The substitute

Chapter 12

While Mrs. Smith is reading a book, I decide to sit down and think all of this can't happen next week it just can't.

"What do you think Ms. Archer?" Mrs. Smith asks me.

"Huh?" I say and the whole class laughs.

"Maybe you should pay more attention" She says.

Mrs. Smith moves the attention away from me and asks a girl named Brittany. When Mrs. Smith finishes reading the book she tells them to do silent writing and all of the children groan.

"You okay?" Mrs. Smith asks me.

"I'm so frustrated." I say, why is everything so fast?

"Hey why don't we go somewhere to eat and we will figure this mess out together, okay?" I have no idea what I be doing without her.

"Yes that would be extremely helpful thank you so much." She's a life save.

"No problem honey. Now why don't you walk around and ask the kids what they are writing about." I nod my head and walk up to a couple of students. Most of them are writing about what there going to do for summer.

As I am watching the kids I see Emmet's head pop up from his desk, I walk up to him.

"Hey Emmet, what are you writing about?" I whisper.

"Family." Is all he says, well that's new.

"Oh cool." I say and walk away.

....

My internship finally ended and I wait for Mrs. Smith to get her stuff.

"Okay honey where do you want to go?" I shrugs my shoulders not really caring where we go.

"Oh well I know this restaurant that serves the best food wanna go?"

"Okay sounds great." I tell her.

We both go in her car. During the whole drive was filled with silence, but not an awkward silence a more relaxing silence.

"Here we are." She says we both get out of the car and into the restaurant.

We finally take our seats and order our food. I ordered a simple cheeseburger and Mrs. Smith ordered steak.

"So what's your problem?" She asks.

"Well everything is happening next week. First my father is coming from the military, I'm substituting a college class, and then I have my graduation." I tell her rubbing my temples.

"How long is your dad staying?" That's a good question I don't even have the answer to that.

"No idea." I tell her.

"Well did you check your high school website maybe it'll tell you." She says.

"I don't have an iPhone." I tell her and she hands me hers.

I thank her again and go on her phone. I check the website and it says that the graduation is this Friday and today is Wednesday. I smile in relief I'm teaching on Monday.

"Good news?" She asks.

"Good news." I tell her and she smiles.

"It's this Friday but I need to find a dress." I tell her.

"I can help."

"Are you sure? I don't want to make you feel like that I am using you." I tell her.

"It's fine honey. In fact, I love looking for dresses." She tells me well that's a relief.

"Thank you." I tell her and she smiles.

"What about your dad?" She asks me.

"Well substituting ends-" I get cut off by Mrs.Smith.

"You can call it a job. Your getting paid right?"

"Of course." I tell her.

"Then you can call it a job." She laughs.

"My job starts seven in the morning and ends at two my father will probably come around seven at night." I tell her and she nods her head.

"So are you okay?" She asks.

"Yes, thank you." I tell her for the millionth time today.

....

We finish our food and head to the mall to look for dresses.

"What kind of dresses do you prefer?" She asks me while looking through the dresses on the hangers.

"Something that's not to revealing." I tell her.

"What about this?" She holds a purple dress that looks pretty long.

"Okay."

"Perfect lets go put it on." She says as we both run into the dressing room.

I put it on and it squeezes my body. I look in the mirror and it doesn't look half bad. Yes it may be a little tight, but it's right on my knees and it's not sleeveless.

I open the door revealing Mrs. Smith.

"Wow you look beautiful." She says and I smile at her.

"Should I buy it?" I ask her

"Definitely." I nod my head.

"Now let's look for shoes." Mrs. Smith says.

"I already have shoes." I'm not letting her waste money on me.

"Toms don't count as shoes, now go get changed." She tells me.

I change into my clothes, once I get out I find Mrs.Smith holding a bunch of heels.

"Hey can we get flats instead?" I ask her nervously their very pretty shoes I just don't know how to walk in them.

"Oh, sure honey."

We go and look for flats when we find black ones I try them on and they fit perfectly.

Mrs. Smith drops me off and I thank her once again. I grab my bags and head for the door.

"Hello Zoe." My mother says.

"Hello mother."

"Where have you been?" She asks me.

"I went shopping for a dress for graduation."

"Oh that's cool." I nod my head and head toward my room.

I check my phone and see a message from Maria.

*Hey, herd Harry drove you home last night. ;)*

*Ya by force.* I really didn't have a choice.

*Oh and btw Roxy was extremely jealous.* Now that made me happy.

*Really?*

*Duh! So the next time u see her she might be meaner than usual.*

*Haha ok.*