Maybe I was in a weird spitfire mood, but the following exchange happened last week.
W-sensei, a social studies teacher and one of my favorites, was transferred to another school at the start of the new term. I was incredibly disappointed to see him go, as he was one of the first teachers to readily talk to me and we bonded during the summer discussing South Park and history.
He came back to the school for a ceremony and when I saw him I had to give him a huge, embarrassing hug in the middle of the staff room. After exchanging pleasantries he looked at me and asked, “So Teigan, got a new boyfriend yet?”
“No…But that’s fine. I’m enjoying my freedom.”
“But this year there a bunch of young new English teachers that transferred to the school” *nudge nudge wink wink*
“Dating coworkers is daaaaangerous! I don’t want to date a coworker.”
Sabina then chimed in, “Well…Now that W-sensei doesn’t work here, he technically isn’t your coworker anymore…”
“Oh! That’s right! You are at a new school now W-sensei!” I moved closer to him, just enough to make it slightly awkward, and lowered my voice. “Besides…you know history is my favorite subject. Why don’t we get together and…study sometime?”
The look on his face was priceless. “I-I don’t speak English! You should have a boyfriend who speaks English!”
“It would be great practice W-sensei….”
Ah, he continued to back-peddle and I let him go after that. I adore W-sensei and will miss him and our rapport heaps!
Hopefully it was a lesson though. Don’t try to put me in the spotlight of discomfort because I can just as easy turn it back around.
