Statuism -

Loss. - Chapter 1

The shrieking of the bell stung Roman's ears as the clock struck 1. School's out for the summer.

Roman hugs and shakes the hands of his now former students. "Bye Mr. Truett!" "Have a great summer!"

The thought of Roman's students moving up in school made tears dwell in his eyes. Those were his kids, and now they're moving to Junior High. There he is, 24 year old elementary school teacher, Roman Truett, now on his own for the summer of 2015.

Roman's phone buzzed. And again. And once more. Roman grabbed the phone sitting on his desk. It was his best friend, Jonas.

Come on dude! School's out, it's whiskey night. Don't be a bum.

Roman sighed and chuckled to himself. "Whiskey Night" was an excuse for the two plus Jonas' girlfriend to get together and kick back, just like when they were teenagers. Roman and Jonas had been friends since they were in diapers. Always together, never separate. That's how it's always been, and nothing needs to change.

Alright man. I'll be there at 5. Save me a seat!

Roman left his phone on the desk, basking in the spring air sifting through the window screens, leaning back against his desk. A knock on the big wooden door startled Roman. Immediately, the door swung open and in came the Principal of the school, arms wide.

"Hey Roman! Great year, wouldn't ya' say?" The Principal put his hand on Roman's shoulder, smiling at him. "Yes sir. It was a fantastic year! I'm gonna miss my kids." The principal chuckled, a look of understanding shone on his face.

"They will miss you too, Truett. You were a great teacher, you taught them more this year than they will ever learn." The principal walks across the room, laughing heartily and shutting the windows in Roman's classroom. Roman's eyes followed the principal closely. The principal looked outside the window, his arms crossed.

"However, we do need to talk..."

The noise between the two became nothing, the words slipping out of the principal's mouth with hesitation after minutes of silence.

"Roman, you're being terminated by the Board. I'm sorry it has come to this. We will give you until the end of the month to pack everything out. That gives you ..." The principal paused, looking at the calendar hanging on the wall in Roman's classroom.

"Nine days."