Chapter One

“Watashi no…damn it. Wa- blahhh- Ahem. Watashi no sensei desu,” I said shakily. Why the hell am I so nervous? I’ve taught before. But you haven’t taught students who didn’t need a cookie and nap time. Hmm, I nodded in agreement with that little voice in my head. I looked at my reflection in the mirror before me. I had to admit, I was quite the looker- another reason why I was getting nervous about teaching high school. All those over grown children with hormones shooting through the roof. How the hell would they react to a 5 foot, 6 inches, 120 pound full figured woman in her mid twenties. Would the stare at my short silky black hair that blanketed my face? Would the boys stare at my breast while I attempted to teach what I knew about the Japanese language and culture?

“AAAAHH!!”

I turned away from the bathroom mirror with a start. Walking my way looking very high strung was my dear sister Midori. I watched the irritated expression on her face increase ten fold as she took in my appearance. I felt guilty, I stared down at my bare feet.

“ Selena, what are you doing?! You’re going to be late as hell to school if you don’t get going now!”

“Midori-chan, I’m nervous….what if I don’t make a good impression? What if I’m a horrible teacher? Maybe I should go back to teaching kindergarten down at Beaver Elem-“

“ENOUGH!!” Midori grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the bathroom. She pushed me onto the bed. “If you’re worried about making a bad impression, you should worry about being late!” I watched as she pushed a lifeless strand of long black hair out of her face.

“Gomennasai anechan,” I was sincere in my apology, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble for my sister.

“Whatever, let’s just get you something decent to wear.” She walked over to the oak chest of drawers, “Hmm, where on earth is that long light blue skirt of yours?”

I sat up eagerly, noticing that my sister was looking for my favorite silk skirt. “Umm, its in the bottom drawer.”

“Alright.” She went to the bottom drawer and found the skirt and tossed it on the bed next to me. “Where is your cute white shirt?”

I got up and took off what I was currently wearing- a robe with bunny slippers, yes I love bunnies. As I took out the clip that held my hair back, I mumbled, “Its hanging up in the closet.” Soon I stood completely naked before my sister, and she stared at me as she handed me the shirt.

“Hmmm, why don’t you have a steady boyfriend? You’re quite attractive ane, you really should try harder.” She turned away and looked out of my bedroom window. I had a really nice view of the lake from my room. “I’m going to go and fix a light breakfast for you. You should eat something before you leave.” She turned to see that I all I had left to do was to button up my shirt.

“Hmm, that sounds great. Thanks sis.” I walked over to the bathroom mirror and ran some water through my hair. Then I shaped it with my fingers into the shape of the bob that I was known to wear. As I looked up I saw Midori leave my bedroom. Midori is one to talk. Me, settle down with a man? Maybe someone should remind her that oogling men doesn’t mean that she’s in a relationship with them. She was a single as I was, though perhaps not having as much fun as I was….

***********

After my harrowing journey through surburban traffic, I managed to make it to my new place of work: Oasis High. I sat in the parking lot of the huge school for several moments, taking in the sites of teenagers swearing and smoking cigarettes. I kinda miss hopscotch and capri suns. I grabbed my case and climbed out of the car. Upon slamming the door, I found myself staring at a group of older students who were talking to a younger girl- perhaps a freshmen?

“So, Terry, are you ready for today’s initiation?”

“Um, yeah, I can take anything you throw at me.”

Funny thing is, she didn’t look as confident as she sounded. I watched as one of the boys pulled out a bag small enough to fit into the palm of one’s hand.

“Here you go, now be sure to take all of this. We will know if you didn’t, so don’t try anything funny.” He smirked and the three guys he was with began to laugh mischeviously.

Terri took the bag and put it into her back pocket. She walked away with a quickening pace, and I noticed that the boys began to look around, but with a predatorial look in their eyes. I didn’t know what was going on.

“Hmm, you look lost?” I turned around quickly to find the source of the male voice. It came from a guy a few inches taller than me. He had the type of voice that boomed loudly, kinda like if a car was crashing and he whispered, you would only hear his voice and not the sound of the loud grinding metal. He looked about 30ish, and he wore a suit and tie.

“Ahh, yes I am a bit lost.” I held out my hand to him. “I’m Selena Takeshi, the new Japanese language and culture teacher here.”

He took my hand and shook it gently. “Its pleasure to meet you Ms. Takeshi, or should I call you Takeshi-san?” He looked at me intently.

I swallowed hard. I hadn’t thought about that. “I think that I would prefer Ms. Takeshi.”

Hmm, he still has my hand in his.

“Yes, Ms. Takeshi. I’m Dr. George Wakefield, chair of the English literature department. I’ve heard so many good things about you.” Hmm, his eyes seemed to say more than just that though. He took my hand slowly up to his lips and kissed the backside.

The little voice in my head is starting to scream pretty loudly, I don’t know, something about sexual harassment and innuendo….

“Perhaps we should get inside now Mr. Wakefield? I don’t want to be late, but I don’t know my way around yet.” I pulled my hand from his mouth, God, I could almost feel him getting hard.

“Yes, of course.” I watched the slight flush in his cheeks lift a little as we walked towards the building.

“So I hear that you taught kindergarten before this?”

I nodded, feeling the weight of my case in my left hand. So much information to get across to the students. “Yes, for three years. I taught at Beaver Elementary. It was a great experience.”

“So why did you decide that you wanted to teach high school?” He opened the back door of the school with his free hand.

“Well, I’ve always had an interest in teaching Japanese language and culture to students. There are many misconceptions and stereotypes that need to be cleared up. So teaching students what is fact and what is fiction is one of my intentions. But I also just want the chance to share with other’s my feelings and personal experiences with Japan.”

“Have you lived there all your life?” He stared at me with such curiosity. Hmm, he doesn’t look so flushed now, I guess my magic stopped working on him.

“No.” We paused in our trek down the hall to let several students move a TV. cart into a classroom. “I lived there from the time I was born to the age of seven.” I came to the states with my father, and my mother and sister stayed in Japan.”

“Was one of your parents Non-Japanese? I can tell that you aren’t just Japanese in origin.”

“Yes, my father is an Italian banker who travels frequently. My mother is pure Japanese and so is my older sister.” I stopped walking as we came upon a place that looked like the office.

“Ahhh, I see. I’ll be sure to ask more questions about your family later, I’m quite curious. Perhaps we could talk over lunch one day this week?” I had to suppress a giggle when I saw that glimmer of hope flicker in his eye.

“Yes, that would be nice. Especially since I don’t know anyone here yet.”

“Ahh so then it is settled. Well, here is the office. You should go in and speak with Principal Lawson. I must be going myself, it was very nice meeting you, Ms. Takeshi.” He bowed slightly.

Chuckling, I said “Yes, it was very nice meeting you too. Douzo yoroshiku.”

He walked away with a smile on his face and I entered the office. It was quite busy for 8:30 in the morning, but then again, the school was pretty big, and some classes had been underway since 7:00 that morning. I asked one of the secretaries where I could find Principal Lawson and she pointed to a large wooden door on the other side of the office. As I walked to the door, I started to feel those damn butterflies nipping at my intestines again. I bit my lip out of frustration and nervousness and knocked on his door.

“Come in.” Hmm, the sound of his voice was kinda nice…

I opened the door and met Dr. Henry Lawson for the first time. I knew from doing some research on the school that Dr. Lawson was 46 and had degrees in Psychology, Education, and Economics. So I expected someone pretty dull with his pants pulled up too high. I mean God, what kind of person triple majors?!

But he didn’t look a day over 40. He had nice green eyes and a full head of real dark brown hair. Actually, some would say that he looked quite tasty…

“Ahh, Selena Takeshi right?” I nodded my head. “Please, have a seat. I’m Principal Henry Lawson. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”

I took my seat. “Thank you for having me sir.” Butterflies increased ten-fold as I look absentmindedly over all the awards and trophies around his office. “I’m so happy to be here at Oasis High.” Hmmm Oasis High, so named for our city of Oasis that we all live in. The name was suppose to mean hope, like finding an Oasis in the desert. But that’s just how it feels, deserted. Being in the middle of nowhere in California isn’t the greatest thing in the world.

“So, are you nervous Ms. Takeshi?” He eyed me intently, to see if I was.

“No, no, sir not at- well maybe a little…” I felt his eyes bore into me even more. “Okay, maybe I am, a lot.” I blush and look down at my hands which are clasped together on my lap. And he laughs at me, of all the things to do. And surprisingly, I feel more at ease.

“Ha ha haaaa…..oh M. Takeshi, you shouldn’t be nervous about this at all. The students that signed up for the class are really excited about it. I think that adding Japanese to our program here at Oasis will make this school even better. UCLA and Stanford will also think even more highly of our education program if we start adding more variety and hit more at those vital communication skills that we need in today’s society.”

“Yes sir, I completely agree. I am looking forward to working with the students.” I fumble with the bottom button on my shirt. “It’s just that I’ve never worked with…older children before, so I don’t know what to expect.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.” He reaches into a folder that is on the desk in front of him and takes out a smaller folder. “Ahh, here are your classroom assignments. Now you better get along now, I cannot let our newest teacher be late!”

I smile at Dr. Lawson. He has somehow managed to quell the butterflies momentarily. I accept the folder and stand. “Yes, thank you for having me here Dr. Lawson.” I leave his office and look at the paper with my class assignments.

“Hmm, I have a 9:00 coming up. Time to see if quitting Beaver was as good an idea as I thought at the time….