Personal Message

[Adam Smith]

Adam sat in his office behind his desk and frowned at the computer screen. He had just completed his course plan - listing classes, events and activities to be offered as part of the PE curriculum - for the semester. He was satisfied that he had found a balance that would suit both amateur and the most accomplished athletes, at least until he could work out a more tailored program. That would only materialise after he got to know his students, though. He saved the file and e-mailed his plan to the Head Mistress. He leaned back in his chair and turned to fact the window that was a one way mirror that showed a nice view of the gym.

He smiled as he watched some students make use of the equipment. Some of them were in pretty good shape and some...not so much. He had his work cut out for him. The more time he spent here, the more he became convinced that it was the right place for him to hide. Nobody knew him here. Nobody would judge him.

Adam rose from his chair and turned towards the door, intending to make a round of the Gymnasium to see what other activities were popular. Getting to know the people who frequented his facilities was his primary goal at the moment.

[Aé.]

Before the teacher could leave his office, there was a bang on the door. More of a casual thump than a polite knock, and within a moment the door swung open, revealing the girl who had so unceremoniously banged on it to gain his attention. Taking half a step forward and leaning against the door frame, she revealed herself to be one of the older students at the school. Wearing loose shorts and a tank top, her hair falling loose around her shoulders, and her exposed skin shining with a little perspiration, she looked as though she had just warmed up and was ready to begin a no-so-serious work out.

In one hand, she swung a smallish plastic bucket by it's metal handle. This she now held up to show the teacher. "There's no chalk dust," she explained, tipping the rim of the bucket so the man could clearly see that it was empty. Only a few grains of white powder remained in the bottom of the vessel, not nearly enough to do what it was supposed to do. "Have you got any?"

Although her words were far from polite, her manner was playful rather than rude, and she spoke as though she addressed an equal rather than an authority figure. Lowering the hand that held the bucket to rest on her hip, she leaned her head aginst the doorframe too, waiting for a response.

[Adam Smith]

Adam had been halfway to the door when the young lady arrived. After she explained the reason for her whirlwind entrance, Adam stifled a smile at her rather casual attitude. Being from a rather militaristic background, he was a little unbalanced by the student's arrival and more than once wished he could manage similar casualness,

He took a moment to study her and get an impression of her. His gaze started from the bottom and took in her well-formed legs, obviously an athlete, and good muscle definition and the way she carried herself spoke of the subtle grace all gifted athletes have. She was a very good looking girl and Adam silently approved of her. He'd reserve judgment until he actually saw her in action, and after he sorted out the manner of her conduct.

He realised that he had taken quite a while to study her and that the silence had dragged on a bit longer than he had intended. He cocked his head at an inquiring angle and asked casually, "Are you alright? Banging your head against the door like that must have hurt terribly. Did you lose your footing?"

[Aé.]

Hope snorted, her ammusment plain as she tried not to grin. "Head?" she asked, a disbelieving tone in her voice as her face gave way to the grin that was trying so hard to spread across it. "I didn't whack my head, I just knocked!" Hope shook her head, smiling. Raising the arm she leaned on, she formed a fist and banged the now open door with the fleshy part below her little finger, demonstrating the noise. "See? No head-banging. Just a knock."

Hope was less scrutinising than the teacher, though she knew he was looking her over. Her glance merely showed a man nearing his thirties, in shape, with a sort of all over brown colour - outdoorsy, probably. He didn't bare close attention at this point, anyway. No more attention than the average flighty seventeen year old would give a person supposed to be running the place.

Folding her arms across her chest, the bucket now tucked against her side, Hope simply raised an eyebrow. Well? it seemed to say. Are you happy now? The girl was still smiling, obviously ammused by this man's blunder.

[Adam Smith]

"You've got to be kidding me," he said in exasperation, "That was a knock?"

Adam shook his head and picked his keys up from the desk. He pressed passed the rambunctious student and said, "Follow me. Now."

He led her through the corridors and halls of the Gymnasium and said, "In case you didn't know, and I doubt that very much, my name is Adam Smith and I'm the new PE instructor at this school."

Stopping in front of a door labeled 'Staff only'. He unlocked it and took the empty bucket from her and placed it on the floor. Then he removed a plain-looking plastic bucket and mop and handed it to her.

"Some fool left a nasty mess in the boy's locker room so-" he handed her a breath mask, "-wear this, trust me. It is empty at the moment and I was about to call the janitorial staff to clean it up," he grinned at her, "However, it seems I've discovered a student in need of discipline, so I can kill two birds with one stone." He chuckled in appreciation of his own brilliance and continued, "Once you're done, report to my office and demonstrate a correct knock...or I'll find something else to occupy your time. Jump to it, young lady."

[Aé.]

Hope smiled at the teacher's obvious exasperation. Her knock was good enough. What was a knock supposed to do anyway? Announce your entrance, and any sort of noise on the door did that. As he walked past, she paused momentarily, then peeled herself off the door frame and followed.

Choosing not to respond to the half-hearted conversation as they walked, Hope dawdled along, allowing the empty chalk bucket to slap against her legs. She didn't even bother to pay attention to where they were going - she'd been this way a hundred times in the last three years. Having reached the supply cupboard, Hope chose once more to lounge against the wall, next to the cupboard, waiting for her chalk bucket to be refilled.

When Mr Smith had handed her the bucket and mop, Hope looked confused, but she took them with the assumption he wanted her to hold them out of the way or something. His words, however, changed that. Her face became a look of abject disgust, and she held the bucket, mop and mask back out to the teacher, trying to pass it back.

"What, are you serious?" she asked, disbelief apparent in her voice. "As if! I'm a student, not your personal cleaner!" Standing straight, Hope levelled a glare at the man. "All I did was ask for chalk, that's not exactly a criminal offence! And besides," she added, putting her free hand on her hip and jutting out her chin stubbornly. "I'm a girl. I'm not going into the boys locker room."

[Adam Smith]

"You don't have to, of course," admitted Adam agreeably, "This is a school, after all, not a prison."

"You can refuse to comply, in which case you are banned from further use of these facilities," He shrugged, "The choice is yours."

Adam watched the girl curiously. He wasn't the best judge of a person, having had little experience with people in general. From a purely physical aspect, though, she was certainly outstanding. Having her as a student would certainly be a...challenging endeavour. Assuming, of course, she had the mental toughness to get over her lack of self-discipline.

He reached into the janitor's cupboard and removed a sign and hung it over her head since her hands were full, "Hang this on the door. It'll keep strays out."

The sign read 'Keep out! Hazardous materials!'.

[Aé.]

There was no attempt to mask the disgust in Hope's face. Ripping the sign off her head where it balanced, she flung it to the floor, furious. The hideous - and probably filthy - little sign was quickly followed by the bucket, the mask, and the mop, hurled with barely contained fury it was a wonder nothing broke. No longer lounging against the wall, Hope stood straight, her hands fisted by her sides, her bright eyes dangerous under her dark hair.

"I won't be blackmailed, Mister Smith," she said, her voice not wavering, though her hands shook. She met his eyes directly, her smile wiped from her face, her dark red mouth a thin line. "We'll see what Ms Briar has to say about this."

Turning abruptly, her hair flicking as she did, Hope strode down the hallway, bare feet padding against the solid floor. Arms swinging by her sides, assorted bracelets jangling, she turned a corner in the corridor, disappearing from sight. A few moments later, a door closed loudly - just short of a slam - and there was no more noise. Hope was gone, the cleaning equipment in a pile at Adam Smith's feet.

[Adam Smith]

Adam watched her leave with a somewhat disappointed expression. Adam made it a point to know every student with athletic potential in the school. He'd known who she was, having read her school file, from the moment she had stepped into his office. Strangely, he had expected more from her.

"Mister Smith," came an inquiring voice and Adam turned to face the janitor, "I cleaned up that mess hours ago, sir."

Adam grinned, "I know, and it was much appreciated. Thank you for your hard work."

The elderly man frowned, "But then..."

"Sometimes, an obstacle doesn't have to be real for it to have an effect on our view of the world," said Adam with a grin, "To the person facing it, it can be as real as anything they've ever known. All that is needed to someone's resolve is an implication."

"I see, sir," said the man though his expression revealed that he clearly didn't, "Shall I pack away the equipment then?"

"Yes, please," said Adam, "I'm terribly sorry to have a made a mess of your things."

"Not to worry, sir," grinned the Janitor, "All in the service of education."

Adam nodded, "Indeed. If you could also refill the chalk and return that bucket...um, what is your name?"

"Wallace, sir..and yes, sir, I'll take care of it."

"Call me Adam please, Wallace," said Adam and turned to complete his tour of the Gymnasium. Undoubtedly he would soon have to deal with the formidable sounding Ms Briar. "I'll be around."