Chapter 1
Ziya Jackson POV
It is a Monday morning, and I am in my classroom setting up for morning snack. I counted the kids again, wondering how many places I needed to put out. I turn to my aide and ask, "Who's missing?" She looked up from the iPad and said, "Girl, why do you care who is missing? I hope this is it for the day." I rolled my eyes and turned around to put napkins on the table. If you can't tell, I am not a fan of my aide, Ms. Nicole Williams. She is just here to collect a check or just a body. I don't understand why Mrs. Andrew keeps her here because she is a safety risk. Thankfully, I am a visualent teacher and worked preventatively.
As I was putting napkins down, my baby Maverick started running to me. "MAVY, where are your walking feet?" I asked him. He smirked and said, "Sorry, Ms. Axson." I smiled at how he said my name because I find it so cute when my 3-year-olds try to say my name. I looked at Mavy and asked, "What's up, buddy?" He smiled and said, "Can I help you PLwessseeee?""Yes, baby, you can. Where's Ray-Ray?" I asked while looking around for his best friend. "He not here yet.", he shrugged. I got nervous because if Ray wasn't here by now, he would have a hard drop-off. Mavy had finished putting napkins away and ran back to the carpet. I just laughed at how cute he is.
I checked the time and realized it was 8:25, and snack will be here soon. I glanced over to see what Ms. Williams was doing, and of course, she was scrolling on her phone. I sighed and said, "Friends, you have 2 minutes before clean up because snack will be here any minute ". I looked at Ms. Williams again to see if she took the warning, and she did. She was putting her phone away while still sitting. I returned to the table just in time for Ms. Alston, the assistant director, to open the door. I smiled and said," Good morning, Ms. Alston." She snapped, "How many kids you got?" I responded, "15." She just closed the door. I walked to see if she had left the cart, which she did. She did. I grabbed it and thought you could have at least pushed the cart in. I turned and said, "Friends, clean up and line up to wash hands for snack."
After washing hands and doing all 15 snacks, I made a bowl of cereal and a cup of milk for Ray-Ray. Sometimes, because of who's dropping off, he has eaten anything. That little boy is clearly in a messy home situation. I believe his parents are separated, and all that baby wants is their attention. He usually is the last kid here, and there's usually someone different picking him up that's rarely his parents. I gave him extra hugs and cuddles each day because I don't know where his parents be, but this baby needs love. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
I looked up and rolled my eyes at my trifling aide and said, "Can you open the door, Ms. Williams?" She huffed and said something under her breath. I thought to myself, say it with your chest bitch. I am watching the door as she opens it and realize that it's Ray. I hope she is friendly to him because she is always talking shit about him in front of him. She opens the door and says, "Ugh, Raymond is here. Let's go, Raymond RAYMOND, come on! What are you hiding for? OMG, forget it!! MS. JACKSON COME GET RAYMOND. " I rolled my eyes as I got up because I knew I should have opened the door.
I get to the door and instantly squat down to talk to Ray. "Hey, Ray-Ray. I missed you, baby boy. I was looking for you. You want to go see Mavy." I said to him. He peeked at me from behind the person who he was hiding behind. I realized I didn't acknowledge the person dropping off and was like, damn, I'm rude, but my kids are my priority. I don't have kids of my own, but this class is the closest thing I have right now. I looked back at Ray and said, "Do you want a Superman hug and fly into the class?" He looked at me and smiled. He ran into my arms and hugged me. I smiled at him and said, "You ready lil man." he said, "Yes!" As I was getting up, I felt someone grab my waist and say, "Hey beautiful, let me help you 'cause that boy is big" while helping me up. This is the first time I had acknowledged the handsome big nigga who smelled like he was wearing Polo blue. I looked at him and said"Thank you sir. Ray tell yourrr...." The unnamed man said, "Uncle" I continued and said "Ray tell your Uncle bye." Ray says, "Bye." I looked at him one last time and went in the classroom. As teh door closed, I thought all type of things.Who is this man? Is he single? DOes he even like plus-size dark skins? Can I even flirt with him or is that risking my job ? ugh i don't know. Wait why am I doing all this when all I said was thanks?
End of Chapter
