30. Skylar

Today has been such a long day. I’m even more tired than I was yesterday, yet I slept more than normal last night. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

“Skylar! I want Riley Donahue out of my class!” Mrs. Goods marches into my office.

Leslie races in after her. She opens her mouth to say something, but I hold up a hand. She doesn’t need to apologize for the old woman. Mrs. Goods is going to do whatever she wants, she isn’t going to let Leslie stop her.

“I know, Leslie. I don’t blame you; she’s going to do whatever she wants. When you go back to your desk could you please shut the door? It’s about time Mrs. Goods and I have a long heart to heart.” I glare at the woman who’s been a pain in my ass since I stepped foot in Maple Springs.

“I want her out! Today!”

“What are you claiming she did today?” I rub my temples, trying to ward off the migraine I feel coming on.

“Claiming? I”m not claiming anything! I’m telling you what happened!”

“Then can we get on with it so I can get back to work?” I snap, more than tired of dealing with her day in and day out.

“Riley drew all over my white board with permanent markers. I can”t get it off! My entire board is ruined.”

“Where do you keep your permanent markers?” I raise a brow.

“I keep them in a cup on my desk, but the kids aren’t supposed to touch anything on my desk and she knows that.”

“Where do you keep your dry erase markers?”

“On my desk. What’s your point here, Skylar?”

“My point is, Riley’s six years old. I”m sick of you stomping in here and acting like she’s a full-grown adult. She’s six, Meredith. SIX! She didn’t throw up on you on purpose. She did the correct thing in punching Billy when you wouldn’t help her. She doesn’t deserve to be punished for spilling paint in art class or any of the other bullshit you’ve brought to me on a weekly basis! Grow up and learn to deal with young kids. You’d think with how long you’ve been doing this you’d be better at it.”

“Excuse me! You can”t speak to me like this!”

“Well, guess what? I am! I”m tired of all of it. Stop trying to get Riley Donahue in trouble. She hasn’t done a damn thing worthy of the wrath you keep trying to release upon her. Her only sin is being the child of Tucker Donahue.”

“Mr. Green is going to hear about this!” She narrows her gaze on me, crossing her arms over her chest.

I rise from my seat, keeping my gaze locked on her. I slam my hands down on my desk, leaning forward so I”m in her face.

“I hope he does. He’s already given me permission to fire you. I’m sure he’d be happy to have his decision validated.”

“What? You’re going to fire me? All of this because you’re back together with Tucker?”

“Don’t you even dare! My relationship with Tucker has nothing to do with this and you know it! This is your last warning. If you barge into my office, complaining about this petty bullshit again, you’ll find yourself jobless. If I find out you mistreat any child in my school, you’re out of here. When I came here, you thought you’d be able to walk all over me, but you can”t. I”m not the same fucked up teenager I was when I left here ten years ago. I”m a successful teacher and a great principal. I stand up for what’s right and I”m not about to let you destroy this school over your childish ways.”

I stand to my full height, waiting for her to argue. She’s fought me at every turn for as long as I can remember. When all she does is swallow hard, I continue.

“You have two options, Mrs. Goods. Either hand in a resignation by the end of the day, or fall in line and do your fucking job the right way. And if I ever find out one of your students is touched inappropriately and you don’t do something about it, I’ll make sure you have a worse fate than losing your job.”

I slowly lower myself to my chair, more exhausted than ever before. I smooth my shirt and return my gaze to the paperwork in front of me.

“If you don’t need anything else, you’re free to leave.”

She spins on her heels without another word and leaves my office. The door shuts quietly behind her. I fold my arms on my desk and drop my head down on top of them. I need a nap… a very long nap.

“Are you ok?” Leslie peeks in.

“I”m sure you heard.”

“Every word.” She nods her head, a sad smile on her lips. “She’s so horrible.”

“Now I need to order a new white board.”

“Nah, if you go over the permanent marker with a dry erase marker, it removes the permanent marker.” She waves a hand in the air, dismissing my concern.

“Good. I don’t think I have the budget for a new one.” I massage my temples, trying to ward off whatever migraine is working its way up my neck.

“Why don’t you head home? You look terrible, Sky.”

“Thanks, Leslie. You know just how to make me feel better.” I pretend to glare at her, but I”m too exhausted to pull it off.

“Oh stop,” she laughs, “you look like you’re about to fall asleep on your desk. Go home, call Tucker and tell him you’re leaving. If he needs me to, I can bring Riley home after school.”

“Thanks, you’re the best.” I gather my things. I don’t want to go, but she’s right, I’ll fall asleep if I don’t leave now.

On my way out to the car, I call Tucker. The sound of his voice instantly calms me.

“What’s going on, baby?”

“I”m on my way home. I don’t feel good. I”m thinking I’ll stay at my place in case I”m sick. You don’t need to get sick too.”

“If you go to your place, Riley and I will be there after school to take care of you. Go to my house, get in my bed, and I’ll be home soon to check on you.”

“You can”t leave work, Tucker. I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t have anything to do at the shop. I finished all the customers I had for the day. I’ll gladly come home and take care of you.”

“Leslie said she could bring Riley home if you want her to.”

“I’ll call her and accept her offer… I’ll be home in fifteen minutes, beautiful.”

“Sky, how do you feel?” Tucker brushes hair away from my face.

“I”m so tired.”

“Does anything hurt?” He runs a hand up and down my back.

“No. I”m just exhausted.”

“Alright, you sleep. I’ll lay with you in case you need anything.”

His warm body presses against my back and I quickly feel sleep overtaking me once again. I’ve never been so wiped out in my entire life. What the hell is going on?