Janie and Jack

8: What's a burden?

I awaken to a room filled with sunlight. It's a Monday morning and I've been dreading this day. The day I get out of my bed.

This past weekend I chose to ignore Hunter and Jack. I stayed in bed for two days not leaving for food or water. Tiffany got tired of my act and brought me food those two days.

I wanted to call in sick today but I decided against it because my students shouldn't have to suffer having a sub.

I dress in my skinny jeans and a pink blouse and make my way to work, not bothered to have breakfast.

My lesson for my class today will be forgiveness. I want to show them that forgiving is all that it takes to make amends.

But maybe I want to teach forgiveness because I'm hurting inside.

"Morning students" I manage to put on a fake smile.

"Morning Ms. Sullivan!" They cheer in happiness. Oh how I wish I was in their shoes.

"Today's lesson we're going to talk about forgiveness"

They all look at one another with their confused look.

"Ms. Sully!" Brent raises his hand

"Yes honey?" I answer

"Feel better Ms. Sully" he replies.

I look at him, he sees the pain I'm in. I'm not my normal self today, I'm depressed Ms. Sully not the happy Ms. Sully I always show them.

"Thank you Brent!" I cross my legs in my sitting position. I like sitting on the colorful carpet with them because it's makes it fair.

"Now class I want you to listen" I grab the small white board along with an expo marker.

I begin drawing a scene. They understand more when they have pictures.

"This is Becca the dog" I point to the dog I drew.

"This is Alex the cat" I point to the cat beside the dog

I come up with a story and begin drawing more.

"They were best friend" I say, "One day Alex and Becca were playing outside and he promised her he would come out to play with her everyday and never leave her" I pause. "The next day when Becca went out to play she waited for Alex to come out but he never did. She waited and waited and waited until the sun came down and she had to go home"

I look at all their faces,"Alex did not come out to play that day. Becca was so mad because he promised he would never leave her. The next day when Becca came out to play Alex was nowhere in sight"

They all gasp. I feel them.

"As days set, then came night and Becca was all alone. Alex had left her, and he really broke that promise" I let out. "One day something sparked in Becca and she knew she couldn't count on Alex to play anymore so she decided she would just have to play by herself outside."

They all look at me gesturing to go on,"When Becca knew she was alright without Alex she knew she was going to be okay. Until it was the day of her birthday and he decided to show up"

The kids all inch closer, clutching on to each other."He came back apologizing for leaving her because he was playing with another cat but Becca never cared. She ignored him relentlessly until one day she decided she should forgive him"

"Why?" Emma raises her hand

"Because she knew that she couldn't keep all that anger inside of her. She didn't want to hurt anymore with all that inside her. So when she went out to play, Alex was outside again to apologize to her. She accepted his apology and forgave him for leaving her to play alone."

They all looked surprised,"When she forgave him she made a mental note. She made sure she was independent with or without him" I end the story with a picture of a heart

"What's the heart for Ms. Sully?" Ineia asked

"Becca loved Alex" I look at the perfectly shaped heart that I just drawn. "You should always forgive and move on because if you don't in here..." I point to my heart and head,"it will become a burden"

"What's a burden" Sapphire asked

Something you should never have.

"Something you've kept in for a long time" I give her a smile.

"The End" I exhale out

"Yay!" They all screamed and cheered

"Would you guys forgive Alex?" I say once they silenced.

"Of course!" someone said

"No way!" Another said

I found a resolution,"Everyone who thinks yes, move over to the right" I wave my hand to the right. "Everyone who thinks no, move to the left" I wave my hand to the left.

With everyone divided there was only one person left in the middle. Sapphire.

"Sapphire honey are you okay?" I walk over to her standing in the center of the carpet

"What if I think yes and no?" She looks up at me

"What do you mean?" I lift an eyebrow in confusion

"I think she only forgave him because she loved him and didn't want to lose him." She gives me her worried look.

My heart sinks.

"I understand honey," is all I could say.

She knew. She knew that Becca only forgave him because she couldn't let go that she loved him and if she didn't she would lose sight of him forever.

"Ms. Sully, is this story about you?" She whispers to me.

I answer honestly,"Let's just keep this between us" I wink at her.

A/N: Such a short chapter, I know. I know! What do you guys think about the story of Alex and Becca?  Also what do you guys think of Sapphires smart remarks?
-Sheyanne