A Blue Rose, A Kidnapping, A Teacher

1

It is a cold winter morning in Virginia and Chloe is ripped from her sleep by the alarm ringing in her ear. Today is her first day at the new school and she can barely contain her excitement. All her planning sheets are done and she is more prepared than needed.

Being a teacher has always been Chloe's dream and, today it will become a reality. She grew up in a family with very high standards and her parents wanted her to become a surgeon but she was not prepared to let her dream go to waste. So after endless studying and waiting the day has finally arrived. 

Having already planned all her outfits for the week Chloe jumps out of bed grabbing her first cup of coffee for the day. After the wonderful and inviting shower, she pulls her black and white polka dot dress over her head, she pairs her outfit with a plain black belt, black heels, and a winter coat. Looking at herself in the mirror she is satisfied with the image staring back at her, her long brown curls pinned to the back of her head and the rest dangling down her shoulders.

Unfortunately for Chloe, she does not yet have a car and will have to take the bus to work until she can save up enough money for one. Chloe is a very positive girl with many dreams and high hopes for the future, but recent events in her life have put a dark cloud over her head. She has started isolating herself from the rest of the world and at this time and point, she has no intention of making new friends in this unfamiliar place.

Only 3 months ago, both her parents got into a tragic car accident taking them both on impact. Chloe was so unsure of what to do. Luckily her parents left her a small cottage in Virginia. After gathering her thoughts and making up her mind, she packed all her things and left her old life behind. At first, it was a terrifying thought to go to a place where she had never been and where she knew not a single soul, but after a few weeks of adjusting to the busy city, she knew she could make a good living here for herself.

 Chloe was not a very social person so she had no friends who she had to leave behind and her parents were the last family she had left. Now here she is about to start a lifelong journey with so many new opportunities.

On her way to the bus stop, Chloe stops by her newfound favorite coffee shop to buy a freshly baked muffin and a well-deserved mochaccino. Her head is spinning with all the ways her day could go today, will the students hate her or will they love her, will her work colleagues be nice or rude? Possibilities, possibilities, possibilities!

The bus drive felt like an eternity but after 30 min she arrived at the small primary school.

Chloe POV

My classroom is breathtaking. I came in for a few days during the school holiday to decorate it from top to bottom. All my posters are self-made, full of colors and cute pictures to draw the attention of my learners. My timetable is not that busy, I have a few free periods every day which will allow me to not get behind on my marking.

I'll be teaching English home language to the grade 5 and 6 groups this year. For the first day of school, I have a fun activity planned so that the learners can get to know me better and of course get to know each other better. My goal is to build a strong foundation with the learners as soon as possible so that it will be smooth sailing for the rest of the year.

My kids are wonderful, they are so respectful and hard-working learners, I can see a bright year ahead. The day flew by and before I could blink it was over. The walk to the bus stop is not too far from the school, only about 10 minutes, but it takes a few turns here and there, and because I'm still a little unfamiliar with the roads I do not feel completely safe in the alleyways.

Nearly halfway on my way to the bus stop I turned into the last alleyway, all was going well until I heard something crack behind me. Swinging around I tried to find the source but to my despair, I could not. I brush off my paranoia and convince myself that it is most probably some animal. My heart is racing and my legs go as fast as they can go and I finally reach my stop. I jump on the bus as fast as I can and I breathe out a breath of relief. The bus is very empty, apart from me there is only an old lady sitting in the front, and at the back is a man wearing a black hoodie. Since I don't enjoy making small talk with strangers I decide to take a seat in the middle of the bus.