Strangeness and Charm

My name is Julia. Julia Katherine Hammilton. - You may not realize how affluent I am because, well, you are not part of this story. But, as you start reading this, you might find it similar to yours. Or your friend's story. – My family is the owner of the biggest network petroleum company of America, the "Hammilton Co." This means that I shouldn't be working as a Portuguese teacher on a Portuguese course in Minneapolis and I shouldn't be a teacher. Or work, you might be thinking! But well, things are not like people expect to be. We should not be what others think we should. I'll start my story telling you why I am not working at my family's Company. Its simple. Im tired of being labeled. Being famous is just like… Think of Paris Hilton. She's an heiress. Just like me. And she is very popular and gets into trouble a lot, right? I can guarantee that this would pretty much be my future if I hadn't left New York.

After our trip to Brazil when I was twelve, I completely fell in love with the culture and the language. So I started to learn their language. Its really difficult, I daresay. But with time it doesn't look that hard anymore.

Anyway, I am glad my first job is on the same place as my best friend's. Her name is Jazmin, but she doesn't teach Portuguese, but Spanish.

I woke up that very first morning in that strange new state called Minnesota, but more precisely the noisy city of Minneapolis. I left my empty – but full of sealed boxes that need to be opened so I can call this house home – apartment wearing my heart on my sleeve. I could almost feel it tearing apart for being away from those I love so I can follow my dreams. My own dreams. Luckily the taxi showed up in thirty minutes. And then I left to that scary new life. Im glad work isn't that far from home.

When I first saw her, I could swear she was special. I didn't even have to talk to her. I didn't even have to make an effort to call her attention. I just stared. I simply stared.

Her, with her flowered long skirt and white tee shirt. Her, with all those green necklaces and golden bracelets. Too much information but yet too much adorableness.

Her, the woman I first saw when I walked in for the first time on my new job. Yes, her. With red hair, pale skin and red lipstick. She might also be the tallest woman in this place. And the oldest, probably.

Not that she is old. Its just that the others employees are too young. I am too young. Only twenty one.

I took a deep breath, suddenly feeling all embarrassed because I realized I was staring at her for so long. Good thing she didn't notice me back.

I stronger held my purse on my hand and walked in on the teacher's room.

Melancholic but tidy and neat, the teacher's room seemed to be a good place to start a new friendship.

"Hello." – I smiled to the people that were there. A dark haired woman. She might be asian. And a short red headed man, whose glasses looked funny on his face.

Fortunately, he smiled back first.

"Are you the new teacher? Im Mark Fitzpatrick. I teach the youger ones." He reaised his hand to greet me.

"Julia Hammond. Yeah, I guess that's me. Nice to meet you." – My shaky hands suddenly stopped shaking when our hands touched. He had freckles.

"Hey, aren't you-" – Mark started.

"Alicia Won. Hi." – The dark haired woman, now known as Alicia Won, interrupted Mark by standing up from the chair she was sitted on and forced a smile when she looked at me.

"Hi." – I greeted her. – "So… I need to-"

"See you guys already know Mrs. Hammilton." – Claire Wilson, the principal entered making her way to the coffee machine and giving us a warming smile. "She's going to stay here for a while, replacing Mrs. Carlton for this semester. Also good morning." – She laughed. She seemed to be a good person. She came close to me, smiling. – "How are you feeling about all this new place? I bet it's very different from where you used to work, right?"

Embarrassed, I answered – "Well, I didn't work much on my father's business, really. I've been working on local Universities in NY but nothing like this, to be honest. But it feels good."

"Oh. This is great. Well, what you need to know is…" She started talking but I wasn't listening to her anymore.

She, the tall woman I saw, the beautiful eccentric woman I saw, suddenly opened the door and entered. Looking at me. My heart started racing. I could barely breathe. How beautiful she was. How perfect. And those green eyes, they looked like a forest. I was lost in the forest that was her eyes. I nodded in agreement to mrs Wilson, but my thoughts were all drifted to her. The girl I don't even know the name.

"Good morning to you too, Florence Welch." – Mark laughed and so did her.

Florence what? No. Impossible. I tried to understand the situation. She isn't Flo from Florence and The Machine. But wow, she looks really like her.

"Told you to stop calling me Florence." – What a beautiful voice. Oh my. And her laughter. I found myself smiling.

"Morning, Mrs. Klein. Let me introduce you to the new teacher, the one we talked about last week, remember?" – Mrs. Wilson grabbed my hand and we went to meet – the now known – Mrs. Klein. Only when I thought my heart couldn't race any more, I was wrong. I could feel it pumping out of my chest..

"Mrs. Hammilton, this is Renata Klein, she teaches the same level as you and I think you guys are probably going to get along."

"Do you have something to do with the Hammilton Co., Mrs. Hammilton?" We shaked our hands. I just couldn't stop smiling. My face must've been burning the whole time.

Again, my family's Company in the story.

"Uh, yes. Actually." – I laughed nervously. – "And please, call me Julia."

"Julia." – She looked deep in my eyes. What a precious moment. Time stoped. At least for me. – "Ok. Call me Renata, then."

"Ain't this a Brazilian name?"

She giggled. Oh my God, I would never get tired of watching her acting this way.

"Actually, I am Brazilian."

"Oh, really? Amazing."

And after all of the adorableness, beautifulness (if this word even exist), she is Brazilian? Ok, let me marry you, Mrs. Klein.

"Ok guys. Its almost eight. Better grab your stuff and go to your respective classrooms. Mrs. Klein, can you show Mrs. Hammilton her classroom?" – The Principal said, pushing us out of the room.

"Sure. Come with me."

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