Chapter 2: Little Things
You're still getting used to the range of students that walk through your classroom doors. The scheduling is weird in a way that one hour you'd be working on a technique with an advance high school class, and then it's followed by a class of elementary students still learning the basics. You quickly come to realize though that this helps in keeping you from going insane.
For the most part, working with high school students and their moody attitudes leave you quite agitated, so when the smaller kids come along, it gives you a chance to interact with tiny little humans. Reminding yourself that innocence does exist and not every child makes you want to rip your face off.
You're currently walking around the class, helping some of the younger students with their hand placements when you see Brittany standing quietly in your doorway. She waves you over and just before you can move towards her, a small hand flies up into the air, asking for help.
You hold up your finger to Brittany, telling her to wait a minute and she smiles in understanding. You walk over to the young girl and she explains to you that she forgot where middle C was. You lower yourself to her level and smile as you show her, explaining to her how to easily find it if she ever forgets again.
When you're sure she understands, you stand and tell the class to practice their scales. You walk over to Brittany and she steps slightly out of your class allowing you take her spot in the threshold, leaning against the frame in a way that allows you to still keep an eye on your students.
"You're so good with them, San." She smiles at you and your heart soars at the introduction of a nickname, and in the same sentence with a compliment no less. You don't think anyone has ever told you you're good with kids. Back when you were still doing private piano lessons, your clientele was mostly made of adults. You've purposefully had very little interactions with children, probably because you're worried you might mess them up to turn out like you.
"You should've seen me a half hour ago with the older students." You roll your eyes in an attempt to brush off her comment but her eyes narrow at you.
"I don't know… Something tells me you're actually a fluffy marshmallow under this whole tough-girl act you got going on."
That actually makes you laugh. You know you've definitely never heard that before. Brittany doesn't accept that though and takes a step forward, gently poking at your side.
"Just checking." She explains with a smile and you giggle at her before swatting her hand away.
"You better not tell me I feel like a marshmallow." You scold her with a frown, "I'll be deeply offended."
She laughs and tells you to get back to work. You watch as she walks away and disappears behind the corner. You wonder why she stopped by. You brush it off, thinking she must've just been checking on you.
"Um, Ms. Lopez?" Your student's voice catches your attention and you step back into your class with a small smile on your face.
You're late and you probably look like a hot mess. You spent the better part of your morning at the auto shop trying to figure out why your car won't start. After an hour and a half, and about $250, you're finally on your way to work.
By the time you're busting through the front doors of the school, you're irritated, slightly more broke, and most importantly, coffeeless.
You curse at the universe because not only did you miss one of your morning classes, you didn't have any time to stop somewhere to grab a decent cup of coffee. You think about maybe grabbing a cup in the teacher's lounge but quickly remember you hated it the last time you did that. You wonder how anyone can stand to drink that watered down garbage.
You plaster on the best surface smile you can muster, and make your way to your classroom. You have about 10 mins before the next class starts and you grateful for at least that.
Once you're inside your eyes land on your desk. Your fake smile quickly replaced with a genuine one when you see what's there waiting for you. You walk up, place your purse down, and grab the note that's lightly blanketing a large thermos.
Heard about your rough morning. Hope it's still hot by the time you get here. -Britt
Your smile widens when you read the next line.
P.S. Don't worry, I brewed an extra strong batch just for you
You sit in your chair and swivel to the board beside your computer. You pin Brittany's note next to the first one and smile. You briefly wonder if it's weird that you're keeping them, but really they only serve as a reminder that you have a friend. Someone that's looking out for you.
You turn back to the thermos and examine it. It's most definitely Brittany's personal thermos. It's bright yellow with stickers of rainbows and unicorns. You chuckle to yourself because everyone is going to see it on your desk and it in no way reflects you as a person. You don't really mind though, you'll proudly display Brittany's thoughtfulness to everyone.
You open the top and you're instantly met with the smell of strong coffee. You take a sip and hum softly to yourself. It's not really that hot anymore, but it's not exactly too warm either. It's exactly how you like it. You glance at the clock and note that you still have a few minutes before the students start switching classes.
Turning on your computer, you send a quick message to Brittany.
Lopez, S: You didn't have to do that. Thank you, Britt.
Almost immediately, Brittany responds.
Pierce, B: Is it still okay?
Lopez, S: It's perfect. Exactly what I needed.
Pierce, B: I'm glad :)
You smile and sit back in your chair until the first student walks into your classroom. You spend the rest of the morning in an even better mood than usual and you can tell the students are slightly cautious of it. When you return the thermos to Brittany - clean, of course - she laughs as you tell her the amount of students that were curiously eyeing the out of place item.
It definitely was throwing them off.
The next note appears about a week after you confess to Brittany that you've never had a blueberry muffin before. You tried not to laugh at the way she reacted to this news, like it was absolutely impossible to have lived your entire life without eating a single blueberry muffin.
You explained further that you've never really understood the appeal of muffins because they're basically just breakfast cupcakes and you don't really like cupcakes. If that didn't offend Brittany enough, you made things worse when she asked if you've ever had a banana-nut muffin, and again you told her no. She couldn't believe it. It was like you broke every rule in her book.
When you told her you'd give it a try the next time you're at a coffee shop, she quickly told you that she was going to give you some recommendations. That way they're Brittany approved.
That's the reason the first thing you see this morning as you're walking into your classroom is a little container sitting on your desk. When you reach it, you recognize Brittany's handwriting immediately.
I tried every coffee shop blueberry muffin within a 5 mile radius but none of them were good enough to be your first. So instead I made up my own recipe. No pressure, but you better love it. - Britt
You can't believe this woman. You smile at the postscript on the bottom. Always so thoughtful.
P.S. There's enough for your morning class, too. Don't forget to share.
You pin the note next to the others and open the container. You smell blueberries and smile at how cute the little muffins look. When you taste one, you can't believe you've lived your whole life without it.
You wonder how many coffee shops there are within a 5 mile radius, and if Brittany actually tried them all. There's no way she actually did that. You can't imagine anyone would be that extreme but then again, this is Brittany you're talking about.
A few days later, you're met with the same container but this time it's filled with a different flavor of muffin.
You silently wonder how Brittany manages to bake this many muffins and if maybe she has a slight problem she needs to get checked out.
Today's note though is short and sweet, and even ends with a little heart.
Banana-nut muffins are my favorite. Hope your day is filled with smiles! - Britt
Your smile widens as you look over her handwriting. You don't understand how Brittany can be so Brittany. Like there's no real way to describe her. She's just Brittany.
You're about to open the container when you hear a soft knock on your door. You turn your head and see Brittany at your doorway.
"You're early." She says as she smiles at you and steps inside.
"Are you planning on baking me muffins everyday, Britt?" You greet her and she giggles.
"Don't get used to it." She looks at the container in your hands and shifts slightly.
You briefly wonder if she's here to see if you're enjoying the muffins, but when you hear her stomach growl, you chuckle knowingly.
Embarrassed, she steps closer, "I forgot to grab one for myself." She explains and you slide the container closer to her. She happily opens it and pulls out a muffin for herself. You take the container back and she watches as you grab one too.
"So how long did it take you to make up this recipe?" You ask as you unravel the sleeve.
"Oh, I've been using this same recipe for years, now." She takes a bite and smiles, "It's the best."
You take a bite as well and when you make eye contact with Brittany she looks almost nervous, eager to know what you think.
The muffin is still warm, making you think she woke up early this morning just to bake them. And honestly, it's the best breakfast cupcake you've ever taste. "Oh my god, Britt, this so good." You say between chews. "I can see why you got so mad at me."
She rolls her eyes playfully, "I didn't get mad at you. I just got very... emotionally invested."
"I hate to tell you this, Ms. Pierce, but I think you may have a problem." You grin and she ducks her head shyly.
You both eat your muffins in silence and you're happy for the company. You don't usually see Brittany in the mornings because you never get to work early enough to hang out. You also don't want to come off as the clingy new friend.
Before it's time for Brittany to leave, she watches as you move to the space behind your desk and pin her little note to your board. When you turn back to her she's looking at you questioningly.
"They keep me sane." You shrug and she smiles softly, accepting your explanation.
Later that day during lunch, you confess to Brittany that you didn't share your cupcakes with your class again like you were supposed to.
"I don't know if I can eat another." You sit back in you chair and try to regulate your breathing. You've already eaten your lunch and just ate another muffin for dessert.
Brittany giggles at you and slides her container of muffins away, just outside of reaching distance from you.
"As happy as I am that you like them so much, I think I'm going to have to confiscate this from you."
You groan and she laughs at you when you try to reach for the container, swatting your hand away and making you frown.
"This is why you're supposed to share with the kids." She scolds you before reaching around and poking your side.
"Don't say it." You warn her but she grins.
"Definitely a marshmallow."