𝐑𝐎𝐒, urban

𝐈𝐈

Taylor Hanes
November 2023
Los Angeles, California

  "AND WHAT'S six times two?" Her soft voice rung out, dragging her hand across the math worksheet. "Umm I think it's twelve!" The kid exclaimed while chewing on the pencil.

"Very good job Wyatt! It is twelve, go ahead and write it down on your paper," she watched him clap his hands together and couldn't help but smile.

She worked at a high class institution for kids with special needs, or special developments. Giving knowledge to the young community was something she loved dearly.

Also because she had a deeper connection with all the children because she was in their position once.

The institution went up to 12th grade, so if they wanted to the kids could stay here for all levels of school.

What she loved most about her job was that it catered to just kids with disabilities, something she didn't have when she was growing up.

She was happy the kids could be in an environment where they see people who are just like them everyday. So they know they're not alone in this journey, and they have people they can lean on.

"Okay now, what's ten times one?" She did her hands in a motion, making him count to ten on his fingers.

"Is it one?"

"Not quite.. here let's give it a try again,"

The boy's face dropped slightly and he didn't even try to stop the frown forming.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" He dropped his pencil and smacked his hand over his forehead as tears threatened to fall.

This was common in her place of work, but that doesn't mean she would just ignore it.

"Hey Wyatt, it's okay hun. We'll just start from the top and try again alright?" She took his hand and moved it away from his head before handing him a candy.

"Here you get a candy for trying your best, keep it up!"

His face turned from a frown to a big smile as he wasted no time opening the chocolate bar. "Wow thanks so much Ms. Hanes! I'm gonna go brag to my friends," and with that he ran off before she could even respond.

A light chuckle fell from her lips and she couldn't help but to shake her head. "These kids are so funny sometimes,"

She left the one on one room and headed back to the front desk, where she was stationed for the day. Her positions always changed due to the lack of employees.

They had enough to give the kids good resources, but a couple people quit due to finding better jobs. So they had to look for new hiring. But until then, she was in charge of the office and a couple more departments.

She kind of hated being in the office because that's where she had to talk to people. Like parents coming to get their kids early, new enrollments, and things like that.

Social skills weren't her strong suit, but she was definitely trying to work on it. She would be twenty soon, and she figured it was time to crack out of this shell she was in.