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Jacob has had it with Mr. Morton. He doesn’t know what his deal is with him. Ava told him that Mr. Morton hates him, why he doesn’t know.
Is he homophobic? Does he not like Jacob for being gay? Does he have a problem with the subject he teaches? What is the dudes deal?
Jacob walks with determination to the teachers lounge, and finds it with the usual crowd of people. His best friends are there along with Michelle and Barbara. He also spots Shanae in the back and low and behold the man that has been grinding his gears for he doesn’t know how long. It’s time to find out what gives.
“What is your problem with me man?”
Everyone looks at Jacob wondering who he is talking to, Janine and Gregory were having a conversation and Jacob’s loud proclamation stopped them in their tracks.
The atmosphere was tense and to say Mr. Morton is caught off guard is an understatement. He was just calmly drinking his coffee at his usual table where he sits usually alone. He is very confused and at first didn’t think Jacob was talking to him until he realizes Jacob is staring right at him.
“Mr. Hill I assure you I have zero problems with you.”
Oh so he wants to play dumb okay.
“The camera crew told me that you hate me, so why is it exactly you hate me. Don’t play dumb, they have you on film saying it.”
Mr. Morton looks really nervous, he was told what he says on camera would be confidential but evidently that’s a lie. The cameras will do anything to try to instigate drama. Truth be told Mr. Morton does not hate Jacob, the complete opposite in fact and it scares him because it’s something he’s never experienced before.
He tries to coax the situation to a more understanding middle ground.
“So let me get this straight when I offer to help you to your car or when I greet you politely in the morning, or when I purposely avoid dunking you in the tank…that’s me hating you?”
To say Jacob was caught off guard is an understatement, he missed him on purpose? That's just makes things even more confusing.
“Wait you missed me on purpose”
Mr. Morton looks really annoyed especially with how public this is, if this was in his classroom he wouldn't feel as nervous as he does. He tries to instead go the bravado route.
“I’m a science teacher, you truly think I don’t know all the aspects when it comes to throwing a perfect ball and making sure it lands exactly where I want it to. If I wanted to, you would have been dunked in the water, I assure you. I had no interest whatsoever in dunking you Mr. Hill.” He says with a confidence that makes Jacob realize he isn’t lying.
“So why exactly are you like this with me? I need to know because it’s bothering me. We could be really good friends if we can just be open -“
“That’s the thing Mr. Hill, I have no desire to be friends with you.
“Oh…so you do hate me.”
“No, no I do not. I assure you hate is the farthest thing I feel for you.”
Everyone in the teachers lounge is hanging on every word. Mr. Morton however has no time for this as he packs up his things and goes to head out. He fears he’s already said too much and he feels if Jacob keeps baiting him in he will snap and reveal just how much he doesn’t hate him.
“As entertaining as this all is Mr. Hill and I’m sure all of you enjoyed the show, I have to get going to prep for my next class.” As he starts packing up and leaving Jacob feels like he has to take one last parting shot to prove that he won.
“Yeah go ahead and run away, you know we call people like you throughout history? A coward.”
Yup that did it, Mr Morton pauses at the doorway and turns around.
“You know I wish I could hate you, hates such a simple emotion to convey….but I like you way too much to ever do something like that.”
And with that he walks away, leaving the teachers lounge which has gone dead silent looking at the door and then at Jacob who is standing in the same spot speechless.
“He…he likes me?"