ZZ Teaching the future

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Jonas let a small smile come along his features as he held the little girl on his hip. “Thanks,” he turned his head to look over at Maya. “Go start the sand castle and I’ll be right there, okay?” He told her softly, putting her down and letting her run off. “Make sure you stay where I can see you, May!” He called out towards her, seeing her put her thumb up in his direction, a low chuckle leaving his lips as he turned his head to look over at her. “Oh, I was born here too. My mom recently moved back and I figured she should have us around more so… I moved here too.” He cleared his throat as he let a small smirk come along his features. “You look good too, Maddie.”

Maddie listened to him call out to her, confirming she knew when they were dating. He would someday make a great dad. She smiled nodding. “How did I not know this? You didn’t grow up here though right?” She asked, thinking there was no way she would have forgotten that. “I’ve been back home for almost three years now.” She said with a nod. “I’m teaching at the high school.” She nodded. “Thanks. I....so...you’re a dad?” She said, following up awkwardly with “Is your wife around here somewhere?” She cringed as soon as the words left her mouth. “Sorry, I...that’s none of my business.” She said stepping back. “I should let you go.”

Jonas kept his eyes on Maya as she squealed, her toes touching the water each time it rolled up the shore slightly. A small smile playing on his features because this was all he wanted for her. He wanted her to have the peaceful childhood that he had, something his mother had busted her ass to provide for him and proving that being a single parent wasn’t all that bad. If he was being honest, the fact that he was literally following in his mother’s footsteps was probably ironic. He turned his head when he heard when he heard his name being called and his eyes landed on Maddison, parting his lips slightly. How did her and Amelia end up in the place he was born? He tried to rack his brain, wondering if the subject of this town had ever entered either of his relationships but he couldn’t remember. It was Maya who got his dark hues to pull from Maddison, Maya tugging on his swim shorts and yelling daddy to get his attention. He leaned down, scooping her up with a small laugh. “What is it, Maya?” It was then the little blonde began to start spilling all this nonsense out about the water. He chuckled as he turned his head to look over at Maddison again. “Sorry, uh… This is Maya… My daughter.” 

Maddie nodded. She didn’t know exactly what to say to the man across from her. His daughter, she was sure that was what he had said, yet she didn’t know the words to say to him. “Maya, wow, that’s a pretty name.” She nodded clearing her throat. “What are you doing in my home town?” She asked him quickly, trying to gather herself first from the shock of seeing him in Asteria and secondly to understand how he possibly had a kid. She knew it was possible, but after what had happened with them, she certainly didn’t expect him to be here and have a kid. She wondered if the mother was nearby, if he was married to her. She stole a quick glance at his hand noting no wedding ring before smiling back up at him. “You look good, by the way.” She added suddenly nervous standing there in front of him.

Evan: Well it got your attention didn't it?

Evan: Why am I not surprised?

Evan: Yeah, sure. Why not, kid's will love it. What are you raising funds for?

Maddie: The kids will absolutely love it.

Maddie decided a day at the beach was exactly what she needed. She had been in a funk for a little while and she wanted out of it. She couldn’t even say what it was that was causing the damping of her mood of late, things were good for her. She loved her job. Her mom was doing great. She had friends. Everything was good. But yet here she was in her malaise. She slapped her fake smile on her face as she grabbed her beach bag out of her car and headed towards the sand. As she found her way to the sand she thought she saw someone she recognized, but she pushed the thought away because he was there with a small child and Jonas definitely didn’t have any children. But as she walked up closer within a few feet of them, she was definitely taken back when she realized it was him and she heard the little girl call him daddy. “Jonas?” She said her voice confused and questioning at the same time.

Evan: Maddison if you don't tell me what it is I can't approve it.

Evan: Put together a proposal and bring it into my office sometime after spring break and we can talk about it.

Maddie: Wow, my full first name.

Maddie: Dunk the principal.

Evan: Ok but what is the fundraiser you want to do?

Maddie: I know it will make enough money to fund the activity.

Evan: What kinda fundraiser?

Evan: And for what, Mads?

Maddie: I know it will go really well.

Maddie: So, I was thinking.

Thankfully she confirmed that his playful suspicion was false. “That’s good to know, because I have to admit that I find those things very creepy.” He admitted with a tiny smile. Life had been tough lately so it was nice to be able to forget his troubles, even if it was for a few minutes. “I wish my English teacher was like you. Mine was monotone and definitely not as pretty as you.” He didn’t mean to say that last part and he quickly caught his lower lip between his teeth in an attempt to quiet himself. Once she brought about Mexican, he quickly nodded in agreement. “I’d say that is a great idea, you can’t go wrong with tacos.” 

Maddie chuckled. “The first day is always the toughest, they get over it pretty quickly. So will you.” She laughed as they continued to walk. Jake was a nice guy and she hoped they would be friends, so she didn’t want any wayward compliment to ruin their budding friendship. “Oh good. Because tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays.” She said with nod. “We can walk its not that far from here. Not that man things are far from here in Asteria.” She smiled as they started walking towards the restaurant. “So remind me what is you do again Jake?” She asked him.

After following her instructions, he walked back over towards the blonde. “What’s in all of these boxes anyway?” He asked out of curiosity. “Please tell me that there aren’t ventriloquist dummies in there.” He added in a teasing manner. It was always hard for him to leave things as a mystery. Jake had to know what was so special about everything that he had just helped carry inside. “I’d be stupid to say no to a free lunch.” He admitted with a smile. 

Maddie nodded. “Thank you.” When he said ventriloquist dummies, maddie couldn’t help the loud laugh that fell from her lips. “No, they are definitely not that.” She said with a shake of her head. “Just some things I hope will inspire my Juniors in my English Lit class.” She told him. “Some costumes and things. Nothing creepy like a ventriloquist dummy.” She smiled widely at him. “Great. I’m thinking Tacos at Cantina Lounge? What do you say?” She asked.

“I might try that next week. You’re right, maybe a change of scenery will be good for them,” Penny said with a nod. “I usually do the unit on outdoor ecosystems right before summer break, but moving it up to now isn’t a bad idea.” It would allow for the students to be outside for a couple of weeks. “They are good kids, they just get on my nerves sometimes,” she laughed. “I appreciate you, by the way. You’ve been a life saver for me since I got hired here.” 

“I’m telling you Pen, it is amazing what you can do with a small change in scenery can do for these kids.” She nodded. “It can be a lot. But you have to let them know you are in charge, be firm but understanding. Its a balancing act.” She smiled at the other woman. “Anytime Penny. I’m here for you.” She told her. “How is everything else going on? How are you balancing here with the rest of your life?” She asked, knowing it took her awhile to find a balance so she wasn’t always working. which is what she found herself doing at first.

“Hey, you can’t go back and change things, Maddie,” Liv said, reaching out to touch her friend’s arm. “You deserve so much better, and I just know there’s someone out there who is perfect for you.” Maddie was a wonderful person, and it made Liv sad to see that someone treated her like that and left. It saddened her. “First of all, you have no inadequacies,” Liv said, giving her friend a look. “But I’ll be your wing woman if you want me to.”

Maddie shrugged. Of course she was probably overreacting. The two of them were barely even dating, if you could call it that. “I know I know. I’m just being stupid.” She sighed. “But fun for us tonight ok?” She said with a small. “While i appreciate that, we all have inadequacies Liv. No one is perfect.” She told her. “You deserve it too and maybe I can be your wing woman tonight.” She said with a nod.