When my friend mentioned an available job at her brother's private school as a teacher's assistant, I jumped at the opportunity. She knows I've been looking for a job, something that can pay the bills better than mopping the floor at your local fast-food restaurant.
When I called the school to inquire, I was told that I needed little experience, which sounded great to me. All I needed to do was paperwork. No problem, right?
So the morning I was supposed to come to work for the first time, I pulled my hamstring doing calisthenics. What? Don't try to tell me it was my fault, because it really wasn't. I didn't have to go in until 11:00, and I wanted to get some excercise, but what did I get? A pulled hamstring. So much for staying healthy.
Anyway, after missing the bus because I couldn't limp fast enough I had to wait ten minutes for another. I couldn't call a taxi because, hey, I'm broke.
When I arrived at the school I rushed, to the best of my ability, to the classroom. Knocking on the door, I glanced nervously at my watch. I was a good thirty minutes late.
A woman who looked around my age opened the door. She had dark brown hair pulled up into a tight bun, unlike my messy one. With a slim face, her bangs framed her pretty features.986Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep6BIwvEEN
A scowl, furrowed eyebrows, and the annoyed look in her eyes ruined her face.
I gulped. "E-erm, Miss Lanklan?" I stuttered. She blinked, eyes apathetic.
"Oh. You actually showed up." She stepped aside, allowing me to enter the classroom. "Class, this is my new assistant, Miss Claire. Now, use her as an example. If you're tardy to my class," she walked to her desk and pulled out a stack of paper from a drawer. It was about a foot high, not exaggerating. She dumps the monstrosity into my arms.
"-You get extra work." she finished.
Half of the class snickered and the other half shot me sympathetic looks. My mouth gaped open.
"Please start sorting the papers, Miss Claire. The filing cabinet is located in the back of the classroom. I expect it to be done by lunch. You have an hour."
I had to sort all of these in an hour? You had to be kidding me.
Even though I felt my stomach bubble in anger, I didn't complain in fear of getting more work. I quietly walked to the back of the classroom, grumbling under my breath and began sorting. At least I tried.
When lunch time rolled around, I had three fourths of the stack in the file cabinet. I was absolutely worn out. Students filed out of the classroom until it was just Miss Lanklan and I.
She was writing on a piece of paper, and not looking up, she said, "Come eat with me, Miss Claire. You can sit in the desk closest to mine."
Hesitant, I grabbed my lunch box and made my way to the desk, where I sat down. I opened the box and removed the tupperware, avoiding eye contact with her.
An uncomfortable silence hung in the air. After a few seconds, it was shattered by the sound of her voice. "I... apologize, for my actions earlier."
Shocked, I looked up at her. She was staring at me, her expression soft and apologetic. All malice was removed from her face.
"I'm sure you had a reasonable excuse for being late, and it was out of line to embarrass you like that in front of the class and give you that unnecessary amount of paperwork. I'm sorry."
A few seconds passed. I smiled. "I accept your apology." To my surprise, the tiniest of smiles graced her face. 986Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcPSy0gPYv
I opened the tupperware, grabbing my fork. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her peering at my food. 986Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXYloBIGW0
"Is that quinoa salad?" she asked curiously. I grinned.
"Indeed it is, ma'am." I replied, stabbing at the food and shoving a big fork-full into my mouth.986Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mTbIOHbDw
She chuckled. "Well that's funny," she pulled out a container from her purse on her desk and opened it, revealing a quinoa salad of her own. "I guess we have similar tastes."
Maybe this job will be more enjoyable than I first thought it out to be.
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