My Teacher, My Obsession

Who's there?

Are you all right?

What happened?

Please...

I'll go get some help.

Run!

Are you excited?

Yeah.

So you given any more thought to any clubs or anything?

I don't think I'm gonna do that.

It's a great way to make friends.

I already had friends, Dad.

I needed to get my life back on track, Riley.

I know. And for that...

I needed a fresh start.

I know.

Smile...

Hey.

Thank you.

Let's go.

Are you coming?

I am, in, like, five minutes.

Don't wanna be that kid, huh?

Take our picture.

Excuse me?

You're a part of yearbook, right?

How'd you know?

Because your outfit reeks

of second-hand boredom,

and you're taking pictures of everyone.

So you're either a stalker, or a part of yearbook, but...

either wouldn't surprise me.

Oh, my God, just take the photo.

Do we have to say cheese? Just smile.

Let me fix my hair. (CHUCKLES)

Done.

Hmm. Now that's a piece of meat worth biting into.

Huh?

Mr. Sumner, new English teacher.

I give it two days before I have him

wrapped around my little finger.

All right, let's go. These themes that we're

talking about, folks,

these ideas,

they are timeless.

That's why we're still reading this book...

decades later.

May I?

Um, sorry, Mr. Sumner,

I was just...

checking in on a family emergency.

Right, right, right, right.

Well, please tell your family the comment section

on a social media post

isn't the best place to communicate

during an emergency.

"Looking hot, bitches."

Very poetic.

You have music on there? Yeah.

So tell me a song from your playlist.

Um... "Shape Of You."

Ah, Ed Sheeran. Not a bad songwriter.

But you can only go so far

lyrically when writing a Top 20 hit.

So, everyone, let's, uh,

let's pull out our cell phones, please.

Come on, pull 'em out.

Now, pull up your song of the moment.

And let's, uh, let's take a look.

What you got?

Rihanna.

Really?

All right.

Bruno Mars.

Yeah, I see, I see that.

Miss Taylor Swift, yes.

Big Shawn.

Sorry, I do not know that one.

Thank you for paying attention.

Ah, yes.

The Beatles.

One of the best bands ever.

If you can look past the fact that they stole

from every African-American artist

from Chuck Berry to Bobby Parker.

Uh, I think you're confusing

inspiration for appropriation.

No, they stole from every band, and you know it.

Uh, and everyone ripped off the Beatles, and...

Brahms ripped off Beethoven

and Beethoven ripped off Mozart

and you're ripping off every cool professor

who's ever stepped foot in this classroom.

Okay, okay, listen.

Take it easy.

Listen, the point I'm trying to make is this.

Not to sound too cliche,

but I wanna be someone you can talk to.

About anything.

Anything?

Yes, anything.

Okay, I wanna broaden your horizons.

Now, I remember what it's like to be young

and not wanna care. You know what?

That's cool.

But in here...

if we can create a space

to just chill... and learn.

And that's what I care about.

All right, so I'll be here every day at 7:30

if you need help or if you, you just wanna talk.

What about... after school?

Sure.

All right, class, thank you.

I have a good feeling we're all gonna get

quite close this semester.

Have a good day. Bye.

Good day. Thanks, man.

Have a good day.

Thanks.

I'm sorry...

did you reserve this or something?

No, I'm just... usually the only person in here.

Oh.

Heh. Okay.

Can I help you?

I saw you drawing in class.

Is that your stuff? No.

Uh, my stuff is pretty much just bad.

Is there such a thing as bad art?

I mean... just look at me.

I'm-I'm sketching Wonder Woman fan art.

And Picasso was making masterful oil paintings at nine.

But no pressure, right?

Well, age is just a number.

I'm Kyla, by the way. Uh, I'm Riley.

Hi. Hi.

So I'm, uh...

I'm guessing you're into art, too.

Photography, mostly.

So, uh, when did you move?

Um, a few weeks ago.

Yeah, my dad was looking for a fresh start.

As he likes to put it.

Which means that I got thrown into a brand new school

with a bunch of new people.

Well, you met me, so, that's one fewer new person.

And really, who else do you need?

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

I'll see if I can add your picture to the yearbook.

Yeah, sure, go for it.

Uh, what's your last name?

For the caption.

Uh, S-Sumner.

As in...? Please don't say anything.

Having no one know me is so much better

than having everyone know me as Mr. Sumner's daughter.

My lips are sealed.

Thanks.

Hey, um, not to take advantage, but, um...

I think I might be needing some extra help

in that class this semester.

Do you think maybe we could study sometime?

Uh...

Yeah, sure, why not?

Cool.

So, how was your first day?

You look like you survived.

Well, as good as can be expected.

Did you make any friends?

Yeah, I did, actually.

And she even stuck around when she found out about you.

Hm, so I'm your dirty little secret.

Who was it?

Kyla.

Hm.

The Beatles expert.

Mm-hmm.

She's sharp, that one.

I'm a fan.

Huh! Well, gosh.

Thanks for your approval.

See, I told you it'd get better.

Dad, that was just the first day.

But a good first day, it seems.

Hmm?

Mom?

Mom!

Hi! Hi, you're late.