Reunited

Good News

"She's going to be okay."

I let out a sigh of relief. I wouldn't be able to stand it if my mentor were to die.

"But..."

I freeze. No. No no no no no! What now?!

"She's not going to be able to run the school. She asked us to tell you that she wants you to take her place."

WHAT?!?!

I can't teach children to be good! I tried to teach Anna and she still joined Stiltskin!

My eyes start to water.

Great. Here come the tears.

But they don't come. Somehow, they stay away. No tears fall, and I don't cry.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see all of my friends standing behind me.

"It's okay Gilly. We'll help you through this. It's all going to be okay." Maxine says.

"If she wants me to run the school, she's not fine. If she were fine, she'd be here with us. Probably yelling at me for doing something stupid. She'd give us all detention and laugh when we start doing puppy dog eyes to get out of it. It's not fine. It won't be ever again." I say, walking out of the room and going to check on some of the kids outside the main office, waiting for me to be done with my meeting.

"Hey kids. What do you need, little ones?" I ask.

"Ms. Gilly, I was wondering what was going to happen now? Since you're the new person in charge, what's going to change?" The youngest one asks.

"Nothing is going to change, dear. Everything will be fine. Go to bed now, it's getting late." I say softly.

The kids nod, then walk off to their dorms.

"You're great with children. I can't seem to understand why you're so nervous." Miri points out.

"I'm not nervous." I say.

"Then why are you hesitating? Why are you being so emotional? Why don't you want to do this?" Miri asks.

"This isn't my place. I never thought that this was were I would end up, but here I am. I shouldn't be the one in charge. It's her place. She can't die, she can't." I know I sound slightly childish, but it's all so shocking.

"But she can. She's human. Don't you think she deserves to rest? Let her live her last years in peace. She's earned it." Miri says.

I nod.

"I suppose you're right. That doesn't make me feel any better though." I sigh.

"I'm always right, Ms. Gillian. Now, don't you have things you need to be doing? Go prepare for tomorrow. It's going to be a long week, the first one is always the hardest." Miri instructs.

I nod again, then I head to my private office.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day.