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I don't answer, instead locking my phone and stuffing it into my purse before exiting my car. The air is crisp in the morning, but the sun is still rising early, casting light shadows all around. As I walk up to the impressive front entrance, I notice a bus pulling up and parking. Children disembark, engrossed in their conversations, their uniforms mucking together as they travel in packs.
Heading toward the school, Grace and Principal McKillingly walk out of the front office. I can feel his gaze on me right away, and I walk over to the pair with a bright smile.
“Morning!” I say, and Grace hugs her baby bump with one hand and waves with the other.
My boss smiles, his eyes crinkling before speaking, “Just the person I wanted to see. Congratulations, Heather,” he announces.
My chest tightens as excitement builds in my veins. Heat engulfs my face, and I hold my breath.
“You’ll officially take over Grace’s classroom when she goes on maternity leave. Everything’s been arranged.”
“Really?” I grin broadly, my squawk echoing down the grand, tall corridors stretching out on either side of us.
I quickly cover my mouth with my hand, and Principle McKillingly nods before reaching out to cordially touch my arm.
“She’ll fill you in on the details. I have to go meet the students. Congratulations again, Heather.” he says before walking past me.
I resist the urge to bounce around and do a little dance. Grace giggles when I rock back on my heels, and she holds up her hands to wag them.
“Yay, I’m so glad for you!” she exclaims happily.
Relief rushes down my spine; I knew I had a good chance of getting this position, but having it feels incredible! Grace and I walk down the corridor towards her classroom, and she doesn't say anything until we get there.
With an exhausted sigh, she closes the door, palms her back, and settles into her chair behind her desk. “Goodness gracious, I’m so happy for us both!”
“First graders are, like, the perfect ones,” I sigh, sitting at my tiny desk and dropping my purse in the drawer. “So, you have the date you're leaving then?”
“Yeah, two weeks from now,” she answers, rubbing her bump as she swivels her chair to face me. Grace grins, and I smile so wide that my cheeks hurt. “I'll be reviewing the lesson plans with you after school, so expect to stay for about half an hour.”
“That’s fine,” I reply, reaching to rub my cheeks with my palms. “Ugh, I’m not dreaming, right? I’m really gonna get my own classroom for the rest of the year before I take over Ruth’s third grade next year?”
“Really, really!” She giggles again, and I flop my head back to sigh hotly. “We’ll go over everything in detail during lunch. Give you a chance to get over the jitters.”
I laugh, shake my head, and excitement bristles under my skin. God, my own classroom! Finally! I’d gotten lucky to be accepted into this school in my first year of teaching, and I won’t let that luck go to waste!
