Monday, November 23, 2009

Hot for Teacher

I got a phone call on Saturday afternoon from a seventeen-year-old girl named Hailey. She informed me that her friend, a now eighteen-year-old girl named Chloe, was receiving a surprise birthday party that night with the "surprise!" scheduled for 8pm and festivities lasting until "the party gets broken up."

The last time I had been to a party that got broken up was high school, and this, indeed, was a high school party. Hailey told me that a week prior, Chloe had written a preemptive list of the people she would want to attend her party (if she were to have one), and my name was in the top five. Hailey reiterated that it would mean a lot to Chloe if I showed up.

Now, before I go any further, I must admit something: during the process of editing Chloe's essay, she and I talked on the phone--not just about her essay. When I was an English teacher I edited a few of my students' college application essays whose themes usually reflected their lives. To improve the expression of such a theme, one must delve into a student's life, and I did so without ever an awkward moment. After all, back in 2004-5, most essays read like Afterschool Specials. Not anymore. With Chloe's essay, I had little room to pussyfoot around sexual misconduct in a foreign land and the perspective one learns from it. I recall one phone conversation regarding her abusive brother that ended in tears. There's a fine line between being an ear to cry into and taking a teacher-student relationship too far.

Still, I was flattered that I was in the top five. I liked the idea that I meant something to Chloe more than a stupid crush, and I was impressed that her friends were throwing her a party--something that shows she is respected and well-liked. Was I going to go to the party? No. Did I consider it for more than a passing second? Yes.

Lucky for me, I had a date with Sofia that night and thought it best to say so to Hailey, as it revealed that I was unavailable both that night, and to high school girls in general.

The date with Sofia was strange. I met her around 9pm at a bar that had bocce ball. I enjoyed teaching her to pronounce "bocce" and "pallino" in her Panamanian accent, but I think my sense of humor got lost in translation. She laughed a lot, but I could tell she found me silly more than anything else.

When I took Sofia home I got snubbed at the door, destroying my first-night streak. She seemed confident in her decision so I didn't press. And, in the back of my head, I was toying with the idea of wishing the 18 year old a "happy birthday" in person.

As I drove home, I called Chloe. Each unanswered ring sped my heart beat, made me question what I was doing, and took me closer to the point of no return.

She didn't pick up. Who knows if the music was too loud or the realistic possibility of seeing me with the law on our side scared her. Either way, her cute outgoing message ended my night, and I am so glad for it.

10 comments:

Ducky said...

I'm a bit disappointed in Sofia. I had high hopes for that. Will there be a second date?

Expat Barbie said...

someone needs to tell sofia that this is NOT amateur hour.

you are a serious man doing serious things.

Cala Gray said...

You are crazy for calling the 18 year old! *laughs* Though I can't believe Sofia snubbed you, what was she thinking...

Gorilla Bananas said...

Hmm, I think it's time to pay Chloe a visit.

Dutch Sugar Babe said...

GB, what are you saying? *shaking my head in despair* I'm editing an essay right now but without
the-18-year-old-temptation :(

Dutch Sugar Babe said...

Come to think of it, I have never fallen for a younger guy. Not my cup of tea. But hey, go for the person...not for the age.

Anonymous said...

You are a busy man!

Secretia

Brian Miller said...

i saw van halen in concert once. caught a towel in the pit...

Surge said...

"Either way, her cute outgoing message ended my night, and I am so glad for it."
Lost me there, but I say Sofia 0 Chloe 1.

Expat Barbie said...

dude, i'm dying for an update :)