9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Telke

I pace on the field as the last sports class of the day is packing up to leave. I've been in the staff room after leaving the library. Even though Winnie said I didn't intimidate her, it still felt like I did.

Is that a problem with the arms?

I stare at myself. I'd say I've never skipped leg day either and I like how I look. But maybe that isn't the case with her. Who knows?

I gesture for the ones carrying the bin for balls to go inside the warehouse with me. "Here, put it in that corner."

Two of them work together and they look capable of completing the task themselves.

I turn to check on the ones putting away the sticks. Those are long sticks with an L-shaped head to smack the ball with, which are good to design games around.

I can't stop thinking about Winnie and I doubt that's good for me.

It is almost time for the bell to ring. I wait for the students to be done with their tasks and gather in front of the warehouse again.

Do I go to the library again? Or do I just leave like I used to before she started working here? Maybe it's a bit too much chatting for her. She doesn't seem to be the kind of being like me, who has no problem talking the whole day.

"Okay, everyone, we've done amazing. Hope all of you enjoyed the lesson. Now slowly get back to the classroom. Don't run. Stay safe."

They wave me goodbye and leave one by one. A few pick up their water bottles, and some who didn't bring anything just leave with their friends.

I check the clipboard with the attendance sheet again, making sure I have checked everyone's name. I tap the pen at the names, matching them to the kids who are leaving once again. Sometimes, I get so excited to start with them that I forget to mark the few that are slightly later than the allocated starting time.

Everything checks out fine, so this is a lesson well wrapped up.

I let out a breath and pick up my water bottle. I guess I should head home after putting the clipboard back into the staff room.

I can chat with Winnie tomorrow if she feels like it.

Through the corridor, there are a lot of kids. Everyone's busy heading to the main entrance of the school to head home. The school spaceship is departing soon, so those who have registered are in a hurry by now.

I dodge a few with horns. Sometimes, kids aren't that good at leaving space for others, and they don't always remember their horns. I can understand they can't see their horns when those are up on their heads, but that can be dangerous.

"Mr. Stek."

I turn around to find Jackel holding bags of materials with his tentacles. It's almost like he has four hands when he has the right number of tentacle hands. "Hello, how's it going?" I help him with two bags, which have paintbrushes sticking out.

"Thank you. It is a great lesson."

"Are you already getting ready for teachers-parents day?"

He chuckles. "Yes. By the time we set up the boards in the classrooms, it'd be the right time."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes when there are students around. I'm a teacher, so I should be professional, which means no showing my annoyance at meetings and everything that I don't enjoy a ton. Those are necessary, I understand. As a sports teacher who isn't a class teacher, those special days aren't really my business anyway.

The staff room is bustling with life, with teachers coming back from different classes. Most of them are gathering their stuff and leaving. Some are sitting around, waiting for most beings in the school to leave so that they can leave without being in a crowd.

I set down my items and Jackel's. Winnie's spot is empty. If she isn't someone big for crowds and a busy environment, she's going to stay out of here until most have left.

So... It means I probably shouldn't stay around so I won't look like a creep who keeps inviting myself around her. I doubt she'd like that.

Okay... Don't be a creepy dumb kot'oll.

I put my stuff into my backpack and get out of the staff room. There are a lot fewer beings out there, which is always better. Even though I enjoy being with others, I can appreciate a less crowded corridor.

The sky is orange by now and it is going to get dark soon. This is my favorite time of the day. The big windows of the buildings keep nothing hidden. The trees and greenery around the school make working here even better.

Down there, a few kids are playing in the sports ground. There are some after-school activities for kids, as some have to wait until their parents can pick them up after school. The floatball team's training keeps some busy, but that's not every day.

I wait at the lift with another teacher. We exchange a nod and wait in silence. Most of the staff are tired after a whole day of work, so I try not to talk too much so that they won't feel like they have to respond. Maybe I should do that more with Winnie, too. I can keep talking, but I know I'm not the smartest with words.

What's she up to now? Arranging books in the library? Chatting with kids?

I walk through the road that leads to the main entrance of the school, taking in the fresh scent of trees and bushes. My spaceship is parked a block away so that I can get some walking in. There are some spaceships on the street too, those are probably getting close to their destination.

It is a nice day out here like always. I'm just going to—

There's a loud honk at the turn of the corner. I spin around to the street to find a kid chasing a ball and...

Oh fuck!

I drop everything and dash over to the kid. I grab her with an arm, but the spaceship is already there. I roll onto the spaceship with the help of my other two arms, but it still sucks...

There's a sharp pain at my side, but I keep the kid to me and...

Something smacks me, and everything turns dark.

Fuck...

Am I dead?

But I don't want to be dead just like that!