tame me | original story

Chapter 1 | Eastwood Elementary

[ likely my only author's note because I want to treat this like a real book I plan to publish one day. if you've read my fanfictions and see similar names... no you don't. jokes aside, Delilah Jane is a name I love very much and so I had to reuse it.

this is my first real book, so bear with me and be patient - I'm recovering from reconstructive ankle surgery and am on pain meds, so who knows what'll come out of all this. I'd love all your input, good or bad, as I'm very outside of my comfort zone right now writing something that isn't fanfiction.

anyway, welcome to TAME ME ]

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CHAPTER 1

Delilah Jane Worthington didn't have to walk very fast down the hallways of Eastwood Elementary School, as Principal Theodore McConnell was a good four inches shorter than her. She followed tranquility around each corner, taking in all the important sights as he gave the newly hired second-grade teacher a tour of the institution. She'd already seen her barren classroom that she'd be spending her summer decorating and arranging for her incoming seven-year-olds.

They'd already passed the gym outside, the cafeteria, the teacher's lounge, the art room, and the classrooms for the first graders and kindergartners so that she could meet some of her fellow teachers who were there for a workday.

Having moved all the way from the city in Washington, D.C., accepting a job fresh out of college as a teacher in Texas was putting DJ a bit out of her comfort zone, though that didn't make her any less excited. She stood tall, just two inches away from six feet, and with a content smile on her face as she politely nodded at everything Principal McConnell mentioned to her.

"And here, we have the library. Luckily, your students won't have too far of a walk on their days to visit," he was telling her, holding open the door kindly for DJ as she walked into the fairly tight space.

Though the library was small, the walls were lined with books and tightly packed shelves containing colorful spines with all kinds of titles printed on them. Each was labeled with the reading level and how many Accelerated Reading test points they were worth - DJ smiled softly, recalling how competitive she and her friends had been when growing up and taking those quizzes.

Looking past the posters of Ramona Quimby and the stuffed animal of Paddington in the corner meant for reading aloud to the class, DJ focused on the aging woman who was so busy repairing a broken book spine behind the circulation desk. Her curly, dark gray hair was pulled back and a set of green glasses were perched on her nose as she focused. Though she gave her all her attention when Principal McConnell called out to her.

"Liliana, we finally hired that new teacher to replace Janice's class," he said, referring to the teacher who had retired at the last minute, leading to the job opening. "Meet Delilah Jane Worthington. DJ, this is our librarian, Mrs. Liliana Lancaster."

"Love the alliteration," DJ couldn't help but say as she stepped forward to shake the aging woman's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Lancaster."

"Oh, just Liliana is fine, Delilah Jane. Most of us teachers use our first names when students aren't around," she said with a crooked smile. "Welcome to Eastwood. We're very happy to have you."

"I'm happy to be had," she replied, knowing how badly she needed a job if she was to start paying off her student loans. If only that paycheck would start during the summer and not August 2nd. "And DJ is just fine. I know my full name is a mouthful."