Page 43 of Embracing the Beat
“May I ask when they plan on recruiting for the new department head?”
“Are you interested in it?” he asks.
I nod slowly. “I am. It’s something I thought about for the future, but if the opportunity is available, I’d like to at least try for it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind and let Principal Jenson know as well.”
“Please do.”
The bell signaling the end of the current period echoes through my empty classroom. An omen? I hope not.
“I’ll let you prepare for your next class.” He stands stiffly, moving slowly toward the door.
“Thanks, Phil. I appreciate you telling me,” I call after him.
He gives a wave of his hand, greeting several students already trickling into the classroom.
I wish he’d come at the beginning of the period and not the end. I have zero time to process the information now, and my head is spinning. More than likely, my job as a history teacher at Ridgeview is ending.
But maybe the next step is beginning.
I’m new to this school, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have the experience to at least apply for Phil’s job. What’s the worst that can happen?
They tell you “no,” and you’re out of a job and have to find a new one?
Grimacing, I rub a hand over my churning stomach. According to my clock, there are five more minutes before next period starts, and the bathroom is between my classroom and the next on the opposite wall.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell a student in the front row.
“Sure thing, Mr. A.”
Mr. A. Fuck, I like that. I like these kids. I don’t want to start over. Especially not for the second time in as many years.
The bathroom is deserted, and I stare at my reflection in the mirror. A muscle ticks in my jaw and anxiety flashes in my eyes. With a sigh, I splash cold water on my face, closing my eyes and taking several deep breaths.
“There’s nothing you can do about it now,” I murmur to myself.
“Huh?” The kid walking into the bathroom freezes. “You talking to me?”
“Myself, actually.”
“Okay…” The look he gives me says he thinks I’m a few fries short of a Happy Meal.
No, not crazy. Just ready for the universe to give me a break.
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell him as the bell rings, signaling one minute left of the passing period. “Worry about that instead.”
“Sh—” He stops, eyes widening as he catches himself. “Shoot. Gotta go.”
I follow him out of the bathroom, but he heads to the right while I go left, falling in behind two of the girls in my class.
“Did you see her?” one girl asks her friend.
“Who?”
“What’s her name? The singer,” she says, catching my attention.
Are they talking about—
