"How long does the cure take to work?" Patricia asked in a small voice, absentmindedly fiddling with Jason's fingers.
"Three days until I'll know whether its going work. If he doesn't wake up in three days, then there's very little chance he ever will."
Patricia nodded, inside she was panicking. He had to wake up. She hadn't realized until now how much she needed him by her side in this funny, unfamiliar place and in her life always.
Patricia opened her eyes. She forgot where she was for a moment then remembered she had fallen asleep watching Jason. What time is it? She looked at her wrist then realized that she didn't wear a watch. She looked around the room for a clock. There wasn't one.
She remembered Jason wore a watch, and she picked up his wrist looking at his fancy black watch.
"Ahh! I'm going to be late!" She yelped. She ran out of the Blue Fairy's place and all the way to the school, knocking on Tiana's door.
"Come in." Came Charlotte's voice. Patricia sighed, opening the door.
"Oh it's you again, what do you want?" Charlotte said glaring at Patricia.
"I need to talk to Principal Tiana, is she here?" Patricia asked through gritted teeth.
"Right through that door like last time."
"Thanks." Patricia mumbled hurrying past Charlotte and knocking on the door.
"Come in" Tiana's kinder, less condescending voice said.
Patricia opens the door, closing it behind her.
"Hello hun. How can I help you?"
"I need to know what classroom I'll be teaching in."
"Ya'll will be in the auditorium. Where's your friend hun? Weren't you two teachin together?"
"He's-He's not feeling well." She stammered out, her mind flicking to the image of Jason lying completely still except for his chest rising and falling as he breathed.
"I'm real sorry to hear that. Tell him I hope he feels better soon."
"I will. Thanks." She said then left Tiana's room, going back out to where Charlotte was. She ignored her, opening the door and closing it behind her.
She went to the auditorium, onto the stage and began pacing back and forth. What was she supposed to do? She was no good with young kids, heck she was no good with people her age. She had been relying on Jason being there, now the time had come and he wasn't, and she was at a loss.
"Are you our teacher? What are we doing? I thought there was two drama teachers."
Patricia jumped, then looked to see a young boy with dark brown hair and green eyes wearing a red and black striped shirt, a gray jacket, jeans and sneakers carrying a backpack.
"Y-yes. I'm the teacher. My partner he's-he's not feeling well. I'm Ms-Ms. Williamson. We'll be playing a game."
"Okay. I'm Henry Mills."
Patricia nodded thoughtfully wondering if he was the Henry that Red had mentioned.
As the other kids filed in, she tried to think of a game they could play. She racked her brain for theatrey things .
"So what game are we playing?" Henry asked.
"Why don't you guys each say your favourite game then we can vote." Patricia said quickly.
"Okay, mine is round robin stories." Henry said.
"My favourite is human props." A blond girl sitting next to Henry said.
"That's a good one Grace!" Henry exclaimed.
"Thanks!"
"I like Ride that pony." A girl sitting behind Henry and Grace piped up.
"Nice, Ava." The boy sitting next to her said, clapping her on the shoulder.
"Thanks Nick."
"Sure. My favorite is Flying."
The other kids said their favorites. "Alright, time to vote." Patricia said. "Everyone get out a scrap piece of paper and write down which game you want to play, after you're done put them in….um….in...this box!"
"And don't put your name on it, it's supposed to be anonymous." Patricia added.
As she watched the students get out their pencils and paper, she found herself thinking about Jason. She wondered how he would think she was doing. She thought she was doing okay, at the moment anyways. But she wished he could be there with her to tell her if she was teaching right and just because she had gotten used to and needed his reassuring presence by her side. She shuddered inwardly again, not able to believe she had just thought something so cheesy.
"Ms. Williamson? Ms. Williamson!"
"Huh, what? Oh." Patricia stammered pushing her thoughts to the side. "Yes Henry?"
"Everyone put in their vote!" Henry exclaimed.
"Oh right, ok let's see what the winning game is!" Patricia said grabbing the box.
She took out each piece of paper and read them out loud, putting them in separate piles.
"Well, it was quite close, " She started "But the winning game is…..human props!"
The class cheered and began getting ready for the game. Patricia realized maybe teaching isn't so bad, it's been pretty easy so far.
"Ok everyone, get on stage!" Patricia announced. "Now I need four students to start, let's see how about Grace, Ava, Henry, and NIck, everyone else sit on the front of the stage!"
"Do you mean the apron?" Ava asked.
"Um...yes." Patricia said
The four of them stood and began playing. After a little while, she had them switch out. The class seemed to fly by and before she knew it, the students were grabbing their bags and filing out.
"Goodbye Ms. Williamson!" Henry called
"Goodbye Henry."