Hands Open
Prologue.
September 15, 2007.
She didn’t like to think she was the quiet girl in school. She had her core friends and an on/off again boyfriend of six months, could strike up a conversation with anyone she was around and loved to laugh. So why was she feeling so alone in the crowded classroom?
This was supposed to be the class that would help her determine if she could handle the pressures of being a teacher, even though she was going to be working with five year-olds instead of the third graders. Once again, she found herself looking about the room for a familiar face, but no one stood out.
“Alright, it’s time we get this show on the road!” A tall, lengthy woman was standing in the middle of the floor while the rest of the adolescent group was trying to squeeze into the chairs meant for people one fourth their size. Her blue eyes shone as she took in the group surrounding her, “This is Child Development I and I am Mrs. Boyle. We have a lot to do today starting with separating everyone into groups of three. Every group will become like a family for the semester because you are going to need to have each other backs. If a ‘teacher’ forgets to plan a lesson plan, than the back-up should have one ready to go. If one member isn’t in class for the day, others should be able to step in without even questioning how to run things.
You will have fun in this class, but be prepared for a lot of work. Each and all of you are responsible for the education of the children that are coming in here. We still have a month to plan and learn the basics, but after October your grade is dependent on your lessons.” She paused, swinging her blonde bob and pointing a tan finger around the room as if tallying in her head. “I see we only have two boys in the group. That will be a challenge, but nothing I haven’t been used to working with.”
Fifteen minutes later, Ferrah found herself in group three. There was also a very tall, loud black woman who from the looks of it was the senior of the group, a short Latina girl that jingled every time she shifted her body, one girl whose pointy nose made her look permanently angry, another girl whom she was almost positive she went through elementary and middle school with, a petite Pilipino girl and one of the boys.
“Now since we don’t have much time left, just go around your table and say your first name and a fun fact about yourself,” Mrs. Boyle’s smile seemed to shine in the dim lights.
She must whiten her teeth, Ferrah thought to herself before turning her attention to the little Lantina girl. “My name is Yenny and my son will be turning one in December.”
Pointy nosed girl looks up, “I’m Michelle and I hardly come to school.”
Looking high and mighty in her child the black girl smiles and says, “My name is Leigh Anne and this is my last year in this hell hole of a school.”
The Pilipino girl pipes up, “I go by Inna and I love sushi. I know it’s typical of me to say.” Ferrah couldn’t help, but smile because she could already tell that she and Inna would get along better than anyone else in the group.
Awkwardly Ferrah spoke fast; “Uh I’m Ferrah and I am half Canadian.”
The one girl that seemed familiar to her, smiled sweetly and said, “I’m the ‘other’ Michelle, but call me Chelle. I am heavily involved in cheerleading.”
The table got quiet as everyone turned towards the only guy in our group. His jacket seemed to swallow up his whole torso, but the color fit his complexion of Spanish descendent. Something about him looked like you didn’t want to mess with him. He looked up from his hands and looked around his brown eyes landing on the pencil in front of her, “Oh! Uhm, my name is Jhony and I am from New York. This is my first year at Magruder.”
“Well welcome!” Chelle smiled warmly from the other end of the table. Ferrah faintly remembered Chelle in middle school, but she always remembered her being very friendly
“This will be an interesting group,” Leigh Anne stated. “None of us seem remotely like one another.”
Just as Mrs. Boyle opened her mouth to give one last order to the class the bell rang making her shrug in defeat and move to the side to avoid the stampede of students rushing to make it on time to the next class. Ferrah wasn’t too worried, given that her class was just down the hall, but walked quickly either way.
The only thing her mind was set on was that this would probably be the most challenging class she takes this year. Not in the work aspect of things, but the way everyone was going to have to work together when it was just so diverse.
“Alex!” A voice called out behind her. At first she thought that she had completed missed her boyfriend and he was catching up with her since she was notorious at being the first to class anyway, she slowed down enough without pissing off the people behind her.
“You left your hoodie in the classroom.” It was Jhony. “I was talking to Mrs. Boyle and I noticed you left it behind so I just picked it up and was able to spot you by your bag.”
“Oh, I don’t know how I walked away without it. Thank you!” She gently took the hoodie back with their hands barely brushing one another.
“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” but before she could finish Jhony was lost in the sea of people, her hand still slightly tingly from where they touched. When she turned around to finish her route to class, she ran face first into someone. Feeling really out of it today, she looked up only to find a very happy boyfriend.
“Hey there beautiful,” he sang to her as he bent down and kissed her gently. “How was class?”
“Oh Javier,” she took a step back and started to walk around him waiting for him to follow her lead. “It was alright. I’m excited to teach the kids, just not so much for the group of people I’m stuck with for the semester.”
Once they reached room 114, she turned to look at him. He just smiled and said, “You never know, people can surprise you.”
(Author's Note: PLEASE feel free to tell me whatever you think. Ask any question you desire. I hope everything enjoys and spreads the word! :))