Kara

I was walking toward the office building in a hurry after parking my car. My brain reminded me that I was getting late. But, these damned high heels slowed my movement. At this moment, wearing flat shoes would be a good choice. The school principal office was on the fifth floor. To get there, I had to take a lift which was always full at this hour. Students and teachers usually filled the lift.

The time had stopped at 8. The school principal asked me to see her in her office at 8. Unfortunately, I was stuck here among the teachers and students who were waiting for the lift to open. My eyes kept staring hopelessly at the door. Once in a while, I glanced at my watch. It had been ten minutes after eight. It made my eyes widen. That ruthless school principal would kill me. I sneaked out of the throng.

I ran toward the stairs on the corner, pushed the door open, and ascended the stair. Due to my carelessness, my elbow nudged someone. He just turned to me showing his cold face. It was Reed Brown, one of the Stars7. What a coincidence.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “You’re Reed Brown, aren’t you?” I asked his name just to initiate a conversation to know a bit about him with the hope that he might be different from his two friends. Instead of receiving a genial response, his words disappointed me.

“Do I know you?” He ignorantly passed me and went downstairs without looking back.

“Reed Brown, see you in the Dance Hall this afternoon,” I yelled at him who had disappeared from my sight.

My heart bit faster than it used to be. The big door facing the glass windows on the fifth floor welcomed me. Suddenly doubts and worry crept over my mind. I knocked at the door. Someone inside the room allowed me to get in. As I entered, I saw a woman in a stunning red blouse sitting in her chair with the one opposite her. I could only watch his back in a dark tuxedo. From his grey hair, I guessed he was in his late fifty or early sixty. Mindfully, I proceeded to the school principal’s desk.

“This is Ms. Corby.” That man looked at me. “This is Mr. Michael Anderson.” I swallowed my saliva hearing his name. How could he be here? Why did he want to see me?

“I'm glad to meet you, Miss Corby.” He stretched out his hand. And doubtfully I reached his palm.

“I'm glad to meet you, too Sir.” I took a seat beside him. We both fell silent; listening to the school principal’s explanation.

“So, Miss Corby will coach your son starting today. She is neither a dancer nor a dance coach, indeed. Yet, I believe she was capable of handling your son. She won’t disappoint you.” I felt overwhelmed. Did she mean what she said? She did know that I even detested dance. How could a history teacher teach dance?

“I think...”

“You only speak once you are allowed to, Ms. Corby.” She didn’t even give me a chance to finish my sentence.

“Thank you, Ms. Kidman, Ms. Corby.” I just gave him a forced smile. “Sorry, but I have to go now. Just let me know if you need anything and please report to me my son’s development and progress. Don’t hesitate to inform me anything about his record in this school. See you.” He immediately stood up after bidding farewell. It wasn’t weird that the rich always looked busy.

“Sure, Mr. Anderson! See you.” That rich man vanished behind the door. “Have a seat, Ms. Corby. I would like to hear your preparation relating to your coaching today.” My stomach grumbled. How could I prepare? That sentence stuck in my throat.

“To be honest, I don’t have any preparation. As I told you in an earlier meeting, I am not able to dance.” My voice trembled. Would this woman keep forcing me to do her illogic program?

“I never require you to be able to dance Miss Corby. Your task is only how to handle and vanquish those seven wayward boys.” I was puzzled.

“But, you asked me to be their dance coach.”

“That’s only one of the approaches.”

“It means if I fail, I can try another one.”

“That’s correct. You learn very fast, Miss Corby. I like that. My intuition said that you’ll succeed in this mission.”

“May I know something?”

“Anything,”

“Why do you do this?”

“Why do you think? It is to keep this school operating.” She was too honest. I liked her straightforward answer, though. “Parents of those seven boys are big donors for this school. The school can’t lose them.” I was startled. “So, do your job well. Change them to be good boys.”

“How can I do that? How can you trust me? I’m an inexperienced teacher.” I argued.

“You have to believe in yourself. You can do this. Good luck Miss Corby. Now, you can go back to the teachers’ office. “
I let out a sigh after I closed the door behind me. This task was demanding and at the same time disturbing. I thought that the school principal might use me as bait to get a big fortune. Why was it me while there were so many talented and smart teachers in this school? I should find out later.

I peered into the half-opened door when I just passed by the hall. This hall probably would create a memory. I wished it was a good one. Could I meet the school principal’s expectations? What if I failed? What if those students tricked and fooled me like what Dan had done to me in the classroom?

I was about to take my steps away when I heard two students talking about me. They vividly mentioned my name.

“I saw him do something on Miss Corby’s car tires. I was too afraid to admonish him.” I peeped through the ajar door. Two girls were sitting on the floor with their legs bent double and conversing idly.

“Who did that? Who deflated my car’s tire?” I impatiently shot them questions. They automatically stood up, exchanged gazes, and returned to me.

“Dan Wilson.” One of them revealed the name in a trembling voice. Her short answer was enough to drive me indignant.

“Thank you for an honest answer.”
Reporting what Dan did to the school principal was not a good idea. That woman would not help me out with this problem. I had to cope with this in my way.

I resumed my pace to the teachers' office with fury in my chest. It wasn't the first time that boy outwitted me. The trick he played on me in History class was undeniably execrable. Not only did he cause any harm to me, he successfully dishonored me before the other students.
Today, one of the students uncovered the new fact that it was he again who made me in trouble. Being disrespectful wasn’t enough for him. He might be thinking of terrorizing my life as a fun thing. How far would that boy go?

It did not intimidate me; it triggered my spirit to complete my mission instead. It could be hard, in the beginning, to cope with those seven bad boys. However, as the school principal convinced me, I would eventually thrive.

With all the energy which fueled inside me, I confidently walked with my head high. Stars 7 might be obnoxious boys, yet not monsters. Besides, every problem has a solution, doesn’t it? My first plan was to dive into their world. People said that the first meeting justified the rest.