School.

No matter how hard I try... I can't escape it. Just when I graduated high school, I figured I'd never see it again. Never have to do homework. Shortly after, I moved out of state and got a degree fairly early.

People told me that I wouldn't be able to work with my degree. They said it was too hard and I would give up half way.

I'm the type of person if you tell me I can't do something, I'm going to prove you wrong. I graduated when I turned twenty-two.

Shortly after I got a job at, you guessed it, a school. I decided to accept it since it was in a small town, where absolutely nothing happens.

My kind of place. I lived in the city for most of my life. Okay all of it. When I went to college, it was in the middle of nowhere. I liked that better. So when a job offer came up for me to work in a small rink a dink town, I couldn't say no.

Jasper Nevada was as boring and dull as the people said. I shortly found out that if something happened everyone knew.

If you wanted to have fun you had to leave town for it. I took that as a challenge and tried to find things to do in town.

There's seriously nothing to do in this town. Maybe the city was better.

Even the school was a little boring. Of course it's school. My job is to council the students and tutor them if they need it. They asked why I took this job if I hated the school. Not even I know that.

The first couple of weeks were awkward to say the least. The boys kept flirting with me and asking to be my boyfriend. When I started getting flowers I decided that was enough. The Principal begged me to stay and said I was helping the troubled students.

After I got settled things were just fine and I started to like this small town. I live with a friend of mine, which helps a lot on the bills.

My name is Winter Jenkins, and I live in a small town called Jasper Nevada.

~

A month later.

The sound of a ticking clock was the only thing I could hear at the moment. I narrowed my eyes as I listened to it. The principal had asked me to talk to someone, but they were late. No surprise there. The clock ticked slowly and I glared at it, as if threatening it to move slower. When no one's around I feel I can let myself be goofy. Still watching the clock I grabbed a rubber band and aimed.

"Tick slower. I dare ya." I threatened. It did and the second hand went backwards. The rubber band flew and hit it right in the center. "Ha!" I pointed at it. "In your face!" There was a knock and I quickly went back to being professional. My face went blank as the principal entered.

"Miss Jenkins." He muttered and showed a grumpy teenage girl in. I only nodded and raised an eyebrow as the girl flopped in the chair.

She glared at me as if I killed her best friend. He went to say something and I put my hand up to stop him. I gave him a look saying I'd take care of it. He sighed in relief and closed the door as he left. I looked at the girl and raised an eyebrow as I folded my arms.

"What are you like sixteen?" She huffed as she glared.

"Ha ha." I said sarcastically. People always said I looked younger than I really was. "What's your name?" I muttered as I looked for her file.

"Like you care." She huffed again. I bit my lip, and fought a smile as I tried not to make a snappy comeback. I found her picture on the computer along with her name.

"Well.... Miko Nakadai..." I trailed off as I read somethings about her. She pretended to yawn and I was tempted to throw something.

"According to this, you haven't been here long, and you're already slacking." I muttered as I read some teacher reports.

"So." I hate it when they do that. I glanced at her and then at the clock. School would be out soon.

"Look." I said dropping my act and facing her. She continued to glare. "I don't want you in here." I said seriously. "I suggest you cooperate with me so you don't have to come back." I muttered. She dropped her own act for a moment.

"How do we do that?" She asked. I smiled slightly and looked through my folders.

"We'll start off by having you come by tomorrow and work out a plan that fits you." I said and dismissed her.

I didn't really want to deal with a moody teen at the moment. I'd already had way too many come in earlier. I know it's my job, but it was just one of those day where you want to go home and die. Or curl up on the couch and watch Netflix. Miko stood up and walked to the door, she froze and looked back.

"You won't tell my host parents.... will you?" She whispered quietly. I looked up at her and furrowed my brow. I was supposed to inform them in case she came home later in the day. Her eyes were pleading and I hesitated. I had already called a bunch of parents today, and gotten chewed out by a few. Perhaps her host parents would send her back to Japan if they found out.

"I won't tell them if you promise to come back tomorrow, and let me help." I said seriously. Miko stared at me for a moment then nodded before going out. The bell rang shortly after and I leaned back in the chair.

"Freedom." I muttered as I rubbed my face tiredly. Kids ran outside down the hall as they rushed home.