Chasing Our Lost Stars [Completed]

New start [Epilogue 3]

Vel stood outside the classroom door, his heart beating a little faster than usual. Today was his first day as a high school teacher, and despite all the preparation and confidence he had in his knowledge, the reality of standing in front of a class full of students suddenly hit him. He adjusted his shirt, took a deep breath, and straightened the stack of notes in his hand.

"Okay, Vel, you've got this," he whispered to himself. It was his first time teaching first- and second-year high school students, and while he knew this day would come, it felt surreal to be on the other side of the desk.

As he pushed open the door and walked into the classroom, Vel was surprised by the atmosphere. The room was much quieter than he expected. The students were sitting neatly in their seats, their eyes focused on him with curiosity. There wasn't the usual chatter or whispers he had anticipated, which only made his nerves flare up more.

"Good morning, everyone," Vel began, his voice steady but slightly soft. He smiled, though his palms felt a bit sweaty. "My name is Mr. Vel Harper, and I'll be your English teacher for this year." He glanced around the room, noticing that some students were nodding, but most remained silent, watching him with interest.

"I know this is my first day, but let's make this year a great one together, shall we?" Vel continued, feeling the weight of his own words. It was strange how just a few years ago, he was in a similar seat, feeling just as uncertain about the future as these students probably were now.

He took a step toward the desk at the front of the room, placing his notes down with more confidence. "So, before we get started on anything too serious, I want to know more about all of you. I believe that the best way to learn is through conversations, not just textbooks. So, who wants to tell me what they enjoy reading or watching in English? Or maybe you can tell me what you hope to learn this year?"

He glanced up, hoping to break the ice. A few hands tentatively went up, and Vel felt a wave of relief wash over him.

One of the students, a boy sitting near the front, spoke first. "I like reading novels. I'm really into fantasy books."

Vel's face lit up. "That's great! Fantasy is one of my favorite genres as well. We'll definitely explore different styles of literature this year, and maybe you'll discover some new favorites along the way."

Another student raised her hand. "I want to get better at speaking English. I'm not that confident, and it's really hard for me to keep up sometimes."

Vel nodded, recognizing her nervousness. "You're already doing great by speaking up today, and I'm here to help with that. Don't worry, we'll work on building your confidence, and by the end of the year, I'm sure you'll feel much more comfortable."

As more students began to share, Vel realized that the initial silence wasn't due to disinterest-it was simply that they were as unsure of him as he was of them. The class was starting to warm up, and he could already feel a sense of connection forming.

With the introductions out of the way, Vel looked at the clock, realizing it was time to move into the lesson. He took another deep breath, feeling a sense of pride. Despite his nerves, he had made it through the first part of the day. The room was no longer quiet, and the students were engaged.

"Alright, let's dive into our first lesson," he said with a smile, feeling more at ease. As he began explaining the day's topic, Vel knew that this was just the beginning of a new journey for him-a journey where he would grow not just as a teacher, but as a person.

And as the students leaned in, ready to learn, Vel realized that, maybe, he was ready for this after all.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of Vel's first class, he stood by his desk and watched as the students gathered their things and began to file out of the classroom. Some of them gave him small smiles or nods of approval, which reassured him that his first lesson had gone much better than expected. He offered a friendly wave as the last of them disappeared through the door.