Standing in the bathroom Timber couldn't decide what she wanted to do with her hair. That was something her mother had not been happy with her about. "That's an understatement."
Her mother, Helene, had freaked out when Timber had cut the long tresses that reached the back of her knees, it now rests at the top of her hips. Her mother didn't have to deal with sitting on it all the time. Not that she was ever around to see it.
Pushing all thoughts of her mother from her mind, she returned to the task at hand. The hair. "Half up I think." After securing the front top of her hair with a tortoiseshell bar barrette, makeup didn't take long, just some simple eye makeup.
She returned to her room, formerly the guest room. I feel like a guest in my own house… not much difference from before, pine for him from afar. Setting that thought down quickly, she opened the accordion doors to her closet. Slipping on the clothes as she pulled them out, she was dressed in a relatively quick time. Since she had purchased the simple uniforms prior to the infamous 'Vegas trip', She decided to just keep wearing those. They are still within the new school's dress code, and besides, she is used to wearing those to school. Pleated khaki skirt, check. White three-quarter sleeve button down, check. Grey cardigan, check. Tie and loafers, check.
She grabbed her black leather JK uniform bag and went downstairs. I still don't know how that stubborn man navigates these stairs with that knee. Putting her bag in a chair at the table, she went and turned on the coffee maker. While it brewed, she picked up her earbuds, power bank and phone from the charging station and started putting her general supplies into her bag.
"Crap, my wallet." Running back upstairs, she heard the shower running in the master bath. She grabbed her wallet off of her dresser and snatched up a scrunchie as an afterthought. Stepping back into the master bedroom she called through the bathroom door; "Coffee will be done by the time you get down." Hope he heard me.
She was pulling down a second travel mug when she heard Glenn walk into the kitchen. "Morning, did you sleep OK?"
He nodded as he took the mug from her and turned to the coffee maker. "Good morning. You know you can wear jeans at the school." She was double Checking everything in her bag. "Yeah. I know, but I had already bought these. It seems wasteful not to wear them." Glen leaned against the counter watching her. She was nervously triple checking everything in her bag and smoothing a hand over her long hair. He reached out and pulled her into a hug, which she quickly put her arms around his waist. "Hey are you OK?" Timber Took a deep breath. "Yeah, but surprisingly I am nervous. I mean, I am not sure of how to act around Arista and Devin. On top of that, there are all the other students and faculty. As well as learning how to find my way around a new campus."
"It is going to be okay; you've known the girls for years. I mean nothing has changed for you. Everyone else can just suck it"
She looked up at him with her chin on his sternum. "Are you nervous?"
He took a moment to take the first sip of his black coffee. "Yeah, believe it or not."
Timber rolled her eyes. "They're just kids, how bad could it be?" He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Touché."
They stood there in companionable silence for a few moments before she spoke back up. "So, one vehicle or separate?" Now, isn't that the elephant in the room? She watched him run a hand down his face, which she had noticed over the years, is his tell for when he is tired or anxious. "Separate I think just to make it easier on you, I mean kids can be weird about that stuff and we can just meet up at the office. I am sure there is going to be things we will need to take care of together due to marital status. For which they cannot discriminate against you. There's paperwork to take care of separately as well I imagine."
"That seems smart."
Timber P.O.V.
Parking my Kia Sportage in the student parking lot, I took a few deep breathes. You are fine, everything is fine. So far, my car is the only one in the lot. Thirty minutes early. Good. After pulling out my bag, I locked the doors and headed towards the main entrance to the high school campus. The office is quite easy to find, it is directly to the right when you clear the entrance doors.
Upon walking in there was a large wooden desk that faces the door and the three windows that look out into the hall. An older lady is seated at the desk, the name plate read Mrs. Golden. Her hair was done up in a Gibson girl style and wearing a plain deep brown calico dress with a high collar. Are those mutton sleeves? As she is seated I can't be sure how tall she is, but she appears to be tiny. With her small little gold toned wire rimmed glasses, complete with tiny gold chain, perched upon her little nose, she looks to have waltzed right out of an Edwardian era novel. Hearing me approach her desk she looked up. "Oh, good morning! You must be Timber, right?" An English accent. This Lady is adorable!
"Yes ma'am."
"Well, you just have a seat right there in one of those chairs, and I'll get you the correct forms." She seems to be very sweet. Mrs. Golden returned with a clip board with papers on it and a pen. There is no way she clears five feet tall. "While you are working on these, I will print out your schedule, which will have your locker number on it. I will issue your Chromebook and lock before you leave."
"Thank you." Taking the clip board I skimmed the first page. I could hear Mrs. Golden bustling about behind her desk and clicking away on her keyboard. I am about halfway through the forms when someone else walks in, wanting to get finished with the forms, I didn't look up.
"Good morning, can I help you, sir?"
"Good morning, my name is Glen Jacobs, April Mathews asked me to fill in for her." Glenn. I glanced up to see a relieved smile on Mrs. Golden's face. "Oh yes, Mr. Jacobs, we are so happy you agreed! With it being so sudden and last minute, we didn't know what we were going to do long term. Let me finish getting this printed out for a student and I will get what you need. You can have a seat it you like, but this will only take a moment." He chose to remain standing. The kind lady printed off the paper, looked over at me and held it out. "Timber, dear, this is ready for you."
Walking over to her desk, I took the still warm paper from her hand and glanced over it. Wait I get out at lunch? No Athletics? I need athletics to play softball. I'm going to need to change that, but they got the rest right. Maybe I can be an aid or something, to fill in the time blocks until that period. They were talking and she handed Glen a small stack of papers. I waited for a break in the conversation. "Excuse me, Mrs. Golden? It says that I don't have athletics, I'm planning on playing softball. Is it possible to get that changed?"
"That is certainly doable, but you would have to stay on campus for the remainder of the day. We would have to figure something else out to fill that time. According to your transcript you have enough credits for an early dismissal, is that not something you would rather do? Most students would jump at the chance to leave early." "Yes, ma'am I understand, but I really want to play softball. I have not been able to play for a school before and I was really looking forward to that opportunity." Mrs. Golden smiled and patted my hand. "Well, let us get this fixed then. It may take a little more time and you may miss some if not all your first class, but I think that will be all right. Just have a seat and finish those forms. I have an idea that I am certain will work, based on your credentials, but we will need to speak with the Principal, Mr. Carter and Ms. Sommers our guidance counselor first." "Yes, ma'am thank you." The lady certainly is sweet. Very particular and very dainty.
Taking my seat once again, I hear Glen clear his throat. "Actually, I need to speak with Mr. Carter and Ms. Sommers as well if that would be alright? It will only take a few minutes of their time."
"I certainly don't anticipate a problem with that. Please have a seat, they may be a few moments, they monitor the students arriving on the buses." He took the seat beside me and seemed to take several quiet breathes. Preparing for the interesting conversation to come no doubt. He looked over at me and gave a small smile. He was going to say something when a short thin man with a deeply receding hairline and a middle-aged woman in a smart pencil skirt and blazer walked into the office. "Oh Mr. Carter, Ms. Sommers. This is Mr. Jacobs he is the gentleman that Mrs. Mathews spoke with us about. He would like to speak with you both briefly."
Glen stood up, gave a gentle smile and shook both of their hands," Glen Jacobs, it's nice to meet you both." They both seemed a little surprised at his height but recovered quickly. They responded in kind to his introduction. Mr. Carter had a worried look on his face. "What can we do for you? You haven't changed your mind have you?"
Glen chuckled a little and I tried to hide my smile. "No, no, nothing like that. April would have my head, she's my younger sister and I would never hear the end of it. What I need to discuss, actually involves Timber." He gestures towards me. "Would it be possible to close the door, we don't really want students aware of the situation just yet." They, including Mrs. Golden, have confused looks on their faces. Ms. Sommers, being closer to the door, gently closed it and verified that the lock caught.
Glenn P.O.V.
Looking at the expressions on the faculty members' faces, it was obvious that they are confused. Glancing at Timber, if I didn't know her as well as I do, I would have missed it, she looks terrified but is obviously trying to put on a brave face as she stands up to join the conversation. Turning back to the matter at hand. "This wont take up too much of your time, but it may be better if we sit for this conversation." Once we are all again seated, I continue. "Did April mention what I do for a living?" They nodded and Mr. Carter spoke up. "Yes, she did, this isn't very professional of me, but I'm going to say it anyway, I am a fan Mr. Jacobs." I could not help but smile at that. That could certainly come in handy. "Good to know, you can call me Glen. That makes explaining some of this a lot easier. I sustained an injury on the job about six weeks ago and underwent surgery to repair said injuries a little over five weeks ago. So if anything comes back in the drug test, that's why. It does still bother me quite a bit, I'm not really supposed to be full fledged on it yet. I did consult my doctor yesterday after April and I spoke he said that this would not be a problem seeing as it isn't necessary to be up on it all of the time." I pause to take a sip of my coffee, to give me a chance to decide how to say what is coming next, but to also give them a chance to ask questions.
Once again it is Mr. Carter. "Could you have them fax or email a letter of release?" I nodded. "Sure, that won't be a problem." Ms. Sommers raised her hand a bit and spoke up. "I'm not trying to be rude in anyway, but how does Timber," she gestures towards her, "fit into this?" Since she is the guidance counselor, I can appreciate her concern.
"Three weeks ago, a good while before April's medical concerns came to light," I took a deep breathe and just decided to lay it out there, no way to really ease into it. "We decided to get married." It was comical the way they were all blinking like owls, in confusion of course. "I am so very confused." I can tell by the look on your face lady. Apparently, I needed to explain just a little bit, but Timber beat me to it.
"Glen and I got married three weeks ago. Before my sister-in-law asked him to fill in for her, I was already planning to transfer to this campus." I took back over, seeing her start to get nervous again. "This is not going to be an issue on our part."
Mr. Carter shook his head. "I don't foresee it being an issue on ours either. However, Timber if you need something you just see one of us alright?" She nodded "Thank you Mr. Carter."
Mrs. Golden, daintily, cleared her throat. "Mr. Carter, Ms. Sommers there is something we need to discuss concerning her schedule. If you are all done here?" Sweet lady trying to help. Knew I liked her. I nodded and rose to leave. Throwing a smile at Timber. "See you later." She just nodded before I walked out the door.
Timber P.O.V.
After Glen left, Mrs. Golden explained the situation with my schedule and made a proposition. "I saw from your transcript and schedule that you are taking an office administration course, is that correct?"
Surprised and the question, I nodded. "Yes Ma'am, I am wanting to pursue a bachelor's degree in it after getting my certification." Ms. Sommers smiled. "Well it certainly sounds like you have a plan." I nodded and Mrs. Golden continued. "How would you like some hands on training while you work on those?" I don't think my smile could have gotten any bigger. "I would love that."
"Well the second half of the day, you can be my Administrative Assistant if it is alright with Mr. Carter?" At his nod she continued. "Well, let's get that schedule adjusted, shall we?"
As expected, I had missed half of my first class. So I was allowed to walk around and familiarize myself with the building. Bathrooms, check. Library, Check check. Science lab, Check. Calculus room, check . English room, Check. I couldn't help it. I stopped just outside the English two and four room. I peeked in the door window and saw Glenn with a look on his face, like someone just said or did something very stupid. Well… this should be interesting.
A.N.: Well, that is chapter 2 updated! Thanks for sticking with me.
~Leelan
