The Teacher // Josh Dun

.:twenty nine:..

shoutout to jess sodunwithjess just because I love her

watch me live on instagram @/_spnlife when you're done reading for a good time

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Devon wasn't in the mood for anything. She was invited to a meeting that was held to discuss the future of the art program. However, she didn't have much input.

"Rebuild it," one administrator suggested. "We could buy brand new supplies. We need it anyway."

"That would put a huge dent in the budget." One other said.

"If we don't have money," Devon butted in. "We don't have the money."

"We don't." The principal said.

"But it's art." Somebody argued.

"I don't have the money to buy the supplies that you guys won't pay for," Devon said. "And you don't have the money to rebuild. Don't make this harder than it has to be."

"Are you telling us to stop making renovation plans?" The principal asked.

As much as it hurt her to say, she spoke anyway. "We need more money for.. I don't know, lunches and field trips. We can fund programs to assist kids with disabilities. I have a few autistic students, and they are incredibly smart. But the extra help would be great for them. If we hire more paraprofessionals, those kids would be able to be in full classes with other students rather than being in a smaller class. They're intelligence and understanding could be way beyond where they are with only the one teacher. I love my job, but in reality, art isn't a priority to the school."

"By doing this, you're forfeiting your job." He told her.

Devon let out an unsteady breath. "Yeah," she nodded. "I know."

"We can try for a few months of pay," he said. "To support the baby, but I can't promise anything."

After the decision was made, Devon was more than ready to go home.

"We went through some of the rubble," the principal said. "We found this, if it has any significance."

Devon took the half-burnt heart from him. She inspected it, tracing the hardly legible initials, J.D.

***

When Devon got back home, Josh was unpacking the boxes from his apartment. He was setting his, as Devon called it, "manly things" on the dresser.

"How did it go?" Josh asked.

"They um.." Devon crossed her arms to compose herself. "They're not rebuilding."

"Dev," Josh said in a sympathetic tone. "I'm sorry."

Devon shook her head as Josh pulled her into a hug. Her voice cracked as she spoke. "I was laid off too."

"They can't do that." Josh pulled away.

"I'm not useful to them anymore." Devon shrugged.

"You're pregnant!" Josh hollered. "How do they expect you to support the baby?"

"Please stop yelling." Devon looked down and fumbled with her hands.

"They could give you a paid leave until it's rebuilt o-or they-"

"Josh," Devon looked up at him with tears lining her eyes. "I already feel like I'm drowning. Don't make it worse."

***