Checkmate

I can’t turn my eyes away from the handsome man that just entered the classroom. This stranger is tall but not as tall as me, and he is skinny but, again, not as much as I am. His legs, however, look like twigs which he pulls off along with the fact that it makes him look his height. In fact, it seems to make him appear taller, which I know about considering it is the same for me. Before I looks at his face, I take a minute to admire his ass. Although being tall and skinny, this mysterious man has some curves and a really nice behind.
Finally, I make my way to his face. His hair is about the color that brown is in a box of crayons and it stays in position even though it looks like there is no hairspray in it. His jaw is a little long and triangular, but it doesn’t look weird. It suits him. The part that takes my breath away is his eyes. They are this beautiful color that I can only compare to melted caramel.
I gulp. Hopefully this man is not the new teacher this year. I heard that the English 4 teacher had moved to a different school district since they needed a bigger house for his growing family. I pray that this isn’t the new English teacher. How could I concentrate? I’d been hoping to get really good grades for my last year in high school. All of my life I’ve gotten Cs, and my family hasn’t exactly liked that. They are constantly pushing me to do better, and they are doing it big time this year. If this really is the new teacher, I’ll probably end up getting all Bs and one D. My parents will kill me. Well, they’ll at least ground me for who knows how long. It’s bad enough that I don’t have any friends because of them, but I really don’t know what I’d do if they took away my video games or, even worse, my music and guitar.
“Hello, class,” the stranger says once he’s behind the desk. “My name is Mr. Gaskarth, and I’m the new English teacher.” Of course. “Since today is the first day, I figured that we would take this time to introduce ourselves. You can ask me anything you want, but in return, I’m going to go around the room and ask for names and favorite things. Also, one question per student. I don’t want to answer only questions from one person when others want to ask questions.”
All of the girls raise their hands. Figures that all the sluts of the school would be all over him too. Mr. Gaskarth calls on the tallest of the blonde whores. Well, at least he’s not into his students. Jessica is the worst looking one of them. She wears way too much make-up, which is saying something for them, and she doesn’t even have a chest like the others to back her up. Hell, sometimes they even make fun of her behind her back.
“How old are you?” she questions. I can hear her gum smacking loudly.
“I’m twenty-five,” he answers without giving her another look. He points to the girl next to her, Brittany. She’s the ringleader of the bunch, and she’s probably dated the whole football team.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” Of course she would be the one to ask that question. It’s a known fact that she gets first dibs when a cute guy is in view.
“No.” Well, that was to the point.
“Why not?”
“I believe I said one question per student.”
Brittany huffs and nudges one of her minions that is on the other side of her. “Why not?” the other blonde asks as if she has no choice. She probably doesn’t.
Mr. Gaskarth gets this annoyed look on his face. That’s a good thing. Maybe if he acts the way he’s feeling, they’ll leave him alone. I doubt it, but it would be the first time a teacher didn’t give into their popularity and not wanting to be hated by everyone. Brittany starts to twirl her hair with her finger and winks at him. He actually looks disguised now. Wow. I’ve never seen anyone act like that towards them. If you don’t like them, you just ignore them.
“I prefer guys.” My eyes widen. That was blunt. I glance at all of my classmates and find that they’re all surprised too. None of our teachers have come out like that. Heck, none of our teachers, even the ones we believe may be gay, have come out. The students don’t even come out half the time. Me being one of them since I have no reason too. I look back at Mr. Gaskarth to find him smirking. “I mean, I am bi, but all of my relationships with girls sucked, so I prefer guys now. That’s the reason for the girlfriend. The reason for no relationship is that I’m just not looking for anyone right now. Right now, I’d just rather be alone.”
I don’t think that anyone else has noticed it, but I can see this hurt in his eyes. This loneliness. It’s none of my business though, so I stop looking. Mr. Gaskarth starts to just go around the room and ask for names since no one else wants to ask him a question.
“I’m Brittany, and I like clothes.”
“I’m Devon, and I like writing for the school newspaper.”
Finally, it’s my turn. I just stare at the new teacher. No words fall from my tongue. I watch as his eyebrow raises in question. Of course one of the football players named Brent speaks up. It would probably be better if I just answered, but I can’t bring myself too.
“That’s Jack,” the jock tells the teacher. “He doesn’t talk to anyone ever. All he does is mop around listening to his crappy music. He enjoying wearing so much cologne that everyone stays away from him since he’s a worthless idiot.”
I sink down in my seat. I want to tell them that I wear it all for a reason. I want to tell them why I’m sad. I want to tell and argue with everyone, but I’m not allowed to have friends. Friends would want to come over and question everything. I have to keep this secret no matter what. I have no choice in the matter. Hell would break loose if anyone found out. I expect no one to come to my defence. The teachers never even bother. It’s not like I get beat up. I’m just ignored unless someone decides to verbally bully me.
“Talk like that again, and I’ll give you a detention,” Mr. Gaskarth tell Brent. My eyes widen. I mean, Mr. Gaskarth is new, but I know that the other teachers have told him about me. “I’m sure that Jack has his reasons for acting the way that he does. Not everyone likes the music that I listen to, and I don’t have any friends. I keep to myself just like him. I’m sure he’s acting the way that he does for a reason just like me, so don’t even bother saying anything about him in my class or anywhere in my view because I won’t hesitate to give you a detention. Now that I’ve made my point, continue with the names and favorite things.”
Everyone continues with what they had been doing. I just put my head on the table and cover it. I’m ashamed for not sticking up for myself. I want to so bad, but I’m afraid of the consequences. I have to please my family, and I hate it. I hate it so much, but there is nothing that I can do about it. I wish I had someone else’s life, but I can’t. It’s just like how I can’t do anything right. I always mess stuff up. Why couldn’t it have been my brother or sister? Everything they do is right. They never mess up anything. Yet, here I am doing everything wrong and getting stuck with it.
My head is swimming with thoughts, and I almost don’t hear the bell ring. I wait for everyone else to be mostly out the door before I even stand up. This was the last class of the day, and I’m in no hurry to get home. I start to make my way out the door but a voice stops me.
“Jack, can you come over here?”
Mr. Gaskarth.
I do what he says and make my way over to his desk. The closer I get the more nervous I become. I mean, I don’t know what he’s going to talk to me about, but I also find him attractive to. I feel my heart start to beat faster, but I make sure that I keep a straight face. I don’t want him to see how nervous I am.
“You don’t have to be nervous.” I don’t know how he saw through my poker face, but somehow, he did. “I just wanted to tell you that I really meant what I said in class today. No one should be treated bad because they’re different. I’m sure you have your reasons. Does this have to do with your life at home?” I don’t say anything. “Well if it does or you need to talk to someone, just come to me. I’m happy to help.”
I just stare at him. No one has ever been this nice to me. Everyone just gives up. They don’t even offer to talk. Mr. Gaskarth gives me a smiles before standing up and grabbing his things. I take that as my cue to leave, but before I leave, I do something that I’ve never done before.
“Thank you.”

Notes

I was going to update my other stories first, but school is next week. I can update during school, and I always go more on time then. That, and I have been wanting to put this story up for over a month. Hope you like it so far! I can't wait to write the scene when you find out the secrets, but you have to wait on that.
Anyway, thanks for reading! Hope I see you next chapter!