"so I went over your recent essays last night, and I just want to say that I was very impressed with all of them, of course these essays will be a factor in my decision for the banquet. However, you all are working so hard, so I just wanted to congratulate you all", Ms.Taylor spoke at the front of the class
"you've gone soft miss", Kyle called
the whole class when silent in anticipation, waiting for one of her snarky and brilliant comments, but she just sat there, staring directly at Kyle. we all started to look at one another confused, until she cleared her throat.
"umm, open your books and read thank you. When you've reached chapter twelve, let me know", Ms.Taylor smiled before sitting behind her desk, and reading herself
"that was weird", Amanda whispered
"I know right", I agreed
"is there a problem ladies!", Ms.Taylor asked
"no miss", Amanda spoke
"good now read, as you were instructed", she demanded
Amanda and shot our heads down, beginning to read
'now that was really strange'
I read the note that she passed me, looking at her and nodding.
--
"class dismissed", Ms.Taylor said lowly. "none of you got to chapter twelve, so complete that by tomorrow thank you", she requested not making eye contact with any of us, all of us hurrying out of class
--
I was walking down the hallway, it was six thirty, but I had some work to do, so I went to the library.
the corridor lights were still on but all the classrooms were black, I kept walking, becoming distracted by a light on my left.
My English class.
I peaked through the little window on the door, to find Ms.Taylor still sitting in her desk with her head down against the cold wood.
I racked my brain, telling myself that I should just leave it.. but I couldn't.
I quietly opened the door, closing it behind me, her head jolting up at the sudden sound.
"Ms.Taylor I-", I began
"what are you doing here Ms.Paulson?", she straightened herself up
"I just wanted to know if you were okay", I smiled walking over to her desk
"you really shouldn't be here", she spoke
I didn't respond I just pulled up a chair next to her, sitting down across from her
"are you okay Ms.Taylor?", I asked sympathetically
"why wouldn't I be", she laughed awkwardly
"you've been crying", I put my books next to me on the floor "its okay, you don't have to tell me anything, I just can't stand when people are upset", I leant forward a little
"umm, my mother died last night", she choked
"I'm so sorry", replied, but deep down I was shocked by her honesty with me
"its okay, she wasn't living much of a life anyway, she's safer now. things happen", Ms.Taylor hummed
"things still hurt"
"I don't think I'm even sad that she's dead. I've always seen death as something that just happens, part of life. It's the change thats hard. I'm not good with change. I now have to adapt to life without her. Not being able to continue with her presence, even if it was limited, is what hurts", she smiled, although her eyes were saying something different
I sat further forward in my chair, taking her hands. she looked at me dazzled, not knowing what to make of the situation. I moved her arms to rest on my shoulder, before I pulled Ms.Taylor closer, securing a hug. She wasted no time, before gripping tightly to me.
"its okay", I whispered, as Ms.Taylor sobbed into my shoulder
"I'm sorry", she mumbled
"I'm here, its okay. Just breathe", I cooed, making circles of her back with my palm.
"uh I hate crying", Ms.Taylor spoke after a few minutes
"Kyle was right. you have gone soft", I giggled and I could feel her smile on my shirt
"what a bitch, could she not died when we were on break?", she shook her head pulling back from there hug
"there is she. There's that wit that everyone knows and loves", I smiled sitting back in my chair
Ms.Taylor looked at me and then laughed.
"god I must look like a mess", she chuckled wiping under her eye
"you could never", I assured her. leant over grabbing a packet of tissues out of my bag, handing it to her
"thank you.. Listen, I'm sorry that I brought you into this", she looked down opening the packet
"no its okay. do you at least have family that you can talk to?", I asked nervously
"nope, just me", she croaked looking down at the tissue
"well then, I'm here anytime. always", I smiled taking her hand
"thank you Ms.Paulson", she smiled, her smile making me shiver.
how could anyone be this beautiful
"have you forgotten my name?", I asked bluntly
"no Sarah darling. I haven't", she laughed
--
"ladies and idiots", Ms.Taylor joked "So, I am leaving for the banquet tomorrow. And as much as I would prefer to leave all here, I have been forced to make a decision"
"is it me-"
"no Trevor why the fuck would I pick you", she laughed, "anyways, Ms.Paulson you need to pack your bags"
"me?", I said in shock
"well I'm not going to take Trevor", she smiled. "if you could come up here a moment, so I can discuss a few things with you?"
"sure", I stood up walking down
"talk amongst yourselves children", she called over the class
"thank you for the honour Ms.Taylor"
"don't be annoying, sit down", she giggled
God her laugh is simply contagious
"now, we're going for a week. So, if you need to make some arrangements so that Ms.Peet doesn't die, I would do that. We will leave at nine, check in is at eleven. And then the rest will be finalised when we receive the timetable for where we need to be and when", she explained
"where are we meeting?"
"lets make it easy and meet here", she nodded
"okay so meet you here at nine", I smiled
"perfect", she stood up, signalising for me to go back to my desk
"you're gonna have so much fun!", Amanda squealed as I sat down
"I know!", I joined in
"Now, class!. Let me tell you about the time I found out my partner was a stripper, and performed at my mothers birthday party", Ms.Taylor started, all of us already laughing uncontrollably
I got the times wrong so I changed them XX
