»Part Eight: Big Smile «

The Yack MS. YACKEL was handing me the homework when the bell rang, signaling the end of second period. I thanked her quietly and slipped the sheet into my overstuffed homework folder. I had been too lazy to clean it out for a few consecutive weeks, although I knew how badly it needed an organization job.

"See you tomorrow," she called in a dull tone as though she didn't mean it. Ms. Yackel, unlike Mr. Chmura, made no effort whatsoever to question Ed's attendance to the class for the following day—but it wasn't like I had expected her to or anything.

I made my way through the maze of desks, Ed following close behind as always. "Oh, you get to meet Cashel now!" I squealed as we stepped into the pod area. I had almost forgotten that it was Tuesday; meaning that the kids were there for Child Development class.

"Who'sat?" Ed asked, slurring his words.

"She's my preschooler," I said excitedly, "She's really cute; you'll like her." I wondered for a second if Ed might've thought that, when I said 'my preschooler,' I meant Cashel was my own kid. I quickly made a correction. "I mean, she's my preschool partner. For Child Development."

"Child Development?"

"Yeah, it's a class where we learn to care for little kids that come on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays," I explained, "But Cashel only comes on Tuesday—today."

"You mean like... babysitting?" he commented, sounding very uninterested.

"I guess so,"

Ed gave a half-groan, half-sigh. "How exciting."

"Oh, come on!" I tilted my back, then to the side as I looked at him.

He muttered something to himself about not being a babysitter.

"Besides," I added, "It's not like you have a choice."

As we approached the Child Development room, I could see that some of my other classmates were already inside. I peered into the cafeteria, walking steadily for a better glimpse of the people eating lunch. Ed sauntered beside me, his arms folded angrily across his chest.

"Remember, you have to be smiling when you're in there," I quietly reminded him as we neared the classroom. "It's a rule."

"That's a stupid rule," me murmured, acting very uncooperative.

"Yeah, well, I didn't make it up," we both stopped outside the door. I put my hands instructively on my hips, "Now, lemme see you smile!"

He pulled back the right section of his lips, bearing his teeth.

I raised a brow in disapproval. "Bigger smile," I ordered, "I mean it."

Ed looked around to see if anyone important was watching.

"How's this," he cracked a huge, fake smile. "Big enough for ya?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. Sure Cashel wouldn't be able to tell the difference, but Ed needed to learn a lesson on behavior or respect—or both. We turned and stepped meekly into the classroom.

I spotted Cashel sitting cross-legged in a mob of other preschoolers. The teacher, Mrs. Waters, stood up. She even had one of her own daughters in the program; a blond little girl named Lauren, about three years old, looked up at her mom.

"Alright everybody," Mrs. Waters started the class. She was always so full of energy; but I guess you kinda had to be when dealing with so many little kids. "Find your big buddies!"

Us—the students—were the 'big buddies' she was referring to.

"Oli!" a familiar voice called out. It was Cashel, my preschooler. She ran over and grabbed my knees, obviously having to look upwards just to see my face. She gazed excitedly at me with big, blue eyes that seemed to be her main feature, for they were often commented on. Cashel was three and a half and stood just up to my hips. Her straight, dirty-blond hair was shoulder-length and regularly pulled back into a ponytail. She smiled quickly, then let go of my pantleg with one hand and took a step back as she noticed my friend.

"Cashel," I cooed, "Can you said hi?"

She looked at me, then back at him. "Wha's your name?"

Ed was silent for a moment.

"Answer her!" I whispered harshly.

He shifted his golden eyes down to meet her blue ones, "Hi, my name's Ed." He smiled, almost looking interested.

"Oh, hi--" Cashel was sort of shy, often saying 'hi' or 'hello' very quickly.

"Isn't she cute?" I chirped.

"Yeah," he smiled again, possibly trying to hide his sudden realization of the earlier misjudgment. Then he half-admitted it, "She is pretty cute."