The morning came too quickly. It seems as if only an hour ago she had gone to sleep, but now it was 5:30 AM and it was the first day of class for her students.
Alexandria Stuart was beginning her fifth year as a high school English teacher in Middleburg, Massachusetts. She was a single 27-year-old Scottish girl who had lived in America only 10 years.
At 8:00 AM, her first students slowly stammered in: “Hello all.” She sat on the edge of her desk as the bell rang, signaling the beginning of the year. “I am Miss Stuart and I’ll be your English teacher for the year.” She tossed her long, curly blonde hair over her shoulder.
“This is an honors class and you are expected to work very hard for your grades. I will be here to tutor anyone who needs assistance, but you need to ask for it. There will be no reading assignments until next Monday, but writer’s cramp is in the near future for you all so let’s begin with haste.”
“Will we have a seating chart?” A student asked.
“Not unless you would like one.” She replied.
“No!” The students shouted.
“Great. Let’s begin.” She passed out papers. “I would like for your name to appear in the upper right hand corner...”
As the semester progressed, the difficulty of the assignments did as well. “Alright, today we shall review ‘Beowulf’ because your first exam is tomorrow, Ha Ha!” She stood at a podium at the front of the class. After drilling the students for 30 minutes, she was satisfied. “Any queries?”
The students silently looked around the classroom.
“Enjoy a long lunch.” The students quickly gathered their belongings and scampered out into the hall.
Lisa Gorbitt, Alexandria’s friend and journalism teacher, walked into her classroom after school had ended for the day. “Alex I’ve got a proposition for you.”
“What is it?” She looked up from grading papers.
“I’m taking the journalism class to Boston for a yearbook convention. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Lisa, we lost four children last time.” She smiled playfully.
“They ran off and made out all afternoon. Come on, that was Senior English, not Journalism.”
“I’m busy.”
“Do I have to beg?”
“Yes.” She chuckled.
“Please Allie! You’re the only one I can count on.”
“Stop it.” She laughed.
“Well?”
“You owe me a pint.”
“You got it.”
“You owe me four pints.” Alex and Lisa walked in after the trip.
“I guess.” Lisa answered as they collapsed in the teacher’s lounge.
“I need to go home and get ready for volleyball practice.”
“Allie, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that Rusty and Corey were going to hide out at the Tri-Delta house.”
“As I said, you owe me four pints.” She smiled.
Alex’s class was watching ‘Hamlet’ on video one morning when Lisa knocked on the door and looked in. “Have they shown his butt yet?”
“No.” A student answered.
“I just adore his tight leather pants.” She sat in the back of the room as Alex joined her.
“We goin’ out tonight?” Alex whispered.
“Mandy and Veronica want to go to your brother’s club.”
“That’s a great idea. Ryan’s completely out of the picture, so I can play.”
They were talking like two schoolgirls until the principal walked in. “Mrs. Fulford, what brings you here?” Alex stood to meet her.
“Have they shown him in his leather pants yet?” She watched the television.
“Not yet.” Lisa giggled.
“Bummer. I came to tell you that we’ve been chosen to partake in a drug-free rock concert. There will be a famous rock band here for about a week to talk to the students about the problems with drug usage. Here are info sheets. Please tell the kids.”
“Which band?” Lisa read over the sheets.
“Def Leppard?” Alex looked up. “Nice, but I would have preferred Queen.”
The students became anxious as the weeks passed by. “Miss Stuart, when is Def Leppard gonna be here?”
“They will be here November 4th. The day before my Birthday.”
“How old will you be?”
“How rude. You never ask a lady her age.” She smiled. “28.”
“Do you have a boyfriend? Because you are getting up there.”
“What is this, 20 questions?”
“We want to get to know you.”
“Let’s begin the movie.” She wheeled the television to the front of the class.
Alex was putting the finishing touches on a grilled chicken sandwich one evening when her doorbell rang. Standing in the hall in front of her apartment was her ex-boyfriend, Ryan. He was a muscular 250-pound man standing on a 6’4” frame. She opened the door wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and a cropped sweater.
“Al, you look great.”
“Ryan, I was under the impression that we broke off our relationship.”
“Can we talk?”
“I’m eating dinner.”
“A grilled cheese sandwich? C’mon, Al.”
“For just a bit.” She backed away and let him in.
“I just don’t understand why you’re pushing me away. I love you.”
“I don’t feel the same for you.”
“Can’t you learn to love me?”
“That’s ridiculous, Ryan. I walked in while you were shaggin’ your brother’s girlfriend! There’s not a chance in hell of me changin’ my mind.”
“And I’m sorry about that. We have issues, I know. Bur I’m pretty well-off, I have a healthy body, blue eyes...I’m good looking...what else is there?”
“Modesty?” She crossed her arms and leaned against the bar in her kitchen. “And why do you think that you love me?”
“You’re a knockout, babe. Do you really need to ask that?”
“Back to the shaggin’.” She smiled. “If you fancy me so, why’d ya do it?”
“I guess I was afraid of what I was feeling for you.”
“Away with ya.” She laughed.
“Why?”
“Your ego is suffocating me. You are the most uncompassionate human I’ve ever met!”
“Well it’s your loss.” He walked out and slammed the door.
The next day, Lisa ran into Alex’s classroom, shut the door behind her, and ran to her desk. “They’re here. Have you seen them?”
“Not since MTV last night.” She huffed.
“They are so totally sexy. And those accents just make my quiver.”
“What about my accent? I’m British as well.”
“No offense Al, but you really don’t do it for me. What’s wrong?”
“All men are bloody pigs!” She spat.
“Ryan?”
“He popped in last night. I can’t believe I dated him for as long as I did!”
“We all make mistakes, Al.”
“I think I shall remain single for a long while this go, thank you.”
“Bull shit. You’ll be back to your old flirtatious self in no time.”
“I’m 28, Lisa. I haven’t had a relationship last over six months since...college.”
“I need to go. I’ll talk to you at lunch, okay?”
“Bye love.” She returned to her book until a student ran into the classroom.
“They’re here!” The girls gathered and gossiped until the bell rang.
“Are they coming to our room?”
“I hope not.” She mumbled.
“This is going to be the single most exciting day of my life!” A student sat at her desk and freshened her makeup.
“Oh please!” Alex laughed. “I certainly do not think watching five British egomaniacs shake their bums is cause for this much excitement.”
Before her sentence was finished, a tall gentleman with long, blond hair stood in the doorway and cleared his throat. “May we come in?”
“Aye, and you are?” Alex walked toward him.
“A British Egomaniac.” He shook her hand as she blushed. “Joe Elliott.”
The four other band-mates poured into the room. “Rick Allen.” A shorter man with curly hair and only one arm shook her hand.
“Rick Savage. Everyone calls me Sav.” A slender man with long, curly dark blond hair smiled at her. He had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.
“Mr. Savage.” She coldly looked at the others.
“Phil Collen.” He had short, blond hair.
“Vivian Campbell.” He had an Irish accent.
“Is that all, or are your roadies here as well?” She half-smiled.
Sav gave her an odd stare.
“You sound as if you have a bit of Brit in ya.” Joe tried to lighten up the tension.
“I’m from Edinburgh, Scotland.”
“Dublin.” Vivian smiled.
“Great.” She finally smiled.
“And we’re from Sheffield in England.”
“Fancy that.” She turned around to the class. “I will give the floor to these five gentlemen and will return at the end of class.” She quickly walked out.
“Is she always like that?” Joe asked the students.
“Heck no! Miss Stuart is the coolest teacher in like the whole school.” One student answered.
“She’s just in a bad mood because her Birthday’s tomorrow.” Another added.
“Oh.” The men looked at each other and chuckled.
By the end of the day, the men began to tire. They had been in Alex’s first and last classes.
“Can I ask you a question?” Sav walked to her desk after school was out.
“Aye.” She looked up into his eyes.
“What do you have against me?”
She became serious and then looked at her desk. “I don’t think rockers with millions to blow on Lord knows what are good role models for young adults.”
“You don’t even know me. How can you be a teacher and yet be do judgmental?”
“I have friends in the business. I know what goes on after the show.” She finally smiled. “Besides, I’m not in the position to be able to know you better. And I really don’t have the resources to try right now, Mr. Savage.”
He stared at her as she threw graded papers into a filing cabinet that was decorated with many colored troll dolls. “What do you have against men? Have you been hurt?” He teased her.
She laughed as she gathered a few things. “Excuse me, I have a parent consultation.” She quickly left the room.
That night, Alex worked on getting ready. The doorbell rang as she finished her hair.
“Come on in!” She yelled from the hallway.
“Happy Birthday!” Lisa and Ronnie walked in carrying bottles of alcohol.
“Thank you.” She smiled as she peeked around the corner.
“Jeans and a T-shirt?” Lisa wrinkled her nose. “I think not! Try again!”
“What’s wrong with it?” She looked down.
“It’s your Birthday, Al! You need to look hot and sexy like the little Scot you are.” Ronnie ran to her closet and looked around.
“Get her black leather pants out!” Mandy joined them.
“You’ll have to dust them off.” Lisa huffed.
“Kiss my arse!” Alex crossed her arms.
“Here.” Ronnie handed her some clothes. They waited while she changed in her bathroom. In the meantime, the girls began to pass around the bottles.
Alex returned in her black leather pants and a tight blue shirt.
“Moments like these are why you need friends like us!” Mandy handed her a glass of sangria.
“Like a hole in the head.” She smiled as they all laughed.
“Let’s go!” Lisa yelled.
“I am so fuckin’ bored.” Joe sat on the bed of his hotel room and spoke to Sav.
“I saw an advertisement for a dance club in Boston.” He stared at the ceiling as well. “Maybe it’ll help me get my mind off that firstly lit’l blonde we met to day.”
“Miss Stuart?” Joe feigned a Scottish accent. “She’s a bitch on wheels, if you ask me.”
“Nah. I think she’s adorable.” He smiled to himself.
“Then I’m all up for the dance club. I’ll gather the lads.”
They guys walked into “The Spade” and looked around. They decided to grab a bite to eat at the restaurant and picked a table that overlooked the dance floor.
There was a rowdy group of women that walked through the door. They immediately walked to the dance floor and took over.
“I’ll be damned!” Joe huffed. “She has an arse after all.”
“What?” Sav followed his gaze.
“Miss Stuart.” Phil grinned. “Must be teacher’s night out.”
“I didn’t know teachers could be so hot!” Joe watched Lisa. “There’s Miss Gorbitt too.”
The deejay stopped the music and spoke over the P.A. “Happy 28th to our favorite blonde, Alexandria Stuart!”
“Shite!” She pointed to blonde man on the balcony and blew him a kiss. “Thanks Steve!”
“Must be a regular.” Sav mumbled as he watched her every move.
An hour later, the girls made their way up to the restaurant where a table had been decorated and gifts were waiting. Lisa was the first to see the band.
“Hey!” She waved. “Allie!”
“Aye?” She looked up. “So the Leps are out for a drink.” She smiled.
“Looks like you’ve had your share, love.” Joe laughed.
“It’s my Birthday.” She giggled as Mandy grabbed her arm.
“Jimmy Walker or Jack?” Mandy asked.
“Wow!” Sav laughed.
“Well, gotta go. Have fun.” Lisa winked at Joe.
“She does have a nice one, don’t she?” Phil smiled as he watched Sav. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Oh yeah.” He smiled.
The girls passed around cake as Alex opened her gifts. A waitress walked up and passed around shots of Dewar’s.
“From the table over there.” She pointed to the Leps.
“Thank you!” Alex waved.
“She’s toasted.” Mandy laughed.
“Happy Birthday, Alex!” Phil waved back.
She woke up the next morning and slammed the alarm. It took everything she had to make herself get into the shower. She began to think of the events of the previous night and horror filled her body.
“They think I’m fun now!” She swore as she finished getting ready.
“What’s so bad about that?” Lisa rubbed her head as they sipped on coffee before class.
“I can’t have them thinkin’ I’m nice, Lise!”
“You are in serious denial.” She grabbed her planner. “You need help.”
Sav walked into Alex’s classroom at 7:30 AM. She looked up from planning her teaching selection. “You’re up awfully early this morning.”
“I...wanted to apologize for yesterday. It seems as though we got off on the wrong foot.” He handed her a pink rose. “Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, but then turned serious. “Exactly what are you trying to accomplish with this?”
“I was hoping you’d like to have dinner with me.”
“Why would I go out with you? You’re only going to be here for a week.”
“I could amend our visit a bit.”
“Long enough for you to hop into my bed and then I’d never hear from you again, is that it?”
“No.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“As you yourself pointed out yesterday, I don’t know anything about you. And I can’t let myself become that vulnerable.”
“Fair enough.” He sighed. “I’ll see you later in the day.”
“Have a good day.” She returned to her work.
That evening, there was an academic meet. Lisa and Alex were the sponsors and were talking to the students when the dean of students walked in with the band. “Ladies, do you have a moment?”
“Sure John.” Lisa smiled as Alex pretended to be busy.
“These are Miss Alexandria Stuart and Miss Lisa Gorbitt.”
“We were introduced yesterday.” Alex smiled. “I’ve told the children that if we win tonight we’re going out for pizza. Is that alright?”
“That’s a great idea, Alex. We can all go.” The principal joined them.
“Oh.” She turned away. “Excuse me, please.”
“So?” Lisa joined her as the other took a seat.
“What?” She read over a few papers.
“Aren’t they sexy?”
“They’re men, Lise.”
"English, round 1!” The announcer spoke.
“Beth, Jill and Nick.” Alex went into her “teacher mode.” “Take deep breaths and relax. It’s only a wee meet.”
“Knock ‘em dead!” Lisa cheered.
After answering three questions each, the announcer looked up. “The English Round goes to Middleburg!”
“Yes!” Alex and Lisa gave them all high-5’s.
“Spelling Round 2!”
“Justin, Matthew, and Jill!” Lisa yelled.
Again, the children answered three questions. “The Spelling Round is a tie between Kennedy and Middleburg!”
“Brilliant!” Alex applauded.
“Grammar Round 3!”
“C’mon guys.” Alex sat next to Lisa as the last three students competed. The questions were asked and answered by the students. Alex began to celebrate by hugging all of the students.
“Middleburg is 1st, Kennedy 2nd, and Lincoln in 3rd. Congratulations.” The announcer smiled.
“Woo!” They hollered as the band and other teachers again joined them.
“We’re undefeated this year since Alex took over.” The principal spoke to the band.
“I can’t take the credit, the kids do the work.” She smiled as Sav watched her. She shortly met his gaze and then looked away.
“Let’s all meet at the Pizza Palace.” John Dickinson, the dean, spoke.
“Who needs a ride?” She looked at the students.
“I do, Miss Stuart.” Nick gathered his books.
“Me too.” Beth followed.
“I’ll go with you.” Lisa followed. “We’ll see you there.” She smiled at the gentlemen.
“See ya.” Sav watched Alex.
They sat around a huge table and gathered the orders for the pizza. Alex was listening to jokes by a couple of her students when she felt two hands on her shoulders. Sav looked up as she turned around.
“Ryan! What are you doing here?”
“Hey babe. I’m here with the guys. What’s the occasion?”
“Academic meet.” She faced him. “Away with ya.”
“I’ll call you later.”
“That’s not necessary.” She waved as he walked away. “Sweet Jesus!” She mumbled as she looked at Lisa for support.
“Doesn’t take rejection very well, does he?” She laughed.
“Totally oblivious!” Alex took a drink of her soda. “Men!”
“Not all men are like that.” Joe looked at Lisa.
“No, just the ones Allie dates.” Lisa giggled.
“Thank you, darlin’.” Alex’s accent sharpened. “I’m totally convinced that men are the work of Lucifer himself, they are.”
“You just ‘aven’t met the right one.” Sav smiled at her.
They stared at each other for a long while before Alex looked away. “Maybe you’re right.” She whispered.
Alex had gathered her things and walked down the hall after school. Lisa caught up with her. “Hey. How was your day?”
“Not too bad, why?” She smiled.
“Did you see Sav?”
“No, why?”
“What’s going on with you two anyway?”
“Nothing Lisa. What are you getting at?”
“He likes you. I’ve noticed him watching you an awful lot.”
“Like a predator watches his prey.” She sighed. “He asked me out.”
“And you turned him down?” They stopped.
“Aye.” She dropped her briefcase. “Lisa, he’s a very handsome man. I’d be lying to you if I said otherwise. He has the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. But I can’t imagine myself with a man like him. A rock star? Come now. You’ve been with me to meet Chris’ friends. Could you imagine dating a guy like that?”
“So what are you doing tonight?”
“Dinner at Mum and Da’s.”
“Have fun.”
“I plan on it.” She walked to her car.
“Mum? Da?” She looked around her parent’s home.
“Happy Birthday love.” Her mother Meegan kissed her.
“Thanks Mum. Is Daddy home?”
“No. He had an emergency in London to attend to.”
“Is the Queen alright?”
“Oh yes. Your Uncle had a mishap with the books and your father is helping him sort it out.”
“Have you had dinner?”
“No dear.”
“Well let’s get cooking.” She walked to the kitchen and poured herself a beer.
“What’s wrong Lexi?”
“Nothing.” She looked at her mother. “Why?”
“It’s Ryan, isn’t it?”
“No Mum.” She chuckled. “Not this time. It seems like I have a new suitor.”
“His name?”
“Rick Savage. He’s English. Yorkshire accent.”
“How did you meet him?”
“You’ll love this one. He’s a rock star who is visiting my school.”
“I read about that in the papers. Do you like him?”
“I don’t know him, Mum. We met yesterday.”
“But you like him, don’t you?” She smiled. “I can tell you do.”
“Maybe.” She took a drink. “I don’t know what to think right now.”
“Why don’t you just go out with him?”
“So that I can really fall for him and get my heart ripped out when he leaves?”
“You’re a bit dramatic, aren’t you?”
“Besides, am I the only one who is keeping track? In the past year I’ve dated a guy who was married, one who turned out to be gay, one who ran off with my volleyball coach and one who could pass for Narcissus himself.”
“So you’ve been in a rut.” Meegan smiled.
“Let’s change the subject.”
Alex walked into her apartment and felt something rub against her arm. “Polonius?” She called to her cat before turning the lights on. “Ugh!” Dozens upon dozens of pink and red roses surrounded her.
“Ryan! Don’t you ever give up?” She mumbled to herself as she searched for a card.
Please reconsider-I promise you won’t be sorry-SAV.
“Apparently he doesn’t give up either.” She showered and went to bed.
Chapter 2
Back to Sav's Page
Chapter List