Frowned Upon [H.S. AU]

THREE

"I don't see nobody but you.

Boy, you got me hooked on to something.

Who could say that they saw us coming?"

✿ ✿ ✿

IRIS MONROE

August 27th, 2021

Deep breath in. And out.

They're just parents. They're here to learn who their child's teacher is and what they'll learn while enrolled in my class. I can do this.

All I have to do is speak clearly and loudly so everyone in the room can hear me correctly, but not too loud to the point where I'll only annoy them. Most of them are probably coming straight from work, so I need to be energetic but not overly enthusiastic that it exhausts them.

Some of them will have their child or children with them, so I've set out extra chairs just in case the desks aren't enough. The same ones I spent scrubbing dried glue spots off of earlier once school had finished for the day.

For many teachers, tonight doesn't cause as much stress as it has for me. Well, probably for the majority of teachers at this school. But I've always looked at more from the money aspect of things.

I don't teach because I want to make a ton of money. But these parents? They pay for their kids to be taught. More than what is considered normal in society. Much more.

For me, I'm presenting my curriculum and clarifying what their kids will be learning throughout this year, but them? They're confirming that they are getting their money's worth by paying for their kid to attend this school.

Tonight is merely an observed test given by the administration to see if their staff can handle the wealthy parents of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.

Back to school night.

"Welcome, everyone!" I say over the chatter as a few more parents shuffle through the door, "Grab any free seat available, and we'll get started in a few minutes."

My voice isn't trembling yet. That's something positive to focus on.

Scarlett puckers her lips and sways back in forth in the chair in front of my desk while watching me internally spiral. I'm still trying to comprehend how I did this without her last year. Honestly, I might have blacked out. I remember bits and pieces, but mostly nothing.

I step closer to her for a moment and grab the checklist of speaking topics for tonight.

Given the short amount of time to impress them, I needed some sort of structure to get through the amount of information I have to get through today. That also explains the packets of information they all have in front of them in case I get sidetracked.

It's like they're able to relive their days in school, taking their homework with them after class. Their assignment is just their signature on school and class policies.

"Are you ready to do your introduction?" I ask Scarlett softly.

She nods, but I can clearly see the panic stirring behind her eyes.

I have to applaud her for being brave enough to push past her fear of speaking to strangers and public speaking on days like this. Not many people could do it, but she's assured me that she feels more confident than in previous years and wants to give her best effort.

"You've got this," I assure her with a smile.

She nods again and releases a deep breath slowly, and her shoulders fall from their tense state. Her eyes shift to focus behind me, and her face lights up as she wipes away any hint of nerves written on her expression.