0106 - quest for knowledge

After the memorable class, Ed has decided to start observing his pupils during the classes and ask other teachers about them. This way, he thought, he could learn more about them and finally remember their names. He had to know at least half of the class before the ominous day of the Parents' Meeting. Another plus of Colleges - you don't have to distinguish your students so that their parents won't damage you.

He started his big mission on Monday. It wasn't easy to convince Mrs. Eel to actually look at her students, but at least he managed to make her promise that she would try. Elderly Maths teacher refused to listen to the students and the young Arts teacher said she wasn't even sure of her own name (helped anyway). The rest of the teachers were actually pleased to hear that from him and promised to help. Flo kept smiling for thirty seconds when he told her that.

After the first day, his special notebook looked like this:

Penny Keese - won't listen to the teacher if s/he isn't Edward Finlay or Florence Holland. / Surly and Cheeky. (Mrs. Eel) Smart and resolute. (Flo) Clever but never pays attention to the teacher. (fat guy teaching Chemistry)

Peter Lismore - proper and boring but likes History. Has his moments. / Very nice and helpful. (Maths teacher) Great student. Period. (Mrs. Eel) Wants everyone to like him. (Flo)

red head sitting with Lismore (Keith Sheridan) - talks a lot, rarely about things connected with the classes. / Knows a lot, but can't or don't want to express it. (fat Chemistry teacher) Interrupts a lot with his constant talking to everyone around. (young Arts teacher) Cheerful and very energetic, seems to be popular at the school. (Flo)

brunette from the last desk (Jane Carmichael) - calm and quiet, almost never says anything. Doesn't have any friends at school. / Works alone, rarely speaks to anyone. (Chemistry guy) Very smart but too quiet. (Mrs. Eel) add note -> according to Art teacher, is very talented.

Emily Honey - very shy but liked and likeable. Seems to understand a lot. / Sweet and very helpful. Painfully shy though. (Flo) Good student, doesn't seem to have anything smart to say. (Mrs. Eel) A diplomat. (terrifying Sports lady)

blonde guy w/ permanent grin on his face (Richard Woods) - never does anything by himself, needs sidekicks to work. / wonderful boy, average student (young Arts teacher) 'the type I try to get rid of' (terrifying Sports lady) manipulative, wants everyone to do as he says (Flo)

??? (Sophia Norton) - still trying to find her. / lacks social skills and confidence. Never saw her speak to anyone. (Flo)

chubby guy from the last row (Raleigh Sparrow) - stereotypical 'fat guy' of the class, wants to be liked by the coolest people. / Acts confident, but anyone can tell he's very shy and has a lot of complexes (goddamn tall Physics lady) shows off in front of the class but is very quiet during a private conversation (Flo)

Kitty Stratford - probably the most normal person out there. / Sociable and helpful plus isn't forcing herself upon anyone. (Flo) Straightforward and down to earth. (young Arts teacher) Loud and impatient. Always prepared for the classes though. (Mrs. Eel)

Henry Citystart (!!) - looking for him, fantastic surname. / Quiet, sticks to Richard Woods. [sidekick alarm!] Can be unpleasant. (goddamn high Physics lady) A prompter, constantly comments everything that happens in the class quietly (Chemistry guy)

huge forehead from the second row (Christian Garland) - has some anger management problems. Annoying. / Easily irritated, speaks all in caps. (IT teacher, go figure)

The rest of notes were illegible as Ed has fallen asleep in the middle of reading through and not only he smudged the pen on the paper but he also left some drool on page no. 4. He never knew he was drooling during sleep!

Other big realisations included conclusion that about one fifth of the kids liked History and the rest barely tolerated it. He was sure they wouldn't bother to pay attention to it if it wasn't for him. Once again, he felt a nice warm feeling inside. That thing was starting to bother him.

Even though he had thought his class had a huge number of students, it was one of the smallest classes at school. It only had twenty four students. Twenty four kids under his wings. That was plain creepy. He had to get to know them as soon as possible or he would be in a state of permanent shock for the rest of his days at this school--

Which wasn't that long, after all. Was there any point in learning their names? He was about to leave in a few months anyway. You can't truly know and understand one person during a couple of months, how is he supposed to do that with twenty three more people in that time?

He hit himself with the notebook. He only spent two weeks at this school and he was already feeling responsible for all the evil that was happening there. That's what he always hated about himself. Deep down he was a reliable person, and no matter how hard he tried to hide it, it'd always come out. Especially during times like this. He hit himself with the poor notebook again, for good measure.

The worst thing was, he didn't have anyone to talk about this. All of his 'friends' turned back on him and now, here he was: alone in his flat, accompanied by his crumpled and saliva-stuffed notebook. He sighed and started looking for a very special piece of paper. On that little scrap has been written down his last hope. He found it a couple of seconds later and he took out his cellphone.

- *sniff* Y---es?
- Yh. Flo? It's Ed.
- *sniff* *cough* Edward Finlay. What is it?
- Hm. I was wondering-- You're up for a drink, aren't you?

She was. From what he has heard, she was up for at least bottle of Gin. They've met an hour later, in a café near Flo's home. She looked like-- she wasn't looking very well. He made sure to tell her that, the moron. She drank her glass of Gin at one gulp and sighed quietly.

- I'm getting divorced.

She smiled bitterly and continued.

- Sounds serious, doesn't it? That's probably the most serious thing about that entire marriage. He only sat before the table and told me that he's had enough. He's had enough. Have you ever been married, Edward?
- No.
- Lucky you. Lucky.

She told him her entire story. She wasn't always that cold and emotionless, spent all of her emotions on her husband. The guy, it seemed, wasn't satisfied with that. And he wanted to have a real family, too. And that she couldn't give him.

- Such irony, isn't it, Edward? I spent most of my life with children and I can't have a child of my own. Can't. So the poor thing, he couldn't bear to live only with his ice-cold wife, and he left. I think I can understand him. I-- think. Well, at least he didn't find himself a better wife. *giggle* So, Edward. You wanted to talk about something, right?

He did? He couldn't remember anything. He only was positive that even if he had anything to share, it wouldn't be half as hardcore.

0105 - liars and fools

- Hey! HEY! What are you laughing at! There's nothing to laugh at! Nothing!

Ed couldn't help it. He was now sitting in his desk, laughing hysterically, accompanied by some of the students. Poor humiliated Penny Keese couldn't stand it, so she took her rucksack and left the classroom, slamming the door. After three minutes of thoughtless laughter, Edward finally asked Honey to bring Penelope back to class.

- Well, that was unprofessional of me.
- You said it.
- But, it doesn't change the fact that I'm still your tutor and I still deserve some respect. Or at least I should feel like I have it. Do you understand that, Penelope?

Red-haired girl hesitated a bit but nodded as a sing of understatement.

- I'm talking to all of you. The fact you don't respect somebody doesn't have to be visible. You should respect all of your teachers, sure, but we all know that's impossible. For whatever reason, Peter. You can't show them you don't respect them though, as they have your future. If they don't like you, they'll give you bad marks. And if you get bad marks, you won't be able to surpass them in the future. Simple, right?

- So... you're telling us to be hypocrites?

Peter Lismore wasn't so proper after all, it seemed. Ed gave the boy a blank look and confirmed his question with a nod.

- Yeah, if that's what it takes. I mean, when you're thirty-five and a Doctor of Philosophy you can say whatever you want, but now... It's your parents who are responsible for you and your actions.

Peter looked like he was about to say something, but did nothing. Edward looked at Penelope again.

- Penny. Be so kind and don't scare anyone, be it your schoolmates or teachers, okay? There are thousands of other ways to make people do what you want, right?

Penny gave him a shocked look but giggled second later. He could feel that she wouldn't like him.

- Anyone else needs my serious adult advice? You?

Ed looked at Penny's friend. She goggled and gulped so loudly that everyone in the class could hear it. They laughed, obviously.

- Please leave poor Honey! - laughed red-headed boy, Peter's friend from desk. - She's poor anyway, having to deal with Kenny.

Penny was outraged by this statement, but did nothing. Honey, in the meantime, cleared her throat and said in an unnaturally high-pitched voice:

- B-but Penny's okay! And why can't we please do something normal classes do? Please?
- Hey, it's a good idea! What do you suggest we do?
- U... uh.
- We pick our class government! - it was Peter again, suspiciously cheerful.

A deafening scream was class' sign of agreement. Ed had no choice but to start a class government election.

As he expected, Peter was chosen the Chairman of the government. Ed was surprised that Honey was chosen his deputy. She must've been liked by everyone, despite her shyness. The final member of the government was Kate Stratford, the nicest (and probably the most normal) girl in the class.

All in all, it was a successful talk. They finally had contact and it seemed that some of the kids trusted Ed. He, on the other hand, learned most things about his class after they went home.

First of all, Penny's father was the town's president three years earlier. She has a lot older colleagues at school, coincidentally. Second, Honey is really Emily Margaret Honey. Finally, Peter Lismore lost his parents when he was six and has lived with his adult sister ever since. Huh.

0104 - summary

- So you think History is a pointless subject. You never pay any attention to it and after twenty years you remember nothing anyway. So after those two decades, when a reporter from a very popular daily magazine asks you on the street when did your country regain independence you start laughing creepily, not being able to remember that. I say, even for these minor situations, it's useful to know those things. And History makes as much sense as people ever did. We can say that History is humanity's flagship. So if you say that History is stupid, blame humanity!

The boy who dared to interrupt Ed in his talk about the Roman's genius couldn't speak. He was completely red too. Edward could continue his monologue.

It's been almost two weeks since Ed started working at the damned place. He could remember this so well only because he exactly remembered when he had his last cigarette. The Flo told him that smoking at the school was pointless and now he was trying to quit. He wasn't sure who he had hated more: The Flo or himself, for becoming addicted to cigarettes in the first place.

Either way, with the exception of the damned cigs, these were pretty fine fourteen days. Students were paying attention to him during classes, laughing at him after the classes and then he was laughing at them because he could hear it all. Most importantly though, he felt needed here. These kids, even though they tried acting like adults, were still children after all. They needed someone to help them go from Primary School's carelessness to High School. Ladies who couldn't even remember how it was in High School weren't good enough, it seemed.

Amusingly enough, Ed learned that most of the staff were scaring their students with horrifying stories about High School. When he asked his favourite Mrs. Eel (the confident language with whom he had fight before - the joke was too easy) about this, she couldn't explain the reason she did that. Florence said later that dear Mrs. Eel was probably trying to share a funny anecdote but shared too many details.

He still couldn't get used to his class. They were all shapeless and their faces were always blank. He couldn't read any emotions on them. At first he thought they were just scared, but now that made no sense. He couldn't say if they had any trouble or they just didn't care. Ed asked Flo about it.

- Talk to them.
- I am talking to them. I don't do anything else, I talk and talk. I'll probably get sick the next time I hear my own voice.
- Wishful thinking. Stop talking then.
- Are you equally helpful when talking with them?
- Why?

Nevertheless, Edward had decided to use Flo's advice for the lack of better ideas. He told everyone that they won't have a normal class that day. They were too happy for his taste. They've all frowned as soon as he asked:

- So, how is school so far?

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Everyone, as if he had told them to, fixed their eyes on the floor just before him.

- Um. I guess it could be better, huh?

Some students giggled, but they remained silent.

- I don't think you'd like to hear how was mine, hm? It was terrific. I got to meet hundreds of teenagers who loved history but didn't even realize that before.

Now they all laughed. Almost everyone in this school hated his subject, he knew that all too well. He didn't pick this school for no reason. Challenge is his third name, after Edward and Go Away.

- I don't hear anything about any of you. Are you really all that good? That's... lame.
- I know! I keep telling them t---

Ha, Penny Keese couldn't remain silent when accused of lameness. Unfortunately, her friend from desk shushed her.

- Why won't you let her say that? - Ed asked, slightly confused.

Penelope's friend blushed, took a breath as if she was to say something but giggled nervously instead. What was her name again?

- Hah! Honey doesn't have guts to say that! Girl don't have enough of 'em!
- Ugh, speak normally.
- But Kenny be ghetto.

It was the dark-haired girl from the end of the classroom again. And again, she made everyone laugh, except for Penelope. She showed the girl some cryptic signs with her hands and turned to Ed again.

- So, what was it, Penelope.
- Wha?
- What did you want to say before.
- Ah, that's right! They're too scared!
- Who's too scared of whom? - Ed was amused by this weird dialogue.
- The teachers are afraid of me, yeah!

Ed expected everyone to burst into laughter, but the class was silent. Good lord, so this class was so lame as to be in this tiny girl's power?

- And why are they afraid?
- What! You don't know! I'm the president's daughter, of course!

That was just stupid, even for a thirteen-year-old.

- Penny.
- W-what?
- First of all, learn your manners and second, don't lie.
- What?
- Please stop that. You're confusing me, and that confuses the rest of the class. It's not fun. Plus - I'm speaking to the rest of the class now! - you should speak up and tell your friend to stop this stupefying nonsense.
- But t-that's true... Penny is the president's daughter.

It was Penny's friend, Honey. She was too shy to speak normally, it seemed. And she wasn't done yet.

- ... an ex-president's daughter.

to be continued.

0103 - miscalculation

Ed's mood was definitely better after his first class. When Holland left, the feeling of being on the carpet left and everyone was more comfortable and confident. He learned that the loud red-head's name was Penelope Keese and she hated being a child. Another person he remembered was bleached guy whose name was Peter Lismore and who was amusingly proper. Ed also noticed that the dark haired girl who made everyone laugh was a really quiet person and she tried to distance herself from the others. Her name escaped him though.

As soon as the bell had rang, the class emptied. Ed wasn't used to this, as everyone have always wanted to talk to him, but it was a nice change. He could finally light up in peace.

He was really surprised to learn that none of the teachers in this school smoked. When he tried to light in the staff room, he was scolded and Sports teacher (brawny middle-aged lady who was exactly half of his size) almost threw him out the room. He then tried to talk to the other History teacher (neurotic lady in her late 50s with alarmingly black hair), but was completely ignored.

Seconds before he lost all his hopes of having a nice conversation with the new co-workers, the loudest and most confident teacher (language teacher in her late 40s) spoke to him.

- My dear, I am absolutely stunned that you wanted to work here. This place! I wouldn't even consider this place if I were you.
- Why is that, ma'am?
- Ah, dear. This school was made for local children, and we all know what kind of district this is. These children are hopeless! Maybe one tenth of them, not more will graduate from their High Schools.
- Isn't this the school's fault then?
- What! Of course, we'd have a much bigger chance to help them, but it's too late! Their Primary Schools made them what they are! We have only a couple of years to do something. That's far too little time!
- Primary Schools only had a couple of years too. And these kids are 13-15. It's probably the most important time in their lives. They are becoming adult people now, at this very second. Are you really surprised that so little of them will become educate people if they are taught that they're not worthy of that?
- Pff. My dear. You're still young and very naive. You will go and we will stay here. You'll never meet most of those children any way, so don't bother thinking of them. They'll be what they want to, and they don't aim higher than High School, sometimes even Grade School!
- Bullshit.

And Ed left the room slamming the door. Ignorance of that woman was beyond his understanding. The most annoying thing was that there was no one to support his argument. Every single teacher of this school thought the same way. That was... depressing.

In the end, Ed didn't have enough time to smoke and headed for his classroom... which was already taken. He learned that he had to change classrooms every second class. Before he could curse at anything, he found his new, extremely small room. The students were already there (2nd year, it seemed) and they giggled a lot. They tried to show him how much they don't care about his presence in the class, but were soon too interested in his little rant (he always did those when his students were too absent-minded) to keep the act.

He still couldn't stop thinking about his argument with the language teacher. It was true, he wasn't about to stay here forever, but he couldn't just ignore those kids. There were a lot of kids who were sad examples of being brought up on the street but they were mostly scared and lonely. They would care about their education a bit more if there was anyone to praise them for that. Without that, there was a slim chance they'd become something more than uneducated and frustrated people in the future.

When Ed was about to leave the classroom forty minutes later, somebody knocked on the door. It was Florence Holland and she needed to talk.

- See what I meant earlier? These kids really need someone like you!
- Yeah, I know. I am not going to forget about the University though. And I only arrived here. It's a bit too soon to change the world here.
- It's a good start though. I knew you would be our chance as soon as I heard you were going to work here. Don't disappoint me.
- Why do you care so much about them? Shouldn't you be like the rest of the teachers?
- Oh please! Not everyone is like them. I still remember how it feels to be a teenager.
- Ouch, that wasn't necessary. These ladies can't help it.

Holland smirked. If she were a normal person, she'd laugh. But Mrs. Holland, or 'The Flo' as the students called her, wasn't the type to show anything more than a slight change of her mouth or eyebrows to the world. No one ever saw her laugh or cry. Everyone knew that she was ironic but empathetic, and loved or hated her because of it. She was also the only teacher to talk with her students after the classes and was definitely the most popular tutor at school.

Ed needed a few minutes to get over a shock and a few hours to finally admit that he was wrong about the woman.

0102 - debut & soliloquy

It's been already ten minutes after lunch break ended but the class was completely silent. Ed didn't like that. Silent classes meant that they'd notice him and, even worse, listen to him. He didn't like being the absolute, he'd always enjoyed good debate. It was nearly impossible to have even a semi-serious debate with thirteen-year-olds, he could remember that he didn't like listening to anyone when he were a teen.

As predicted, almost every pair of eyes in the class was concentrated on Ed. Having troublesome Mrs. Holland behind his back, he did his best not to snort as everyone stood up, as a sign of respect.

Edward stopped in the middle of the class, waiting for the other teacher to sit behind his soon-to-be desk. He drew a breath and started looking at his new students. They were all the same. Blank and scared, without any sign of distance. Was everyone like this when they were at their age? Was he like this?

- Everyone, this is your new tutor, Mr. Edward Finlay.

Florence seemed both irritated and bored with Ed's silent behaviour. He took a hint and took his jacket off, like every time he was starting a lecture.

- I am seriously alarmed by this situation. I am a new person, don't have anything to do with Mrs. Holland here, you don't know anything about me and yet, I can see some signs of respect. Why is that? You're teenagers, you're supposed to disrespect everyone, especially adults.

Silence. Mrs. Holland only raised an eyebrow, waiting.

- I see. This is your start here so you're still uneasy and try not to get in anyone's way. I never took that path though. I've always liked showing what I'm made of. I'm surprised there is no one here to do that yet. Gentlemen? Nothing. All right then.

- The fact that I'm going to be your new tutor, I learned about it exactly... twenty minutes ago, and I am not ecstatic about it. I was supposed to learn History here, you see, because this is what I do and what I can do. I believe that in life, everyone should do what they can do. No one should force them to do something they will surely... bungle.

A red-headed girl who was hiding her face with her hands suddenly jumped in her seat, revealing her face. It was no other but the exact same loud kid from the school entrance. Ed wanted to ignore her but she gave him the most provocative look a thirteen-year-old ginger-haired girl could ever give.

- Do you happen to disagree?

The girl wanted to hide her face again but something stopped her. It looked like she was the one with enough guts to talk back to him.

- I do, yes. Because why are we supposed to do stuff we don't want to do and you can't? What makes you better than us, besides your degree or anything?

Ed smirked and tried not to sound too enthusiastic when he replied.

- Simple - I'm an adult. Adults can make whatever they want, don't they?

- That's not true. - said extremely fair-haired boy in the front row - They never do what they want, only what other people want them to.

- But I can quit this job whenever I can, isn't that right?

Everyone went silent again and exchanged a few quick looks. Then dark-haired girl sitting alone said from the back of the class:

- You would already quit if you could.

And everyone giggled. Ed couldn't, sadly, because it was true. Mrs. Holland decided it would be best time to interrupt.

- Okay now. I'm sure you'd want to talk about your new teacher and his private life, but he has something more school-related to talk to you about. Mr. Finlay, this is a school calendar, here you have all the important dates you should tell your class about. I'm going to go now too. See you, everyone.

The class stood up again and sat down immediately as the teacher closed the door. They gave him a cold stare as Ed sighed quietly and looked at the papers.

- Boring. But she, Mrs. Holland, said it's important to you. Is it really? I say we leave it for our next classes and now we get to know each other.

A sigh of relief and a couple of quiet laughs escaped them. Ed was relieved too. He found life forms in his new class!

0101 - kickoff

It was a lovely, lovely day. Everything and everyone was in the middle of something - be that a relationship, their way to work or getting prepared for this year's Winter sleep. Sun was shining brightly and no cloud was in its way today. Even cars where driving more silently than normally. It was a lovely, lovely day.

"I won't be on my way"

- You little byotch! Give it back!

"I won't be on my way"

- Keep dreaming! It's mine now~!

"I won't be on my way"

- Give it back! Now!

"I'll help you on your way"

- AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH! AHHH! Stop it! GAAAAAAHH!

- For Christ's sake...

Ed Finlay's day was going quite well until he entered the forbidden building. Now that he did enter it, he encountered his very first difficulties. He decided that it'd be the very best moment to make his arrival noticeable.

He took the source of the loud and highly annoying sound (girl by the age of 13) by its collar and started looking at it with his infamous WTF!look. The girl has shushed as soon as she felt something has caught her, now even though her mouth was wide-open she was unable to make any sound.

- Done? Great.

Ed put ex-noisy object down and was about to leave accompanied by the nervous giggling of nearby teens but the girl recovered from the shock quickly and started shouting at him:

- Wh-what the heck! YOU! Wait! HEY! Wait you stupid, ugly-nosed--

That was too much for Ed's poor nerves. He could understand that they didn't know him, he could even understand interrupting his trance. Being a complete boor is something Edward Finlay could not forgive anyone though - it was his department, dammit!

- Shut up b-- kid! No one wants to listen to your annoying squeaky voice! Shut the hell UP!

He... overdid it a bit. Everyone went silent and stayed that way as Ed managed to cool down a bit and decided to put his professional mask.

- Go back to class.

_________________________________

- Dr. Finlay, it is a great honour to have you with us and I really appreciate that you had chosen our school to work at... I also know that you have unusual methods, but... -sigh- I really cannot allow anyone scream at the students and throw them like things.
- Technically, I didn't throw her. I put dangerous things as carefully as I can.
- Anyway, Mr. Finlay. I do hope it was the first and the last such incident.

The Headmaster sighed again, took a big sip of water and after a short silence started talking again. Ed didn't like the way she looked at him now. She wanted something from him, something he did not want to do.

- Dr. Finlay. There has been some... problems on the way. Our second History teacher has left us a week ago and we have a vacancy... But we need an experienced educator.
- Haha. No, definitely not, Mrs. Carter. I were to be a teacher only, I will not raise any child here.
- I'm not telling you to do that. I want you to help children here. Do you really think they will feel better in a new school...
- Ohh, so it's a first grade class? Absolutely not, then.
- Oh, please. Helen, do you intend on dragging this any longer? The guy is stuck here anyway, so what's the problem?

Ed turned his head to see the author of those highly irritating words. It was a middle-aged woman that probably made her students' fathers very interested in any school meeting, she was that attractive. Sadly, it also seemed that she had both strong personality and the Headmaster's trust.

- I'm sorry, Dr. Finlay, but Mrs. Holland is right. You will be class' D tutor. Mrs. Holland will take you to them.
- What if I refuse?
- Then I will have to refuse to have you in our school. Please go see your new class.

Could this day go even more wrong now? So it seemed, as Ed's new worst enemy smirked at him and said after they left the Headmaster's office:

- Thought you'd fight some more for your sovereignty. I'm Florence Holland and I'm not planning to be your enemy.
- I'm not sure if you chose the best way to express it.
- These kids need you. If it weren't for you, they'd be stuck with one of the rest of the teachers... and would be miserable.
- You're not on friendly terms with the rest of the staff, I presume?
- Is it Let's-State-The-Obvious Day today? I'm saying that with you, these kids will have a chance to actually learn something.
- But you know I'm going to stay here only for a year, right?
- We'll see about that. This is the classroom. Your classroom. Let's go.

Edward Finlay, PhD. One of the best lecturers in the Domu University, and possibly the most brilliant one. Was to start preparing for getting a title of Professor, but certain unfortunate events caused him to cancel his plans and leave his beloved University for the time being. Now this famous and respected scholar was about to do something that offended his beliefs - he was about to enter a classroom where all of the children sitting were his responsibility, from now on.