It was another boring day for Chae Sue as she and her students recited their dismissal prayer. She was a tall, slim athletic girl, with black hair that flowed down to her waist. She was a dark skin girl of African descent that resembled a gorgeous model. 

She let out a heavy sigh while waving and smiling wistfully at her students. When every child had left, her smile turned into a frown as she was now buried in her thoughts about how much longer she could manage to work at the school as an intern. 

She was a university sophomore that needed the job for the experience initially, but thought that the pay could help to finance her education also. 

 However, that did not take away from the fact that her job was very stressful and those in authority were hell-bent on making sure that her temporary stay was a miserable one. She was captivated by her own thoughts when she heard a crackling voice calling.

 "Chae Sue!"

She tried to ignore it hoping it would stop, but it only became louder and louder. She could not hold back any more. 

"I'm coming!" she exclaimed while hurrying along to Ms. Wales's office.

 Ms. Wales was the headmistress of the school. She was an old strapping woman in her mid-50's who was of African descent. She wore her black hair in a bob style. Her face had permanent lines from frowning all the time.

"I see you have a lot of time on your hands Chae Sue" she said with a smirk. 

"What have I told you a thousand times not to do?" she continued with her eyes piercing Chae Sue. 

"Dojibi" Chae Sue replied quickly while clenching her teeth.

 "What was that?" she continued to press while getting up from her chair. 

Chae Sue sighed.

 She then replied "don't dream big". 

"That's right!" Ms. Wales said with a broad smile on her face. 

"Now, let us get down to business. We are having a Parents Teachers Association meeting (PTA) tomorrow and I want you to buy all the items on this list that is needed...."

"But I was in the middle of writing my lesson plans" Chae Sue interjected. 

 Ms. Wales dropped the books that were in her hands on the desk and lowered her glasses, they made a loud thud. 

"You can complete them when you get back" she said.

She then used her head to point to the money and the list on the table. Chae Sue sighed and picked up the money and the list and closed the office door behind her. 

'Just hang in there a little longer Chae' she thought to herself to remain calm.

"Are you going on the road?" Ms. Laws inquired as she approached Chae Sue. 

Chae sue smiled and nodded in reply. Ms. Laws was on her way to the headmistress's office to type up the brochures for the meeting. 

Ms. Laws was in her mid-30's, short and cubby looking with rosy cheeks. She always comb her dark brown hair back and tucked it neatly under to make a bun. She had a fierce personality and always gave attribute to the African blood that ran inside her veins.

Chae Sue felt burdened by her assignment because she was always given the tasks that needed manual labour to be completed. But, at least she was far away from Ms. Wales who was more of a thorn in her side. 

 Ms. Wales had always tried to mentor Chae Sue as a new member of staff when she was recruited and gave her some preference in most areas. 

However, everything started to change when she found out that Chae Sue was attending a very Prestigious University known as Sabali University. Initially, she only thought that Chae Sue was just an ordinary intern as Ms. Laws was responsible for interviewing the interns.

Ms. Laws had already warned Chae Sue of Ms. Wales's habit to assign extra assignments for those who seemed to be advancing forward as she felt threatened by their appearance. 

She said that it was in the hope that they would become frustrated and quit their internship so she could send a bad report. Chae Sue has always kept that in mind and never once made the thought of abandoning her internship completely enter her thought.

She was now at the supermarket and she quickly moved through the isles to locate every item on the list. She then moved her trolley up to the cashier and paid for the items. She made sure to tuck the change and receipt carefully into her pocket as she was wearing a peach and pink pants suit. Ms. Wales would get extra grumpy if she did not get to log the receipt in her cashbook after spending. 

Chae Sue took up her four heavy bags and struggled all the way back to the school. The distance between the school and the supermarket was about 800m.  To make matters worse, there were hardly any trees to offer shelter and the sun was very hot. 

When she arrived back at the school, she was dripping with sweat and was almost out of breath. She handed over the bags, money and receipt; she was now late for her university class. She hurriedly packed up her bag to leave. 

"Chae Sue, would you be a darling and please reach a little earlier tomorrow to prepare all the items you bought on the list" Ms. Wales called out while she was passing the office door which was opened. 

Ms. Wales and Ms. Gurdle were now both smiling at each other. Ms. Gurdle and Ms. Wales had a very close relation. Ms. Gurdle was a petite Indian woman of light complexion who was in her mid-40's. She was more on the skinny side and always had an unassuming look on her dull pale face. 

Chae Sue was now at her wits end as she knew very well that they were trying to cajole her. 

 "Ms. Gurdle can do it, it's the least she can do as a VP (vice principal)" she replied.

 With that said, she hurried through the gate. She could feel her heart pounding fast as she felt lighter and more at ease. Ms. Wales and Ms. Gurdle were left dumbfounded as Chae Sue had never been so bold towards them before.

When Chae Sue arrived at work the next day, she heard some parents conversing as they were going through the gate. Apparently, Ms. Gurdle did not show up on time and Ms. Wales did not come prepared to do anything, so the meeting was cancelled. 

Chae Sue had a little smirk on her face when she heard this. Ms. Laws and Ms. Mayles came rushing towards her waving and smiling. 

Ms. Mayles was Chae Sue's senior teacher and they were five years apart. She was tall and slim with beautiful dimples that always lightened up her pleasant face. She had a copper colour complexion and always sported her natural hair. 

They all laughed at what had happened as they knew that the school could not function without their help, but Ms. Wales always tried to make them feel inferior. 

Ms. Wales had turned all her anger and frustration now towards Ms. Gurdle. While on the other hand, Ms. Gurdle resented her for not shielding her when Chae Sue had suggested that she arrive earlier than usual instead.

The day ensued with a lot of animosity and frustration between Ms. Wales and Ms. Gurdle. They were trying to find a way to punish Chae Sue and each other for what had happened but they were far from reaching the ultimate payback. 

Ms. Gurdle suggested that they have an emergency meeting and Ms. Wales agreed to it in the hope that she could bring down Ms. Gurdle and Chae Sue at the same time. When school was dismissed and all the children had left, the meeting was held.

Ms. Wales opened the meeting with the following question "do you think that a principal should ask a teacher to do something and she refuses?" 

Ms. Gurdle was the first to reply.

"No I don't think so" she said in her squeaky voice while snaring at Chae Sue. 

"Well it depends on what the principal is asking that teacher to do and if she is available to do it" Chae Sue replied gracefully. 

Ms. Gurdle and Ms. Wales eyes met with disgust at her reply. However, Chae Sue's reply sparked a debate that both Ms. Wales and Ms. Gurdle were not prepared to handle. All the other teachers had sided with Chae Sue so Ms. Wales and Ms. Gurdle were clearly outnumbered in democracy.

Seeing this, Ms. Wales quickly changed her tone and sided with the majority leaving Ms. Gurdle in the trap that they had conspired on her own.