14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Telke

I sip on the coffee Winnie gave me in the staff room, sitting back on my office chair. It's already warm after the assembly period and Winnie's already gone to the library, but...

It feels like she is still here with me and sending fire in me with the coffee. It's like a warm hug from her.

I'm alone here in our row. Jackel is also off to his lesson. That's better when he isn't around. I don't want Winnie and my little thing here to catch attention. She... may just have been nice to me and...

Will she be mad for my reference about tasting a kot'oll?

But she was the one starting it and I just played along.

What if she doesn't feel the same way? Not even remotely interested in me?

I finish the last of the coffee. Not much is left anyway, I took a big gulp before we had to leave for the assembly hall. It's a crime to let coffee sit without at least having some at its prime state.

I stretch my hands, getting ready to check the lesson plan for the week.

It has been a wild ride since the accident. My head still hurts a bit at times, not actual pain, but my mind is fuzzy here and then. The doctors said the medicine they used on me may take an extra day or two to be completely gone from my system, which is more annoying than I'd like.

But it's okay. I'm good as new, that's the most important thing.

I miss the lessons and my time with the floatball team. Who knows whether Winnie managed to train the team well on my behalf?

I can't believe someone could know nothing about floatball. It's the biggest sports event on this planet.

Maybe she doesn't come from this planet, which is so sad. Things she could have enjoyed but didn't get to because that planet doesn't have good taste like here.

My phone buzzes with a new email. I check it. I'm never big on email and stuff, most of the time, it's just shops trying to get me to spend my money. All I'm interested in is...

Oh!

Before I know it, my two upper arms are in the air doing their cheering already.

The schedule for this year's inter-school floatball tournament is out!

Now it feels like I'm back just in time. We'll get the new guys going and we'll smack the ball out of the park!

Well... Better smack the ball right into the goal, to be honest.

I fix my cap even though it is sitting perfectly fine on my head. My blood is boiling and I'm poised enough to jump and get into action.

Except... There are still hours before the training for the team will start. The school day has barely started...

That's such a bummer. I'm so full of energy, but there's no place to spend it.

I get out of the chair and pace in the room with my lower two hands behind my waist. I have to do something before I'll drive myself crazy.

"Hello, Telke. Nice to see you."

Oh fuck... It is the principal. I appreciate him, but not so much as his speeches. "Principal." I bow my head regardless.

He grins. "It's so good to see you healthy and here with us again. How's it going?"

"I'm doing great. Thanks for asking. Sorry for making everyone worried for me."

"You are a hero. The student's family wants to thank you face-to-face. So..."

I interrupt, even though that may not be the most polite thing to do. "It's all good. It's just doing what I should. There's no need to thank me."

The last thing I'd want is to meet any parents. I can do that, and I've done that, but if it is up to me, I'd skip it every single time. I like talking with the kids, but the parents are... another thing. Not to mention, they said they wanted to thank me, that's a bit embarrassing to sit there and be praised.

The principal chuckles. "I know that about you. I told them I'd tell you about their thanks. By the way, why are you pacing in the staff room? Is anything bothering you?"

"Nothing..." Maybe I'll tell him about the schedule, this may be the time I'd give him a speech instead of the usual way.

I rub my two hands together. "Look, I just got the schedule for the coming tournament."

He blinks, seemingly waiting for me to elaborate.

I clear my throat. "The team has been waiting for so long. You have no idea how much we've been wanting a competition. With the start of the float ball season, it is time for us to book friendly matches with other schools, and the kids will be able to make new friends. Now, we'll also have to get the cheering team ready, and we'll surprise all the schools in the district. We won the tournaments last year, and I'm confident we'll win some more. Oh, by the way, have I told you about a few who I see potential in and are joining us for the training? The school can be proud of us and we're going be getting ready for—"

"I'm certain it's going to be a great year for the floatball team."

"For sure. We are trying a new formation and a new way of approaching the game. Driving and getting to the right spot when they are needed has been a tiny bit challenging for our team, but we have been getting some more time for them and now that they have been through more matches together, I think that—"

"Amazing! I think a few parents are waiting for me. I'd very much want to discuss the team with you, but unfortunately, I have to go. I'll catch up with you soon. Hopefully, you'll have more good news to bring."

The principal hurries off. I fix my cap with a frown. Am I talking a bit too much?

The teachers to the side chuckle. Maybe I'm someone who can deter the principal at times. Now, I wield power.

I go back to my seat while I stare at the clock on the wall. There's still time before I have lessons with the kids. I can do some demonstrations by then and use up some of the energy that's brewing in me.

Sometimes, it annoys me how... I have to do something or say something, even though I know that may not be the right move or may not be things others will be interested in listening to.

I shake my head. It'll be weird and scare others if I talk to myself. Maybe I can do that at home where I'll be alone, but in the staff room, hell no.

Maybe Winnie will listen to my ramblings, but... She isn't interested in floatball at all, so...

I sit on my office chair again. It's okay, I can control myself.

I open the drawer and pick up a red squishy ball. Squeezing it calms me and looks better to others than squeezing a plushie.

Now, I need this hour to be over so I can start working with the kids. It has been a while...