You Again (Completed) ✔️

64.

At 7:30 a.m., I pull the car into the school's parking lot. Grabbing my handbag, I step out of the car and lock it.

After entering the building, I walk down the hall past the office. On my way to the staff room, I see the Guidance Councillor's office.

I knock on the door and wait for the councillor to open it. When the door opens, I see a woman a little older than me with her hair in a messy bun and a pen in her hair. She's wearing glasses and baggy clothes.

A smile spreads across her face. "Hey, you're Julia Harrison. You saved a child during the tsunami on Nova Island."

"Hey, can we talk for a bit?" I cut myself off because I didn't know her name.

"Ella Montgomery, " she says. Stepping aside, she lets me into the room. "I'm surprised to see you at my door."

I take a seat and look at her. "Do you have a few minutes where I can talk to you? I'd like it if you could guide me like you would one of the children at this school."

She takes a seat behind her desk. "I can give it a try. I've never dealt with a grown-up problem before, but if you'd like, I have a friend who can help you."

I shake my head. "I'm not ready to talk to a professional yet. I know it's something I should do to help me move on from the tsunami."

Ella leans forward and pays attention to me.

I tell her about the problems I've had since I got home and the nightmares from the experience on Nova Island to someone trying to kill me.

When I'm done telling her everything, she rubs a hand across her face. "From what I've heard, I think it's best that you don't go on the school trip with your class. Talk to the principal about that. That way, someone can take your class, and you could take over there. Maybe create a way that you incorporate yourself into the trip without actually being there."

A smile spreads across my face. "That's a great idea. I have a few ideas for this." Standing up, I extend my hand to her. "It's nice to meet you, Ella."

Walking out the door, I head toward Ms. Hyde's office. I knock on the door and wait for her to answer.

The door opens. "Hello, Julia. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes," she steps aside and lets me into the room. I take a seat behind her desk. She takes a seat across from me. "I can't go on that trip with my class. There are things that I have been keeping a secret from you, and I think it's best that I tell you about them."

"Okay,"

"I don't think it's a good idea that I go on the camping trip with my class. I've been having PTSD and problems sleeping. Also, some people after me could cause problems, and I don't want to put my class at risk because of them."

She nods. "I have someone that wants to go on this trip. You'll have to take over the class for that teacher."

"Okay," I stand up. "Thanks." Walking out of the office, I head to my classroom and pull out the list of things I will teach my class today.

The bell rings, and I head toward the hall, where the students are waiting for me.

When I get to the hall, I stand to the side where my class is sitting and wait for the announcements to be made. I look around the hall, and my eyes land on one of the girls I went to high school with.

She smiles as she looks at the class she's taking for the day.

If I have to give up my job for the remainder of the year, I know she'll have fun with it.

Looking around the hall, I see classes stand and follow their teachers out. I lead my class out of the hall, and we head in the direction of the classroom. I wait for my class to be seated before telling them I won't be going on the field trip.

A few students aren't happy to hear that I won't be going on the trip. Looking at them, I say, "Since I can't make it on the trip, I want you all to write down one thing you enjoyed during that day. When you return to school, I want you to share your stories. It can be through photos or, if you want to be creative, draw something."

Crystal raises her hand. "I like this idea. It will be like you were with us. Is there a chance that we can create something like our trip on the school grounds instead of being in the classroom?"

"I'll run the idea by Ms Hyde and see what she says. I'll let you know what will happen when you return from your trip." Looking at the book on the table, I see a spelling test for the day. "Okay, class. I want you to open your notebooks. We're going to do a spelling test."

A few students groan as they open their books and pull out a pencil. They wait for me to tell them the first word: "Abbreviate." I wait for the class to finish spelling it until I tell them the next word. We spent thirty minutes on the test before they handed their books to me. I place it on the table. "Please, open your reading books. You have ten minutes of silent reading while I mark your tests."

I walk over to the table and pick up a red pen. I go through the words and tick them where they're correct. If they're wrong, I put a cross and write the word down correctly to help the student with the spelling.

Marcus walks over to the desk and takes a seat across from me. "Miss Harris. I was wondering if there's any way you can help me after school with reading and spelling."

I smile at him. "I'll help you, Marcus. Thanks for coming to me about it. I know how hard this is for you. When I was your age, I also had to ask for help. My teacher's help inspired me to become a teacher."

"You're a great teacher. When I approached my last teacher, she didn't want to know about it. She was always on her phone talking to someone instead of helping the struggling students in her class. With you, I know you'll pick up on who needs help."

I'll do what I can to help my students and ensure that nobody is left behind.

Marcus returns to his table and picks up the book he brought to class.

After marking the tests, I returned their books to them.