Chapter 14
The smell of chalk, the clanging of locker doors, the scuffling of shoes on the hallway. The raised voices. Everything mundane in a normal day in every high school. But for Sydney it was a whole new world, a world where she no control. But a different place where she can escape almost from her troubles. Her Aunt's, Claudia Vaughn, and even more sad to admit, Laura, and what she was going through at that moment in time.
Sydney stood at the front of the class and looked around, at what awaited for her. The multitude of desks, the flag by the blackboard, her desk waiting to be filled with papers.
Sydney's musings were broken by the clanging of the bell calling the kids to class. The time to start was now upon her. The door opened and the kids started to clatter there way in.
"Okay everyone, settle down and take a seat" Sydney said out loud with authority. Her first real act as this person.
After waiting a few moments for the stragglers to make their way in. The ones who always dawdle from homeroom, she precede to introduce herself.
"I'm Miss Sydney Bristow, and I'll be your English teacher for this year and for some of you, your Government teacher. Okay Class, I know this is a pain, but there is a few ground rules that I need to go over. Number one: I expect everyone to put maximum effort into anything set and hand it in on time. Number two: Tardiness will not be tolerated. Look, I want you to work hard but have fun. So any questions?"
A guy with a black t-shirt raised his hand and Sydney nodded at him.
"So do you have a boyfriend, if not fancy going on a date sometime?"
Fits of laughter went through the room.
"I'm really flattered, but I'm almost twice your age, I have a five year old daughter and I'm also your teacher." Sydney deadpanned to them. No seriously now, is there any questions you need to ask."
One of the girls of the class raised her hand, the one with the vivdly blonde hair, reminding Sydney of all them wigs she had to wear.
"What are we going to be studying then?"
Just when she Sydney was going to answer, her cell phone started to ring,
"Oh," She said on the way out "I don't allow Cells in class."
This comment got a round of giggles out of the class.
Sydney got out of the classroom and looked at the screen, it was Laura's school.
"Bristow here."
"Hi, Miss Bristow, It's Mrs Dillon here, theirs been an incident at school involving her. I'm just wondering if you could pop in to pick her up"
"I working at the moment. New job. But either my mother of sister will come in and try and sort it."
"Thank you. But at your next convenient time can you pop."
"That's fine. Thank you for informing me,. Bye"
"Bye Miss Bristow."
The phone went dead at the other end. Sydney quickly set about speed dialling Irina. Holding the phone to head for what seemed for ever. Only hearing the ringing tone.
"For god's sake Mom. The one time I need you and your not at home." She said hanging up the call.
So Sydney started dialling the phone, desperately hoping the someone would happen. Success occurred as someone picked it up.
"Santos here."
"Nadia, thank god. Are you doing anything at the moment?"
"No, day of work. What do you want?"
"There's been an incident at Laura's school involving her. And seeing it's my first day at work, it wouldn't be good to leave. Mom's not answering, so please can you go and get her for me?"
"Fine, but you owe me. What time are you finishing work?"
"About 4, I'll pop around your apartment to collect her. See if can straighten up exactly what is going on with her."
"Sure, see you later. And what I'm I second choice to Mom. I'm hurt." Nadia adding sarcastically.
"Ha, Ha. Nads very funny. See u." Sydney said just before hanging up her phone.
Looking at the Classroom door she stared into it. Her new day already going wrong before it had even started. But hey that was life. Plain and simple Teacher Sydney had to reign her. Not Spy Sydney, Sister Sydney, Daughter Sydney or Mother Sydney."
"Ok, Time to get started. " Sydney said coming back into the class. "So who here had heard of The Canterbury Tales?"