Melissa
Valerie and I dawdled a little too hard this morning. That's why we're a bit late or actually just Valerie. She always likes to be in her classroom half an hour before the lessons start, to prepare everything. That's why I said that I'm taking Rose, who is now walking next to me by my hand, to school today. Luckily it's only a five minute walk from my school. I find it a bit exciting. I've picked up Rose before, but never brought her to school. "Do you feel like it too go to school, princess?". Rose nods enthusiastically. I hope she always stays as excited about school, if she has been from day one. "Is Lissa coming in with me?". I look at her with a smile. "Does mommy always do that?" She shakes her head. "Then I don't think Lissa should do that either". I see Rose's face is a bit sad. "But Lissa can come along". She says as she looks at me with puppyeyes. When she looks at me like that, I can't refuse her anything. "Would you like me to come in with you?" Her head bobs up and down quickly. "Okay princess, we'll do that anyway". A big smile appears on her face and she starts walking happily. Which also puts a big smile on my face.
Rose pulls me by my hand to the right classroom. Fortunately, I see that I am not the only one who goes inside to take a child to school. When I arrive at the right classroom, I help Rose to hang up her coat and bag. "I think I see a new face". How shocked I look back and it looks like it was indeed addressed to me. The woman, I'm guessing about fifty years old, holds out her hand to me. "Margaret Miller". she says as I shake her hand. Then she looks at Rose with a friendly smile on her face. "Who did you bring, Rose?". I feel like the woman is studying me a bit. "Mrs., this is Lissa". The teacher nods. "Oh, I've heard that name before. The babysitter?". I feel a little uncomfortable, especially because of the tone of her question. Like she's fishing for something. I'm glad Rose is impatiently pulling my hand. "Lissa come now". I look at Rose with a smile and then I look at the woman again. "It was nice to meet Rose's teacher". Before she can respond, I let Rose take me into the room.
There she enthusiastically shows me her place. "I really have to go princess. Lissa also has to go to school". Rose gives me a big hug. "I'm going to miss Lissa when I'm with daddy". My heart melts. I really need to swallow my tears. How could his little girl have already won this big place in my heart. I get down on my knees so I can give her a good hug. "I'm going to miss you too, princess. You're going to have a great time with Daddy, as always. And then I will pick you up again on Monday". I kiss her forehead and then stand up. I see the teacher looking at us, but I don't care. I walk to the door of the room. I turn around again to wave to Rose. She waves back enthusiastically and blow me a kiss. I do the same and then I really have to rush to get to class on time.
I'm two minutes late. I'm a bit surprised that Anne opens the door. I don't normally have lessons from her, but I'm guessing she fills in for our class. Which I am happy with now. We didn't really get along at first. At school she is really strict and sometimes even a bit of a bitch. She can also sometimes rant against students and she knows exactly not to go over the edge. Since I've been living with Valerie, we see each other more often outside of school. Actually, she is quite relaxed and you can have her with you. "Sorry. I had to take Rose to school". She gives me an understanding nod. "Sit down quickly. This time I will overlook your disturbing my lesson". I quickly walk to my seat and am glad to see Emma sitting there. She has a smile on her face, so that's all right. "Why is she getting away with it?" I sigh when I hear Caroline yell through the class. "Because Melissa isn't late because her make-up wasn't right yet". With a smile I shake my head at Anne's comment. "But if you mind me spending the last hour here alone, you're welcome to join me." Caroline shakes her head at Anne. "Then I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you and go do your work. Maybe you'll get a good grade sometime." I look at Emma with a smile. "What did you do to her yesterday? She's doing well". I whisper to her. Emma has a beautiful smile on her face. "Melissa I can still hold you for an hour". I look up to Anne. "Sorry Miss Martins". I'll just keep quiet for now and hear from Emma later. I don't feel like my school day is an hour longer today.
I'm glad the lesson is finally over. I really want to question Emma. "Melissa, can I talk to you for a second?". I give Anne a nod. I do wonder what she wants. She has never hold me back after class. I look at Emma questioningly. "I have no idea what she wants from you. I'll wait in the hallway." Judging by Emma's face, she really doesn't know either. "Why did you want to see me, Miss Martins?". I ask as I walk towards her desk. "Even now you can just say Anne. Are you okay?" I nod and am a bit surprised by the question. "I ask because you were quite absent during the entire lesson". I sigh. "Sorry. I think I was still thinking about taking Rose to school. And the teaching material wasn't too easy either". She gives me a small smile. "I know you find it hard to ask for help, but please come to me if you don't get it." I give her a nod. She has helped me before if she realized when I didn't understand, but I would never ask for that help myself. " Was it the first time you took Rose to school?". I nod. " How did it go?". I sigh. Anne looks at me questioningly. "I got quite a bad feeling from her teacher, but that must have been me". She gives me a small smile. "I don't think Valerie really likes her either. Did you talk yesterday?" I nod. " Good. So you're coming along for the weekend?" I shrug. " I think so. Don't you mind being stuck with students for a weekend?". She shakes her head with a smile. "If that was, I wouldn't have suggested it. Now go quickly to your next lesson, otherwise you will be late there too. See you tomorrow".
As soon as I enter the hallway, Emma is right next to me. "What did she want?". I look at her with a smile. "She wanted to know if I was going for the weekend." Luckily we have our next class two classrooms away so we don't have to rush. "And what did you say?". I put an arm over her shoulders. "That I didn't know yet. Judging by your reaction, she has clearly already asked you?". Emma nods enthusiastically. " So, tell me. How did it go yesterday?" Emma rests her head on my shoulder. "We finally talked. The bottom line is that we both thought the same thing. That the other hadn't found it so fun after all. She's a bit reserved that I'm at school here, but she likes me and I'm interesting enough to see if we could work something out. We agreed to get to know each other better and then we'll see how it goes". I can hear the relief in her voice. She must really like Anne. "I told you it would be fine." I feel her nod. " Thanks for your help". I kiss her on the head. " You're most welcome". The bell rings, so we really have to go to the next class.
As soon as the last bell has rung I quickly walk to Valerie's classroom. I haven't seen her since this morning, as she had a meeting at lunchtime. "Shit, sorry. I didn't think you weren't ready yet." I say when she opens the door for me and I see the classroom full of students. Valerie has a beautiful smile on her face. "You can come and join us. I could use a little help." She gives me a wink. I really have to try not to blush. " Are you serious? I can just go home." She makes a movement with her head that I can enter the classroom. "Grab a chair and sit at my desk." I do what she says. Meanwhile, Valerie continues her lesson. I'll grab my own books and go do my homework. At least that's what I try. I get way too distracted by Valerie. Normally when I'm in her class I know I have to pay attention and I do. But now that I don't have to, I only have eyes for her. It is really beautiful to see when she is completely in her element. After a few minutes I go back to my homework. Before other students realize how I'm watching Valerie.
"I'm sorry". I whisper as soon as Valerie sits down at her desk. "For what?". she asks with a beautiful smile on her face. "For me to disturb you during your lesson. I had really forgotten". She shrugs. "I think it's fun. I've told you many times before that you can join me. As long as you watch what you're doing." I nod understandingly. "Do you still have a lot of homework?". I shake my head. "This is the last assignment. I have the rest at home." Valerie takes out her own stack of papers. "Would you please help me? I don't know if I can get it done before the weekend." I shrug. "What good is it for me if I help you?". She shakes her head with a smile. "If you help me I will have more time for you on the weekend". I close my books. "Okay I'll help you". Valerie hands me a stack of paper. "Lis, what is it?". I sigh. " Nothing". She puts her hand on my knee. "Melissa there is something". I take the answer sheet that is with Valerie and start grading the tests. " Did I do something wrong?". I shake my head. " Okay. Then I'll find out later what's going on." We both go to work in silence.
"Would you mind handing this out for me?" Asks Valerie referring to a pile of graded tests. "Um, I don't know all those names." She gives me a small smile. "I put them in order. If you start here at the front. Then you can make your way to the back." With a hand movement she makes it clear how I should walk. I nod and get up to do as she asked. Just as I put down the last test, the bell rings. " Have a nice day. Don't forget to do your homework. I'll see you again tomorrow". Can Valerie just tell her class before they leave. I sit down on a table. Valerie waits for the last student to leave the classroom and then closes the door. She immediately walks over to me and gives me a big hug. "Are you going to tell me what's up?" I shake my head and hug her tighter. She kisses me on the head. "Did you miss me sweetheart?". I nod. She grabs my face with both hands. "Is that why you're so down?" I shrug. She kisses me on my forehead. Then she puts her forehead against mine. " I wish I didn't have my first parent meeting anytime soon and could go home with you. I'll give you a call tonight between meetings. This weekend we're going to cuddle extra long, okay?". I nod, but I know it's not going to happen anyway. I give her a quick hug and then leave for home.