Chapter Text
The morning glow casts a golden light onto the long hallway as I make my way to the classroom on the other side of the building.
I reach the old wooden door, leading to the dark, almost abandoned looking literacy classroom. I turn on the light, it flickers twice, then turns on, lighting up the room.
“This room hasn’t been used for ages”, I thought to myself, while dusting off the books on the desk, and tossing my bag under it.
I open up one of the books, that had sat on the table in a slightly crooked position, the dust particles filling up my lungs. I try to suppress a cough, failing. They had offered to give me one of the newer classrooms, but I had insisted on bringing this old classroom back to life.
The bookshelf in the corner of the room is filled with more books; old, dirty and falling apart, almost making me gag.
I want to ensure my classroom is safe for everyone, so I have no choise but to begin cleaning.
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And after what felt like a forever of cleaning, dusting, moving and staff members occasionally checking up on me, and welcoming me, the room is somewhat clean. Its not perfect, blimey, not even nearly, but its better.
As I hold up the last book left to place onto the dark brown wooden bookshelf, a faint knock can be heard from the door. I turn around, my eyes darting over to the woman with auburn red hair, neatly curled at her shoulder length. She has a faint smile on, not wide enough to reach her eyes though.
“I’m Ms. Capri, you must be the new teacher, Ms. Clémonte?” Her tone is gruff, yet soft, almost comforting.
“Welcome to Nevermore.” She adds in, stepping into the classroom.
“Yes, and thank you.” My words betray me slightly, my anxiousness evident. She steps closer, her heels clanging against the old wooden floor, that creaks under every step you take; a strong aroma fills my nostrils, something rich and earthy, yet something I can’t quite figure out. She examines the book I had forgotten I was holding, her eyebrow raising slightly.
“Carol, Patricia Highsmith.” Her tone is almost eerie as she reads the cover, sending cold shivers down my spine. She picks up the book, her fingers slightly brushing against mine. She begins examining the cover image, a woman, light blonde hair curled up nicely, like they did in the 50s; hand in the overly big pocket of the grey, old-fashioned dress she was wearing, sitting down.
She slowly places the book onto the bookshelf, but her fingers linger over the spine of the book for longer than necessary.
“I should get back to setting up my own classroom, i’ll see you around Ms. Clémonte.” And before I get to say my farewells for now, she has swiftly made her way out of the door.
The sound of her heels clanging to the floor fades slowly, before fully disappearing.
I stand there, my mind racing. Why did she stare at the book for so long? My mind fills up with questions; but I shake them away.
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I meet principal dork on the hallway, and he greets me with a smile; sort of eerie, something off about it. I give him a small smile back, quickly making my way past him.
It’s the first day of the semester, meaning the students have begun flooding in. Some come in for their first year, some for their last, casting a warm school environment for everyone.
First day means, that there are no classes being held today. The students need to take their time unpacking, catching up, and relaxing.
I make my way into the teachers wing, greeting a few students on my way there. I feel quite welcomed as a new teacher, at least so far so good. As I reach the door to my room, it creaks as I open it. I haven’t had time to decorate it, or really even unpack; i’ve been too busy making sure my classroom is safe and clean for the upcoming semester.
I pull up my suitcase, placing it on the bed. The bed is neatly made, with a soft blanket and two pillows stacked over each other.
I unzip my suitcase, and begin unpacking. Clothes, trinkets, and then a small box. A box full of years of memories. I place it into the drawer next to my bed, not even bothering to open it, just looking at it hurts; so I lock it away.