"F*ck."
Emily puffed out the smoke. She was stressed enough, knowing that she would end up jobless. She lifted the cigarette up to her lips, sucking it before heaving a resigned sigh.
"She scolds me without any reason! She even curses at us and sometimes she would threaten me!"
"How did you become a teacher?! You're not even qualified!"
"Emily, I am sorry but I've made a decision."
Though the principal said that with hesitation and fear. Sighing, she looked up the sky. Was this really the best choice?
"Ms. Emily?"
She turned to where the voice came and saw the orange-haired girl, May, approaching. She dropped her cigarette on the ground and she stomped on it before turning back to the latter.
"What d'ya want?" She leaned on the bench with her one hand over the bench.
May stood beside the bench, gazing at her with a sad look in her eyes.
Emily gazed at her and instantly saw the sad look in her eyes. They must've heard the news. Sighing, she tapped the vacant space next to her with a small smile on her lips.
"What d'ya standing there for?"
May sat next to her with her eyes cast down the ground. She felt bad after hearing the awful news and couldn't bring herself to face Emily without feeling bad.
"You don't have to feel sorry. I already knew I wasn't fit to be a teacher but I still tried anyways." Emily scoffed. It wasn't stressful like before but somehow she felt relaxed.
"I just think it's unfair." May spoke up, making Emily raise a brow from her statement.
"How so?"
"Hazel was clearly lying. You were just doing your best as a teacher. Even though I find your words harsh sometimes but it makes sense. You were just trying to look out for us as someone who has more experience in life. You were just calling Hazel out for bullying and mistreating the other students. Especially commoners." May replied, now lifting her eyes to meet Emily's eyes.
There was short silence before Emily spoke up.
"My friend told me that I would be a great teacher."
May looked at Emily who had that wistful look on her face as if she was reminiscing something in the past.
"I don't know what she saw in me. I had a bad temper, I was impatient, I hated kids, I don't like teaching and yet, I believed in her words..."
"...Looking back, I thought I made the best decision but I was wrong. I failed her. I didn't become the great teacher like she thought I would be. I think becoming a teacher without her to see me wasn't the best choice. If only she was here then maybe I could've done my best."
Emily noticed May's solemn look then she tried to laugh it off.
"I must've said too much. Forget everything I said." She stood up, dusting her skirt then she fixed her glasses, pushing them back to the bridge of her nose.
"Ms. Emily..." May stood up then she flashed her a sweet and soft smile. "...You didn't fail her. I don't know where your friend is right now but I'm sure she's proud of what you have become and how far you've reached."
Emily deeply smiled then she placed a hand on top of May's head, ruffling her orange locks.
"As your teacher, I'll give you one last advice. Always treasure your friends."
Evan leaned on the wall while he listened to their conversation. He wasn't really that fond of Ms. Emily but somehow he felt sorry.
He was hiding just behind the wall where no one could see him. When May was gone Emily placed a hand on her hips then she let out a sigh.
"Evan?"
Evan flinched upon hearing his name then he went out of his hiding place and met Emily's eyes.
Did she notice me behind the walls? I don't think so
Evan began to question himself that he didn't notice Emily who was now in front of him, ruffling his jet black locks.
"Be kind to yourself kid and be kind to others as well."
Evan looked up and Emily sported a smile.
"That's my advice." She said before walking away.
Evan touched his head, keeping his gaze on Emily. So someone harsh could be this kind?
*****
"Emily, I am sorry but I've made a decision."
"Then, can you give me a week and after that I'll take my leave."
"Yes, of course."
*****
"Is this all?"
May handed the old man the bag containing the items that he just dropped.
"Thank you so much, Young lady. You are very kind."
May only smiled at the old man then she was about to leave when the old man called her.
"Young lady."
"Hm?"
May looked at the old man with her brows raised, waiting for the old man to speak.
"Be careful on your way. Beware of death."
May's brows furrowed, confuse at what the old man meant. Beware of death? What could he possibly mean. She locked her gaze on the old man, hoping to get an explanation but instead, the old man smiled and turned his back.
"W-wait—"
"May?"
Evan locked eyes with May. She still had a lot of questions but it soon faded when she saw Evan.
"Evan, what are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you."
"Huh? Why?"
"What do you mean why? My coach is not coming so let's walk home together." Evan simply said then he pulled her by the hand.
May turned to look behind her looking for the old man but he was no longer in sight.
'That was... weird.'
*****
"I heard there's a festival around the corner! We should go!"
Ronan had a big smile on his face and Cliff swore he could see stars in his eyes.
"How could you think of the festival when you failed an exam?!" Cliff said with disbelief in his voice. Sighing, he massaged his temples.
Why was he stressing out on Ronan's scores when Ronan, himself, wasn't even worrying?
"There's gonna be a lot of food!! Different kinds of foods."
Imagining it made him drool while Cliff was stressing out on things he shouldn't.
"Hey, I heard Ms. Emily isn't going to be our teacher next week." Ronan lowly said.
"Hm? Are you glad?"
Cliff turned to Ronan hoping to see him smile but his expression was the opposite.
"Why would I be? I feel bad."
Cliff sighed then he crossed his arms.
"If you really feel bad then stop sleeping in her class and get a high mark on her test."
"...Right! You're so smart, Cliff!" He laughed, slapping the latter's shoulder, annoying Cliff.
With this new found resolve, he was prepared to make Emily proud!
******
"Idiot."
—
"What the hell is with this score?"
—
"Hey, punishment!"
—
"Ah! I'm such a failure!" Ronan ruffled his own hair, crying to Cliff.
"Come on! Are you giving up?!"
"Yeah!"
Cliff crossed his arms in his chest, sighing. "You're hopeless." He clicked his tongue, shaking his head, disappointingly.
"Hey guys—Ah Ronan, what's wrong?" May looked at Ronan curious why he was crying.
"Ms. Emily hates me!" He sulked. May placed a comforting hand on top of his shoulders, giving him a reassuring look.
"No, she doesn't."
"What do you mean no? Ever since the beginning of the year she's been loathing me!"
May only smiled then she crossed her arms. "Then, why don't you talk to her?"
"Talk to her?!" He gasped, shaking his head. He was afraid for his dear life! What would happen if she kills him?! That would be scary. the thought itself sent shivers down his spine.
"Ms. Emily might look mean but I know she has a soft spot. Now that I think about it, she's leaving tomorrow so, why don't you tell her before it's too late."
"Why does this sound like I'm about to confess." He sighed then he mustered up his courage. Fine.
*****
Emily looked at the records then she looked at the paper that was on top of the pile of papers. She took it, looking at the score.
8/15. Well at least, he improved a bit. Smiling to herself, she placed the paper back on the pile.
The door creaked open and she lifted her gaze only to meet a pair of blue eyes.
"It's already late, have you finish the task?"
"Yep!" Ronan sheepishly smiled. Inside he was slowly dying. How does he talk to her?! She looks so scary!
The corner of Emily's lips turned upward. A satisfied smile on her lips then she pushed herself up before walking to Ronan who flinched when he heard her heels.
"S-So! I heard that—"
He was cut off when Emily placed a hand on top of his head. It wasn't the usual Emily whose hands were really heavy to the head. Her hands were somehow light and he felt as though there was a slight care when she placed her hands on him.
"You did a great job today."
She softly ruffled his hair with a smile on her lips.
The sight itself made Ronan speechless. He didn't know Emily could smile like that. Ms. Emily, who's very mean and cold looking could look so kind and warm. Not only that, it was his first time hearing her compliment him or anyone!
"You can go home now." She withdrew her hand and went back to her seat.
*****
It was the day. She carried her all her stuff in her suit case. She stopped to look at the gate. It felt as though it was just yesterday that she went in and had this first job and now she's going out and won't be back forever.
Maybe being a teacher wasn't really for her.
'Sorry Reonae, I failed.'
She was about to walk pass the gate when a voice called out to her.
"MS. EMILY!"
She quickly turned to look behind her to see Ronan, May and Cliff and behind them were here students. Even the one who got her fired was there.
"TAKE CARE!" Ronan waved his arm in the air, sending an enthusiastic yet sad farewell.
"TAKE CARE MS. EMILY!" May's tears uncontrollably flowed from her eyes as she waved her arm.
Emily took in all the students who were waving at her then she lowly smiled as she turned her back on them.
'I might've failed but i'm glad to have them as my students.'
She felt at ease as if going pass the gate won't leave a heavy burden in her heart. Maybe... Just maybe she'll meet them again.
*****
The big doors burst open then a man walked in with blood dripping on the floor. The hem of his cloak was drenched in blood but it wasn't his blood.There were nine other people behind him, following.
"Sorry for being late! We had to take care of some nuisance." He shrugged with a sinister smile on his face.
The man who was sitting on the far back of the table only pierced the fork on his steak, not even batting him an eye.
"So, I guess that rumor about you breaking out of prison wasn't a joke." He simply said, placing the steak in his mouth.
The man who was drenched in blood pulled the seat that was near him, sitting across the man who was at the far end.
"Get to the point old man. I have no time to waste." He leaned on the seat, crossing his legs as he looked at the man who looked like he was only interested in his steak.
"The morning light..." He spoke, now lifting his eyes.
"... I want you to collect the 7th shard. A girl whose name is May Amana has it. You can do it, right?
"Uno."
The smile on his lips widened then he stood up.
"Anything for the mistress." He turned to look at the other nine who bowed their heads.
"You heard the old man! Find the girl! Use forc— No, No..." He laughed. "... Kill anyone who gets in the way."
"Yes master!" They bowed before disappearing from his sight.