piece by piece~j.d

~85~

Aubrey could feel the end of the year coming closer every single day, the weather had really turned it on and she had to constantly tell kids that they had to put their hats back on at lunch time. Though she couldn't help but laugh and turn a blind eye when kids would start running and hold their hats in their hands as if that made them faster.

"It's pretty fun to watch them just enjoy themselves, isn't it?" Aubrey turned around though she could already tell that the voice that was speaking from beside her was Ebony. They had for the most part ignore each other since the incident, only speaking when they had to for the kids in their classes.

"There's a lot of innocence there, they don't even know what's coming for them later in life." Aubrey agreed as she pulled off her bright yellow vest, that clashed majorly with her blue dress, handing it Ebony.

"Miss Smith! Miss Clifford!" A voice called and Ruby ran over as fast as she possibly could with her little legs. Aubrey could predict what the topic of conversation would be as it always had been since Bailey had visited. "How's Bailey?"

"He's good Rubs, he's asked about you a whole lot," Aubrey assured the girl and her smile grew enormously. Aubrey laughed as she thought about how she'd fit in with a lot of other girls that she knew or had seen on social media, not that she was judging. Aubrey had, had obsessions before when she was younger when she thought certain people were cute.

"One day I want a footy boyfriend and I want a best friend like you two are." Ruby spoke matter of factly, Aubrey shared a sad smile with Ruby before looking back at Ebony who was looking at her feet upsetly.

"You can have anything you want in your life darling." Ebony was the one to reply and Ruby nodded her head, hanging off of every word that she was saying. "One day someone will tell us how successful you are and we'll be super proud that we were your teachers."

"That's very true Rubs, you keep being you for me." Aubrey said and Ruby again nodded, though she was getting distracted as her group of friends was calling her over. "Go have fun, you don't have to talk to your boring teachers."

"You're not boring!" Ruby exclaimed and giggled as she waved and ran off to those that were waiting for her. Her hat moving into her hand as she picked up the pace.

"I better go and have something to eat." Aubrey said, she felt a bit guilty as it seemed that she was blowing Ebony off but not only did she have to eat because she hadn't since recess, she also didn't really want to indulge in conversation with Ebony, the wound all too fresh still.

"Right, of course." Ebony said, the air much cooler then it used to be. "Enjoy."

"Hey babe." Aubrey said when she sat down in her office and had the time to call Josh, who picked up practically on the first ring as if he was waiting for her to call him. She was in the middle of eating her salad and her feet were resting up on the desk, she hoped none of the kids walked in as she had so often told them to put their feet down and she was doing the exact opposite. "How're you doing?"

"He's doing good." Adam responded, Aubrey would love to say that she was surprised that it was him, she just wasn't. "He went to the bathroom and since I was over I thought I'd pick up."

"Of course you did Ads, how are you then?" Aubrey asked, any conversation when lonely was a good one. "How are Kim and Georgie?"

"Incredible, they're actually both on a walk but they should be back here soon enough. When you get home at least." Adam replied. "I hope you don't mind having a few extra guests for the night."

"For you, there will always be a place at the table."

"Awww love you too." Adam laughed, he stopped when he got tackled onto what sounded like the ground by who Aubrey suspected was Josh. Seeing as how loud the sound was and the reaction from Adam who grunted in pain.