((so as a thank you for 1K reads in 17 DAYS, i'm releasing two parts of this au today, enjoy!))

As the bell rang through the classroom, the last few stragglers took their seats and looked at you. You cleared your throat and offered them a smile. "Hello, class, I'm Ms. Y/L/N, your Creative Language teacher. Let's start with brief introductions, just say your name and something you did over the summer."

The first girl's name was Kimmy, and she vacationed in Santorini. Keith Cooper got yet another Ferrari, and as you went through the kids you couldn't help but be impressed by their wealth. You'd never seen a Ferrari in person and they seemed bored to have gotten their fifth one.

Next, you decided to ask them for their favorite book, seeing as you were the Creative Language teacher. "How about you, Jackson?" You called on a boy in the back, which you recognized as one of the boys on the football team. "What's your favorite book, or poem?"

He looked uncomfortable, glancing at his other football buddies before answering. "I don't really read that much."

"Well, I'm sure you can remember one thing you read and liked." You smiled encouragingly.

"How about..." He paused, then answered with a mischievous look. "Your mom?"

As his football buddies ooooohed and high fived him, your smile soured. "Not only is that a completely unreasonable and illogical answer, but my mother is dead."

They were immediately quiet, and looked at you fearfully. Just then, the bell rang. "Class dismissed. I'll see you all tomorrow."

Your next few classes went by much smoother. At lunch, one of the kids from your first class knocked uncertainly at your door. "Come on in, Keith."

He nervously took a seat at the other side of your desk. "I-I had a question, Ms. Y/L/N, about the Drama Club you mentioned earlier."

You grinned, putting down your sandwich. "Ask away."

"When are auditions?"

"There's no auditions! I think everyone can and should be allowed to experience what it can offer for them! Our first meeting will be this Thursday, however."

"I can't." He looked crestfallen. "I have a football game."

"How about Wednesday then? I heard that's the only day you boys have off."

"You're willing to reschedule for me?"

"To be honest Keith, you're the only one who's shown interest in joining." You chuckled, crossing your legs.

He smiled. "Thank you! I um, I actually have another question."

"Fire away."

"Is your mother actually dead?"

You laughed. "Oh no, she's quite well, living in the middle of nowhere with my dad. I just wanted to make Jackson think before he speaks."

"I think you accomplished that, he looked terrified when you said that."

"So what sort of stuff are you interested in? Improv? Musical? Tragedy?"

"Well actually-" he was cut short by a dreaded red-haired man poking his head in.

"Cooper! Did you get in trouble with Ms. Y/L/N already?" Your unfortunate next-door teacher invited himself in. "I know she can be a hardass but-"

"Mr. Fischbach!" You exclaimed, standing up angrily. "I'm asking you to leave."

"And I'm not leaving."

"What happens with me and my students does not involve you!"

Mr. Fischbach then noticed the purple flyer in the boy's hand, and plucked it up. "What is this? Drama club? You're not thinking of quitting football, are you Cooper?"

"No sir." He gulped, shaking his head.

"Go. We'll talk about this later." The man then turned on you. "How dare you try to steal my boys!"

You glared up at Mr. Fischbach. "You cannot intimidate kids into staying on your team! If they want to do something else, they have the right to do so! You are taking away their freedom!"

"Keep your pretty little nose out of business that doesn't concern you, sweetheart."

You restrained yourself from lashing out at him as he stomped out of your room.

At lunch the next day, you strolled around the campus with Marzia, relaying the encounter you had with Mr. Fischbach. "He's so narrow-minded! The entire world doesn't revolve around him and his dang football team!"

"I'm sure its just a misunderstanding between you and Mark." She assured you, but you weren't buying it.

"Oh no, I understood him perfectly clear. He hates me and my drama club. Well I couldn't give a flying frick about what he thinks of me!"

"For a Creative Language teacher, I think you'd be able to express yourself more eloquently." His annoying voice sounded from behind you.

Spinning on your heel, you just about snarled at him. "Don't you have a teenage boy to bully?"

He calmly licked his ice cream cone. "No, my next bullying appointment is at 2:00."

You rolled your eyes, turning back to your friend. "I'm going back to my room to get ready for my next class."

As you walked by Mark to get to the door leading inside, you heard a 'whoops' then felt something wet and cold on your back. "Oh my god, Y/N!" Marzia rushed over to you.

You turned on Mark, knowing what is was. "You're such an insufferable, childish, jerk!"

He was wide-eyed. "I didn't mean to! It was an accident!"

"Sure." You spat as Marzia dabbed at your shirt with napkins.

"Here, you can wear my jacket to cover it up." Mark stuffed the cone in his mouth in order to take off his jacket and lay it on your shoulders.

You felt ridiculous, as it was several sizes too big. "Thanks. I'll give it back tomorrow."

He gave you an odd smile before you walked away, holding good on your promise to go back to your classroom. Thankfully you only had one more class to teach before you could return to your apartment down the street.

A day later, you knocked on Room 408 before school started, Mr. Fischbach's jacket folded on your arm. He opened it, giving you a slight smile. "Here you go." You held it out to him.

He took it, setting it on the coat rack next to his door. "Thank you."

You nodded to him and went back to your room. "You know, Ms. Y/L/N, you have a way with the students."

"Really?"

"Yes, Cooper still insists he's going to do drama. This better not interfere with my team."

You grinned to yourself. "You better not interfere with my team."