Hot for Teacher

During these past 6 months before my graduation, I trained my ass off, I passed my classes, I helped Lara, Scott, and Elki with their stuff. I got pretty buff after doing magic karate with my mom, and I got better at singing while training with my dad. I never really sang in my old world, which was why I focused on guitar. They used to call me “the death goat” ‘cause I used to hurt people’s ears with my attempts at singing. Too bad that doesn’t really work here.

Lara also did some training too, mostly by herself since she didn’t want to reveal any new tricks. She told me that her mana bank got big though. Like, scary big. I can’t sense stuff like that yet, but I could tell that she’s powerful as hell.

Scott and Elki needed some help collecting “alchemy” materials a few times for a guild quest, so me and Lara did that with them a few times on my days off of training. Scott and Elki were never overachievers like Lara was, so they always did the D rank quests to stay out of danger and get consistent cash. They’re A ranks too, which makes it even funnier to think about. Of course, Artium tagged along, but he would get super bored and start training while collecting stuff.

“Arty, why do you keep doing that? Give us a hand!” Elki said while holding a full basket of magic shrooms.

“I need to be strong enough to protect Gally and my uncle. If you spend your life picking magnus petrisi for laboratory rats, you will lose your strength. I choose not to walk that path.”

“Yo, chill out, dude. Just hang out with us, you’re plenty strong.”

“I am quite chill.” Artium swirled himself with ice and continued to train. The mist he made was like a fog machine during an Iron Maiden concert.

“Arty! You’re making it hard to find the mushrooms! Ugh!” Elki sounded like a valley girl for a second.

“Artium, your ice magic is great, but can you freeze fire?” Scotty shot a fire arrow at Artium. The fire arrow froze in midair.

“Easily.”

Scott smirked like an evil villain and waved his hand. The arrow blew up and caused a bunch of steam to explode.

“Little human boy, do you want to lose your head?”

“Maybe, if you can catch me.”

These guys usually did this for fun. It reminded me of when me and my bass player butted heads to see who could come up with the heaviest riff. Damn, I miss Jaime Jewels.

While Scott and Arty were play fighting, or training, I helped Elki and Lara grab their weeds and shrooms. Their job today was super huge because the guild was prepping for something big soon. They were ordering alchemists to make a bunch of healing potions, and that’s why Scott and Elki were taking these jobs. I thought they were just takin’ it easy, but I guess that was wrong.

“Hey, Gally? Or Ricky?” Elki sounded like she was nervous. “Hey, did you fall in love with anyone in your old world?”

“Elki, don’t ask him that in front of me!” Lara snapped at Elki.

“What? I was just curious, you know… Gally used to be so shy, but Ricky is so bold, and adventurous, and funny, and-”

“Ahhhhhh shut up!”

“That’s what you keep saying about him though! But you know, Lara, you’re just so beautiful yourself…”

“Yo, chicks, I found our last shroom!” Yeah right I did. This was some awkward high school crap. I also didn’t expect Elki to swing both ways. That’s rad!

Artium and Scott finished fighting and came together to help carry the stuff we collected. It was a quick walk to the closest guild joint to turn in the stuff, and we all got paid pretty well, considering it was a D rank gig. The crew went to the town center and we got some stuff called “ice tarts”, which were like popsicles with whipped cream.

After hanging out with them after finishing the job, I went home and chilled in bed. I jammed on my V-lute with the magic off, but something felt off

“Gally, why do you feel empty inside? Is there something you would like to do?” Arg asked me for like the 5th time this week. “I noticed that you have been missing home lately. I frequently watch your memories. Your tour with this great bard, ‘Ozzy’, looked spectacular.”

“Yeah man. I feel like I’m living someone else’s life right now.”

Well, obviously.

“Thanks Gally. Anyways, I just feel like I’m missing something here.”

“I noticed that you had a few ‘girlfriends’ during your schooling days, and one before you died.”

“Nancy Sanchez… I miss her.”

“Tell me about Nancy. I don’t want to pry without your knowledge.”

“Thanks, that’s actually real cool, man. I met her in San Antonio, Texas, a few months before the Ozzy tour. I was actually out with another band I was filling in for, and she smiled at me when I messed my solo up. I think that was why I liked her. She was honest, and she was down to earth.”

“Do you see anyone similar around you?”

“Honestly, man, I don’t wanna live in the 60s. I know I’m about to be an adult here, but I am also 25 years old. Looking at girls around this high school age gives me the ick, you know?”

“I quite understand you. This world has a different system of maturity than yours, but you choose to stick to your truth. I admire you, young man.”

“Thanks dude. Like, even in my old world, there were old dudes hitting on high school chicks. I saw it during shows, and I saw it on TV. It didn’t feel right, ya know? For me, I’ll wait ‘til I’m 18 to find a chick again.”

“I see… Well, remember that when you become a full adult, the world will judge you much more for your merits than your tastes in life. I believe that you are capable of great things, Ricky and Gally. You deserve love no matter what.”

Wow, I haven’t heard that last sentence since the last time I saw my mom. I instantly woke up after sobbing in my sleep. It was only a few weeks until my graduation.

“Gal, honey, are you okay?” My mom probably heard me wake up.

“Yeah mom, just blowing my nose. Allergies, right?”

“What are allergies? Anyways, if you’re in pain, don’t worry about going to school. I’ll let Professor Schmutzal know.”

“No, I can go. It’s only a few more weeks until graduation anyways. I can deal with it.” I picked up my V-lute and took the public carriage to school. I sat next to an elven girl, I think either White Elf or High Elf, and she recognized me.

“Hey, are you that bard in the town center luthier shop?” She asked so sweetly.

“Yeah, I was. Did you like what you heard? I have plenty where that came from.” She giggled.

“Of course. You were like a traveling minstrel. It seems like you’ve had a lot of life experiences to play so much music.” Wait, what does that even mean?

“Well, let me know where you live and maybe I can play some songs for you.”

“Oh, how sweet of you. My kid would have loved that. My husband would have not though. He didn’t like other men around my house.” Oh jeez. I’m gonna dip. I got tangled up with cheaters before. Not pretty. Also, what’s up with the past tense? Weird lady.

“Damn, my stop’s right over there. Well, nice to meet you. Hope you have a radical day!”

I jumped off the public carriage and walked to school. She probably sensed something of my true age to talk to me like that. Man, I wish I was 25 again.

I bumped into Lara while getting my things from my locker. She did something to her hair that surprised me for a second. She also didn’t stop staring at me. This was kinda weird ‘cause she was kinda mean to me when I woke up in this world.

“Hi, Gal. Where are you going?” She had a smirk and she was leaning on one side with her staff.

“Yo, Lara! I’m going to the same class you are. What’s up?” She looked up for a second, and realized what I meant.

“Oh, I love your other world language. It’s so intriguing.”

“Uh, thanks, dudette. I don’t remember you telling me that like 6 months ago.”

“6 months was a long time… I changed my mind about you.” She smiled more and tilted her head. Is she trying to flirt with me?

“That’s rad. Hey, I’ll see you in class, I gotta hit the John real quick.”

“Wait, who’s John and why are you hitting him?”

“The outhouse, sorry!”

“Oh, okay. Be quick! I can’t wait to see you soon!”

Jeez, she’s super flirty today! It kinda creeps me out since I’m 25, but Gally is 15. This morality crap is hurting my head.

I walked into class, and all the girls were looking at me kinda like how Lara was. Okay, I must be trippin’. I’m not a flirt in this world at all.

“Hi, Gally. You’re late. I’ll see you after class to talk about your punishment.” Professor Schmutzal smiled and winked at me. Oh crap, this was the wrong time for Hot for Teacher by Van Halen to play in my head.