”
“H-huh?” I blinked at him.
“I have some great seats reserved for me and my guests by the courtside.” He continued. “Though if we don’t hurry now it’ll be a little hard to get to them. The gym crowds up pretty fast on game nights, especially when our star is playing.” He gave a little chuckle.
“Oh, err, sure thing Mr. Kennedy.” I nodded. His rejection of Mr. Cartier’s offer made me start to look at him in a different light. Sure, he seemed like an idiot, but I guess he had some good points as well. Don’t get me wrong; I still didn’t trust him completely, but at least he was giving me a ride and some good seats, right?
Shortly afterwards I found myself seated in an overcrowded gym and waiting for the game to start. Like the other night of the wrestling match, everyone was far too loud. On court were the cheerleaders doing a display of acrobatics combined with a show of a lot of bare skin. Since I obviously couldn’t get a boner from watching them, I was somewhat put off by their lack of modesty. In my day, girls put themselves more into the routine and less into showing off their bodies.
Oh God, did I just make a “in my day” statement? I must be getting old or something. Either that or I was entering my midlife crisis.
Finally the gym dimmed and smoke shot out from the fog machine. Colorful lights and patterns appeared all over as someone switched on the light show. This school desperately needed funding for upgrading their computer systems and repairing some of the damages to the buildings, and yet they were wasting it on junk like fog machines and cheesy lights.
After the emcee made his usual cheesy call, the players ran in from the locker rooms. I scanned each of them, looking intently for Ethan, but he didn’t seem to be with them.
“And now the moment everyone’s been waiting for,” The emcee announced, “Heeeere’s Ethan!” Ah, that explained it. Ethan, it seemed, just couldn’t enter a room without making a flashy entrance.
At that moment Ethan came out, wearing a jersey and basketball shorts. And, damn it all, he looked good. His jersey and shorts did little to hide his powerful physique. His arms were amazing, with biceps the size of softballs and triceps that were shaped into perfect horseshoes. His chest pushed out the front of his jersey outwards, making it look tight. Normally the shorts were baggy around the player’s legs, but Ethan’s quads filled it up better then any other basket player alive.
Both teams got into position in the court. Two people went to the center to jump for the ball. The guy from the other high school was decently tall, about 6’2, but when compared to Ethan’s 6’6” he looked like a sapling next to a mighty oak tree. Not only that, the guy’s build was wiry and stretched out, while Ethan was built like a freaking armored tank. Ethan looked ready to go, but the other guy didn’t look too sure of himself.
The ref blew the whistle and tossed the ball up. Right away both boys jumped to catch it. The ball veered towards the visitor’s side and for a moment it looked as if the other guy would get it, but then all of a sudden he was knocked back as Ethan came flying in, thrusting his powerful chest out and bowling him over as he caught the ball. Taking only 3 huge steps, Ethan took a shot and watched as the basketball sank through the hoop.
The game was, in a word, amazing. Ethan completely dominated the court, scoring point after point. He moved fast and hard, not afraid to take impossible shots. Although basketball was definitely a team sport, the whole game revolved around Ethan. Every change they get, his teammates would pass to Ethan. The visiting team’s whole strategy revolved around keeping the ball away from Ethan. The crowd chanted Ethan’s name whenever he got the ball.
As impossible as it sounded, it was obvious that everything revolved around Ethan, and he loved it. A part of me wanted to scream what was wrong with this place, but another part of me actually wanted to join in. There was something about Ethan that drew me in. The way he moved, the way he played, the way his muscles bunched and flexed powerfully…shit, my cock was getting hard again.
At the end of the last quarter, the winner was obviously North Forrest High, with a score of 103 to 48, a complete victory. Ethan had literally dominated the court, leaving the opposition behind to lick their wounded pride.
“Good game.” Mr. Kenning said as he watched people throw teddy bears onto the floor like they did with Ethan’s wrestling match. “So then, ready to go home?”
Remembering my promise with Ethan, I shook my head. “No, there’s something I need to take care of first. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
“Alright then, I’ll wait in the parking lot for you.” Mr. Kennedy nodded.
I made my way to the locker rooms. Instead of going inside, I quietly waited outside the door, watching player after player leave. Minutes ticked by and soon, I found myself waiting for nearly an hour. Naturally, Ethan was the very last one to come out.
“Hey. You wait long?” Ethan said as he came up to me. He was carrying a large bag filled with, of course, the teddy bears his fans had thrown at him.
Now, I know I’ve seen him plenty of times before, but all those times before was when one of us were sitting down. So, it didn’t hit me how huge Ethan was until were both standing in front of each other. Now, I’m pretty decent at 6’1”, but I only came up to Ethan’s nose. I had originally pegged him as six and a half feet high and 260 or 270 lbs., but up close he looked more like 6’7” and 275. Despite the cold of the season, he was wearing only a tank top and shorts. It looked like he had just come out of the shower, because his tank top was slightly wet to make it become transparent and cling to his body. God, it took an enormous amount of willpower to stop myself from burying myself in the cleavage between his pecs, and already my hands were itching to roam his body to feel every curve and crevice. His abs was so deep and pronounced like a washboard. His legs were long and thick, perfectly proportionate with the rest of his body.
Fuck, what the hell was wrong with me? I shouldn’t even be thinking any of those things!
“No, not too long Ethan,” I replied, keeping my voice level. All I had to do was remember why I was here for and I was good. The only problem was that every time he moved, something flexed and made me forget what it was.
“Thanks for coming Mr. Brian.” Ethan smiled. “You like the game?”
“Yes, it was very good.”
“How d’you like that shot I got from half court?” Ethan asked. “Wasn’t it wild?”
“I actually think it was a bit stupid and reckless.” I told him truthfully.
The excited expression on his face gave way to a frown. “What do you mean? It went in, didn’t it?”
“Yes, that one time.” I told him. “But what about all those other shots that you missed? You need to be more careful when you shoot. Not only that I think you were a bit childish by hogging the ball all the time. Basketball is a team sport, and it’s all about learning how to work with your friends, not personal glory. Now enough about basketball, let’s talk about you coming to class-”
“Fuck you.” He growled.
My head shot up. His face had settled into an angry expression. Quite suddenly I realized that I had basically called him a greedy idiot. I had always been honest to others when it comes to sports, but I forgot that in this case I should have just kept my mouth shut.
“Ethan-”
“Shut up.” He cut me off. “You think you’re so much better then me, don’t you?”
“I don’t-”
“Then why the FUCK were you telling me how to play!?” Ethan snapped, clenching his fists. The action caused his muscles to bulge powerfully, stretching the already tight tank top even tighter. Involuntarily I stepped back, afraid and aroused at the same time.
“Ethan, I didn’t mean to insult you.” I apologized. “I was just trying to give you a little advice.”
“Well screw your fuckin’ advice!”
I could see right away that things were rapidly deteriorating here. I tried to think of something to fix this before it completely blew apart.
Meanwhile Ethan suddenly frowned in thought, and then he broke out into a broad grin. And it didn’t look like the good kind of smile either.
“Alright fine, if you think you’re a much better basketball player then I am, let’s see you prove it.” He crossed his arms.
The sudden change in him and the suggestion threw me off guard “E-excuse me?”
“We play a game of 21, right here, right now.” He ordered me.
“Ethan, I don’t think that’s really necessary.” I told him.
He ignored me as he grabbed my arm and began to pull me towards the gym. I barely managed to stop myself from crying out from the crushing grip he had. I tried to break free, but that was hopeless. He was young and strong, probably nearing his peak, while I had turned into a flabby weakling. On our way out, Ethan grabbed a basketball from the storeroom and stashed the bag of plush animals away.
The court was completely different from what it was just an hour ago. Gone was the deafening screams and cheering fans, to be replaced by great amount of trash and dead silence. It was virtually empty save for a few custodians who were cleaning up, sweeping the floor. However, one look at Ethan storming in while dragging me behind him and they dropped their brooms and quickly went for the exits, leaving the two of us alone.
Once we were in the center, Ethan finally let go of my arm. I pulled it back and rubbed where he had grabbed me.
“We’ll do half court.” He said. “First one to 21 wins.”
“Ethan, this is pointless. I’m not going to play.” I turned to leave, but Ethan jumped forward and grabbed my arm again.
“You’re not going anywhere until we play.” He said. His voice was strong, commanding. I almost gave in right away, but I somehow managed to find the will to resist.
“Ethan, let me go.” I told him.
“Not until you agree to play.” He said.
“I’m not going to agree.”
“How about we make a bet then? If you win, I’ll come to class on time. If I win, I get to ditch as much as I want and you won’t give me crap about it anymore.”
“I won’t take that bet.” I said louder. “You should come to class regardless, and I’m not going to put your education on the line of some stupid game.”
Anger flashed across his features, but then he broke out into a grin. “Oh, I see. You’re worried you don’t have a chance. Fine then, how about I give you, oh, a ten point head start?”
My teeth clenched as he proposed that. I knew he was just acting cocky, but it pissed me off. “No.”
“Still being a wuss?” Ethan gave a short laugh. “Alright, I’ll give you another handicap. I’ll take you on with one hand behind my back.”
Something within me snapped as he said this. The memory of when the two of us had first met flashed in my head, and I had proposed the exact same game and handicap to him seven years ago.
Suddenly I didn’t care about schoolwork anymore. Now all I wanted to do was teach this arrogant sonavabitch a lesson. I tore off my tie and opened the top few buttons to get more comfortable. Roughly I grabbed the ball out of his hand and bounce it to him.
“Your ball.” I glared.
The cocky grin on his face grew bigger. He bounced the ball on the ground once, jumped, and took his shot. I watched as the ball bounce off the board once before it went through the net, a bank shot.
“10-1.” Ethan announced somewhat smugly. “Loser’s ball.”
Holding back some swear words, I grabbed the ball. I got into position, checked with Ethan, and the moment the ball touched my hands again I shot out as fast as I could, catching Ethan off guard with my burst of speed. Quickly I dribbled around him, ran up for the hoop and jumped for my signature slam dunk. However, after years of being out of neglect and inactivity, my leg muscles lacked the power to propel my fat body high enough off the ground. I fell short of the hoop by a foot and a half before I crashed into the floor, the ball bouncing away from me.
“What was that?” Ethan laughed. “Were you trying to do a slam dunk?” Right away Ethan recovered the ball and doubled back at a run. His legs heaved as he flew into the air with his arm arched back, and then did an awe inspiring slam dunk, hanging on single handedly for a second before he dropped down and landed with a loud thud.
“THAT’S how you do a slam dunk.” He caught the ball on the bounce as he looked down at me before tossing it to me. “10-2, loser’s ball.”
Fuck, I was so pissed off at him that I wanted to throw the ball in his face, but at the same time I hated myself for making myself look like a fool. Biting back my anger, I pushed myself to my feet and got into position again.
This time, Ethan was more ready for me and quickly blocked my way. However, I had expected him to do that. I made myself look like I was going to the left before I made my fake and nimbly moved around him, dribbled up to range and took my shot. The ball soared in a graceful arch and neatly went through the basket. I recovered the ball and turned around, pleased to see a confused and somewhat stunned look on Ethan’s face.
I tossed the basketball back to him and gave him my own grin. “11-2, Loser’s ball.”
The game between us was pretty intense. Although Ethan had more size and power, I still had my own years of experience and skill ingrained into me that was starting to resurface for the first time in years. However, there were limits to what I could do. I had terrible conditioning, and my big belly weighed me down. Soon I was sweating buckets, my shirt completely drenched. I actually found myself beginning to struggle, my breath coming out heavy and hard.
Ethan, on the other hand, looked like he could go on forever. His endurance was incredible, and he was fast. He would use his long limbs to constantly block my shots or to travel the courtside in a few long big steps. Unlike me, his size worked to his advantage…in more ways then one.
Once we were pressed up against each other, him blocking and me with my back turned towards him, trying to protect the ball while looking for an opening. His body rubbed against mine, his big firm pecs pushing into my back and occasionally I would feel something big and warm rub against my rear end. It could have been anything and was probably completely unintentional, but my active imagination thought of the worst possible things and this made me lose my concentration for a second. In that precise moment Ethan made his move, reaching forward and knocking the ball out of my hands. I barely managed to recover it before he stole it from me and shoot for another point.
Despite how hard I was playing, Ethan had somehow caught up with me and we were tied 20-20 each. He had made the last shot, so it was my ball. I was completely out of steam, exhausted to the limit. My haunches ached, my sides hurt and my muscles were screaming. However, I wasn’t going to give up just yet. I had to win. No, I needed to win!
I took one last deep breath before I shot out at full speed, putting everything I had to move. I had slowed down considerably since the start of the game, so Ethan probably wouldn’t expect such speed at endgame. If I was going to win, I was going to have to do it fast and quick.
Unfortunately, my gamble had rolled out snake eyes. Ethan did not even look surprised at my second wind as he moved in to intercept me. I went out farther then I had planned to avoid getting blocked completely, running as fast as my chubby legs could go, but Ethan kept up me every step of the way. Soon we were both closing in on the basket.
It was now or never. If I waited until we get there, he would just use his superior size and reach to block every shot I take. Heaving my shoulders, I took aim and threw the ball.
Right away Ethan’s hand shot up, reaching to block my shot. I watched as the hand moved higher and higher, fingers stretched out and closer and closer and…
Stopped.
The ball hit the backboard and bounced on the rim once.
Twice
Three times.
Then it promptly fell into the basket.
21-20. My game.
“Aw hell.” Ethan said, still grinning broadly as he looked at the basketball pole and then turned around to face me. He had a light coating of sweat on him, giving his huge muscles a nice sheen like he had been oiled up like a bodybuilder. “I guess this means I’ll be going to class on time every day.”
I just stood there silent.
“Damn, I didn’t know you could move so fast, despite being so fat.” He continued on. “And some of the moves you pulled off were pretty sweet! I guess I’m not good enough to beat you yet.”
“Shut up.” I whispered.
Ethan blinked. “Mr. Brian?”
“Shut up!” I yelled so loud and emotionally that Ethan stumbled back a few steps.
“Mr. Brian, what-”
“You let me take that last shot on purpose!” I accused of him.
His eyes grew wide. “No, I-”
“I saw you!” I cut off any excuse he had prepared. “I saw you stop yourself just before you blocked my shot! You were going to block it, but at the last minute you pulled back!” He had…he had let me win. I had played the hardest game I had ever played in years, and he just let me win. And it wasn’t just that last shot. He had given me a full ten point head start, and throughout the entire game he had only used his left hand. He had held back, making the match last longer, squeezing every bit of fun he could out of it. He played me like that kid during his wrestling match. However, this time instead of pulling my false sense of victory away, at the last minute he just let me have it. I was being pitied by a kid roughly half my age.
I had won the game.
But in the end I had lost my pride.
Ethan seemed to be at a loss of words, looking as if he was a kid who had just been caught in the center of a wrecked room. “Mr. Brian...you really did play good. I just thought you deserved to win.” He said it as if it was the only thing he could think of.
“Fuck. You.” I replied. “If you cared half of what you feel about a stupid game towards your education, I wouldn’t even be here!”
His face clouded over. His fist balled up as he loomed over me dangerously. “It always come back to that, huh? Well, if you cared so much about my education, then why the fuck did you leave us in the fourth grade?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know!” Ethan growled. “Seven years ago, everything was going great. You were the best teacher I ever had, and then all of a sudden you left in the middle of the school year!”
I stared at him. “Is that what this is all about? Me leaving you guys seven years ago? THAT is why you’ve been acting such a complete idiot!?”
“Well that’s because you were such a fucking great role model!” He yelled back. “You come in and teach us all about sticking together and not giving up, and then you ditched us!”
“I didn’t ditch you guys, I was fired.” I corrected him. “I didn’t have any choice in the matter.”
“Well then it was your fault for doing something stupid to get yourself fired! You fucking abandoned us!”
That was the last straw. At those words the dam inside of me flooded and broke.
“YOU DON’T KNOW A DAMN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!” I screamed at the top of my lungs with such ferocity that Ethan flinched back.
“Do you even know why I was fired? Do you know what I’ve lost? Do you know what I’ve been going through for the past seven goddamned year?” I stepped towards him as I yelled, my voice rising higher and higher and forcing Ethan to walk back. “I lost my dream job. I was ordered to stay away from the students I cared so much about. I’ve been turned down to every teaching position I ever applied to! And now you’re here whining about me ‘abandoning’ you when you were ten years old!?”
“You don’t know shit about me Ethan! You’re just a stupid, arrogant, selfish spoiled brat! I am sick of you. SICK!”
Ethan looked at me with pure shock and chagrin. He tried several times to speak, but he couldn’t seem to find his voice.
Completely disgusted by the whole thing, I turned heel and marched out of the gym.
“Mr. Brian, wait!” Ethan called out to me when I reached the exit.
I paused for a moment. “You will address me as Mr. Whitmore.” I ordered him in coldly without looking back. Then I left.
I went out of the gym, then out of the parking lot, the finally out of the school altogether. From there I walked home in the bitter cold January night. My sweat drenched clothes suddenly felt like sheets of ice against my skin, and the cold air settled into my tired out muscles, shutting them down. However, I ignored it and continued on home, passing block after block until finally I reached my apartment building.
The climb up the stairs almost did me in, but somehow I managed to make it up to my floor, kicked open my door and drag myself to my room.
Thoroughly exhausted, I didn’t bother to undress as I fell into bed, already fast asleep before I hit the mattress.