First Day of School

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Y/N's POV

I took a deep breath in as I sat in my car. It was 7:45 and I was due in the library at 8. I got there early, almost too early really, so that I could get my bearings before my first day. I clutched my travel mug, sipping on some smooth black tea with sugar and milk. There were a few other cars in the lot, presumably some support staff and a few overeager teachers wanting to get some extra prep done before classes began. It was September 4th and fall was impatient this year. I noticed the green trees that surrounded the school start to develop a yellow hue, soon to become warm oranges and reds. It's that time of year that screamed school. Kids eager to see their friends after the long holidays, yellow school buses making their way through town, teachers rubbing the sleep from their eyes while they waited for their morning coffee order. To paraphrase Nora Ephron, it made me want my own bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils.

I glanced at my phone, re-reading the email from my new co-librarian giving me a thorough description of the job I would be sharing with him. It was my first "real adult job", having studied for four long years to earn my BA in English Lit. and then another two for my Library Technology diploma. I was excited to leave behind my long-term barista job, having worked there for most of my academic life. Now I would actually have benefits and a pension, not to mention I'd be making a much more comfortable income.

I checked my phone: 7:53 AM. Pulling down my rear-view mirror, I quickly checked my hair. I had been running my fingers through it...nervous habit. Once I confirmed I didn't look like a hot mess, I slid out of my car. I walked towards the doors of the school and scanned my freshly printed staff ID card to get into the school. The doors made a whirring sound and instantly unlocked. I looked around, studying my new surroundings. I had been to the school only twice, once for my interview and again to meet the current librarian so he could introduce himself and show me around. He was a kind, blonde guy named Armin (or Mr. Arlert as the students knew him) and he was very keen to gain another set of hands. I was starting a couple of weeks later than he had, Armin having already done all his preparations for the new school year in August so that my transition into the job wouldn't be too overwhelming. Regardless, I was still feeling overwhelmed.

I looked around the front area of the school, the front office was to my right and I could see a brunette woman, a man with a shaved head, and another taller man with light brown hair. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but his broad features were almost...horse-like? The woman glanced up from the bowl of cereal she had been eating and waved me over. I looked over my shoulder, making sure it was me she was gesturing for. Once I had confirmed it was, I made my way to the administration desk she was sitting at. She quickly chewed the large mouthful of cereal she had been eating and swallowed it down.

"Hey! You're Y/N, the new librarian, right? We met when you came in for your interview!" she said excitedly.

"Yeah, hey!" I smiled back. "Sasha, right?"

"You got it! If it means anything, I was rooting for you over the other candidates." she grinned. I remembered how I had brought homemade cookies to the interview as an act of goodwill (and definitely not as a subtle bribe) and how excited she had been. I think I saw her shove two in her mouth in one go.

"Hey! It's cookie girl!" the shorter man with the shaved head said, sauntering over from his desk.

"I really hope that name doesn't stick." I groaned.

"I do. You seem sweet enough." the taller man winked at me, making me grimace a little. I couldn't quite remember the two mens' names and glanced around quickly for any indication of their names. I saw a name plate on each of their desks. "Connie Springer" was the bald guy's name and "Jean Kirschtein" was the tall, flirty one. Immediately after Jean's comment, I heard someone scoff.

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