Against Reason (IN EDITING)

Chapter Twelve - First Days Suck

But when you're uncomfortable, nerves tend to follow along with that feeling and it can be quite overwhelming for some - especially children and teenagers. 

Yet, being a nanny - and babysitter when I was younger - has provided me with enough knowledge and experience on how to handle all sorts of children on their first days of school. 

"Pigtails!" She exclaims and I smile at her joy, happy that she's feeling a little less nervous than before. 

"Pigtails it is," I nod approvingly.

After putting her long strawberry blonde hair into two high pigtails, decorating them with two emerald green ribbons to match her uniform, I shimmy her out the bathroom and help her get dressed. 

Thankfully, and I mean thank the gods up above, because Hallie wears a uniform to school, so for once I don't have to worry about what clothing she wants to wear. It's honestly such a hassle and Bridie is even worse when it comes to picking out her outfit. 

Waiting in her room, Hallie walks out in a knee length green, grey and white pleated skirt, paired with a long sleeve white button down and a grey sweater over the top. 

Walking over to me she pouts and shows me her undone tie. Since it's an expensive private school they're quite strict about uniform, so a tie is non-optional. Even for six year olds.

I lean down onto my knees, and grab both ends of the tie. I mentally thank David for teaching me how to tie one and mentally thank my younger self for having the odd need to know how to tie a tie. 

Don't know why, but I watched some movie and instantly had an overwhelming desperation to know how to tie a tie. It's a great skill to know though, very handy. 

Finishing, I push up her tie so it sits comfortably around her neck, and nudge her to put her leather black school shoes on. 

"I still can't tie my laces, daddy taught me but then I forgot," she says sheepishly.

"Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Plus, don't tell anyone, but my brother couldn't tie his laces until he was nine," I whisper playfully, and she giggles.

In a rush, I tie her shoe laces and we both rush downstairs, meeting a slightly impatient Danny from his foot tapping and the hard stare at his gold watch. Which I don't even want to know how expensive that would've been. Probably equal to the cost of both my lungs and one eye ball if I sold them on the black market. 

"We're here," I puff out, Hallie scrambling over to pack her backpack and preparing her things. 

Once she's packed, the four of us get into the car - Danny and I buckling the girls into their car seats. 

Arriving at the older looking school, students from 5 years old to senior students who are almost 18 flood the front courtyard ,and I feel intimidated by the amount of rich cars and people all around me. 

I scan the front court yard. Over near the large willow trees I see a bunch of yoga/pilates mums dressed in active wear holding travel coffee mugs, chatting amongst themselves. Near the metal statue of the founder of the school, stands a few mums in pantsuits, pearls lace their necks along with thick red lips that add to their powerful aura. 

"Ready?" I look back down at Hallie, Danny next to me as Bridie sits in the car playing on her iPad. Which, before you freak out, is only used on long drives or in this situation to calm down her anger from being woken up way to early this morning. 

Thank god for Bluey. 

Hallie bites her lip nervously, scanning the bustling crowd. "C-can you walk me in?" She asks, playing with the tassel on her bag.