[Helmhood]

Jenna’s Field Trip to the Museum

helmhood2

You are called in to help supervise a field trip for the local high school students to the museum. Even though you are not a teacher there, the administration is familiar with your substitute work, and they are a little short-handed.

"Will you be able to help us out, Miss Burlinski?" the assistant principal asks you over the telephone.

daring_burlinski

"Absolutely, ma'am. I would love to help." I accept and work out the details with the assistant principal

helmhood2

She tells you that you will be taking a group of sophomores, sixteen-year-old boys and girls. While you should dress nicely for the trip, it is somewhat of a casual event. She tells you to arrive at the school in the morning.

daring_burlinski

I thank her and go to pick out my outfit for the morning. I decide on a nice blue skirt and white blouse along with some sensible white cotton underwear and some comfy shoes.

helmhood2

They need you to report to the Main Office first, since you are not full time staff. Then you will meet up with some of the other teachers and the class in the school cafeteria.

daring_burlinski

I drive to school the next morning, having gotten up and dressed early. I didn't want to be late. I park my car and head straight to the main office.

helmhood2

When you arrive, one of the secretaries at the office gives you some papers to sign.

"You look nice today," she tells you. "What was your full name again? Please sign the bottom of these forms. They indicate that you are taking responsibility for looking after the youngsters."

daring_burlinski

"Thanks, my name is Jenna Burlinski" I reply as I fill out the forms.

helmhood2

As you are leaning over the counter in the Main Office, a student walks past you. You hear a boy’s voice say softly, "Nice bottom."

Meanwhile the older secretary only tells you, "Now I hope those students will behave for you. They can be a handful sometimes."

daring_burlinski

"I’m sure they are good kids and won’t cause any trouble. You have to have faith in the young sometimes."

helmhood2

She smiles at you politely, but then notices the young man behind you. Looking past you, she scolds him, "Kevin, are you staring at Miss Burlinski? Go, run along to class!"

The secretary then takes the papers from you.

daring_burlinski

I blush at the boy’s attention. "Is that everything ma'am?"

helmhood2

"Yes, you can go down to the cafeteria to join up with the class," she says.

However, before you can leave, the Assistant Principal steps out of a side office. "Jenna, good, I'm glad you were able to make it on time. Now I am counting on you to be able to handle these students."

daring_burlinski

"Yes ma'am, I promise to do my best" I reassure her as I turn to head to the cafeteria.

helmhood2

Upon entering the cafeteria, you see quite a large gathering of boys and girls, teenage high school students. It is a combined class. There are three other teachers here, but they actually look down on you. For one thing, you are not a professionally licensed teacher like they are. Also, these women are older, and perhaps envious of your looks and the attention you are likely to get, especially from the young men in the group.

In fact, one sixteen-year-old guy makes a motion with his hands as you walk by, showing his friends your curvy figure.

daring_burlinski

I walk over to the women and try to be polite. "Hello ladies, are you excited for the field trip?"

helmhood2

The three teachers exchange glances and then look back at you. One woman, with curly red hair says, "Excited? Honey, this is likely going to be one big headache. At least they were able to get you to help out, so you can take one quarter of the group."

Another woman looks you up and down and asks, "That's what you decided to wear to the museum?"

daring_burlinski

I look down at my outfit and then compare it to their clothes. "I was told to dress nice. What did I do wrong?"

helmhood2

The other teachers, usually dressed neatly for the school day, are in more casual shorts and jeans and sneakers.
But the woman shakes her head as the others laugh, and says, "Nothing, honey. I'm sure the students will respect you. Now listen, we are going to the Art Museum downtown. We have two buses outside. But if you want, you can take a group of students in your own car and meet us there."

daring_burlinski

Deciding I didn't want to spend any extra time with these mean women, I agree to take a group of students in my car. "Who am I taking? I can seat 4 or 5 maybe."

helmhood2

The red-headed woman nods and points to a group near the back wall. "You will be working with those fifteen students over there. But go over and introduce yourself, and find four of them to ride with you in your car. The rest will take the bus until we get to the museum."

daring_burlinski

I nod and approach the group. "Hello, everyone. I am Jenna Burlinski, call me Miss Burlinski, and I will be supervising you today. Now I am going to head over to the museum early in my own car and need 5 volunteers to ride with me.
Anyone interested in getting a quick start on the day?"

helmhood2

The group of young men and women look at you with blank stares for a moment. These seem like the students who are the least interested in the field trip. It's no wonder the teachers dumped you with this group. One girl snaps her bubble gum as the others eye you up and down.

Then, one of the boys stands up and says, "I'd like to ride with you."

daring_burlinski

"Great! And what’s your name?"

helmhood2:

"My name's Tim," he says after a moment.

Next to him, another guy stands up and tells you he will go along. Finally two girls, one with blonde hair and one with black hair, offer to take the remaining spots.

"So, can we call you Jenna?" the second boy asks, starting to walk near you.

daring_burlinski

"Um, I don't think that is very appropriate. As long as I'm in charge you should call me Miss Burlinski. Alright?"

helmhood2

The four students giggle. As they close in around you, the teenage boys are taller than you. They don't answer, but
simply start to move forward.

Someone from the remaining group calls out, "What are we supposed to do? Take the bus with the rest of the class?"

daring_burlinski

"Yes, we will all meet at the front entrance when the busses arrive. Alright? Everyone coming with me, let's go!" I turn and lead the students to my car, through the school.

helmhood2

As you walk out of the cafeteria and into the hallway, one of the boys, Tim, boldly puts his hand on the bottom of your skirt. The two girls move slightly ahead of you.

daring_burlinski

I turn too, moving away from Tim. "Now young man, please don't do that. It is very inappropriate."

helmhood2

"Speaking of appropriate," one of the girls says, looking back at you, "Why did you pick out those clothes? Don't you have anything cooler? It will be embarrassing to be seen with you."

daring_burlinski

I again look at my outfit. "I don't understand what’s wrong with my outfit?"

helmhood2

As the five of you pass through the exit of the building, you walk out into a nice sunny day. The girl continues, "It's an alright skirt and blouse. But we thought you might have something young and hip. You know, since you're not a real teacher."

Meanwhile, Tim's friend playfully flips up the back of your blue skirt.

daring_burlinski

"I may not be a real teacher, but I need to dress like one since I'm in charge" I say as I defend the hem of my skirt from the boy, glaring at him.

helmhood2

Under her breath, the blonde girl says, "Oh, we will see who is in charge."

They get you your car by following you, and the two boys hop into the back seat, along with the other girl. The blonde young lady opens the door to climb into the passenger seat so she can sit next to you.

daring_burlinski

"Everyone buckle up, please."

helmhood2

Tim's friend in the back gets a mischievous look in his eye and he leans forward. "Is it important to you that we buckle up, Miss Burlinski?"

And the girl in the back seat catches on, adding, "Yeah, so like maybe you won't get a ticket?"

Tim, sitting directly behind you, then says, "Maybe we will buckle up, only if you do something first, Miss Burlinski."

daring_burlinski

I turn in my seat. "We don't have time for this, I just don’t want you all getting hurt, and I do already have a lot of tickets..." I say as my voice trails off.