It's morning. Not just any morning, but the day my stress level reaches its peak, and it's not an exaggeration.
I wore a simple brown dress, styled my hair into a ponytail, stuffed my books in my bag, and walked out with Tyler.
"Tyler, you'll have to wait for me outside," I said.
Today I'm starting teaching. The future doesn't look bright; my knowledge of the subject might be good, but I'm still scared of speaking in front of so many eyes.
I ate a light breakfast and made my way to class. How do I introduce myself? What do I say? What if I'm too scared to speak?
I stopped at the door and looked at Tyler. I wished he could come in with me; I'm so scared and could use some morale from someone familiar.
"Wish me luck, Ty," I said, rubbing his face before walking in with my head down. I dropped my bag on the table, opened it without saying a word, checked for my lucky pen, then grabbed a chalk and walked to the board. Calm down, just do what all your teachers did in the past.
I wrote my name on the board and turned to look at the crowd. They all looked confused, and so was I. Why am I teaching? I should be locked in my lab, not in a classroom before so many eyes.
"Good morning, everyone. I'm Faina Alden, and I'll be teaching you Introduction to Medicine for the time being," I said, and someone raised their hand.
"This is Anatomy 301," he said. My face reddened with embarrassment; I was in the wrong class. It was the room I used for that course, so I assumed it was the same. A teacher walked in and stared at me in confusion.
"I'm sorry, I must have entered the wrong classroom," I said, packing my things in embarrassment.
"What class will you be taking?" he asked with a disapproving look.
"Introduction to Medicine," I said, and his eyes widened.
"You're the professor?" he asked. Of course, everyone knows.
"Yes," I replied shyly.
"It's in the next classroom," he said in a surprisingly polite tone.
"Thank you," I said, grabbing my things as I walked out. "Come on, Ty," I said, running fast. I hate being late, but it seems I'll be a bit late.
I hurried into the correct classroom, dropped my bag, grabbed a chalk, and started writing my name.
"I'm sorry I'm late; I entered the wrong classroom," I said, turning to face the class. "My name is Faina…" I stopped when my eyes landed on the reason why I'm teaching. What is Principal doing here?
"Go on, don't mind me," he said, relaxing in his seat.
"I'm Faina Alden, and I'll be teaching you Introduction to Medicine until your teacher returns," I said. I wanted the ground to swallow me right then; why were they all staring at me?
Everyone raised their hands, including the Principal. Why can't we just focus on the lecture?
"Yes?" I said quietly.
"Are you really a professor?" someone asked.
"How old are you?"
"Aren't you our age?" That's going too far.
"Do you think you can take the job permanently?" Principal asked. I had a feeling. The questions kept coming, and I didn't know where to start.
"I am a professor, and I've been asked to teach you temporarily, probably for two weeks," I said, mainly to remind the Principal of what he said. "I still have my research to get back to," I added.
"How old are you?" someone asked.
"I'll be eighteen in a few weeks," I replied.
"Really?"
"She's so young."
"And short." My height again.
"Let's… uh… let's get started," I said, opening my bag.
The class wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, mainly because the students did most of the talking. I just gave them the topic I'd be teaching for the next two weeks and answered their questions, most of which were personal.
I packed my bag and answered the numerous questions thrown at me by the students who lingered. Don't they have another class to attend?
"Are you looking for an apprentice?" someone asked.
Apprenticeship, that concept that taught me how to run; I encountered a few desperate people in my years as a student. Because of my magic status, people wanted me to be their apprentice, and since I was too scared to say no, I just ran whenever someone I didn't know looked at me or approached me.
My years as a student were tough. The toughest part wasn't running alone but when I was cornered. On a few occasions, I was rescued, but on occasions that I was left alone, I just stayed quiet.
"I don't know," I said.
"What's your magic status?"
"I'm platinum," I replied absentmindedly. My mouth and my brain weren't working together again; my brain was on my research while my mouth took the lead and answered their questions.
"Platinum?" someone said, surprised, and that's when I realized I was still talking. I need to go, but how do I tell them I want to leave?
"Alright, get to class; you can ask her your questions later," Principal said, saving me from the mess he put me in.
"Thank you," I said.
"You're good at your job," he complimented. That's because I didn't have to do much. "Would you consider working full-time? I can make the working hours flexible," he said.
"I…" I don't want to.
"The offer is there; when you finish your research, you can come and work for me," he said, and I sighed in relief.
When I finish my research? I haven't thought of a life without my goal. I don't know how things will be; I don't have any plans beyond surviving.
"Thank you," I said, and he smiled.
"The academy won't let you go easily," he said as he turned to leave. I feel like that's a threat. "Your thesis is a reference for many researchers; who would let a genius like you go?" Saying I'm a genius is an exaggeration.
I watched Principal walk out and Tyler walk in. I bent down and let him come to me; I hugged him and rubbed his head.
"I did it, Ty," I said.
"Faina," someone called, and I looked up.
Wow! Why am I meeting everyone here? In the past few weeks, I've met a lot of familiar faces, and now another one is here. I'm glad to see him after such a long time.