Peyton smiled to herself as she graded the Art History tests she had administered earlier to her freshman class. They had groaned, griped and complained but overall, the marks were pretty good. In fact they were more than good. Peyton couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that the kids were actually learning something from her. Undoubtedly she did have their attention. As she looked out on her second class, who were taking an easier quiz of matching famous artists to their equally famous work, she had the feeling that it had all been worth it…the struggles at first and even the frustration of having to fund two classes out of her own pocket. Not only could she teach, she could make a difference somehow, maybe inspire them and for a couple hours five days a week, they could escape into the fun world that had saved her soul and sanity when she was their age.

The calm and quiet was interrupted by the loud ring of Peyton's cell phone.

"Ooooh, Peyton, you know Dr. Adams don't allow no cell phones during school hours", Arianna said from her desk. "If I don't get an A on this test, I might have to let it slip…"

"I'll keep that in mind", Peyton playfully rolled her eyes.

Her kids were a riot. Each had their own unique personalities and sometimes they said and did the darndest things. One of the hardest parts about being a teacher sometimes was keeping her emotions in check and not bursting out laughing at their comical antics, especially during inappropriate times.

Peyton checked the ID. It was Brooke.

"Dude, what's up?" Peyton spoke into the receiver in a quiet voice.

"What are you doing?" the brunette chirped happily.

"I'm in the middle of a class."

"Oh…that."

Peyton could almost see her frowning.

"Brooke, what's going on? What do you want?"

"I'm bored."

Peyton laughed in spite of herself.

"Brooke…"

"What?"

"You're bored so you call me in the middle of the day to chit chat when you know I'm teaching?"

"Yeah. So?"

"Brooke Scott!"

"What? Give them a test or something. That should keep them occupied."

"That's what I'm doing now and it's working, thank you very much but it still doesn't mean I can just chit chat away on the phone."

"Fine", her best friend sighed dramatically. "Be that way then. Pick them over me, your very best Diva since we could practically walk."

Peyton rolled her eyes. No, Brooke would never change.

"I'll call you in a couple of hours", Peyton said before she hung up. "You can torture my poor soul with one of your infamous guilt trips then."

Placing the phone on her desk, she shook her head before going back to work. Terrell had finished his assignment and walked it up to her for turn in.

"All done, dude?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"You double check your answers?"

"Yes", he sighed. "Peyton, can we talk? I need to tell you something."

The little boy looked sad and serious as if the weight of the world were on his small shoulders. The teacher was certainly concerned about one of her favorite pupils.

"What's up?" she asked softly, pulling an additional chair up and motioning for him to sit down beside her. "Of course you can talk to me, Terrell. What's going on?"

He took a deep breath.

"I…I don't know how to say this."

"Just say it…"

"Fine. It's like this. Cassandra Jones has been peeping me out in Social Studies. She wants to be my lady. Now this is the deal, she's cute and I guess I like her but you know my heart belongs with you."

"Terrell…"

"I respect the fact that you got responsibilities at home and I know it must be hard getting rid of Jake. He's a nice dude and we've got to let him down easy but I got needs. I hate to give you an ultimatum and all but you got three days, Teach. If you ain't ready to let Jake go by then, I'm sorry. I have to move on."

He sympathetically patted her hand and was dead serious. It took all Peyton had not to fall out laughing right there. She bit her lip and composed herself.

"Well, Terrell…you're right. It's just too hard. I don't blame you for moving on."

"I guess it wasn't meant to be."

"Guess not. Besides, you don't want an old lady like me. You need a nice 12 year old."

"12? Come on, Peyton. Cassandra is a real woman. She's 13."

"She's cute", Peyton smiled.

"No hard feelings? Friends?"

"Always", she winked as she shook her head and heard her phone again. "Brooke, I told you I'd call you back, dude…"

"Mrs. Jagielski? Peyton Jagielski?"

"Yes? Who is this?"

"John Langdon. I'm the principal at your step daughter's school…"

"Of course" she sighed. "What can I do for you, sir?"

They had become acquainted over the last week since Jenny had enrolled. In a matter of days she had managed to get into a fight with another student and curse out a teacher. Peyton was beginning to think she should include Mr. Langdon in on their Friends and Family cell plan.

"Where do I start? It seems Jenny is having some academic troubles. Her English teacher, Ms. Carson expressed some concern about Jenny's reading level. It would be great if you and your husband could provide the transcripts from her last school…"

Peyton cringed. Sure, if they could get a hold to them.

"Um, about that…they are on their way, sir", she slightly fibbed. "Jake and I are working on it, I assure you."

"Very well, ma'am. And the behavioral issues…"

"Is it any better?"

"No."

"I…I'm sorry. She's not a bad kid. She's just been through some things and this adjustment is really new for her. We'll wok with her. I promise. Is she in with you now?"

"No, which brings me to the second issue. It seems our little Jenny has skipped school."

Peyton sighed.

"Great…"

"Shall I call the police? The truant officer, maybe?"

"No, Mr. Langdon. That won't be neccasary. I know where she is and I will take care of it. Thanks and I apologize again."

Peyton hung up and glanced at the clock. A half hour left in class. She stood, grabbed her keys and bag and told the kids that if they were good, she'd reward them the next day. Then she ran down the hall and knocked on Haley's door.

"Everything okay?" Haley asked.

"No. I don't know. Jenny ditched school. I have to go find her."

"Oh no. I'm so sorry…"

"It'll be okay. You'll look in on my class until bell?"

Haley nodded and Peyton thanked her and ran out to the car. She weaved in and out of traffic quickly in order to make it home where she prayed the girl was. Sure enough, Jenny was holed up in her room. Peyton entered without knocking. Jenny didn't look up.

"Kind of early for you to be out of class."

Peyton smirked.

"I could say the same thing to you. What's up, Jenny?"

"It's bullshit."

"Hey. Watch your mouth, please."

"Well, it is and I didn't want to be there any more."

"That's not a good enough excuse."

Jenny rolled her eyes.

"Fine. What if I told you I had a really bad stomach ache?"

"Do you?"

"I do if it'll make you go away and leave me alone."

Peyton sighed.

"Not gonna happen. We need to talk…"

"I don't like talking."

"You don't like a lot of things. Talking, going to bed at a decent hour, eating meals with your family, behaving in school and following rules in general."

"So?"

"So, things are going to change around here. Look, I know this is hard for you. It's weird for us all but Jake and I are trying. You could at least do the same."

"Whatever."

Whatever? Peyton had just about had it.

"Okay, we've been trying to cut you some slack but this is getting out of hand. Your father gets home tonight. The minute he does, I expect you downstairs. We are going to have a little family meeting. You got me?"

Jenny just glared at her.

"You're not my mother", she said icily.

Peyton was taken aback.

"I know that, Jenny. I'm not trying to take her place. I'd like to be your friend but you aren't leaving me much choice."

Jenny refused to speak and Peyton just took a deep breath. Something had to give and soon. Maybe it would all work out once Jake came back home. Only time would tell a few hours later…