Author's Note: Labyrinth and Girl Meets Wold belongs to their respective owners. Feel free to review and comment.
Chapter 1: Class Reading
I walked into English carrying the new class novel we started. Technically, beginning today, but our teacher, Miss Williams, made us read it over the weekend. The title itself caught my attention. As I emersed myself into it, the story came alive until I was the woman trying to undo what she had done.
"Hello, Miss Matthews," she said as I walked through the door into her classroom.
"Hi," I answered her in my usual quirky manner.
"Did you read the class novel over the weekend like I assigned?" she asked.
"I loved it," I responded walking to my seat.
"Good, that means that you are going to have a much more general knowledge of the book." The bell rang signaling that class has started.
"Class take your seats," Miss Williams ordered. "I hope everyone read our class novel for homework."
"That's not fair," said one of our classmates as Mr. Turner walked in. Why were they here? It must be one of those routine administrative sit-ins where they observe the teacher teaching.
"Yogi, I wonder what your basis for comparison is? I guess that not many of your teachers required you to read outside of class, but Labyrinth isn't that long of a book."
"That is a fascinating phrase Williams," said Mr. Turner as he started parading around that classroom.
"Mr. Turner," said Miss Williams, "it is not one of my phrases, but it was something someone taught me when I was about their age. It was something that...gave me a better understanding of reality."
"He must have been a great teacher to you," said Mr. Turner.
Miss Williams looked like she remembered something before she answered, "He was a great teacher in a way."
There was something different by the way she answered him. It was as though she had mixed feelings for whoever it was, or it was the situation that made it difficult.
Miss Williams was different than the other teachers. She felt more real, more authentic than the others. She understood us in a way that most teachers did, but she was almost the most strict teacher I ever had.
A barn owl landed on a tree outside the window. Miss Williams started taking deep breaths before continuing speaking. She seemed to be afraid of it. I wrote it off that she must have some bird-related phobia.
"Williams," called Mr. Turner, "are you alright?"
"Yes, sorry Mr. Turner. Class, Mr. Turner is observing me today, so be on your best behavior."
"There is no need. Worse has happened when I have observed people. May I ask your class a few questions?"
"There is no need to ask permission," she answered respecting his authority.
"Miss Heart, what book are you reading currently?" he asked.
"Some play called Labyrinth, Turner," she answered with her usual cocky nature.
"Miss Matthews, tell your father he needs to start shaping up when it comes to Miss Heart. Now, Mr. Friar, what is the book about?"
"It is about a young girl who wishes away a baby to the Goblin King. After realizing that she didn't mean it, she runs the Labyrinth to get the baby back."
"I am done asking questions," said Mr. Turner. "The class is yours again."
"Did any of you notice the theme of the story or is there anything that stood out to you? Yes, Miss Matthews?" Miss Williams called.
"I thought that the theme was careful of what you wished for," I answered.
"That is an excellent observation," she said. "Yes, Farkle?"
"I noticed that at the beginning of the story the main character was somewhat selfish, but as she ran the Labyrinth, she started becoming selfless realizing that she did not consider everyone else around her."
"You bring up a perfect point, Farkle. We all have a selfish side, but some of us are more selfish than others. Now I would like to bring up what the Labyrinth looks like. As you could guess, it is a massive maze. The Labyrinth changes what it looks like unpredictably. Does anyone have a guess how this may be an obstacle for our protagonist? Yes, Smackle."
"The change would make her confused and slow her down."
"That is correct."
We started reading and discussing the first act of the play. The owl did not budge but seemed to be watching Miss Williams staring as though she was its prey waiting for the right moment to swoop down to get her. I did not see it as anything that should be frightening because it is just an owl. The bell soon rang dismissing us to lunch.
"Have a great rest of the day," she said.
Before I left the classroom, I swore I saw her look terrified about the owl. I shook it off because it was just an owl. What does she have to be afraid of? She must have a phobia of birds or owls.