Who is she?

An unexpected knock on Mr Thomas' door interrupted his reading. With a frown, he wondered who it would be. He tried remembering if he had sent for any of the teachers but he didn't. 

"Come in," he announced while trying to get back to what he was reading.

The door opened silently and Blue walked in, a bit fidgety in her steps. "Good– morning, sir." she stuttered, with a tone of fear mixed in her voice, as she made her way to the receiving end of the table.

He immediately looked up and realized who it was. "Miss Alfred, it's your first day and you're late," he said with a stern face, "Maybe you didn't check but it's twelve minutes past eight and you should have been here on or before eight." He declared openly.

"Err I'm sorry, sir. I– I was– caught in a little bit of traffic," she explained, feeling embarrassed for her tardiness. After speaking, she began praying inwardly that he wouldn't waste time in telling her to sit. She had already lost her composure due to the fear that was building up in her — fear of being lashed at on the first day.

It looked like he had read her mind, because the next minute he gestured for her to have a seat. She quietly sat and reluctantly waited for what he was going to say next.

"Miss Alfred," he started, "the first thing you should put in mind is punctuality. It's definitely not appropriate to showcase such bad conduct to those you're going to guide. The teaching line has many rules to follow; rules meant to not mislead the students being taught. And, punctuality is specifically one of the key rules."

He cleared his throat and looked at her with a serious face to know if she was listening. Noticing she was indeed listening, he continued, "I hope your internship here would be worth something. And please, don't repeat such an attitude."

"I apologize again for my tardiness. It will not happen again." she asserted with enthusiasm. She had finally regained a bit of composure.

"Okay. Miss Alfred, hold on while I call the secretary," he said and reached for the office phone.

After inputting some digits, he put the receiver on his ear and told the secretary to come into his office.

A minute later, the secretary, a short blonde woman in her late twenties, saunters into his office.

"Sydney," he called the secretary's name, "take Miss Alfred to the music room." he instructed the secretary then turns his attention to Blue.

"Report to me when you're done with today's work. There will be a follow-up meeting with the other interns. You can go now." he said, as he dismisses her.

"I will, thank you, sir." Blue let out then walks out of the office with the secretary.

They went through the hallway leading to the music room. Turning to Blue, the secretary decided to introduce herself to her.

"I'm Sydney, I guess you already know that. And you are Blue right?"

"Yes, Blue... Blue Alfred." Blue replied with a smile.

"I hope you get to enjoy working here. It's really going to be fun during your training. You'll get to know others here, definitely. But mind you, Mr Robinson has one hell of a temper. So I would advise you try to get on his good side," Sydney told her.

"Sorry, who's Mr Robinson?" Blue asked, trying to fathom who that would be.

"He's the music teacher. You're going to be training directly under him," Sydney announced, "If you need anything, just tell me."

"Oh, I see. Thank you, ma'am."

Sydney immediately rolled her eyes when she heard Blue call her 'ma'am'. "It's just Sydney, please," she corrected. Blue simply nodded her head in response, an obvious smile revealed on her face. She was happy that the secretary was someone she could relate with, at least on the first day.

After some time, they eventually got to the door leading to the music room. Sydney then took the initiative, "This is the music room. Let's go in so I can introduce you to Mr Robinson."

* * * * * *

Absentmindedly, Gary got into the class. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't realize that he had bumped into Mr. Raymond, the English teacher, who was standing by the board. Another bumping within some minutes!

"I'm sorry sir, I didn't see you honestly," he didn't waste time in apologizing to Mr. Raymond.

"Yeah, that's how you don't see the right things to write in your scripts." Mr. Raymond retorted, and the students erupted in laughter.

That didn't offend Gary one bit as he went to take his seat amidst the ongoing laughter of the students. He didn't mind, what mattered to him was how to sort out the issue at hand. He sat and looked straight, not minding the whispers of mockery being directed at him presently.

"You okay man?"

Someone asked him from the back. It was Henry, his best friend, who sits directly behind him. Like him, he was also part of the basketball team.

Without turning to face Henry, he simply nodded his head, denying the obvious fact. He wasn't in the mood to start a conversation anytime soon so he kept serene.

...

Later;

"So, what you're trying to tell me is that you could be taken off the team, right?" Henry asked Gary for the third time.

"Yeah," Gary let out, trying not to sound as upset as he was.

Silence overcame them as they both didn't know what to say next. Nothing reasonable could be spoken yet. They were both sitting on the staircase leading to the classes on the next floor and the movement of the students passing couldn't make them think straight. It was the lunch hour, so it was expected for students to move up and down, majorly to grab lunch.

Just then, Henry's stomach made a growling sound. "Man, I can't continue to think now. I'm starving," Henry mumbled, holding his stomach.

"You go ahead. I'll join you soon," Gary uttered. Immediately after, Henry left.

"It's a simple theory," Gary told himself, as he got to his feet, "I need to get my grades up to remain on the team. They're both relative so I guess I'm gonna have to stick to the books for now."

He chuckled a little. Merely by listening to what he had just said made him think he had said something so hilarious. He felt like laughing again as he couldn't put together the words he had earlier said. It just didn't make sense, to him of course!

He decided not to bother himself too much about it and headed for the school cafeteria.

Not even the slightest feeling of hunger went through his stomach, but he had to just try to get something to eat; maybe it would make him think straight.

He suddenly halted on his track.

His mind went to the lady he bumped into earlier today. Who is she? How can a lady have such a beauty? ...so stunning!

Hopefully, she was one of the interns. That was the only thing he could deduce as he hoped inwardly. Immediately, he initiated the movement to the cafeteria, shaking off the thought.