My mother's bestfriend

Chapter VIII

STEFANIA POV

I woke up with a jolt, my heart racing as I struggled to shake off the remnants of a dream that clung to my mind like cobwebs. It was all a blur—fragments of images, the sound of a voice I couldn't quite place. But the one thing that stood out was the figure of a tall, blonde woman with intense, piercing eyes. I knew who it was even before I was fully awake. Miss Essington.

Why her? I thought, groaning as I sat up in bed, running a hand through my hair. The events of the previous night came rushing back, making my heart pound even harder. My mom had practically volunteered me to be Miss Essington's Teacher Assistant this year. And the principal had accepted without a second thought, that maddeningly calm expression never leaving her face. It had all felt surreal, almost like some kind of setup, especially after the strange tension I'd felt between us.

The sound of my alarm yanked me out of my thoughts, reminding me that today was the first day of school. The first day of being Miss Essington's TA. The thought sent a wave of nerves crashing over me, my hands trembling as I got out of bed and began getting ready for the day.

I stared at myself in the mirror, trying to steady my racing heart. Why did she agree? I wondered, frowning at my reflection. If Miss Essington didn't want or need a TA, she could've easily turned my mom down. But she didn't. The question hung in the air, unanswered and unsettling.

The hallways were buzzing with excitement as I made my way to my first class—math. The usual first-day jitters were everywhere, but mine felt different, sharper, like a needle pricking at my nerves. I spotted Grayson waving at me from the back of the classroom, his wild hair making him easy to find even in the crowded room. I slid into the seat next to him, trying to muster a smile.

"Hey, how's it going?" Grayson asked, his tone light but his eyes full of concern as he noticed my distracted expression.

I sighed, drumming my fingers on the desk in front of me. "I've had better mornings. Listen, there's something I need to tell you."

Grayson leaned in, his curiosity clearly piqued. "What's up?"

"My mom kinda volunteered me to be Miss Essington's Teacher Assistant this year," I blurted out, the words rushing out before I could stop myself. I was nervous, and it showed.

Grayson blinked, clearly taken aback. "Wait, what? Miss Essington agreed to that?"

I nodded, my brows knitting together in confusion. "Yeah, that's what surprised me too. I didn't even know she needed a TA. And honestly, I didn't think she'd want one. But my mom didn't exactly give me a choice."

Grayson's expression shifted, growing more serious. "Here's the thing, Stefania... Miss Essington has never had a TA. Like, ever. She's told everyone she doesn't need help because, in her words, she's 'not broken.'"

His words settled over me like a heavy weight. Miss Essington had never had a TA before. So why me? Why now? She could've easily said no to my mom, but she didn't. Why me? The question echoed in my mind, louder and more persistent.

Grayson's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "You think she has a reason for picking you? Maybe your mom twisted her arm or something?"

"Maybe," I replied, though the uncertainty in my voice was impossible to miss. I didn't want to think that my mom had forced Miss Essington into it, but if she hadn't... then what was the reason? I couldn't shake the feeling that something more was at play here, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

The rest of the class passed in a blur. I was too distracted to focus on the lesson, my mind too caught up in the endless loop of questions and doubts. Before I knew it, the bell rang, and I was gathering my things with a growing sense of dread. My heart pounded in my chest as I made my way to Miss Essington's office, the nerves tightening in my stomach with every step I took.