The Master and The Apprentice

By Kitty-Kris

Chapter 1: Respect my authority!

I looked around at my newest challenge, trying to keep my face as expressionless as possible. I had forgotten how they were… Always different people, but in a way, always the same.

The rebels sit at the back, chattering and snickering away about God knows what, while the actual students or "nerds" as they call them, take the front sits, trying to take as much out of what I teach them as possible. Or at least what I try to teach them. Yes, I am a teacher, didn't you know that yet? Right, I'm the new guy… new meat… Herm, to be honest I don't know what I'm doing here… teaching a pack of high school kids… my real goal is to become a College Professor… What I teach? Right now, Physics… What I want to teach? Quantum Physics. Why? Because it fascinates me. End of story.

I sighed and rose my head, facing the class "QUIET!" Silence… nice… I felt my lips tilt in a small smirk for a fraction of a second before I cleared my throat and began my speech "Thank you, now I suppose you all know why you're here…"

One of the rebels in the back rose his hand. Good… at least they're civilized… "Actually no man… And where's our teach'? In the bathroom?" Then again…

I frowned at him as he laughed savagely along with his mates "I am your teacher…" He immediately sat up straight muttering a "sorry" and jerking his head in embarrassment.

"Alright… Now I have your full attention, or at least I think I do…" I narrowed my eyes at a couple of giggling cheerleaders "Well… My name is Kai Hiwatari and I shall be your Physics teacher this year. I expect you all to arrive in time for my classes, behave properly, which does not include sitting with your feet on the table Mr.-" I checked the list name "-Kaminov… Good… Now what else… Ah, I expect you to always have your homework done. It shall be assigned to you weekly, and I will expect a report on lab experiments on my desk from each of you every month. Preferably made by yourselves… I just got out of college so I know very well from which sites you might try to directly get your- reports' results and graphs and whatelse from. So don't even think about it. Your work and yours alone." A couple of groans from my audience proved my theory.

"Now, normally, I'd get you all started… but since this is your first day and everything… I'll just check if you have enough knowledge to actually be in Physics. Now, I will give you a simple test, nothing too hard, you'll be able to answer everything easily if you-" I was interrupted by a knock on the door.

I sighed "Yes?"

The knob slowly turned and a short purple haired girl peeked in "Er, I'm sorry I'm late but huh… well, may I come in?" she grinned sheepishly.

"Take your sit. And come talk to me after class." She hurriedly came in, taking a sit in the row below the rebel group, who snickered at her. "Now, as I was saying… This shouldn't be too hard for those of you who have your basic physics knowledge… as for those who don't… Well I'd advise you to leave this classroom now, because if you can't take this test… you certainly can't take my classes. Any questions?"

Mr. Kaminov rose his hand as well as his voice once again, his friends snickering around him "Yeah, why do we have to take a stupid test on the first day of school?"

I looked at him unaffected "Because if you don't, I will fail you."

"WHAT? You can't do that!"

"Yes I can. Now sit down and shut up!" I snapped, passing the test sheets around afterwards. "Alright now… I'm giving you half an hour. Then it's pencils down and you better pray I don't catch any of you cheating in any way." I sat back down on my desk watching their revolted faces "Time's running out…" I rose an eyebrow at them, finally relaxing a bit when they all glared daggers at me and got to work. I honestly couldn't care less about them hating me, I need the credits this year of teaching will get me. And NOTHING will stop me from obtaining them AND the Professor position.

I sighed again keeping an eye on my watch and on my class, watching every single move they made. I myself was a student till last year, so all the cheating tactics were still fresh in my mind. I frowned at the girl that had arrived late a while ago and checked her name on my list. Melody Kristhiana Jurgen. Jurgen? That name sounds familiar… "Miss- Jurgen? Why did you stop?"

She blushed slightly "I- er… I'm done…"

I rose an eyebrow "Really now?" she nodded "Well wait till time's up… check your answers if you like."

"Yes sir…" she answered quietly, looking down at the sheet in front of her.

(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)

"Pencils down please, time's up."

"WHAT? NO WAY!" a redhead sitting next to Kaminov voiced his anger "There is no way that was thirty minutes!"

I eyed him unamused "Your test Mr. Ivanov…" I had spent half an hour checking their names and I could now recognize at least half of the class. Which is pretty good if I do say so myself… "This is NOT fair!" I received his test along with the other ones, taking a look at a girl who still sat on one of the higher rows "I thought you said you had finished that…" she looked at me, her eyes wide "Over fifteen minutes ago actually…" I continued.

"I- I'm sorry, I-"

"Your test please…"

She sighed and stomped down the amphitheatre, giving the sheet to me with a defiant look "You wanted to see me too, right?"

I stared down at her for a while. And I really mean down… There is no way this girl's seventeen… She looks way too young… and small. "Yes." I finally replied and sat at my desk placing her test on a pile along with the others "I want to know why you were late and I want to make sure it doesn't happen again."

She blushed slightly, not looking me in the eye. I hate it when people do that. It's like they're afraid of me… or worst, lying to me. "I- I was called to the principal's office… I- requested a change in my schedule and- well… I was only told about whether it was accepted or not when I went there this morning and… the principal told me to step there at the end of the afternoon and he- well… kept me there for a lecture about this being an exception and stuff so… I- er… I'm sorry…" she bowed a bit "I assure you it won't happen again…"

I would have rolled my eyes if I could. Hum, actually I could… But I wouldn't. I don't think teachers are supposed to… "Sure, I'll pretend I believe that…" she sent me an indignant look her mouth forming a small "o" "Excuse me?"

I leaned closer to her "You heard me. I'll excuse your lack of punctuality this time, since it's the first day… but you better not be late again or else. Now leave before I change my mind." I sat back and watched as she huffed and left, being careful to slam the door on her way out. That went quite well… for my first class and everything… I sighed and proceeded to check the tests, placing them in alphabetical order first. Yes, I am quite the organization freak… which is odd since I like the Chaos Theory very much… and my bedroom follows it's principles too… as well as my whole apartment for that matter… Hum, I should get a maid…

About two hours or so later, I found myself staring down at a pile of disgraces… yes, disgraces… A few tests were actually C's… there even was a B minus, quite the miracle… considering the rest… yeah, the disgraces… Boy, was I in for a full year… I sighed and buried my head in my arms "I'm surrounded by a bunch of incompetent, ignorant, dumbass brats…"

"Don't worry… you're not the only one…"

"I said that out loud, didn't I?" I rose my head, facing the door. A man about my age, maybe a bit older, stood there, smirking at me. He had grayish blue eyes, and his long silver hair was kept in a low ponytail. He had a great tan (unlike me… damn my Russian genes) and was quite muscular (praise my Russian genes and coaches on that hehe…), which meant he probably was a Physical Education teacher… "In deed you did." he chuckled and walked in, holding out his hand "Garland Wakeman, P.E. coach… you must be the new guy… Kay- Hiwa- something… right?"

"Kai Hiwatari" I corrected him and shook his hand "I'm teaching Physics… and I'm already disappointed at one of the classes I'm teaching. Or is that babysitting?" I sneered and made a gesture towards the pile in my desk.

Garland chuckled at me and nodded in understanding "I hear ya… hehe… Who do you got anyways?" he took my names' list and bit his lower lip, nodding to himself from time to time "Hum… nice kids… most of them… once you get to know them that is… I don't advise you to get on their bad side…"

"Meh, they better start working or they'll get on my bad side…"

He laughed "If you say so kid… Hum… you got Jurgen…" he took a weird expression.

I rose an eyebrow "So?"

"So, you were complaining about being surrounded by ignorant brats… Jurgen's anything but ignorant… she's a swell kid… really smart… She wouldn't be in senior year if she wasn't…"

I frowned and searched for her test "Really now? She did seem too young… How old is she?"

"Fourteen I think…"

At that I rose an eyebrow "Fourteen? Hum… she still looks too young… and short…" I snickered. What! She was short! I mean, the top of her head barely reached my chest!

Garland fake-pouted at that "Don't be mean… I like my Melly tiny! It's easier to pick on her that way…" he winked at me and snickered, suddenly noticing the tests in my hands "Woo… You gave them a quiz already? Boy, they're gonna hate you…" he grinned as if it was the best thing in the world.

"Whatever…" I finally found her test or "quiz" as these people insist on calling them and realized she was actually my- "genius" "Hum… right… she got the higher mark… though if she's that smart… it should be better… no?" I showed him the test.

He blinked at it "Man she's gonna be furious… How could she score only a B? And a B minus! She's going to kill you… she'll probably ask the Minister of Education himself to get this revised if you don't do it…" he laughed "Man… are you sure this is her mark?"

"Yes I am. She's better than them, yes. But she is not that good." I took the test back and kept it in my suitcase along with the rest. "And tomorrow, whether she likes it or not, she'll have to hear a lecture and get homework and exercises like the rest of the ignorant bunch."

Garland shook his head "Man I can see you just came out of college… Those teachers there influence us with their brain-washing techniques… It's the only explanation I find for your behavior towards my little genius…" he laughed.

"Genius… right… I'll agree with you when I see proof of that." I picked up my suitcase and started walking towards the door "Wait up! Do ya got anymore classes today?"

"No. I've only been assigned to a couple of senior classes and a junior one. And I'm done today."

"How come you didn't get more kids?"

"It's a long story…"

"Then you'll tell me all about it while we have some coffee. Come on!" he signaled for me to follow him. I frowned "I really don't feel like coffee right now…"

"Then we'll get out of this junk and get some booze. You're Russian, right? Then Vodka will make you happy for sure. Or even some nice beer! Come on."

At that I smirked. Hmm… beer, vodka… what could be better? "Sure thing then. I'll just drop this by my apartment and we can go…"

(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)

At around 5 AM I found myself waking up with a huge hangover in an unknown room with a TV showing static, some guy with silver hair sleeping on a couch next to mine, some kind of- broomstick in his arms… Garland… right… "Hn… man… where am I?"

He yawned, apparently not in a much better state than mine "Me home…" he slurred "Juh… you threw your car keys somewhere in that direction…" he looked at the broomstick with a quirked eyebrow. "What the-?"

I smirked and stood up "Oh, that's Marie in case you forgot… Garland… Very important… Rule number one: Never forget your chick's name… it may cause death or worse yet, interrupted fuck… I thought you knew that! Tsk tsk…" I laughed heartedly and stumbled my way towards where he had been pointing at, clutching my throbbing forehead "Damn! Shouldn't have had that last shot…"

Garland set "Marie" on the floor, looking up at me "You mean those last shots!" he chuckled "Dude! You had at least ten of them vodka things!"

"Well I am Russian…" I said proudly "Back home we drank ourselves stupid at almost every meal… so it's really no big deal…" I finally found my keys under the coffee table. What was I doing last night? "I'm pretty used to it actually… Except for the hangover par- OW!" I moaned as I hit my head on the stupid table, standing up afterwards, rubbing an aching spot which caused my "friend" to laugh at my scene. "It ain't funny…" I groaned and walked out of the living room, only to stop at the door "Where's the way outta here?"

Garland yawned and picked up the broomstick, tossing it at me "Marie'll show you the way… No wait… she's blonde… Meh, Juss turn left and go straight ahead… see ya later man! Bye Marie!" he collapsed back on the couch.

I set the broomstick on the side of the door and rolled my eyes "Bye…" I walked out of the house and found my car parked out in front of it. Badly parked… I had better hurry and get out of there before I got a ticket…

I quickly got into the car and drove off, making my way to my flat. I wouldn't have classes till after lunch time so I could sleep a couple more hours and get me a nice aspirin and a sandwich with honey, tuna and some of that sweet peanut butter thing… And lots of mayonnaise… hum… Oh, and prepare myself for that midget girl's rage outburst when she saw her test. Hum, maybe I'd actually like that… I chuckled at that thought. Well… if she was a genius, let her show that to me…

(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)

"WHAT! This can't be my test!"

"It's got your name on it, doesn't it?"

She rose from her sit, her eyes burning with anger "How dare you!"

"No, how dare you!" I looked directly into her defiant eyes "If you have problems with the way I evaluated your test Jurgen, come see me after class, don't interrupt it. Now sit down!" she promptly did so, but I could feel her burning glare in the back of my neck as I went back to my desk, looking up at them all. "These, were the most pathetic tests I ever did see… Are you sure you're all in the right grade? Because it doesn't look like it."

A creamy pink haired girl sitting next to Jurgen rose her hand "Well excuse us for not being ready for a quiz right on the first day of school! We would have studied if these were normal conditions!"

"After three months of doing nothing too I presume…" I muttered and rubbed my forehead. Stupid hangover… "Hn… quit making up excuses Miss Reed and pay attention, you might actually learn something…" she opened her mouth to say something but Jurgen stood up again, this time her fists banging on her desk "You have no right to speak to her in that way! Or to any of us for that matter! Just who do you think you are?"

I snickered "I'm your teacher. And you, as my student, have to do as I say. Now sit down. I don't want to hear another word out of you for the rest of this period." I turned around and started scribbling on the chalkboard "Alright… this term you'll be learning about circular motion and I'm hoping we'll also be able to start the kinetic and potential energy chapter… as long as you prove to be smarter than apparently you are if those tests mean anything…"

"They don't, I assure you…"

I clenched my teeth. She was getting really annoying… like those stupid papercuts… so small and imperceptible and yet so annoyingly, burningly painful! "Miss Jurgen I thought I told you not to speak for the rest of my class?"

She smirked at me "You know, megalomaniacs are normally so used to giving out stupid orders and being worshiped that they sometimes don't give out any orders by accident and forget that other people can't read their minds and thus realize what they want them to do. Boohoo for you I guess… Then again, I don't give a damn about what you might have to say so… Maybe you did, maybe you didn't. Who knows?" the class around her let their jaws drop and their eyes pop out comically while the rebels laughed and the girl next to her urged for her to shut up. Which she didn't. Instead she just kept glaring down at me in a staring contest of sorts.

I glared right back at her. Abuse wasn't enough to describe what she had just said. Childish stubbornness was more like it… Megalomaniac, am I? "Maybe you should ask the principal. He might know. Get out! And I want you back here when the exit bell rings! There are a few things we have to get straight apparently…" I spat back acidly.

She would have turned me into ashes if looks could kill "Fine. I'll be here…" she packed her things and left, once again demonstrating her dramatic qualities as she slammed my door once more. I sighed and turned back to the chalkboard, ignoring my classes' stunned faces. Apparently besides being a "genius" my dear Miss Jurgen was also a nice girl normally… either that or teachers here don't normally send kids to the principal's office when they insult them… I'd have to ask Garland… "Now, unlike linear motion, circular motion involves a lot more calculations and vectors, as well as more capacity from the person calculating it, which is something apparently you don't have… so I'd advise you to pay attention and take notes. Who knows? It might be helpful." I heard the rumbling of paper behind me, indicating they were actually doing something useful. "Good. Now continuing…" and I ranted along about the "wonders" of basic physics… I spoke of vectors and calculations and whatever but my head sought other things… far more advanced, interesting things… things they wouldn't understand. Not them, not anyone on this school. I was doomed to live surrounded by ignorance for the rest of the year. Without even noticing, time flew by me, and soon the bell was ringing, indicating the kids were free from my "evil clutches". I normally thought that when the bell rang for recess. The teacher was a monster… we were lunch… and the bell was our savior or something like that… I probably was a huge one to their eyes. I hate to admit it, but I am becoming like those teachers I hated so much. Oh well… at least I'm doing it right… "I want the exercises on pages 15 and 16 done by Thursday, whoever doesn't do them will suffer the consequences. Now go." An evil laugh would suit this greatly… I should start bringing a black cape and a scythe with me to school… hehe…

I chuckled inwardly as I watched them leave and sat back on my desk, looking up at the ceiling and sighing. There's no way I'm living through a year of this… I have to get a way to spend some time at the University's labs a couple of times a week or I'll die…

"I thought you wanted to see me?" I looked in front of me to find Jurgen standing in front of my desk, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes boring a hole into my skull. Blue eyes… what shade of blue I couldn't really make out… Hum… dark blue I guess… Meh, who cares? "Well?" she narrowed her eyes, snapping me awake.

"What did the principal say? Had I told you to shut up or not? Oh, and am I a- megalomaniac?" I smirked as she fumed in frustration "Why you-!"

"Well?" I rose an eyebrow at her.

"He gave me detention if it makes you happy…" she looked away, her eyes getting strangely shiny "I'll have to clean up the lab every Thursday till the end of this month. With your supervision." She handed me a small piece of paper with indications from the principal. "Huhuh…"

"Now about my mark…" she placed both her hands on my desk, leveling our faces "I want my test revised, there's no way you corrected it well!"

I chuckled dryly "I used to think so too… how could one of you actually score such a grade? I assure you, I revised your test a couple of times more… but that is your mark… I'm actually surprised I didn't give you more than you deserve by accident…"

She huffed in indignation "More than I deserve! Oh for Cripe's Sake! I'm a straight A student when it comes to physics! I'm the best in this school, I know it and I'm not afraid to say it! I don't care what you say but I'm getting this revised by the Minister of Education himself if I have to!"

I suppressed a laugh. Garland wasn't lying. "You find this funny!"

"No, I just think you should know that with or without the Minister revising your test your evaluation or my opinion about you won't change. And trust me, that's bad." I stood and proceeded to pack my things "So if that's all…"

"You can't do this to me!"

"Yes I can. If you don't want me to, prove me wrong when I say you're just as the rest of your classmates. Though considering your whiny behavior and your lame excuses, I think not."

A whistle sounded from the door "That's harsh Kai, c'mon… give her a break!"

I snapped my suitcase shut "Mind your own business!"

"I'm not done yet!" Jurgen glared at me with a fiery passion "You want me to prove you wrong? I will! I assure you you'll regret ever calling me anything lower than brilliant! You'll see!"

I narrowed my eyes at her "Words mean nothing to me Jurgen. It's actions that count. Now if you're done… I'd appreciate it if you just left, since I hate better things to do than to hear you whining. It's getting quite irritating. Good day now." I signaled towards the door and watched as she curled her hands into fists and stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door yet again.

"Huh, bye Melly!" Garland rose an eyebrow at me "So, er… how did it go?"

A stupid question deserves a stupid answer as the great Confucius said. Hum, or maybe it wasn't him… "Wonderful. She loved her mark…" I rolled my eyes and left the classroom, him snickering behind me "What, you don't believe me? She was about to kiss me when you came in. But you had to come in and ruin it. I assure you, what you saw was all an act." I muttered sarcastically.

He shook his head "Ok, ok… I get it… So, what'll you be doing, oh dear Spawn of Satan?"

I rose an eyebrow at him "That's what they're calling you. And on the second day of school too! A new record! The last one belonged to our principal and History teacher, Mr. Hiwa- hey… My my… Where have I heard that name before?" he sent me a knowing grin, to which I merely rolled my eyes "This stupid act of yours would have made more sense when you met me actually…" I sighed "He's my Grandfather…"I said through clenched teeth. I hate that man… Seriously. I bet I'm doing this stupid year because of him… He works at the University too… So he must have talked to my professors and said "Oh, he's too young to be teaching college students! Let's see how he handles himself with high-school kids first! Oh looky, I just happen to have a vacancy for a Physics teacher in my school! How convenient…"

"Hey Kai!" I woke from my thoughts "Huh?" I looked around. We were already at the parking lot. Must have really drifted off… how unlike me… "What are you doing now? No more classes, right?"

"Yeah, took care of two bunches today… And it's enough…" I smirked "Got any ideas?" I casually flipped my suitcase over my shoulder, letting it hang from my fingers "Can't say I feel like vodka right now… I'm actually hungry…"

"Natural… it's lunch time! Which is good 'cause I know a great place for us to go… You might even see a few known faces there… who knows?" he winked at me and got into his car, starting the engine as I sighed and got in as well. "Ok, and where is that? Oh, and you'll have to bring me back here for my car…"

"No prob…" he looked in the rear-view mirror and took out his car, swiftly leaving the school grounds "This is the favorite hang-out place for our students as well for some teachers, such as myself actually. It's very nice, great service, great food and we can actually stay there till late cause it's a disco too from 10 PM till 3 AM. Which means we get booze and babes too!" he grinned.

"Sounds like you're selling it to me…" I snickered "Let me guess, it's also got a wonderful sea-side view, no?"

"Nope. But you can the see a nice football field… or what's left of it anyways." he chuckled "Football teams included!"

"Ok, maybe I'll buy it…" I shook my head as he finally parked his car in front of what seemed a bar-restaurant. "Hum… Ned's is it?"

"Yup! The best diner in town!" he got out of the car and motioned for me to follow him.

I sighed and got out as well, looking up at the- "diner", whatever that is… America's strange indeed… I've been here since I was fifteen- that's over ten years… (if you don't count my holidays and stuff spent back home) and I still can't get used to this.

"You coming?" Garland walked to the entrance and greeted some guys smoking near it, all of them leaning against the ash and trash filled, dirty flower beds that lined the sides of the entrance. Students of his I presume… Hum, I recognized two of them… Ian Kaminov and Tala Ivanov… my rebels… talk about awkward… Meh, then again, why does it bother me? No, why should it bother me… that's better.

Garland didn't seem to be feeling as out of place as me though… "Hey, how's it going you two?"

Ivanov nodded at him, smirking "Came over to our humble hang-out place for lunch? My, I'm honored…" he bowed, suddenly noticing me "Hn… and he's here because-?" he rose an eyebrow.

A lavender haired bulky boy beside him frowned at my presence "Hey, is this that teacher of yours?"

"Yes…" Ivanov straightened up, his icy blue eyes never leaving mine. It was quite unnerving actually "So what?" I frowned at him.

The bulky boy approached me menacingly "So, I don't like it that you treat Melly the way you did today. She doesn't deserve it…" he narrowed his eyes at me.

An even taller blonde guy advanced as well "Yeah! Just who do you think you are?"

I growled "Actually, the question is who do you think you are to question my methods. She disrespected me, so I just did what I should. Suck it up."

Garland shook his head nervously "Now now Kai… er, calm down… no need to get hasty…"

I huffed and the words were out before I could stop them "Me? For God's sake, Tell them, the "all brawn no brain" duo here to calm down. I wasn't the one who started this." Oh- my- God I did not just sign my death certificate!

"Why you…" they clenched their fists, glaring daggers in my direction.

Ivanov chuckled and leaned back "Hey, don't hurt him too much aye? I'm sure Melly would like to kill him herself…"

They merely grumbled in response as they kept advancing on me, ignoring Garland's demands for them to stop. As for me, well I just hoped for a miracle. But I was not going to start running or give them any kind of indication that showed I was getting quite worried about our size and number's difference… That would be committing suicide. So I just stared up at them unamused "Oh I see… don't like to hear the truth do we now?" I sneered. Oh brilliant! Isn't Kai so smart?

"Not good…" I flinched as the blonde suddenly fumed and charged at me "THAT'S IT!" Hum, yup, I was right… Annoying them was not a good idea… Oh well…

"SPENCER SERGEI ROMANENKO! What do you think you're doing!"

He froze immediately, his face twisted in surprise "I- huh… hum…" guess I was right about the all brawn no brain… hehe…

A hand reached out and caught his ear pulling it down "How many times have I told you not to kill my teachers!" I gaped at what I was seeing. It was Jurgen! Tiny, little, midget- Jurgen… Scolding at a guy at least four times her size… "Well!" she insisted, glaring up at the incredibly taller guy.

"Er, a lot of times?" he smiled sheepishly "OW! Melly that hurts!"

"You twat!" she rammed her fist into the back of his head.

I sighed, walking past them and ignoring Ivanov's glare as he sneered at me "You lucked out this time… But I assure you, no one messes with my girl and gets away with it!" he spat.

"I HEARD THAT! AND WHADDAYA MEAN "YOUR GIRL"!" she lunged at him, ignoring his whines and complaints "Ow… Melly NO! NOT THE HAIR! NOT THE HAIR-DOO!"

I actually found myself sweatdropping at the scene "Pathetic…" I shook my head and went into the diner searching for Garland, who sat at a booth in a corner, grinning like the Cheshire cat "Hehe… so she saved you huh?"

"You went to get her?" I sat down.

"Of course. She's the only one that can actually control those four. And since I knew she'd be working here at this hour… hehe… No need to thank me…" he grinned.

"Whatever… You didn't have to go and call her, I can handle my own problems…"

"Even when they're a couple of bloodthirsty heavy-weights?" a voice sounded from behind me.

Garland smiled openly "Hey! I see you're done… thanks for saving him…" he winked at her.

Jurgen snorted "Whatever… Spencer's in enough trouble already… I just don't want him getting kicked out of the team or worse, expelled. And we do need him on the team… and you know it… Now what'll it be?"

He thought a bit "Huh, the usual for me… how 'bout you Kai-man?"

I glared at him "How am I supposed to know? I'm not the one who comes here everyday apparently…" I quirked an eyebrow.

A menu was instantly flashing in front of me "Well choose then." I looked up at her "So you work here?"

"Got a problem with that?" she narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"If you're the one cooking my food, yes I do."

"You're lucky I am, I'm in a generous mood and will be adding rat poison to your seasoning for free…" she sneered sarcastically.

"Do you threaten all your teachers with poisoning or am I just special?"

"No, you're just some self-centered college reject who needs to get over himself and realize that the fact that his grandpa owns the school he works at isn't a synonym for "I can do all I want and treat my students like trash". So do get over yourself or I assure you, I won't stop Spence next time and he will hurt you badly or kill you. If I don't do it first that is." She then straightened up and looked down at me with predatory eyes "Now do me a favor and order already. I got better things to do…"

I pictured a set in which I got up and slapped the stupid girl, dragging her out of the diner and back to my apartment by her hair. There, I'd strip her of her dignity and- FREEZE! REWIND! Don't go there please… Me- strip- ARGH! Oh awful vision… My poor eyes… "Kai?"

I whipped my head up and stared at Garland, still feeling my cheeks a bit warm "What?"

"You're weird today… Come back down to Earth please, and order already so Melly can go off happily and joyfully." He laughed as Jurgen rolled her eyes and smacked him upside his head "In other words, move it!" she glared at me.

"Fine… I'll have whatever it is he's having…"

"With added rat poison too of course…" she sneered as she wrote down the order and left.

"Why such animosity?" Garland rose an eyebrow at me "Normally teachers like her… and she- well… respects them… sorta…"

I huffed "I don't need her respect… and so what if I don't like her? She's given me more than enough reasons to dislike her… she's rude, she's childish, she's stubborn, she's annoying as Hell… and the list goes on… I'm just waiting for an opportunity to screw her life royally…" I glared down at the table, tapping my feet nervously "Why the Hell is she in a senior class anyways?"

He grinned "Well, the school psychologist said she was waaayyy too smart to be in her grade… so he put her through some tests or whatever and determined she had quite the IQ… or whatever… in other words, she's wise enough to be where she is, trust me… My thoughts are she should actually be in college but… she wanted to stay for another year…" he shrugged "Look, don't judge her yet… and don't defy her… or she'll win, I assure you…"

I snorted at that "Whatever… can we change the subject please? This is taking my appetite away…"

"Oh, sure!" he chuckled "So how you liking your classes so far?"

It wasn't exactly a change in the subject but it'd do. "Meh…" I shrugged "Could be better… I'm ready to kill my junior class… why do these kids take physics anyways? They don't exactly seem to like it and it's optional… So why torture me and any other teachers?"

"Er, actually… you're currently the only physics teach' at the school… So, there really aren't those many kids having physics… the ones who take it either actually like it or just need the extra credit. Jurgen loves it. Influences her brother gave her I presume…"

"I thought I said enough about the bitchy banshee?"

"Right, sorry… hehe… but you'd like her bro… You would never say they were related if I didn't tell you…" he laughed "I mean, they don't look that much alike and then he's- completely different… very smart too, but- well… not so- "rude" as you say she is for instance. He's not too different from you actually."

"Huhuh… what's his name?"

"Here ya go…" a plate was placed in front of me with what I like to call the traditional American meal… burger and fries. I sighed and rose my eyes to meet with her burning blue ones. Funny, they seemed lighter now… "Hn, thanks…"

"Yeah yeah…" she gave Garland his plate "Hey, when do we have our practice?"

"Yum…" he poked at his burger with his fork "And you remembered to make it not too crispy! I love ya!" he chuckled "Juh, I still gotta talk with you kids… who else is on the team this year?"

She thought a bit "Hum… well, there's me, Tala, Ian, Spencer and Bryan… Tyson, Ray and the Chief are staying, though Max moved out sadly…" she nodded to herself thoughtfully "Hum, Mathilda wants to join this year… along with Claude, Miguel and some guy called Brooklyn… huh… who else… Oh, right… hum… some- Ming-Ming girl… and- huh, I think that's all… we lost a couple of bladers but we got at least five new ones."

"And I suppose you'll still be my assistant right?" he winked at her which made her blush slightly "Yeah, sure… I'll do my best. Now excuse me, but Ned's starting to glare at me… hehe… bye!" she bowed a bit and hurriedly left to the counter where a plump-looking man stood, eyeing her with slight distaste. Though he was chuckling in no time when she apologized nervously. "So she blades?" I rose an eyebrow as my fork actually bended back when I tried to cut the- burger or whatever… it sort of reminded me of tartar beef but without the yummy rawness and caviar on the side…

"Yeah… and she helps me training the kids too. She's on my main singles team, and does doubles with Tala Valkov too. They make a great team. Funnily…"

"Funnily?" I finally managed to pierce the stupid thing "How come?" Hum… it wasn't too bad…

"Cause they control completely different bit-beasts. Hers is a fiery one, while Tala has one that controls ice. And they funnily match like a pair of socks." He chuckled "I presume it's because they're such good friends… Though I can tell he wants quite more than just a platonic friendship…" he laughed.

"Hn…" I ate in silence as he rambled on about it. About her. I was starting to get suspicious… Was he infatuated? Everyone seemed to be… maybe she was some kind of witch who went around casting spells to make everyone like her. Maybe that's why she didn't like me. I was immune apparently. Good. Let's keep it that way.

R&R PLEASE! n-n