Between lectures

Part 1

I wake up before my alarm, the sun is shining through the half open curtains beside by bed, casting stripes throughout the whole room. I don't hesitate to check my phone, and notice that I've received a message from dad *Good luck on your first day sweetie* *thanks dad* I respond before forcing myself to get out of bed, I throw my phone on the bed and strip before heading to the shower. I let slightly too warm water run down my body, leaving a slight red tint on my skin. I like warm showers, it really helps me feel a sense of calmness

I slip a black robe on and walk back to my room. I take a deep breath before getting ready for the day. I apply the tiniest bit of makeup, some blush, mascara and lipgloss - just enough to feel polished . I take my hair dryer and dry my hair until it's somewhat dry, letting the morning summer breeze do the rest. I put it up in a somewhat neat ponytail. I slip on a pair of black bootlegged jeans, something simple. I decide to wear the white blouse today, it might just be the first time I'm using it, it just feels a little too dressy sometimes, but today is the first day, so surely there will be plenty of other students feeling fresh after summer break. 

it's 7:45 am, my first lecture starts at 9, so I get my bag ready and head to the car. I drive to my favorite coffee shop, looking at the suburban neighborhoods turn into a larger area filled with different shops. "The usual?" "you know it" I respond with a shallow smile. Gladys prepares my coffee with cream, too pumps of vanilla and one pump of caramel "Thank you" I respond with a faint smile before leaving. 

It's weird knowing I don't work there anymore, I spent every summer working there since I was sixteen. Gladys was more than just a coworker, she taught me lessons about life, assuring me that I could do everything that I put my mind to. She helped me through one of the toughest times of my life, when mom let drugs take over her life. I haven't seen her in years now. Gladys would come over with left over baked goods every week. Not that dad was struggling financially, he's actually a surgeon now. He made a fortune after proving some clinical study when he was doing his internship. but besides the point,  gladys is the sweetest person most people will meet. 

I arrive at the school parking lot, mentally preparing myself for the day to come. *wish me good luck * I text Emily before wrapping my bag heading into the main building. The halls fill with students looking for their classrooms and lecture halls. I check the mail I received a few weeks ago, *room 242*. As I start walking as woman approaches me, it took me a moment to register what she said. I realized I was staring at her. Dressed in black suit pants, and a white collared shirt that hugged her figure perfectly. "sorry" I say as a suggestion for her to repeat herself, she lets out a faint smile.

 "Do you know where room 242 is"? "It's at the end of the hall to the right, are you mrs. Adler" ? I couldn't help myself. "yes, yes I am" she says in a soft voice.  "Right, you're doing the journalism and justice system class" she takes a moment before responding, making me a little shy. "well, If you would mind showing me to the class, id appreciate it" My face start heating up, and my pulse starts going a little faster. She walks slightly behind me down the halls until we're there. I try not to starte as she reaches for her keys in her bag.

The lights automatically switch on as she steps in, and I follow behind her inside. I reach for one of the back seats. I pretend not to notice her until other students start crowding in the classroom. I check my phone, no response from Emily yet. I twist my bracelet around waiting for her to start. The last students pile in. No one knows what to expect after mr.Wilson retired, most people switched, so there are a lot of new faces this year. 

"hello, my name is Elizabeth Adler, and I will be your teacher this semester. Today you will start with filling out this" she walks around, handing out papers to every student. "I want you to write a small text about yourself, and why you chose this class" Our fingers touch slightly as she handed me the papers, I felt a shiver run down my spine in that moment.