Daniel said, “Like ‘skating on thin ice’ doesn’t mean that you’re really skating on ice. It really means you’re about to get in so much trouble!”
“That’s right, Daniel. Does anyone else have an idiom to share?” Tessa asked.
“How about ‘hot, hot like a tater tot’? That doesn’t mean you feel hot. It means you are HOT! Good looking! Smoking… You know, HAWT!” Lindsey shouted from the back of the classroom.
“Yes, that could work. Actually, that one is pretty good, Lindsey. Anyone else?”
“Mom told my dad to ‘break a leg’ last week when he had to go to a big meeting at work. I don’t think she meant it, though,” Luke added.
“You’re right, Luke, that means good luck. That’s an old one. Not really sure how someone came up with that,” Tessa chuckled.
Bradley, a known troublemaker in the class, turned to face Myles and said viciously, “I’d like to ‘knock you into next week’. That would work, wouldn’t it, Ms. Campbell?” He smirked at Myles.
Myles immediately jumped out of his seat and began punching Bradley in the face, shoulder, and back. Bradley tried to tuck his head in towards his desk, as Myles shouted, “How ‘bout I ‘high five your face’?!” He kept hitting Bradley as Tessa scrambled to the back of the room.
“Myles Bishop, stop that right now! What are you thinking?” Tessa screeched. Myles popped Bradley one more time on the side of his face, and Tessa lost her temper. “Myles! I. SAID. STOP!” She pulled Myles from Bradley and led him out of the classroom and into the hall.
“Before you start yelling, Ms. Campbell, he was asking for it! He’s such an idiot. I can’t stand that fucker!” Myles shouted.
“Language, Myles! And there’s no excuse for laying into him like that. You know I have to write you up now…. Your dad will have to be called, and I’m sure the principal will want to suspend you. You’re too smart for this. I expected more from you,” Tessa said with concern.
Tessa hated to see Myles get in any trouble. Yes, he was wrong to hit Bradley, but she knew that kid was a jerk. He’d caused issues with several of her students, and she was tired of dealing with him. Seeing the worry in Myles’s eyes only made it worse. His shaggy brown hair trimmed his angelic face, and his dark brown eyes pleaded with her to understand. He wasn’t exactly small for his age, but he seemed so vulnerable. God she hated dealing with this part of her job.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Campbell. I just couldn’t let him get away with that. He really is a jerk face, and you know he’s a pain…. Hey, did you like my idiom? You gotta admit it was pretty good, right? ‘High five your face’!” Myles said with a smile.
“Don’t go there, Myles. This isn’t funny. Stay here while I get an assistant to watch the class. We have to go see the principal.” Tessa did her best to hold back her smile. He was right, that was a pretty good one. She might have to use it sometime.
As they made their way to the office, Myles was quiet. Tessa knew he was worried about facing the principal, and he probably wasn’t all that happy about seeing his dad afterwards. She put her hand on his shoulder and guided him in.
The secretary called Tessa and Myles into Principal Morrison’s office. He sat behind his large walnut desk that was too big for the small room. He was in his early fifties and wore a navy business suit. His rotund build reminded her of the dad from Family Guy. As she walked in, he gave her a wide leering smile that gave her the creeps. She still hadn’t gotten used to the way he checked her out every time she walked by. He obviously had a thing for curvy girls, and he didn’t mind letting her know it.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Ms. Campbell? You are looking very well today,” Principal Morrison said, his gaze loitering on her chest as he spoke.
Tessa cleared her throat in hopes of getting his attention to her eyes instead of her boobs. It didn’t work.
“Thank you, Mr. Morrison. Unfortunately, Myles is in a bit of trouble. He hit Bradley several times in class today. I wouldn’t really consider it a fight, because Bradley didn’t get a chance to hit him back.”
Morrison spoke firmly and never even looked at Myles, “Call his dad in. You can decide on a fair punishment, since it happened in your class. Make sure he knows that he’ll deal with me if it happens again. Is that all I can help you with today? Maybe you would like to meet for dinner tonight so we can discuss the school fair next month?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m really busy. I have tons of papers to grade. I’ll call his dad in, and we’ll work something out. Thanks for your time. I’ll let you know what we plan to do.” Tessa smiled and slipped out of his office before he could say anything else. Myles followed her quietly out the door. She pointed to one of the seats in front of the office. Myles sat and waited for her.