First Day Jitters: A Short Story

692 Words2 Pages

First Day Jitters

I’m walking unusually slowly, almost robotically, as if my brain is struggling to tell each foot to take the next step. School is only a mile away but it feels like 100. Why did Mr Henderson have to catch the plague? I think to myself. Why did he have to choose me to step up to be the teacher? My nails were already bitten down to the quick but I nibble at their frayed, form edges like a famished mouse. I must tranquil my nerves before I arrive, I contemplate, when unexpectedly one of my three older brothers, Edward, shot out like a cannon ball from behind Mr Lorrie’s milk cart.

“Got you!” he hollows.
“Gosh, Edward, you just about gave me a heart attack” I said as I bent down to scoop up my pile of leather-bound books I …show more content…

“I just don’t know what to do” I say in hesitation.
“What do you mean Trude’s?” Edward replies.
“I’m going to make a fool of myself” I say, “What if I can’t rheostat the class, I’m not even sure if I can teach!” My voice sounds edgy. But then I hear a reassuring speech.
“I know you can do it. You’ve been training to be a teacher and this is your moment. Have trust in your abilities little one. You can achieve anything. Just be yourself and everyone will love you.” I recuperate my confidence. I don’t know what I would do without …show more content…

Why’s he pointing to me? “Henderson mentioned that she’d be teaching us. Is that right?”
“Well, yes” Edward confirms, “you’s look to old to go here anyway so why does it matter to you?”
The eldest of the group speaks again, “my brother’s in her class and he doesn’t want a GIRL teacher.”
“Well, I’m sure he’ll be fine” Edward articulates, “Off you go” He and his group walk away laughing and Edward returns to me.
“Are you ok?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m fine, I have to go in now. I’ll see you tonight. I say as I walk into the classroom.

Once I sit inside the class at the front of the room, my hands shuffle the papers on the desk, urging for something to do. I feel so unprepared. I think back to when I got the message that Mr Henderson had fallen ill. It was only last night, but that felt like ages ago. I bite my lip and anxiously watch the clock on the wall.
Tick-tock, tick-tock…

I had been apprehensive all morning, fearing this moment. I could see all eager eyes glaring at me, waiting for the lesson to begin. I stare at the ground, trying not to look too uncomfortable. Thinking to myself, ‘I have to commence,’ I

More about First Day Jitters: A Short Story

Open Document