Life Interrupted

Chapter 3

When I woke up the next morning, I wished I could stay in bed the whole day. I definitely felt the exhaustion from the week catching up to me. I kept my eyes closed a little longer before I turned over and saw the time. Groaning, I knew I had to get up.

I slowly got up, stretching. Taking my time, I put on some leggings and an oversized hoodie before putting my hair into a messy bun. I grabbed my toothbrush and went to a little makeshift sink I had made in the corner of my packed van. I put on some mascara and lipstick, then grabbed my bookbag from the floor of my van before heading out.

I felt a little breeze pick up, as I walked down the sidewalk to campus. The weather was beginning to get colder. I definitely wasn't ready to spend the winter in the back of my van, but I would be able to make do like usual. Today wasn't bad, though. My big, pink hoodie that drooped over my figure definitely did a good job of keeping me warm.

Today was Thursday, meaning I only had two classes. It also meant I would soon start my weekend since I had no classes on Fridays. Though I was happy, I also knew today would be a long day since I would be starting with work and ending with work.

I got to campus and headed to a building filled with high pitched, yelling voices. Entering the daycare center for our school, I saw two of my coworkers trying to calm down one of the little boys. I instantly recognized him. He was the son of one of the professors located in the business department.

Once I set my bag to the side, I looked at Emily -- the coworker trying to calm down the little boy, Jason. She gave me a wide eyed look, pleading for me to help her out. I chuckled and went over.

"Ahem. Jason, what's going on here, buddy," I asked in a stern, yet calm voice. Instantly, the little boy snapped his head up to find the new source of sound.

"Ley-ley!" He squinted his eyes at me and put his hands on his hips. Jason was three years old, but definitely quite advanced for his age.

"Hey, Jason. Why are you yelling? You know we talked about being nice to others." I explained to him, while handing him a tissue for the tears he had shed during his tantrum.

Wiping his face aggressively, he looked up at me. "I told Milly, I don't want to wear pants today! She said I had to, but I don't wanna."

"Pal, you have to listen to Emily. Everyone has to wear pants here. Do you see anyone not wearing pants around you," I sighed questioningly to the miniature person glaring at me. He paused and looked around the daycare.

"Well...no, but in Captain Underpants he doesn't have to wear any pants!" he exclaims, exasperated. Jason always had a new infatuation with some sort of super hero or cartoon character that he would idolize for about a week. Last week it was Elmo, and that left him wearing red for a whole week and thinking he could speak to fishes. Unfortunately for us, that meant we caught him pulling out a fish from our small aquarium we had in the daycare.

Shaking my head I bent down so we were eye level, "Jason, Captain Underpants doesn't wear pants because they're always so big they slip and fall off of him. Trust me, I'm sure he would wear pants if he could. I mean pants are so cool, right Emily?"

"Mhmm, yep!" she chimes in, eagerly nodding her head. Jason looks between the two of us, not convinced.

Before he can yell again I whisper, "Oh my goodness! Is that -- is that Santa in the window? Wow, I better go make a list of the naughty and nice kids for him really quick."

Instantly, Jason turns his head to the window facing outside. His eyes go wide, and his mouth drops open. "I've been good! I've been so good, tell him Leyley!"