First Day of School Memories

Her Memories

Children are the symbol of happiness. That is what she believes.

That's why despite of her sweating palms, contracting stomach, and faster than a bullet train-beating heart, the teacher was excited to see her first class in her teaching career. As she opened the door, she saw her very first students while noticing their distinct personalities.

There was one girl who was wearing a pink, sleeveless dress that talks of being a princess and finding her long-awaited prince charming.

There's one boy that wears a red, plaid, button-down shirt, with a scarf around his neck, while running around the classroom, boasting about his new toys that his dad would be sending before Thanksgiving.

And, there was one girl in yellow, frilled blouse who talks about wanting to be a teacher and to be able to reach her teachings to those unfortunate kids that cannot afford formal education who are living in the secluded areas.

The teacher suddenly teared-up a bit. Hearing the little girl reminds her of herself when she was a child.

She composed herself and scanned the whole room one last time before she start her greetings.

There were a lot of students that she could already foresee their futures. But, out of all of them, there was this one boy that pique her curiosity.

The boy was wearing a grey sweater, sitting quietly while drawing something in the sketch pad he brought. He doesn't stand out very much at all, and there was nothing of interest that could be observed to him. He is blank, and comes a bit odd. Yet, the teacher felt a of bit sadness thinking that a child should be expressing the opposite. But she just brushed that thought off her head. He's behaved, he could be a genius, who knows; The teacher thought to herself.

As she started her greetings, she instructed her students to introduce theirselves in front of the class and tell a thing or two about theirselves.

Everything went well. The students managed to do a proper introduction to everyone.

Everyone except for that boy.

He was stammering all the time he was in front, what appears to be unsure of the words he says. Nonetheless, nothing of extraordinary was being said. He was a 5 years old kid. It was his first time attending school, and he hoped to get along with his classmates.

The class have been doing some mini-activities including guess of shapes, spot the letter, find the odd one out, and all the other things the students were enjoying in and all about. They were so into the activities that they had not notice the time until the dismissal bell rang.

The teacher assured that the students packed up all of their things in their bags and that they are behavely lined near the door as they wait for their guardians.

She waved to the students as they leave the classroom one by one with their guardians while standing at the doorway. She watched her students as they go while wearing a satisfied look on her face.

She suddenly remebered that she needed to submit a report about her first day to the School Principal.

She immediately proceeded to her desk to arrange her things. But as she turned, she saw the quiet boy standing near the windows while staring immensely at her. The word "fear" quickly crossed her mind together with the chilling sensation that she felt running down her spine.

The boy began walking to her direction. She tried to talk, but it seems that she lost her tongue. She tried to move, but it seems that her feet was froze to the floor. She kept repeating in her head that children are the symbol of happiness, and yet her face tells the exact other.

The boy stopped a feet before her, immediately softening the gaze he has been wearing. The teacher seemed to feel nostalgia upon seeing his mellow expression.

"It's been a long time," the boy grasped her hands and placing it both on his palm.

"You have been a great teacher," he continued.

"You have done so well," the memories were suddenly rushing in her head.

"It's already time for you to take a rest," and with a smile, the boy gently kissed the teacher's hands.

A very bright light appeared out of nowhere and started making everything disappear before the teacher's eyes.

She felt the boy letting go of her hands. She tried grabbing them, but to no avail.

Everything was a blur. She tried calling the boy, but there's no voice to be heard from her.

She felt like she was falling from a very deep unknown.

She fell, hearing the boy's last words, "I hoped I made you happy," and it suddenly hit her.

That was her son. The one who died while she was teaching in her first day of class.