5 WEEKS LATER…

Five weeks into the school year and the class is finally taking their first exam that Sonny and I had written up for them. The class’s numbers have been held together by the glue of our fake romance so far, in fact it seems more students have snuck in. All we were missing was a camera crew at the top of the class and a producer yelling at us when we missed our ques. The university's school board and the dean have continued to support our class as it has done nothing but make them more money. If you told us we were more popular on campus then the school’s football team I wouldn’t believe you. Sonny would though, he’d say he’s a star that’s finally been discovered through a telescope and it was now his time to shine.

Sonny and I sat pretty distant from each other across the stage, our desk’s being about ten yards from each other or as Sonny would call it, a first down. That’s how I know we’ve been around each other for too long, now I’m reciting his stupid phrases to myself.

Some of the students were face down in their exam, locked in with a laser focus, others stared at the ceiling acting as if the answer would magically appear in their head, and I’m sure a few were staring at their peers' tests hoping to snag a peak at the answers they didn’t know. Catching them wasn’t possible unless we patrolled through the rows of students. Sonny’s too lazy, and I believe in having a trusting respectful relationship with my students.

In truth I was at my desk bored as could be. Time felt as if it was ticking slower than usual. I looked over at Sonny to see his mouth wide open while napping. Sonny’s always had this cuteness to him while he sleeps, but that comes with a very obnoxious flaw. The sound of a pig snorting vibrated throughout the room. The attention of the student was interrupted by Sonny’s obnoxious flaw, his snoring. His snorting snore wouldn’t allow the students to focus, his snorting and him are very alike in their need for attention.

I grabbed a piece of blank paper on my desk and crumbled it up into a ball small enough to fit in Sonny’s mouth. Sonny always told me I was never good at sports even though I told him I played basketball in high school, starting point guard though he never could believe me.

I aimed the ball carefully and with the flick of a wrist I launched it across the stage and landed it right in Sonny’s wide open mouth. His mouth closed and he quickly woke up spitting the ball of paper onto his desk. The room was split in half by cheers and laughter. Sonny looked at me with an annoyed look on his face. I shrugged my shoulders with a helpless smile. Maybe he believes I was starting point guard now.

Now that Sonny was awake, students started to come down with their finished exams in hand. They placed the exams on a small desk in the center front part of the stage.

I could feel a light tap press against the side of my head. It continued to happen until I looked down at a pile of crumpled up pieces of paper in the shape of a ball lying on the floor. The next ball of paper to hit me was a direct hit straight to my mouth. It didn’t hurt but I could tell Sonny was amused as he continued to crumple up more and more pieces of paper into balls. I reached into my purse and pulled out a pack of gum and began to chew on a piece. Sonny continued to throw the balled up paper at my head. I crumpled up a piece of paper into a ball and smushed the piece of wrinkly chewed up gum onto the ball of paper. I tossed it over at Sonny and it stuck the side of his cheek. It dangled off his cheek for a second, I couldn’t help but start laughing until tears came out of my eyes. I ducked my head under my desk so no students could see me acting like some sort of child.

My participation in such childish behavior wasn’t something that I’m proud of, but at the end of the day I still can’t let him beat me in anything we compete at. Even if it is as childish as throwing paper balls at each other.

The last few students walked up to the center desk and placed their papers in the stack. Three full stacks had been lined up on the desk. Having to grade any of that would easily beat my record of most papers graded in a day. It was almost sickening to look at, it made you feel as if it was time to go to bed and worry about it tomorrow. No matter. I’m a professor, and a good professor doesn’t back down from grading a student's paper.

Sonny walked over to my desk with a serious expression on his face.

“I beat you in our little paper war we had going on, so as the victor my terms and conditions are you have to grade all of those.” He stated.

“Ha.” I couldn’t help but give out a fake laugh.

“You’re not taking me seriously, are you?” He asked

“We’ll split it fifty-fifty, that’s fair.” I demanded.

“We could…” Sonny paused, turned around, acting as if he was about to walk away. “Or we could make a contest out of it.” He finished by saying.

I leaned back in my chair groaning, it was tiring, it was like arguing with a large man baby that was more baby then man.

“No.” I concluded.

“There’s a small trash bin by the main exit, whoever makes it in the bin from here, or the closest to the bin, wins.” He explained.

I shook my head no while my arms were crossed. Once again I’m having to act like his mom telling him to put a toy back.

“We’re splitting. Stop being such a moron, okay?” I told him.

“My bad. I just thought you were the starting point guard in high school.” He contested.

Now looking at him, now with a serious competitive look in my eye. He obviously remembers that, that would annoy me anytime it was brought up.

“Fine, you shoot first.” I demanded.

He smiled and crumpled up another piece of paper.

“You just got pressured into making a bad decision. Good thing none of the students saw that.” He said toyingly.

“I’m glad they’re not here so you don’t get embarrassed in front of them after I win.” I responded.

Sonny quickly tossed his ball of paper at the trash can without looking, just a cocky smirk directed at me. The paper bounced off the wall about an inch or two away from the bin.

“Shit.” He whispered to himself.

I crumpled up a piece of paper and took a breath. Not only would this free me from all of that paperwork, it would give Sonny the busiest night of his life. A slight smile creeped up just by the thought of it. As I prepared to shoot the paper ball…

“I miss you.” Sonny said with a soft and gentle tone,a peaceful smile arose and his eyes lit up, it felt as if everything behind him lit up and blinded me. Did he really say… He misses me. Really? I flunked my shot, hitting the front of the bin causing it to roll a couple more inches away from Sonny’s.

“Just kidding.” Sonny said with a childish attitude.

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I was stunned. Stunned that Sonny would do that. But why, why was I stunned. Why did I care if he said those words, what did they matter to me for?

“Why?” I whispered to myself

“Well it looks like I won. See you later.”

Sonny grabbed his bag and took off before I could get any words out. I was still stuck in place.

“Why?” I asked myself.

A subtle tear slid down my cheek, it wasn’t cold nor hot, it was just there sliding down my cheek. Even my tears didn’t know how to feel. They just wanted no part in this as they continued to slide down my cheeks. I walked over to the three stacks of paper and fit as much in my purse while holding the rest. I feel bad for the last student who turned his exam in, his paper had now been dripped on by my confused tears.

I really do… Hate him. I thought to myself hoping it would bring me some sort of peace of mind, but I still couldn’t figure out if it was a lie that I kept telling myself or the truth.

I don’t know what I’m doing standing here wasting my time thinking about this while I have three stacks of exams to grade because of him.

The next morning I woke up only having graded seventy-five percent of the first stack. Despite the amount of free time it took from my day I didn’t care all that much, I don’t have much else to go do. The only thing I was actually bugged about was how good Sonny’s probably feeling right about now.

I got out of bed and threw some of my lazy clothes on since it was Saturday and I didn’t feel like looking all that professional today. I tightened my hoodie strings, barely leaving an opening for my mouth. I couldn’t let anyone see me like this, especially Sonny.

I left my car keys at home, deciding I’d take a nice walk today to clear my mind. It was a sunny day, bright blue sky, and students were participating in recreational activities. It really is a nice day for a walk. I thought to myself as a nice cold breeze brushed against my face. There was a hotdog stand right by the center of campus that a lot of students seemed to really like, though I’ve taught here for a couple of years I’ve never thought about trying. Sometimes you see things you’ve never noticed or thought about when you really take a second to take it all in.

I sat down at a park bench and really took in the college atmosphere, seeing everyone so happy and joyful really made me feel I was in one of those cheesy Rom Com films. When I was in college I didn’t hang out with friends, or travel, I definitely wasn’t one for any type of social gathering events. Uness it was mandatory for class of course. I just kept my head buried in my textbooks and studied, going to parties and having a good time doesn’t earn you a diploma. I guess I can’t say the same for everyone though… That idiot Sonny got a diploma and I’m pretty sure he attended more parties then his classes.

A cool breeze began to tickle my cheek. My hair was flying all over my face.

SLAP!

A piece of thin white paper slapped hard against the side of my face, it stuck there for a moment until I pulled it off. I almost wanted to crumble it into a ball and toss it into the trash at first but instead a bit of curiosity struck me. I began to read the flier.

“Teacher’s Assistant For Hire.” It also had the phone number of the person looking for work and an email address. I had heard of teachers with assistants before, none that advertised themselves for hire though. I kept reading the same four words written in a dark black elegant font. Why am I even considering this right now? I continued to think to myself. I smirked and realized the truth behind my curiosity. I can see the jealous look on Sonny’s face now. I continued to smile at the thought of it until I finally picked up my phone and sent an email hoping to meet with them.

Two hours of intense curiosity built up as I wondered who this person was. We had planned to meet up at a pizzeria I was unfamiliar with, though I was able to find my way using the GPS on my phone. I went inside and easily found who I was meeting with since surprisingly she was the only one there. I wonder how this place even stays in business, it was so empty that the young man working behind the register was sound asleep.

I walked over to the table and sat down in front of a young woman wearing a business coat and a blue button up shirt. A girl with my kind of style. Her hair was pinned back and she wore a pair of seeing glasses that only made her look prettier then what she was in all honesty. She sat there evaluating me while eating a slice of pizza from the pie plated in the center of the table. I let out a slight cough. She pulled out a notepad and pen and started writing things down on it, things I couldn’t read. It felt as if I was being interviewed for some secret government job.

“Let’s begin.” She said.

We both sat up straight.

“Well… I’m in need of an assistant to help me with all sorts of teacher things.” I explained.

“Of course you are. Every teacher deserves some time for themselves don’t they. With all of the grading and teaching you guys do I bet it’s really difficult to have any real solid time for yourselves.” She pitched to me.

“That’s right.” I agreed with her.

“Well you see, that’s where I come in. I do work by the hour and my hourly rate is starting at around twenty-seven dollars an hour, anything that involves your work as a teacher I will help you do.” She informed me.

“A bit pricey.” I protested.

“You see this pizzeria, What’s it missing?” She asked.

“Customers.” I replied.

“Bingo.” She said as she looked at me with a serious gaze.

“So?” I questioned.

“So, they hired me to help turn their business around.”

“They hired a student?”

She smiled.

“Not just any student, though. They hired yours truly. I’m a business savvy gal with a good can do attitude and lots to show for it, anyone that hires my services gets every penny’s worth of productivity and improvement, didn’t you see the font on my business flier, it’s Manhattan.” She explained.

I wasn’t sure what her Manhattan style font had to do with anything but to her that font meant something impressive, or it meant that she takes every detail of her work seriously, every bit of it all the way down to the tiniest details.

“So why be a TA?” I asked.”

“I’m majoring in business and we have a very important class project. Every student in my class has to try to come up with good business ideas involving the school somehow, and it’s only a good business idea if it makes money. Whoever reals in the most dough not only gets a good grade, they get a year long internship with a company I admire very much, that’s why I need to win.” She told me with a serious look in her eye.

“Okay.” I said.

She jumped out of her seat with excitement and leaned over the table in order to shake my hand. I don’t even think she realized she was laying on top of a half eaten greasy cheese pizza. We shook hands, both of us looking forward to our new partnership.

“I’m Cindy by the way.” She said enthusiastically.

“Mrs. Simmons.” I responded.

She tilted her head and looked at me like a confused puppy.

“You don’t have a first name?” She asked with a puzzled expression on her face.

“I do.” I replied.

“And it is…?” She waited for my answer.

“None of your concern.” I told her.

She crossed her arms and her cheeks turned bright red, she looked like a five year old girl that didn’t get the new doll all the other girls at school have. She sat there with her pouty face, and I sat there wondering why it mattered to her.

“Aren’t we partners?” She asked.

“We are.” I agreed.

“So then why can’t I know your first name?” She insisted on knowing.

I rubbed the side of my cheek and took a deep breath. Partners or not she was still a student, and last time I checked I was still employed as a teacher. Partnership or not, professionalism is what matters most.

“If you’re going to be a successful business woman, you should know just because we’re partners, that doesn’t make us friends.” I softly said with an honest look in my eye.

“You’re one harsh lady. Well maybe you’ll change your mind someday.” She said optimistically while looking down at her watch.

“I gotta run. You have my number, so send me a text when you need me.” She said with haste.

I nodded. She got up and left with a slice of pizza dangling from her mouth, textbooks in hand and her backpack strapped around her shoulder. I sat still for a minute and took in what felt like a breath of fresh air. I can’t wait to see the look on Sonny’s face when he sees I have a TA helping me with my work. Knowing Sonny he’ll probably beg me to use her. I’ll just tell him no, and no. Again and again. I can’t wait.