Chapter Text
"Right this way, Mr. Lestrade."
Greg wasn't expecting high school to seem so calm. Honestly, he didn't even know what he was expecting. It had been so long since his day. But you watch all those movies with jocks walking down the halls like gods with cheerleaders hanging on their arms and kids smoking in the corners by the trash cans and in the bathroom stalls...well it changes your perspective. It might make you fear teenagers a little bit actually. However, it was just a normal facility as far as Greg could see. And the kids appeared normal as well. They were just walking to and from classes, there were the sounds of lockers slamming, slight conversation and whispering to each other in the hallways. He noticed a few couples holding hands as they accompanied each other to the next period, but none seemed to have the intention of drawing attention to themselves. A few students stopped to process his presence after he accidentally brushed past them, but for the most part nobody acknowledged Mr. Lestrade at all as Principal Jackson led him down to a large room at the end of the hall. There was a plaque hanging above the door that read "Main Office."
"Good afternoon, Debby," Principal Jackson greeted the secretary upon entering.
"There's a stack of paperwork for the transfer students coming in next month on your desk, the request forms for new biology textbooks for next term are in a file labeled "export", and your wife called-your son got an A on his spelling test ," the woman replied in a near robotic tone without even pausing to notice the principal wasn't alone or even look up from her computer screen.
"Excellent, thanks Deb," the principal said joyfully and moved past her, whispering for her to write a note to remind him to give a gold star to his son when he got home from work.
He continued on to his office. Deborah, as Greg would come to know her as, finally glanced up at him and repositioned her glasses, but she said nothing. She twitched her nose and returned to tapping away at her keyboard. Greg could already tell that they weren't going to be associating very much. But he noticed as he walked by that she had candy crush open on a second tab for when her boss was out of her vision, so maybe she wasn't as strict as she seemed. But still...
"Mr. Lestrade?," Greg hurried to catch up like a child ordered by his mother to keep up while out shopping. "No dilly dallying. We do have business to attend to."
"Yes, of course, sir," Greg stammered.
The principal nodded and led him into a room labeled "Principal" in which there was a large desk with a chair nestled directly in line with the middle of the desk located a few feet away for a student or visitor to sit. The principal's desk had an office chair behind it whereas the other chair was merely a plastic chair as one would find in a classroom. It didn't look overly inviting.
"Have a seat," the principal said in a tone somewhere inbetween an order and merely disinterested.
Greg wasn't really in the state of mind to sit. He always preferred to stand because it made everything he had to say feel more strict and formal like he was the right man for the job. Sitting made him feel small and that always made him more anxious. Not to mention sitting in that small chair would create the illusion of that childhood nightmare of being sent to the principal's office for a so-called crime. But he did as he was told.
"Now," the principal made himself comfortable in his own chair and positioned himself so that he was in line with Greg's seat before going further. "As you know, this interview is strictly protocol. You're the only one up for the position, currently, so it's yours technically, but we like to get to know our potential teachers. Ya know, to make sure you're not a psychopathic killer or anything. A child molester. That sort of thing," he grinned which gave Greg the impression that he was joking, so he smiled too.
"Yes, very funny, sir. But I can assure you I'm neither of those things," Greg straightened his back and placed his hands in his lap in an attempt to look as professional as he possible could while sitting. "So, when is the tour of the school?"
"I'm very glad to hear it. Can't have that sort of reputation, can we?" He smiled again, " The tour follows the interview and will be given by one of our staff members. Another teacher most likely. Whoever is available. Perhaps a free period on their schedule. It's not fixed. Deb will take care of that."
"So you will not be leading the tour?" Greg asked.
"Sadly no. My dear apologies, Mr. Lestrade. But I am a very busy man. I have a school to run, and I'm swamped today. Got to get through all that paperwork for the transfers coming in. It's never ending, ya know. Part of the job."
"I understand, sir."
"But don't worry," Principal Jackson said, "We'll get someone to show you around, and by the time you start, you'll be an expert."
Greg nodded.
"Now..." the principal cleared his throat, "to proceed with the interview portion....this first one is silly really, but, for legal reasons, I must confirm if you have your degree in education."
"Yes."
"Perfect. Um, were you previously employed in a teaching position?"
"Yes."
"Did you major in anything else in college?"
"I had a minor in psychological studies."
"Very interesting," the principal scribbled something down on a piece of paper, "How well do you work with your students? Do you get along well with kids?"
"I'd like to think so," Greg said, "Although, I've never worked with high school-aged kids before."
"What age group are you used to teaching?"
"Middle school honors English, sir."
"Honors?"
"Yes, sir, I find no issue working with kids in average levels, but I'm inspired by students that push past what they think they are capable of and challenge themselves. I believe that's the way to succeed."
"So you would prefer to teach honors classes then?"
"I wouldn't call it a preference really. It's just that the way they approach their studies fits more with my personal philosophies. But I won't complain if I'm needed elsewhere."
"Well, if you choose after your experience today to take the job, the open position is for 10th grade English. Both honors and regular. I assume this wouldn't be a problem then?
"No, sir."
"Good. Now, what's your family life like? Not to get too personal. Just an idea for profile reasons. It's just part of the paperwork. Nobody will see it. You don't mind?"
"Not at all," Greg coughed, "I'm single. Divorced. I don't have an children although I have a niece that I adore. I visit her every few months, and we like to host tea parties. Little girls love that, and I enjoy it. Although, the tea could be a little more flavorful. But what do you expect from drinking a cup of air," he laughed.
The principal smiled too which made Greg feel slightly relieved.
"Are you a citizen of this city?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"My whole life, sir."
He nodded.
The questions continued briefly with stuff about medical records and legal requirements. Exchange of paperwork and forms to sign. It didn't take overly long, but it all was a little overwhelming for Greg. He had forgotten how stressful a new job could be, and he hadn't even started yet.
"Well," Principal Jackson stacked the forms in a pile on the corner of his desk. "That should be all we need to know unless you think there's something else of importance."
"No, sir."
"Good. Well, the tour should be starting soon. I'll get Deb to call somebody. You just wait here for a few moments, ok?"
He left and returned with a man dressed in a dull red sweater and dark denim jeans. This newcomer had short brown hair and a warm smile. Although, there was something about him that made Greg slightly nervous. He couldn't put his finger on it though.
"Greg," Principal Jackson nodded towards him, "This is Mr. Holmes. He teaches English here as well. 11th grade AP."
Mr. Holmes waved his hand slightly as a greeting.
"Mycroft, this is Mr. Lestrade. He's going to be filling the 10th grade position."
"Pleasure," the man held out his hand to shake.
Greg hesitated. He never was fond of handshaking. It just didn't feel natural to be so casual as to touch a person one has just met, but he did what was expected of him. Although, his body stiffened a little upon doing so, and he held his breath until their hands unclasped. Mr. Holmes didn't seem to notice.
"Honors or regular?" The man asked Greg.
"Both."
"Really?"
"Yes, sir," Greg's voice was firm and a little inappropriate for the situation which Mr. Holmes noticed with satisfaction.
"Ha, the newbie is very formal. 'Yes sir'. It's like the words of a soldier. Did you serve?"
"No, sir," Greg replied.
"Shame. You'd be great in the service. Confidence is key to success ya know. Keeps you strong. That's what I like about a person," he grinned and patted Greg's shoulder which caused him to shiver a bit. "But you can ease up. I'm not going to judge you or anything. Besides, you pretty much got the job, right Phil?"
Mr. Jackson nodded, replying with an excited, "Congratulations Greg."
"Well, come along, newbie. I'll show you around," Mycroft said cheerfully.
Greg let out another breath as Mr. Holmes walked by.
"Do try to keep up!"