After that slightly embarrassing incident, I continued teaching my class with a not so unusually cheerful attitude. The students were not surprisingly in a good mood and full of curiosity and questions. As the end of the day rolled around, the children started getting anxious. There was still thirty minutes left and I figured we could finish the lesson tomorrow, so I dismissed them for an extra recess with the other second grade class next door.

As I was heading to check my mailbox in the front office, I saw the mayor of the town, Regina Mills, walk into the principal's office with an amused look on her face. Just by glancing at the look on her face, anyone could see that she was up to something, and I'm pretty sure it would only end up being beneficial to her. The only window in the principal's office was on the door, so when I decided to eavesdrop on their conversation, I made sure to avoid that window.

"She never takes anything seriously!" the principal was saying. "She's always late and always has an atrocious attitude and sass when she talks to me!"

"So what you're suggesting is that Ms. Rogers is too inexperienced?" Mayor Mills questioned.

"No," Principal Johnson's voice was even more stern than usual. "I'm suggesting she should be fired."

Regina chuckled. "Oh. Going to the extremes, now, aren't we?"

"I do not appreciate your ease with this matter. The only reason I called you up here was because before a teacher is fired, the mayor has to approve of it. Anyway, Ms. Rogers went to the extreme a while ago when she started slacking like she is."

"Very well, then." Regina Mills held an edge of enjoyment to her voice. "Send me the forms and it shall be done."

I gasped. Reflexively, I threw my hand up and covered my mouth, praying they hadn't heard me; though it seemed like they did. The office was silent. I darted down the hall and to my classroom before they could catch me listening to their conversation, and fell into my chair once I got there. My body went numb to the point that the only thing I could feel was the tears streaming down my face as quickly as a river might flow. I had never lost a job before. And I was under the impression I was doing a good job with my job except for being a few minutes late every morning. But, as Principal Johnson had said multiple times, I was not fit to be a teacher.

"Hey," a voice said.

I looked up and saw Sheriff Graham leaning against the doorpost of the classroom. I quickly wiped away the tears on my cheeks, folded my hands back in my lap, and stared at them. I could feel my cheeks glowing red. "If you hadn't noticed," I started. "Now would not be a pleasant time for visiting."

"I know," Graham said in a gentle, soft voice. "I saw you in the hallway and came to see what was wrong."

"It's none of your concern." I still refused to make any eye contact with Graham, but allowed my mind to wonder why he had come in the first place. Had the principal called him here for that discussion, too? Gosh, I hoped he hadn't. That would be the last thing I needed.

"And in case you were wondering..." he paused to make sure he had my full attention. Which, as much as much as I might have hated it, he already did. And against my own will, I glanced up at him and let my own dark brown eyes lock with his pair of bright blue ones. "I came here to see you anyway. To make sure you got my note."

The thought of the note brought a small smile to my face. "I did," I said in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper.

Graham smiled one of his perfect white smiles that brought most girls immediately under his spell and ran a hand through his curly brown hair. "I'd hoped so."

Moments passed where he was so quiet I thought he had left; though I would glance up and find him there, still leaning against the doorpost. Eventually, I heard him begin to hum a song. I attempted to discern what song it was and eventually, I did. "You know that song?" I asked aloud, surprise evident in my tone of voice.

The sheriff chuckled. "I know - it's a girl song. But yes, I do know it."

The song he was humming happened to be one of my favorite songs: 'Strings' by Shawn Mendes. Almost immediately after he answered my question, he began singing the song, though he was singing very quietly at first. "Darling I want all the strings attached, I love it when you look at me like that. And you're the only girl that brings me back..."

"'Cause baby I want all the strings attached," I reluctantly finished. This brought a smile to Graham's face once again, apparently encouraging him to continue.

"It's like always and forever, I won't let a moment pass." His singing voice was not-too-surprisingly amazing, and he was now looking me in the eyes, making me more nervous than I ever thought I could be. Nevertheless, I continued singing along with him.

"And when I'm with you I feel better; I want all the strings, all the strings attached," I sang at the same time he did. I stood up due to not being comfortable sitting as Graham slowly walked over to me.

"So come on girl let me hold your hand," he continued, and gently but firmly took hold of my hand with a smirk on his face.

I blushed, but continued to sing the song with him. "Let's go get lost, live without a plan. And I know you've got the world to see, but you know you mean the world to me. And I know right now you got second thoughts; do whatever it takes, pay whatever the cost, yeah."

We didn't sing past that point; as soon as I noticed my hand remained in his, I pulled it away, my face beet red. "You're a great singer," Graham said presumably to break the silence.

I blushed even more, if that was even possible. "You are too."

My eyes remained on his, the rest of my body motionless. Was I really giving in to him? Was I finally letting myself fall in love? "No," I said aloud by accident. "I'm not. I can't be."

"Pardon?" the sheriff questioned, his expression now confused as well as amused.

I shook my head and tore away from his gaze. "Nothing." I paused. "I should be going."

He hesitantly nodded. "Me too." Once he reached the door to exit, he paused, looked back at me, and flashed a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Rogers." After saying goodbye, he left, shutting the door behind him.

"It's Amelia, " I whispered.