Tammie's POV

You know Tammie, you're a good person. A really good person and that's why I hate you, I hate you so f*cking much. But the funniest part is that I hate myself more. I hate myself for hating you, for being so pathetic, for everything, I never really was a good influence on you, was I?

And then it happened again-for about the thousandth time. The same way, the same scream, the same motion, the same bloody sight. I couldn't change a single thing.

I wake up from the dream in a cold sweat, trembling hands clutching the sheet. It's become a daily routine. I can't remember the last time I had a full night of peaceful sleep.

A sigh escapes my lips as I get out of bed, trudging toward the bathroom to brush my teeth and have a long shower.

°○°

Music fills the kitchen as I nod my head to the beat of Maroon 5. Oh how I love Maroon 5. Humming along, well attempting to. "Memories bring back memories bring back, uh, uh, uh..."

The scent of burning pancakes brings me out of my imaginary concert. I lunge toward the pan, scrambling to scrape the blackened mess off before flipping it. When I finally do it ends up on the ceiling. Welp, there goes one pancake.

°●°

Almost late for my first day at Bridget Elementary-a fancy elementary school smack in the middle of an expensive neighborhood.

Don't be confused, I'm starting as a teacher. I am sooo excited that I get to teach some snobby rich people's spoilt brats, oops my mistake‐ I mean some respectable upper class's offspring, note the sarcasm.

I've taught at a number of private schools and I can only list a handful of kids that would actually make it in the real world or end up as proper members of society. The rest? Either delusional, spoilt, ill-mannered, self-centered or just plain terrible.

I know, I know, you're probably wondering why I still put myself through this. Well, I have a goal. A big one. And teaching at schools like these is my golden ticket to connections-the kind of connections that could change my life.

○•○

My mouth goes agape, eyes widen to saucers, I can barely believe the sight infront of me.

The sight of Bridget Elementary leaves my jaw on the floor. The place looks like a castle straight out of Bridgerton-towering brick walls, intricate designs, ivy crawling along the sides. It's the kind of building that feels like it's alive, steeped in stories.

Stories worth knowing, a massive grin spreads across my face, I know I look stupid, smiling to myself like some weirdo.

For the first time in years, I feel... ready. Ready to tackle this year, to tackle everything. This is my last chance to achieve my goal. If I fail, there's no backup plan.

●°●

The inside is a stark contrast to its outside, unlike the archaic brick walls, the interior takes on a modern design, with inspirational and motivational quotes lining the walls, the hall brimming with colour and vibrance, the halls gleam with polished marble floors that shine so much I can see my reflection. The walls are lined with colorful motivational quotes, and soft chatter from classrooms fills the air. How do you even get a floor that children walk on sparkle like that? I'd love to get the janitor's secret.

It feels much more warm than the cold sturdy exterior.

I take a turn to the right, I've been here before when I first applied and for other reasons, so I trust my memory not to fail me. I smile as I pass by the familiar wall with palm prints of children of different sizes, then keep on walking straight not missing the trophy case some feet before the administrative office.

I knock on the door of the administrative office, pushing it open after I hear a soft come in.

"'Good morning!" I chirp.

"What's so good about this morning?" The Vice-Principal grumpily mutters kicking the photocopy machine.

"Good morning Tammie!" Ms. Alvarez the Secretary who said I could come in greets warmly. "Please pay no mind to him, he's just not having the best of days." She explains.

"Understatement of the year Nina." He retorts still scowling and kicking the poor photo copier.

I chuckle. "What's got you in the gutters?"

He side eyes me, sighing. He quits kicking the machine but not without one final deathly glare.

"First, my coffee machine decided to fail me, leaving me severely coffee dehydrated. Then my car decided to break down right while I was stuck in traffic."

I wince, Monday morning rush.

"You can imagine that. And then this damned-"

I intervene with a teasing smile, "Watch your language Mr. Pierre, this is a school." First day on the job and I've already lectured my boss.

He huffs but concedes, "You're right Ms. Price. I'm sorry, normally I refrain from using words like that on school grounds or around children but it's just been one rough morning."

Ms. Alvarez claps her hands, cutting through the moment.

"Well that's enough dilly-dallying," she says handing me a document.

"That's your schedule, it contains all the classes you'll be having for the rest of the semester, when and where. The contents of where our last science teacher stopped and where you'll be beginning from us all in there. I'm wishing you the best of luck." She says all in one breath. How I wish I had her lung capacity.

I gave a small smile.

"I know it's hard teaching kids like these but keep pushing. Fighting!!" Mr. Pierre encouraged. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get along with both of them and I'm sure I'm gonna have a k-drama binge watching partner.

As I exited the office I turned one last time, balled my fist and made the same motion with my arm, "Fighting!!"

We both chuckled and then I left.

°○●•

Grade 2B, my first class. Well atleast those kids probably wouldn't be as bratty as the first graders or as chatty as the fifth graders, those I was having at other times.

I push open classroom door and stride inside. This time around is gonna be different, I'd make sure to make an impact.

I walk as confidently as I can to the front of the class, armed with only a marker and my laptop.

"Good day, students."

Pin. . .drop. . .silence

With how silent the class is I'm sure I could hear a pen or pencil drop a mile away.

Not what I expected but okay, it's better than a rowdy class I guess.

I chuckle awkwardly, "So..." I gulp, even when presenting my assignment infront of a bunch of professors when I was getting my Masters I didn't feel this nervous, even when I was infront of hungry wolves in the form of high-school students or in the presence of people with so much power that their aura enough could make you feel chills I didn't feel like this.

"I'm your new science teacher, Ms. Price." I say regaining composure.

I write my name on the board but don't dare to turn back.

It's as if I'm being assessed, every word I speak, movement I make, is being noticed, taken into account, studied under these little kids scrutinizing gazes.

Are this really elementary schoolers? Or am a I just being overly paranoid and anxious? I rather go for the latter. Makes me feel less uncomfortable.

I sigh, turning back. "I'm sure everyone's heard that your former science teacher Mrs. Summers is currently with child."

This seems to catch their attention because they start whispering to themselves, then a cute young girl with curly brown hair and big doe eyes raises her hand.

"Yes?" I ask pointing at her.

The little girl stands up eagerly as if she was just itching to get off her sit. "Does that mean she's pregnant? Her stomach got larger and when I asked mummy, mummy said she's pregnant. Does it mean the same thing?"

"Yes." I answer softly. "What's your name?" I ask gently, trying not scare the only child who isn't too wary to ask a question or maybe she's just really curious.

"Audrey, but my friends call me Audi! You can call me that if you wanna be friends." She replies enthusiastically.

Audi? Like the car? Okay forget about that.

"Awwn, I'd love to be friends Audi."

I smile when the adorable little girl gives a toothy grin. I'm sure she'll be grow up to be a beautiful and popular lady.

When she sits down back another kid raises their hand up, I call on him.

"Does that mean a baby's gonna come out of her?" He asks bluntly.

"Yes."

He tilts his head, "Won't that hurt?"

I hear gasps and some of the children's faces turn pales. But that doesn't seem to derail the young curious boy 'cause he continues, "A human coming out of a human. How do they get the baby out?"

"Don't worry kids in due time you'll come to know more about this things." I turn towards the young boy. "What's your name boy?" I ask him.

"It's Raymond." he says a little irritated, probably because I interrupted him.

Before I can get a word in he sassily says, "And no, you can not call me by Ray."

I didn't ask kid. Tsk, tsk, children of nowadays.

"Okay, Raymond." I say putting emphasis on the name. "You'll learn things like this later on but for now sit down."

He grumbles but nonetheless sits down.

Some other kids raise their hands, asking things either about Mrs. Summers pregnancy or about me. Basic stuff like 'when will she be back?' 'What's your favorite color?' 'Can you eat clouds?'

Except for one kid who asked 'How do you tell you're pregnant?' I said some symptoms that wouldn't freak the kids out. I was pretty worried till he told me he thought he was pregnant. I thought maybe his mom or sister was experiencing symptoms and that was why he was asking.

I never thought I'd spend 5 minutes of my life convincing a boy less than ten that he was not pregnant and spend another 5 explaining to a bunch of kids why the male species of humans couldn't get pregnant.

At a point this children almost convinced me it was possible for a male to get pregnant. They make good debaters.

I sigh, exhausted. I'd already resigned to the teacher's chair and made myself comfortable until I noticed a little girl raising her hand at the back of the class.

She was using her other arm to support the arm raised. Just how long did she spend raising up her hand?

I stand up and walk towards her, when she notices me approaching she drops her hand, looks down, and fiddles with her fingers.

I bend to her eye level and move her ginger hair away from her face.

She has beautiful green eyes, a shade that reminds me of a lush forest. "Hey there!" I greet.

She moves back a bit startled by my voice.

I lower my voice to a whisper careful not to scare her, she reminds me of a rabbit when I was younger that was always munching on the carrots in my grandma's garden, whenever I'd try to approach it it'd get startled easily and run away. It took me a long time, lots of patience and beckoning till it finally let me pat it.

"What's your name?" I ask in a whisper.

I hear a faint sound but I can't make out what she said, I move closer to her but she shuffles away.

I shift back, "Sorry, I just couldn't hear you." I whisper an apology.

I strain my ears but finally hear what she says, 'Evie'

"You have a very pretty name dear." Evie, it fits her.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Evie." I chirp.

"Thanks." She whispers.

"So...why was I summoned Evie?"

"It's about Mrs. Summers." She says.

Oh, okay, figures. But why didn't she ask while the rest of class asked. "What's up?"

She gestures for me to come closer so I comply. Her cute little hands cover my ear as she whispers some not so cute words. "Is she gonna disappear?"

"What?" I asked confused.

She sighs as if exasperated by my lack of understanding, "Is she also gonna leave to that better place and leave her baby? Just like momma?" With every word her voice drops lower and lower, sadness evident in her tone. I almost didn't hear the last part because it came out like a sob.

I immediately lunged back and cupped her cheeks examine her expression. Her eyes were glossy, like she was on the verge of bursting into tears, her nose redden when she sniffles and her eyes now that I look deeper feels weighed. Just what happened to this young girl to think like that? Where did her mom go?"

~~~~~~~~~

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