Able x Reader: It Never Lasts
“Now Class, can one of you tell me the answer to this equation?” (Y/N) wrote the small equation, 26+39 on the chalkboard in front of the whole class.
Some of the students began to solve the equation on their chalkboards and others either drew on them or just did nothing. (Y/N) grabbed her stick from her desk and tapped it on the desk of a student who wasn’t doing anything. The boy groaned and began to solve the equation on his small board.
After a few minutes, some of the students raised their hands to answer the teacher. (Y/N) looked around the room and chose a boy in the far back to answer.
“65?” answered the boy. He looked nervous while giving his answer, afraid he got it wrong.
The teacher smile. “Correct!” She went back to the board and began to solve it herself. “For those of you who got it wrong, what you do is stack them first and then you start solving from right to left. Like this.” She demonstrated to the children by following her own steps. “6 plus 9 is 15, so you place the five here at the bottom and place the one on top of the two and the three. After that, you add all three of these numbers.”
Once she was finished, she turned back around to see the students either paying attention or drifting off into their own world. She walked to her desk and picked up a stack of papers. She walked to the first desk in the row and began handing them out.
“This will be your homework for today, class. They’re math equations.” She paused a bit as she heard a few of the children groan. “Now I suggest you actually do this, for those who never do their homework, Brian,” everyone stared and giggled at Brian; the boy at the front of the class who groaned when he was forced to solve the math equation. “because tomorrow we’re having a test.”
“What!?” Brian said shockingly. Everyone laughed at his reaction.
(Y/N) kept handing out the papers to the rest of the class. “You heard me, young man. You need to study if you want to get a good grade and pass my class.” After she was done, she walked to the front of the class with the extra papers in her hands. “Or, you could always retake class, again.” She playfully placed her hand on her hip in a sassy way and gave him a “you can do better” look.
The laughter only grew as Brian was being roasted and embarrassed.
“I can help ya study, Brian.” said a little girl beside him. Her name was Merida. She had her long, brown hair pulled up in a ponytail with a pink ribbon. Her skin was pale and had freckles on the bridge of her nose and cheek. The color of her eyes is an ocean blue with a ring of dark blue on the outside. She wore a fluffy, pink dress with black shoes. They weren’t new and they didn’t look new either. All her clothes are simple hand me downs from family.
(Y/N) smiled at her. “Well, how kind of you to offer Brian help, Merida.” (Y/N) liked Merida. Every time she sees her, she smiles. You see, she found out Merida was once an orphan like herself. But unlike her, Merida managed to find a nice family to take her in. She was always happy to see the old couple who took her in. The couple wasn’t able to have children of their own, so they decided to adopt Merida.
“No.” said Brian. “I don’t want no help from a girly girl like you.”
Merida rolled her eyes. “Hmph. Well, good luck then. I tried being nice. Maybe you should give it a try.”
Brian stuck his tongue out at her and she did the same.
“Hey, now. Don’t be rude to each other.”
The teacher was interrupted by the sound of the bell. The children immediately started shoving everything in their bag; some were already out the door.
“Don’t forget to study!” (Y/N) tried calling out, but they were already gone. She sighed and shook her head. She walked back to her desk and placed the extra papers on it.
“Knock knock.” said a woman in a sing-song voice.
(Y/N) turned back around to see who it was. She smiled when she realized who it was. “Hi, Celia.”
Celia was another one of the teachers here. She taught the older kids. “Hello, my little birdie~” she skipped all the way to her desk, did a 180 turn and sat on her desk with her right leg on top of the other. “Notice anything,” she lifted her right leg up, “different?”
(Y/N) cocked an eyebrow. “Let me guess.” she sat on her chair. “Mr. Money-man bought ya something.”
Celia scoffed. “For the last time, his name is Anthony Miller.” she pouted. “And yes, he did buy me somethin’.”
She smiled. “You’re spoiled.” She picked up a quill and began to grade last night’s homework.
The red-haired teacher gasped dramatically and placed a hand on her heart. “I may be spoiled, but…” she paused, trying to figure out what to say. (Y/N) waited patiently. She pursed her lips and gave up. “Okay. I give up. I am spoiled.”
“Told ya.” (Y/N) laughed and shook her head and went back to grading the homework.
Celia laughed as well. "But really. Guess."
The (H/C) haired teacher sighed and continued with her task.
It has been three years since she came to Strine and became a teacher. During her time here, she became happier than she could ever be. For so long she waited to have a family. A family to raise her and take care of her and teach her things she wouldn't be able to learn on her own. Now, after becoming a teacher, these students were her family. She will take care of them, and raise them, and teach them things; everything that never happened to her when she was growing up.
She was happy here. She was happy with her current life. And honestly, she didn't plan on changing it. Everything was going just the way she wanted. Well…. She wasn't really planning on having an annoying best friend, but I guess it's a bonus for her.
"Is it the shoes?" She said with an annoyed smile.
Celia squealed in excitement and kicked her feet. "YES! Just look at 'em! Look how they sparkle! They're so beautiful! Ah!"
Just last week, a rich man came into town and immediately took fancy on Celia once he laid his eyes on her. Celia, being the sucker she is, didn't take down the opportunity of being with a handsome, rich man. And now every day, (Y/N) sees her with something new and expensive.
'Well, at least he's making her happy.' She thought to herself. Though she did not approve of this method of winning a girl's heart, knowing her friend, there is nothing she could do to convince her that she could find a better and more loving man. One who does not win one's heart by buying gifts.
She smiled at her red-haired friend and nodded. "I'm glad he's making you happy, but don't ya think ya should be planin' your next lesson for tomorro'?"
Celia rolled her eyes and jumped off the desk. "Oh come on, sugar pie, learn to live a little." She slowly walks around her and drags her arm around her friend's shoulder. "Besides," she lowers her lips to her ear, "you're just jealous."
(Y/N) rolled her eyes and gently pushed Celia back causing her to chuckle. "I ain't jealous." She put her quill back into its holder. "But, I suppose it would be nice to be able to buy everything ya wanted." She admitted. I mean. Really. Who wouldn't want to be able to buy everything they wanted no matter how expensive it was?
"So why don't ya find yourself a man?" Celia asked as she placed her hand on her hip.
A man? (Y/N) didn't have time for a man. The school and the children were far too important for her than going out to waste her time to find a man. What's the point if the possibility of them staying is slim? Yes, she always hoped to become married and have children, but if it meant leaving her job, then…
"I don't wan' a man. I'm perfectly fine with the way my life is right now." She once again grabbed her quill and continued grading the homework.
Celia frowned at the (H/C) haired girl in front of her. She admitted that she was worried about her friend’s social life. Ever since she got here, she never attempted to have a conversation with any of the men here. All she did was isolate herself in her house grading papers or planning the next lesson. Of course, being the great friend she plans to be to her, she forces her to come out and socialize and come to the town’s seasonal parties. But right now, she sees that this is seriously a cry for help. And she intends to do something about it.
With a devious smile, she places her right hand on her left shoulder. “You know, (Y/N),” (Y/N) sighed and moved her eyes to look at her. “Why don’t we plan a fun little trip for the children!?”
(Y/N) coked an eyebrow. “What?”
“Oh come on, (Y/N). You’ve been so stressed and busy, lately. You need a day off and give the kids some fun. How ‘bout it?”
(Y/N) pondered for a moment. A field trip? She’s never done a field trip before. At first, she was interested but then it confused her. Why the change in subject all of a sudden? She narrowed her eyes at her. “What’s the catch?”
Celia just smiled sweetly at her. “No catch! Just a fun little trip, is all.”
“I’ll think about it.” with that, she focused her attention back to the papers.
Celia smiled brightly and started walking towards the door. “Alrighty, then! Bye, sugar!”
After her classroom door closed, a frown began to tug at her lips.
She changed the subject. Why? She's planning something, (Y/N) knows it. She scoffed at the idea that popped into her head.
'A man. That's what she's gonna try to do.' She thought. 'She gonna get some big, strong, and handsome man to come with us on a field trip and have him flirt with me.' she chuckled at the thought.
"Yeah. As if some big shot's gonna waste their time with me." the sound of something snapping took her away from her thoughts. She looked down to see her broken feather and ink splattered all over a child's paper. She released her tight grip and sighed. "Aw, man. Sorry, Austin." She put the broken feather inside a bin next to her and grabbed her handkerchief to wipe off the black ink on her hand.
'Looks like it's gonna be stained for a while.' she thought.
After wiping her hand, she put all the papers back in one pile and began gathering her things. She grabbed her bag and stuffed it with everything she was going to take home.
---------------------------------------------
(Y/N) took out a set of keys from her bag and chose the one to her house. Considering how small the town still is, it didn't take long for her to get back home.
(Y/N) turned back around to see one of her friends. She smiled and waved back at her. "Anabell. Hello. How's it goin'?"
Anabell made her way towards (Y/N) with a box in her hand. "Hello sweety. I'm doin' dandy. How 'bout you?" Anabell was the mother who gave her a lift towards town three years ago. At least once a week, Anabell would come visite (Y/N) for tea and coffee. The conversations they would have were mostly Anabell's since (Y/N) never really had anything to talk about. Most of her stories are things the students would do during class.
"I'm doin' just fine." she took out her key and placed it in the lock. "Care to come in?" she opened the door and held it for Anabell to come into.
"Thank you, dear." She set the box down on the coffee table. "So, care to explain why you're here so early? I was 'bout to walk all the way to the school."
(Y/N) closed the door and opened the blinds to let the sun in. She thought back to the quill incident. "I, um," she showed her stained hand at her. "I just got a little clumsy. Broke my quill and made a bit of a mess. Only got one at school so I came home to finish gradin'." A shy and embarrassed smile formed on her lips.
Anabell clicked her tongue and shook her head. She walked towards her and grabbed her unstained hand. "Come on." she said as she pulled (Y/N) to the couch. "Somethin's botherin' ya. Tell me."
The young teacher smiled at her concerned friend. "Just got clumsy." she lied.
The mother rolled her eyes. "Honey, I'm a mother of six. Knowing when somethin's wrong is our sixed sense. Just ask any mother."
(Y/N) pondered for a moment. During her time at the orphanage, she was always told how to act when presenting themselves in front of a gentleman. She was always taught how to be a good mother and wife and how to take care of a household. She never liked it. She always hated how they told her that it was mandatory for a woman to be married to a man. She will admit that having children is something that she's always wanted. But after growing up and seeing happy couples everywhere, she felt a bit lonely. There was always a small thought in the back of her head saying, 'It would be nice to have a man to love.' Because of that, she started to wonder what it would be like to have a man.
"Do you think I need a man?"
Anabell looked at her confused. "A man? So this is what it's all about, huh?"
"Well, you really wanna know what I think?" she paused for a moment. "No."
Her answer confused (Y/N). "No?"
"No. You don't need a man. Look. You're doin' just fine on your own without one. You have your own life. The women out there are usually getting themselves a man because they can't get their own life. Women can't do much but get married and raise kids. There ain't that much jobs for us. You're lucky, though. You managed to get what most can't and you should feel proud about that. Do you feel proud?"
"Good. But listen closely. I ain't sayin' you shouldn't get a man. You just asked if you needed one, and right now, you don't. You doin' just fine without one. None of this should mean you shouldn't get one. It's nice havin' one. It's nice having someone to love and care about ya. It's your desition if ya want one, sweetie. If ya do, then ya can't stay in here forever.
(Y/N) nodded at this. She smiled and hugged her friend. "Thanks."
Anabell hugged back. "Oh, of course, sweetie." she let go and placed her hands on the young teacher's shoulders. "So what caused these thoughts in the first place?"
She breathed in through her nose and exhaled out her mouth. She said only one word. "Celia."
Anabell lifts her hands up and lets them drop to her lap while rolling her eyes. "Celia. Of course. Why am I not surprised."
"Oh, she ain't that bad. She's just good at heart and wants what she thinks is best for me." (Y/N) as she fiddled with her fingers.
"She's a sucker for pretty boys, that's what she is." Anabell stated. "She wouldn't know what was good for her even if it smacked her in the face."
The two women laughed at the small joke. It was true, though. Now don't get her wrong. She's not a slut, whore, or anyone of those things. She's just someone who falls in love easily and is the type of girl that believes in love at first sight. She's also the type of girl that loves presents. The more presents, the more they love her; is what she thought. Of course, that's dangerous. She's been used and left because of her oblivious and blind mind of this so-called love she thinks she's receiving.
Becoming a school teacher was something that Celia also wanted to be, as well. Five years ago, she came to Strine, not in search of a new life, but because she followed a man here. He left her soon after, though. She was already a teacher from the town she previously lived in, so obtaining a job as a teacher was not a problem for her. She continued to search for a man around town, hoping one of them would finally claim her as their bride. And like always, she says that her new boyfriend, Anthony Miller, will finally be the man she marries. Only time will tell, now.
Anabell reached for the box on the coffee table and opened it to reveal bread and cookies. "Now, why don' we start the stove for the tea and coffee." she said while grabbing a cookie and taking a bite.
(Y/N) nodded and they both stood up to head towards the kitchen.
Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4
