‘Here we go’, 34-year old Charlotte Peterson thought as she opened the door to the history class she would be teaching at Fiesdom High.

With just five years of teaching under her belt, she still felt nervous about taking on new students. She had loved the school that she had taught at for the last five years, but her husband’s law firm had decided to open a new branch and have her husband manage it. So here she was, not only at a new school, but a new town. No familiar friends or family, well, except for Tom, her husband.

Her long floral skirt swayed as her blue heels clicked across the floor. Most students paid her no mind, however one student lustfully stared at her. He took in Charlotte’s flowing red hair, bright brown eyes, perky breasts, and long legs. She looked more like a walking pin up girl to him, not a teacher.

Charlotte surveyed her classroom and its inhabitants before calling, “Attention class.” The roar of voices continued.

She sighed as she watched some girls continue chatting and fixing each others hair. A few boys in the back of the room were busying themselves with playing paper football.

Charlotte cleared her throat and once again commanded, “Attention class.” Still no one cared to listen. After taking a deep breath, she finally yelled, “Yo!”

Everyone immediately looked up to see the woman standing with her hands on her curvy hips. The students immediately righted themselves in their desks and focused on Charlotte.

“Hello, I will be your history teacher this year. My name is Mrs. Peterson. When I call your name please respond by saying ‘here’.” Charlotte smiled.

“Sarah Andrews”
“Here”
“Kevin Barret”
“Here”
“Samuel Donaldson”
“Here”
“Phoenix Nepplan”
No one replied.

“Is Phoenix Nepplan here?” Charlotte asked again.
“He’s here. He’s just not listening to you.” Sarah called out. “What do you mean?” Charlotte asked. Sarah pointed to the desk next to her own.

There sat Phoenix Nepplan with headphones covering his ears. He had shaggy brown hair, hazel eyes, and was decked in ripped jeans and a Nirvana shirt. He was slouched in his chair, his hair in his eyes. Charlotte could tell just by looking at him that he was going to be trouble.

Charlotte sighed as she trekked towards Phoenix’s desk. “Excuse me.” Getting no response she tapped on his desk.

Phoenix looked up with a smirk, “May I help you?”

“Yes, you most certainly can. CD players and other related items are not permitted in my class. Now put it away.” Charlotte spoke.

“I could care less about your stupid rules.” Phoenix responded.

“You may not care about them but you are going to follow them.” She spoke.

“You’re not my fucking mother” Phoenix laughed.

“Oh, that's where you are wrong. From 8:30 to 9:30 I am officially your fucking mother and you will follow my stupid rules whether you like it or not! Do you understand?” Charlotte yelled.

“Yes, mom.” Phoenix smirked, removing his headphones.

“Thank You. Now, today we will be working on Chapter 1, the Civil War.” Charlotte spoke, walking to the chalkboard.

Phoenix tuned her voice out and just watched her as she moved around the room. She had guts to go up against a student like him. Most teachers would’ve back off once you got smart with them, being paranoid you’d pull out a gun. Their was no trace of fear in her voice when she yelled at him, just determination to be obeyed.

Finally the bell rang, and all the students ran to the door, pushing one another to get out. Standing at her desk, Charlotte saw Phoenix successfully pushing his way through the entire crowd and being one of the first kids out the door. She sighed, taking a bottle of aspirin out of her desk, and drying swallowing two.

“This is going to be a long year.” She mumbled to herself.