Four Beating Hearts

16 - first day

Penelope POV

Sunday went by quickly and it was now Monday. We had food multiple times yesterday throughout the day, which is still strange to me. Then we pretty much watched TV and I eventually moved around to snuggle with all of the women. Even though I know Beth wants me to always be with her, I think she looked a little relieved that I was getting comfort from the other women as well.

"Penny! We need to head to school!" I heard Beth yell from down the hall so I quickly grabbed my backpack and met her by the front door.

"Are you sure your ready for this baby?" Beth asked and I pouted slightly at her.

"Beth, I'm ready. Also, if you use those cutesy names all day to me, I'm bound to slip." I told her and she chuckled before kissing my forehead.

"Maybe that's my evil plan after all." She told me with a grin as I just shook my head.

Mari and Bella both came to the front door, giving me hugs one at a time they both wished me a good first day.

It was a short drive to the school, but not any less intimidating. Beth saw me tense up and grabbed my hand to give it a little squeeze. I smiled grateful in her direction before we pulled into a parking spot to get out.

"So I'm going to show you where my classroom is first, that way you'll know how to get to your classes from my classroom and vice versa." Beth told me as we entered the eerily quiet school. We got here a little earlier than planned.

"Now most of your classes are going to be in this hallway." Beth told me as we entered the hallway that was on the main floor.

"My classroom is right here," she said pointing to her door. I glanced in as we passed, even as a senior teacher, she still has a colorful classroom causing me to chuckle to myself.

"This classroom here is your creative writing classroom with Ms. Geerling, she's very nice so you don't have to worry about that. Actually, all of your teachers are very nice. I kind of made sure of that." Beth said with a little grin and I playfully shook my head at her with a smile appearing on my lips.

Beth led us down that hallway and to a stairwell, "Two of your classes are going to be down here in the basement. It's not a full basement because the classrooms still have half windows."

She walked a little bit before pointing to one of the doors. "In there is your ceramics & sculpture class with Ms. Rosemary. And right next door is your photography class with Mrs. Hippie." She told me and I gave her a little nod.

We made our way back up the same stairwell before cutting across to the commons. "So unfortunately for your Environmental Science class you do have to cut through the commons." She told me and I just shrugged a little bit.

In the commons she pointed out the restrooms, water fountains, the office, and the nurses station. Along with the cafeteria since you looked down into the cafeteria from the commons. We made it to the next hallway, this class wasn't in the senior hallway because this wasn't a class for only seniors. Sophomores and up could take it as well.

"And finally, this is your Environmental Science class with Ms. Harrell. Let's go ahead and head back to my class now though." Beth told me and I nodded as I quietly followed next to her. I could sense that Beth was looking at me, so I just grabbed her hand after looking around to make sure no one was there. Beth is like my mom, but people around here may not know that and assume the worse.

Beth gave my hand a little squeeze and finally we were back at her classroom. She let go of my hand to unlock the door and turn on the lights. I looked around the room, she really puts a lot of effort into her classroom.

"Do you like it?" She asked and I smiled giving her a big nod.

"Where do you want to sit? I have some open spots, but we'll see if you pick one," Beth said with a hint of amusement.

I thought about it for a minute, she had her desk up in the front corner of the classroom next to the window. I decided I wanted my seat to be the one in front of her desk also by the window.

"Can I have this one?" I asked curiously. I felt relieved when I saw Beth smile and nod.

"Yep, do you know how many students don't want to sit right in front of the teachers desk?" She asked me and I laughed.

"Yeah, but you being my teacher is just extra. Just wanted to be close to you." I told her before going in for a hug. She quickly reciprocated it and squeezed me a little tighter before letting go.

She smoothed my hair back before leading me to another door. "Being a senior teacher who has been with this school for awhile has its perks." She told me as she opened the door and I saw it was like an office.

She had a second desk and a couch in her office. I wondered around it looking at the books on her shelves before settling on the couch. She came and joined me after a minute or so.

"Anytime stuff is getting too stressful, or if little one comes out, you can just go into my office and lay down on the couch. I won't question it until I come back here to see you." She told me and I nodded while laying my head in her lap. She played with my hair some before speaking up.

"Are you okay? You were awfully quiet on our little tour and now you're still quiet," She told me and I nodded.

"First day jitters? I know I don't have far to go between classes but it still makes me a little nervous." I told her honestly and she smiled knowingly at me.

"That makes sense. Well, considering three of your classes today and tomorrow are all with me, at least that can relax you some." Beth told me and I agreed with her.

We laid there for a little while before she told me it was time to get up and get ready for class. I made my way to my seat as she made her way to her door. She propped it open and stood by it to greet her students that came through.