Disclaimer: This is fanfiction.
Title: 'From Rags to Riches'
Rating: Rated 'M' for 'Foul language, mild alcohol use, and sexual implications.'
Genre: Alternate Universe, Angst, Drama, Family, Friendship, General, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires
Warnings: Adult Content, Discriminatory Language, OOC
Pairings: Sam/Bella, Paul/Bella
Character/Word Count: 14,147 characters/ 2,643 words
Summary: Bella returns to her hometown after five years of estranged from her brother and ex-boyfriend so that she may take a vacant position at La Push High.
Author's Notes I: Hi everyone!
Just wanted to thank you all for the reviews and adds. It means so much to me. I promise I will get back to those of you who have reviewed, just have not had the time as of yet. Anyway, here is the next chapter. No Sam or Paul in this one. Wanted to set up some sort of foundation for Bella first, but I am thinking that in the next chapter I might give you a little bit of insight into what they have been up to in the past five years. Still a tad undecided on that. Anyway I want to thank derekever, for her wonderful suggestions and help with writing this chapter. I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful I am to have someone tell me that my ideas are not completely stupid.
2. First Day of School
My heels clicked on the worn familiar tiled floor drawing minimal attention to myself as I walked down the near vacant corridors, small brown box of my belongings in hand, to room 205 – my new classroom and home for the year. I had gotten to the school early, not wanting to be late on my first day of school. Thankfully, not much had changed since I had last been here.
The principal, Kate Lysbin, had asked all teachers for the coming year to attend a general meeting the previous day, just to go over some general items and introduce me to the staff. I was shocked to learn that things had gone downhill since I had been a student. In a quick, not to mention rude, summary, I was informed that if I had a class of twelve students it would be a miracle if even half of them turned up. Nevertheless, that was why I was here, to try to change things for these students. I jotted down notes as Kate went over the year's curriculum, important dates, and the inner goings of the school. The meeting hadn't been a complete waste my time. I was introduced to some of the forty plus faculty members. The majority gave off the impression that the only reason they were there in the first place was to cash in the measly pay stub we got each fortnight, and that they could care less what happened to the students, subsequently, their futures. I did, however, meet a few that I thought I could eventually learn to like.
Previous day
"Nervous," asked a smartly dressed man with short black hair as he walked towards me.
"That obvious, huh?" I answered while we stood side by side, each grabbing a Styrofoam cup and making ourselves a cup of coffee.
"Not so much, but the slight shake in your hand was hint enough," he kindly whispered, leaning over to grab a sachet of sugar. "First job?" Nodding my head in answer, I turned around and leaned back against the table, the man following suit.
"Graduated last month." Calming a little, I took in the scene around me. It was definitely going to be different working on the other side of the desk. The man followed my actions, turning so that he was sitting next to me.
With an outstretched arm, he introduced himself. "Kimball," he announced with a friendly smile
"Bella," I offered, returning the gesture. "Bella Littlesea."
"Littlesea, huh? There used to be a family of Littleseas here. Oh, would have been nearly 30 years ago. At least, that's what I hear." That peaked my interest, but I did not divulge into it too much. We started talking about why we had become teachers, what made us chose La Push High, and other such. In that short time, I learnt so much about this man next to me.
Kimball Smith was the Algebra teacher, located in room 207, two classrooms down from mine. On first appearance, you would think of him as a straight lace kind of person, but after talking with him for fifteen minutes, I learnt he was quite the opposite. He had moved to the neighboring town of Forks with his girlfriend, taking on the position in the Math department when no vacancies became available in Forks. Needless to say the relationship hadn't lasted; he had caught his girlfriend in bed with his best friend, yet somehow could not bring himself to leave.
He, like myself, wanted to see a change in La Push, wanted more for the children and future children of the tribe. Even though he was not a member, his passion for the job was overwhelming. We talked for what seemed like ages before finally going out separate ways. I was glad to know that if worst came to worst, I would have at least one person I could turn too.
Present day
As I reached my destination, I turned the old, brass door handle and pushed my way into the tiny classroom. Taking stock of the room, I noticed from the entrance there was an ugly and oversized brown desk situated at the front of the class. Mine, I would assume. Walking over to it, I placed the box holding my belongings on top of it before slowly unpacking the possessions. Looking out from my new position, there were three rows of single seated desks going all the way to the back of the room. Fifteen in total; I counted. After I had placed my belongings where I wanted them, I slid the discarded box under the desk.
Homeroom was due to start at nine, and it was just passed eight thirty; therefore, I had a little time to prep. Turning to the black board, I began searching for a spare piece of chalk; locating a dismal piece right at the end, I began to write my name in cursive only to be interrupted by a head popping through the door.
"Hey, just wanted to wish you good luck on your first day," Kimball greeted encouragingly.
"Hi. Thanks, I think I'm going to need it," I replied as my nerves were starting to get the best of me again.
"Nonsense. You will be fine. Just remember, I'm only two doors down if you need me." He winked before excusing himself and heading to his room.
"Thanks again," I yelled out after him turning back to the board and completing my name. Once done I walked the short distance to my desk and took a seat. Pulling my green file from my handbag, I placed it in front of me and began going over my day's lesson plan, writing down notes on the points I wanted to hit today. Keeping things light and easy would be a major task to handle. I wanted to get to know the kids, and vice versa, while also going over the semester's syllabus.
Midway through reading, I heard the door open again. Expecting to see Kimball once more, I didn't bother raising my head. It was not until I heard the subtle sound of a desk shifting that I changed my line of sight. Sitting in the back row, middle desk was a petite native girl. Her body was hunched over and from what I could tell she had a book resting open on the table reading it under the curtain of long black hair, hiding her face away from the world.
I put my pen down and watched her for a while. She was obviously shy, hidden underneath a large baggy sweater and jeans. She was doing everything possible to go unnoticed. Looking at my watch I noted it was about quarter too nine now, and I was expecting students to start walking through that door any minute. As I finished that thought, the door swung open and four more students walked in, taking their seats in scattered spots within the classroom. I slowly stood from my desk quietly stepping out from behind it. No words spoken, the only noise coming from the passing by of the few students who had turned up for school that day and were running late. I stood at the foot of the class, leaning back against my desk trying to get my nerves under control.
"Good morning," I finally announced, drawing the interest of most the students. "My name is Miss Littlesea, and I will be your homeroom teacher for the year," I paused for a moment to ensure that I still had their attention; satisfied with my findings, I leaned back and picked up the class schedule preparing to do roll call.
As I turn back to face the class, I hear a masculine snort coming from the corner of the room before I hear a somewhat deep voice speak out, "Let me save you some time there Sweets. There's no point in goin' through your roll call, half of your class ain't comin'," he declared, easing back on his chair, his arms rested confidently behind his head. It could have been considered a phenomenon in itself how well he held himself up off of the dirt and dust encrusted floor while he dangerously he kept himself on only two legs of his seat.
"Is that so?" I retorted, not willing to let this kid get the upper hand. "And what is your name?"
"Kebi, but you can call me 'Sugar', Sweets," he answered smartly with a wink. I stared at the kid for a minute, debating in my head the best course of action for this situation. After a second or so, I looked at list of students and spotted his name along with some of the background information the school had kindly provided me if it became necessary to assess where each of my students were at academically.
"Ahh, Mr. Hurley…" I said addressing only him while continuing to read the brief statement the principal had given me. I made my way towards where he sat at the back of the room. "'C' grade average…" I started off, listing in exact point of the findings that the brief summary I had on him gave me. "On the football team, failing Mr. Smith's Algebra class, and, oh yes, it states quite clearly here that you tend to choose which classes you will and will not attend. Does that sound correct?" I didn't wait for his reply before I continued. "Now, Mr. Hurley, in order to stay on the football team, you need to be marked present to all of your assigned classes and maintain at least a 'C' grade average in those classes, if I'm not mistaken."
With a short nod of his head in answer I kept on, "well, I can see here that you have been assigned to both my History and Music class…" I stated looking over my list of students for my assigned classes. "...and I can see that you are the type of child who likes his football and is most likely relying on a scholarship of some sort to get out of La Push, no?" I asked as I emphasized the words that ensured he knew that he was in fact only a boy.
When no reply came, I set it all out on the table for him to ponder. "Well then, let's get something straight here. I will not be handing out grades purely on attendance. You will need to put in the effort and work to keep your grades up. I will not favor anyone, and I certainly will not overlook any disrespect or lack of courtesy towards myself and the other students in this classroom. From now on, it is Miss Littlesea, not Sugar or 'Sweets', Babe or Baby. Have I made myself clear?" I demanded while staring him down.
"Yes Miss," was his barely audible response.
Turning, I addressed the rest of the students. "The same applies to everyone else in this room," I proclaimed before making my way back to the front of the class. Picking up from where I left, I started to do my roll call, noting that as predicted, out of a class of eleven students only five had turned up.
"Now that we have finished that, I want to give you guys a little bit of information on me, and in return I would like you to do the same. I want to know a bit about your life as well as what it is that you see yourself doing once you leave school.
"As I said before, my name is Isabella Littlesea. I was born and raised in La Push. I, like yourselves, attended La Push High before moving on to college at Washington State where I studied music and education. I was offered the position at La Push High over a month ago as the new Music and Quileute History teacher." I finished giving the class a second to take everything in before calling on them. Pick up my attendance sheet, I worked my way down the list. "Aubrey Kole," I announced looking at the class and waited for Aubrey to speak. After a minute of no answer, I prompted again. "Aubrey, could you please tell me a bit about yourself?"
From the back of the room, the girl who had entered first began to speak. "M-my name is A-Aubrey. I was b-born in La… La Push. I ha-have and older br-brother and a yo-younger si-sister," she said just above a whisper.
Not wanting to force the girl when she was clearly uncomfortable, I simply gave her my thanks before calling the next name on my list. "Harrison Stocks?"
A tall, well yet casually dressed native teen stood from his spot at his desk. "Hi Miss Littlesea, my name is Harrison. I, like Aubrey and you, was born and raised in La Push, I have no siblings and my father works at the old mill. I am hoping to get a scholarship to the UCLA where I want to major in Law."
"Thank you, Kate Noll?"
A blandly dressed girl with short-cropped, mahogany hair began to address the class. "Ahh, hey I'm Kate. Lived here most of my life… My parents work at the General and Hardware Stores. I'm hoping to graduate and leave this god-forsaken town to move somewhere warmer."
A response I was expecting to hear from more than one student, instead of commenting on her desired departure, I just continued down the list. "Thanks, Kebi?" I asked raising an eyebrow in his direction.
"Yeah," he started off before taking my warning into consideration, "Parents are divorced..." not something that was rare in La Push. "I live with my Dad and little brother. Should get a scholarship pretty much anywhere as long as I don't blow out my knee, and that's about is Sug-Miss Littlesea," he finished up. I could not help but form a small smile at my little victory there with his near slip up.
"Thank you Kebi, and finally Sarah Watson?" I said addressing the final student in my class.
Another t-shirt and jeans girl, this time with shoulder length jet-black hair parted into two braids, stood from her seat and addressed me. "Hi, Sarah. I have a twin sister Charlotte and an older brother Jeremy. I hope to go into the field of medicine, possibly as a Nurse, but at the moment I am undecided." Almost as soon as she finished, she sat down with her calves beneath her body.
Once again, I responded with my gratitude before moving down my list of tasks. "Okay, so for today, I'm going to keep things light and easy for the first class, but I expect that tomorrow you come prepared to do some hard work," I declared as I made my way back around behind my desk and taking a seat. "Can you tell me what you know about your culture and its history?" I started, hoping to gauge just how many the kids really knew and what I had to work with.
"I know that we descend from wolves," Kate shouted. With that, my first official hour as a teacher began. In that small amount of time, I learnt a lot about each of the five students sitting in front of me, and although they were each at varying levels, I couldn't find any reason as to why they should not be able to achieve the dreams that they had set out for themselves. As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class and the students began piling out one by one, I couldn't help but let out a breath I had not realized I was holding. Apart from that one incident with Kebi at the start, things had gone relatively smooth. Now all I had to do was get through the rest of the day unscathed.
Author's Notes: So that was it for chapter two. Nothing majorly exciting but as I said I wanted to set some foundations down. I will hopefully be updating every Monday, but I cannot promise this as I have work and health commitments. Anyway let me know what you think and what you think will happen when they do finally end up running into each other?