Monica Kelly tapped her fingernails nervously on the chair's armrest. She had her nylon-covered legs crossed tightly while she watched the bustling activity of the office workers passing by; mail clerks, secretaries, and sales managers all with somewhere they needed to be.
Monica glanced out the window and watched the busy traffic on the streets four stories below; taxis, trucks, and a city bus similar to the one she'd taken to get to this interview. She double checked the inside of her purse to make sure she had enough money to get home.
"Monica Kelly?"
Monica looked up at the red-haired secretary who had called her name.
"Follow me," the secretary said.
Monica rose from her seat and followed the secretary down the hall to the second office on the right. Inside, a balding, business suit-clad gentleman in his mid-fifties was waiting for her.
"Hello! Monica?" he greeted.
"Yes, that's me," she said.
"Albert Hosdale. Thanks for coming in." He extended his hand and she shook it. "Please, have a seat."
Monica sat down in the chair opposite his desk and waited for him to return to his seat as well.
"Did you have a look at our website?" he asked.
"Yes, I did," Monica said. "I was really impressed. Your managers come from far and wide to work here."
Albert smiled proudly.
"We've got a great crew here. Talented people. And very busy people. Which is why I need a good secretary."
Monica sat up straight in her chair. "Well I would be a fantastic fit! I mentioned I worked in the student affairs department at LaPorte?"
"You did," Albert replied. "I looked over your resume very thoroughly. You have experience with phones, paperwork, scheduling..."
Monica nodded. "I've basically already been a secretary, short of having the actual title of one!"
She giggled, and Albert let out a chuckle.
"Well, here our secretaries are bestowed with that honorary title!" he said.
Monica blushed and smoothed her hands across her skirt nervously.
"My son tells me student affairs ISN'T your current job, though?" Albert began.
"Oh, well, as I'm sure he mentioned, CURRENTLY, I'm a swimming instructor at his university. It was only supposed to be for a short while, but one semester turned into three, so now I'm really trying to move on up."
Albert nodded understandingly.
"Don't feel ashamed about where you are currently in life," Albert said. "What you do in menial positions speaks volumes about your character and work ethic."
Monica cleared her throat. "I agree completely," she said. "I do like my job as as a swim teacher, and take it very seriously. And I plan to take my job here very seriously too."
"I have no doubt. My son spoke very highly of you," Albert said. "So tell me, what's it like being a swim teacher at LaPorte University?"
* * * * *
TWO MONTHS EARLIER
The smell of chlorine entered his nostrils as soon as he passed through the double doors into the rec center. Nick Hosdale's pulse picked up as he made his way to the pool. He could sense the nervous energy from the other boys nearby, all of them dreading what would be asked of them before they could enter the water. That is, almost all of the other boys.
"Nicky-boy!"
Nick didn't have to turn around to know who just entered the building. Caleb Russel hurried up to his side and put one arm around his neck and squeezed.
"Ah, get off me, Caleb!" Nick cried, and struggled free of his roommate's hold.
"What's up your butt today?" Caleb asked, perplexed.
"You mind? I'm not in the mood," Nick grumbled.
Caleb shrugged. "Not in the mood? Why not? We're starting swim class!"
Nick side-eyed him.
"Swim class!" Caleb repeated. "Girls! Bathing suits! How are you not excited?"
Caleb turned his head to ogle two cute girls walking nearby towards the pool. Caleb was right. The lovely ladies in the class would be wearing bathing suits very soon. It was what the boys would be wearing that had Nick concerned.
Nick and Caleb stepped into the pool room and Caleb's eyes lit up. A group of six girls were seated on the bleachers talking amongst themselves.
"Ashley Bruckner's in our class!" Caleb whispered loudly in Nick's ear. "That girl has the biggest, hugest, nicest-"
"Hi Caleb!" Ashley called out. She waved eagerly at him, causing her large breasts to shake in her tight t-shirt as she did.
"Ashley! You're looking fine!" Caleb replied.
He grabbed Nick by his arm and pulled him along as he hopped up onto the bleachers, and the two of them took a seat beside the group of attractive coeds.
A few more students arrived over the next five minutes, and soon it was clear that the females of the class would outnumber the males about three to two. Nick glanced around for a teacher or instructor, but it appeared only students had arrived yet.
It was then that a young woman seated at the base of the bleachers stood up and faced the students. She wore a white tank top and red shorts, and her black hair was tied back into a ponytail. She looked barely old enough to have graduated yet, let alone be a teacher.
"Hello everyone, welcome to Swimming 200. I'm Monica Kelly, your swimming instructor!"
Nick's mouth dropped open. "That's our TEACHER?" he whispered.
"There's a lot of undergraduates in the school faculty this semester," Ashley replied. She chewed on a piece of purple bubble gum that made her breath smell pleasantly sweet.
"Wow," was all Nick could say in response. He didn't want to be the one to say it, but Monica was a knockout.
"Today we'll be going over the syllabus, and then I'll be handing out combination locks to everyone and swimsuits for the ladies," Monica said.
"Woo!" one girl cheered. The other girls giggled.
"So, show of hands, ladies, did any of you NOT submit your swimsuit size when you signed up for the class?" Monica asked.
Nick looked around. Only one girl had her hand raised.
"What is your name?" Monica asked the girl.
"Paige Stevens," she said. "I signed up yesterday and there was this notice that said my swimsuit wouldn't be ordered in time."
"What is your size?" Monica asked.
