A revision of another story, minus the supernatural aspect.

Tried to post this earlier with a different beginning and decided it wasn’t right. Try numero 2.

This isn’t a ‘rule book’ prologue, so please don’t throw the book at me in review. LOL God knows I like to break rules like that anywho. :D

PROLOGUE/TEASER

This was maddening! “Could you guys please turn that down?” John yelled to Sammy and Michael, who looked up from their work momentarily.

“Huh?” Michael asked.

“Turn it down!”

The radio was blasting country music, his thoughts were jumbled, and he had once again forgotten a measurement. He climbed his ladder to re-measure the distance for the header that would go over the bay window. Then, he surprised himself by cursing, which drew the attention of his co-workers, who were now taking a break beside the little pond the owners had installed in the backyard of the large house.

“You OK, John-Boy?” Sammy asked in his slightly Southern drawl.

OK? I can’t get my mind off of a student! Do you call that OK? John tossed the measuring tape into the grass and removed his tool belt. A cool breeze chilled him and mussed his hair, so he lifted his comb from his back pocket and wrestled to keep his hair in tact. Messy life, messy thoughts, messy hair.

It was the middle of November, the temperatures had been fluctuating, and his father’s crew was busily trying to finish the outdoor aspect of this addition before the harsh winter set in. He’d thought keeping busy would help keep his mind off of… her. He didn’t know how long it had been going on, but at night when he’d lie down to sleep, Diana’s face often popped into his mind, which was strange because he barely knew the girl and he wasn't normally swayed by looks alone. She was a beautiful Latina, the kind that usually drove him the other direction because they seem too high maintenance and a little too flighty for his taste- not that ALL Latinas are like that... and Diana wasn't flighty, at least not from what he'd seen. But that couldn't be the sole reason his eyes would drift to hers in the middle of lessons as though seeking her approval of his ‘performance’. He wasn’t an entertaining teacher but perhaps she enjoyed his delivery, anyway. Maybe she even found him attractive?

God, I am seriously in trouble. Why are you making this harder?

And he hoped he wasn't so shallow that her good looks were swaying him to help her. Diana had been leaving his classroom daily with her hand in Greg’s, so apparently, whatever was wrong between them had been patched up. And she had been acting normal until yesterday. The paleness had returned and he’d caught her tossing Greg sullen glances across the room, and he couldn't help wondering if Someone was prodding him to help her. If that Someone was God, then apparently He’d fallen asleep on the job. Sending John to help his intriguing, pretty student wasn’t wise. Sorry, God. I know you don’t fall asleep on the job, but come on… you know I’m attracted to her.

That’s exactly why God isn’t the one prodding me toward her.

It’s me. Daggon it, it’s me! But God isn't help much either, now is He?

“I need a break. Anyone want a cappuccino?”

Michael and Sammy gawked. “Cappuccino? You’re going to be bouncing off of the studs!” Said Michael, pointing at the skeletal walls of the addition.

“You want one or not?” John sounded terse, and Michael looked offended, but Sammy, the more patient and less easily offended of the two, just smiled. “You woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, John.” He said, removing and then replacing his baseball cap that sat on his balding head.

“I did.” John forced a smile. “I’ll get you both one- on me. If Dad comes, tell him I’ll be back when I’m back.”

“I knew you had a rebellious streak!” Michael called as John rounded the house to the front.

John had not meant to be rebellious, but he supposed that that was an accurate interpretation of his attitude and actions.

As he climbed into his work van, he wondered... what was the name of that chat room again?