Chapter 48: Intimidation
Mr. Lee and Mrs. Thompson did not offer their opinions upon hearing the words, but they agreed with Mr. Thomas in their hearts. Mr. Stiller, however, was not angry. “I can recruit her because she is certainly a graduate. With this year’s entrance exams affecting the school’s reputation, having Miss Reed in charge of class 22D will put your minds at ease,” he assured them.
“Mr. Stiller!” Mr. Thomas objected, “I’ve already said that I have no hope for 22D, and I won’t teach there.”
After a pause, Mr. Thomas continued, “You know exactly what kind of place 22D is, better than anyone. I advise you not to ruin that young girl. She’s only about nineteen years old. If she goes into 22D, it’s uncertain if she will come out unscathed, and you’re still counting on her to take charge? What a joke!”
Mr. Lee and Mrs. Thompson nodded, echoing in agreement, “Mr. Stiller, we know you’re anxious, but this is harming the girl.”
Mr. Stiller rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. They hadn’t seen Tina’s capabilities, so he couldn’t blame them. But regardless, their involvement was necessary. Even if Tina was capable, she couldn’t possibly teach all the courses in 22D alone.
Mr. Stiller turned to Tina, “Miss Reed, what do you say?”
Privately, he called her Serena, but at school, she was Miss Reed.
Tina smiled, unoffended by the teachers’ words, and replied, “Let the teachers rest well for now. I’ll notify you when it’s time to start teaching.”
Turning to the three teachers, Tina added, “Don’t worry about me. I will still need your help in the future!” She was only responsible for controlling the students, not teaching the classes. Though she was capable of teaching them too!
Mr. Lee and Mrs. Thompson shook their heads slightly, feeling that once she faced the reality of 22D, she would realize how ridiculous her thoughts were today.
Yet Mr. Thomas thought it was laughable that Tina, at her young age, was talking big and expecting their help. So, he sarcastically offered, “Alright! If you can manage the students of 22D, I will give them free extra lessons after school every day.”
“Thank you, Mr. Thomas,” Tina responded, neither humble nor arrogant.
Seeing the matter was settled, the teachers said no more and left.
After their departure, the news of a new Lead Teacher for 22D quickly spread throughout the school, although Mr. Stiller and Tina were still unaware of it.
Mr. Stiller had intended to give Tina a more detailed briefing, but she suggested going directly to 22D.
She was a principled person, believing in doing her job during work hours and earning her salary.
Class 22D.
The classroom was noisy when suddenly a student burst in excitedly, “Did you hear? We have a new Lead Teacher, a woman, and she’s already on her way here with Mr. Stiller.”
The noise ceased, and a moment of silence followed. Then, someone whistled suggestively, “This teacher is brave. Brothers, let’s prepare a welcome ceremony.”
Cheers and the sound of desks being banged followed, “Friends, let’s get rowdy!”
The students then busied themselves with preparations.
About fifteen minutes later, Tina and Mr. Stiller appeared in the corridor. The lookout student immediately returned to the classroom and excitedly announced, “They’re here, get ready.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Stiller led Tina to a corner and stopped, pointing at the classroom not far away, “That’s 22D, Miss Reed. I have a lot to deal with, so I won’t go over. You…”
He wanted to ask if she would be alright on her own but felt it was somewhat improper to leave her alone and ask such a question.
Tina understood his concern and nodded, “I’ll be fine, Mr. Stiller. You go ahead.”
Tina stepped forward, walking towards 22D. As she reached the door, she tilted her head slightly, lips curling into a faint smile. Suddenly, she kicked the door open, then swiftly sidestepped as a paint bucket fell from above, splattering paint all over the floor.
Tina glanced indifferently at the spilled paint, took out a pair of disposable shoe covers from her bag, put them on, and entered the classroom.
Upon entering, she saw a group of students with wide eyes, looking utterly astonished. They had not anticipated anyone avoiding their first trap-a point of pride that usually sent new teachers fleeing.
Some who were not deterred by the first trap and continued to teach didn’t fare well either.
All eyes turned to the new Lead Teacher, and everyone took a deep breath. Some students even gasped, “Holy shit! Is that really our Lead Teacher? She’s not a transfer student who got lost, right?”
“She’s pretty and managed to break through our first line of defense. I’m suddenly very interested in her.”
The murmurs were loud, reaching Tina’s ears as she walked to the center of the classroom. There should have been a podium there, but it had been pushed into a corner and was covered in dust.
Standing in the middle, her cool gaze swept across the room. When her eyes landed on a person in the corner, she froze for a moment.
Velma???
Velma looked up, locking eyes with Tina-once, twice, thrice in disbelief!
Then, in shock, Velma exclaimed, “What the hell! Am I seeing ghosts, or am I just seeing things? Tina?”
Why was she here?
What was happening??
Tina’s gaze lingered on Velma for only a few seconds before she looked away.
“My name is Tina, Tina Reed. For the next three months, I am your Lead Teacher!” Tina spoke calmly.
As her words fell, someone shouted, “Damn! She’s really here to be the Lead Teacher? Hey, have you grown hair all over? You dare to be our Lead Teacher? You better roll back to bed!”
“Heh! It’s my first time seeing a Lead Teacher who’s only a year older than us. Are you tired of living?”
“Guys, looks like we need to teach her a lesson!”
A ruckus and whistles ensued.
Then, someone from a corner brought out a cage. Upon opening, several snakes and a dozen mice scurried out.
“Wow! Snakes! Mice! Don’t be scared, Miss, they don’t bite,” the students said mockingly, reveling in schadenfreude.
Velma, regaining her composure, stood up angrily, “Albert! Put your creatures away! She’s my friend…”All content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Albert interrupted her, “Step aside. She’s your friend, so I should let her off? Anyone who dares come to 22D should be ready to die… Holy shit!”
His words cut off abruptly as Albert Sitwell’s eyes widened in shock at the sight before him. He jumped onto a chair, his eyes as big as saucers.
Not far away, Tina held a snake in one hand and a knife that seemed to appear out of nowhere in the other. She walked straight to a desk in the front row, raised her hand, and with a swift motion, the snake’s head was severed.