What Happened To Margaret Stewart

Chater 3 - Surprises

It's been a week. A week filled with lonely days and lively nights. Spending almost every night watching Netflix on my bed or drawing till all hours of the night, and every day is spent moping around the house in a tizzy of dis-inspiration and boredom. One can only take so much of Netflix. I was living like a true artist.

I got a confirmation email for my interview on Thursday, and now it's Monday, about an hour before, and I'm kind of freaking out.

Walking to the school, I have my earbuds in, and All Time Low is blasting through them in an attempt to calm my erratic nerves. I have never been good at interviews, they stress me out, and when I'm stressed out, I make a fool of myself. Simple as that. So, I am hoping to some being that is up there that I don't make a fool of myself today, and actually get the job.

Stopping in front of the school, I take a deep calming breath before I make my way to the door. I lift my head high, and walk into the school, with an air of "confidence" around me, still shaking in my boots on the inside.

The school is just how I remember it, like it was a time capsule, preserving all of my memories from high school. Ten years is a long time. Making my way to the office, I pass by all of our old lockers, and the hallways where so many of my fond memories from my childhood took place. Strolling into the office, I sign in at the desk, and Ms. Homestead, the office assistant who has been there since I was in the middle school attached to the high school. Taking a seat, I pull out my phone to entertain myself before I am called into the office. I wait about five minutes before I am called in, and the sight that greets me has me in tears.

Running into a hug I embrace a person that I regret not keeping in touch with the most. Pulling back from the hug and stare into the familiar face that I haven't seen in years. Melanie's tear stained cheeks, that I know match my own. Her now red and puffy eyes are the same crystal blue that I came to love all those years ago and missed greatly in the past couple of years. She was always my rock in school, whenever something went wrong, I could always count on her to make me feel better and vice versa. We were always the closest since we were friends long before the others came into the picture. She was my best friend since birth. But now, now we haven't spoken to each other in about 8 years.

"I missed you so much," she sobbed out. Making me break down even further.

"I m-missed out too, Melie! I am so s-sorry I didn't keep in touch." I replied while trying to stop my crying.

When I left for the Big Apple, Melanie stayed close to home and went to school in Buffalo, NY. Out of all of us, she was the only one that really enjoyed living here. She didn't want to leave. She wanted the "White-picket-fence" dream. Marry a nice guy, have a couple kids, not have to work, but chooses to. She found some type of romance in this ideology.

"Ugh, look at us, blubbering like a bunch of baboons," she said, and I laughed at her slight Harry Potter Reference. She still remained the biggest Potterhead that I have ever met. Professor McGonagall would be so proud of her saying that.

"Alright, we have some business to get to. What brings you in today?"

"I saw the listing that you are in need of an art teacher."

"Oh, yes. Our last art teacher had a bit of a nervous breakdown and left in the middle of the day last week."

"Geez, are the kids that bad now?"

"Oh, you have no idea. Do you still want the job now that you know, somewhat, about these kids?"

"Yeah, a job is a job to me right now, and if I can do something I love while I work, well that's just a bonus," I replied.

"Well, the job is yours. Just send me your resume and you will start on Wednesday."

"I have a copy of it here. Thank you so much Mellie!"

"No problem Riles. Now get out of my office, I have work to do, I just hired some idiot."

"Well, I never!" I fake gasped as I stood from the chair I was in. And with one final hug and kiss, I took my leave.

Walking out of the school was the most surreal thing ever for me. I felt lighter, important, needed. Everything that was void in my life right now. It feels as if everything is finally coming together. As I was walking across the threshold of the school, I heard my name being called. Turning around, I was greeted with nothing there. Thinking it is just a figment of my imagination, I turned back around and continued on my way out the school.

When I got back to the house, I slumped down on the couch with a smile plastered to my face. Remembering that I am still in my dress clothes, I go upstairs to change into something more comfortable. Climbing into my bed after changing into my pj's, I grab my laptop and go onto Netflix to continue watching Heartland. After watching for about 3 hours or 4 episodes of Heartland, I go back downstairs to get some food for my binge. Entering the kitchen, I am surprised to see my mother standing at the sink just staring out the window.

Walking up behind her, I wrap my arms around her and rest my head on her shoulder. After jumping a little from the sudden contact, she settled back and relaxed into my embrace. We stood there for a while, my mother just staring out the window and me just holding her; enjoying the serenity of the moment, which was quite rudely interrupted by my growling stomach.

"You sound hungry my dear." My mom laughs.

"I came down to eat," I said while moving towards the fridge.

"How was the interview today?"

"It was great, you wouldn't believe it. I don't even think that you would believe me if I told you."

"What do you mean by that?" she asked as I went over to the cabinet and pulled out the peanut butter.

"Mellie is the principal of the school now," I replied while grabbing a spoon from the utensil drawer.

"Aww, isn't that cute! Have you seen any of your other old friends?"

"Almost all of them," I replied around a spoonful of peanut butter. "I ran into Tommy and Jackson last week."

"Jackson! Oh, how is that young man, I haven't seen him in so long! Whatever happened between you two? You were so close, I thought he was going to propose to you after graduation."

"Mom, once again, we were not meant to be together. That was a toxic relationship. I never felt so useless than when I was with him. He is and forever will be an asshole." I said while stuffing another spoonful of peanut butter into my mouth.

"Hon.." my mom was cut off by the front door opening.

"I'm home my darlings!" my dad said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Hi honey" my mom replied.

"Hey pops" I said.

"How'd the interview go, buttercup?" My dad said while kissing my forehead.

"It was good. Turns out that Mel is the new principle."

"Oh, isn't that funny! How is she?" he asked while grabbing an apple from the fruit basket behind me.

"She's good, and I start on Wednesday."

"That's great sweetheart"

"Thanks, " I said while pushing off the counter and putting the peanut butter away, and putting the spoon in the sink.

Heading up the stairs once again, I trudged into my room and plopped down on the bed. After moving my laptop, I got under the covers and turned in for an early night.