Here is chapter 9. It has little action, but is super important! Definately necessary to continue the story. Anyway... here we go.

In her car, Mary thought back to earlier that morning. "Mary, if you shoot me, I'll leave you. I can't avoid leaving if you do it." At first they were just playing, but when he said that, that's when things turned bad.

'How could he say that. I wouldn't ever hurt him. He had to know that. So why did he say he would leave. That he couldn't avoid what I do?'

Almost to the school, she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. She had something more important to do know. She has to teach history (something she knows a decent amount about and is pretty much out of a textbook to make it a little easier) to a bunch of ninth graders. This is going to be a challenge, but she already knows everything she needs to for today.

'The name thing will be a little hard, but I am sure I can do it.'

As she pulled into the parking lot, she saw a group a girls going into the school. She also saw a boy student walking alone. She got out, grabbed her bag and started toward the doors. At the main office, she introduced herself to the secretaries and principal, and headed to her room.

She knew right where it is, and didn't get lost.

'I guess that map did come in handy,' she thought.

As she arrived to her room she heard a lot of noise coming from the hallway around the corner. Walking fast-paced, she turned the corner to see two older boys cornering the lone boy from the parking lot.

"Hey you!" she yelled at them. They started to make a run for it, but she grabbed their shirts and waits for the other teacher to finish his walk down the hall.

"Sorry," he apologized. "I just heard the noise when I saw you handling it quite efficiently. I must say I'm impressed. I'll take these two to the principal."

"Thank you," she told him.

He looked at her again, and then left with the troublemakers.

"Are you okay?" Mary asked the other boy.

"Yeah. Thanks. You must be the new history teacher."

"Um, yeah. That's me. And you are…"

"Matt, Matt Belser."

"Nice to meet you, Matt. I'm Mrs. Denvick," she said with a smile that was as real as she could make it at this moment.

"Well good luck. The first day is always the hardest. You know, meeting everyone, remembering names, stuff like that," he smiled back.

He left for his class as the warning bell rang.

'Oh, great. Five minutes before I get to teach. What a great way to start your first day as a teacher.'

She headed to her class, making to her desk before the tardy bell rang.

"Good morning class. My name is Mrs. Denvick. I am your new teacher. Let's start things off with going through everyone's names quickly…"

Walking through the doors of Daisy's Flower Shop, Marshall was overcome by the smell of fresh roses and other flowers. He was greeted by the elderly lady behind the counter.

"Hello," he returned. "I am looking for something extra special for a special someone."

"Oh, Darlin', what did you do, if you don't mind me askin'," she asked with a sympathy smile.

"Am I really that easy to read?" he asked surprised.

"No, not you. But the last three people made their 'special someone' mad. It was just a good guess."

He chuckled. "Oh well, I actually have no idea. What you do think I should do?"

"Well, I suggest something small. Make her a nice dinner, show her how sorry you are. But before you do anything, find out what it was that you did. That will make her the happiest. Think hard. It'll come. How 'bout a half dozen red and white roses with some baby's breath in some tissue paper?"

"Um, she isn't exactly the time for romance. I don't know."

"Okay, then how 'bout one red rose and one white rose. The red stands for love and the white for…"

"Honesty. I know. Sounds good. But what about dinner? Still the best thing?" She smiles at him.

"It sounds like you know her pretty well. Maybe you should figure something out. You would do better than I." She grabbed the two roses, adds a small amount of baby's breath, and a small water cartridge.

"Here you go, Darlin'. Best of luck to you. I know you'll do just fine. Just remember what I said. Figure out the problem first and it will resolve itself," she said while handing him the flowers.

"Okay, thank you so much." He handed her a ten. "Keep the change."

"Thanks. And just so you know your special someone is very lucky to have you," she smiles.

"Oh, she deserves much more. That is sure."

"I highly doubt it. You're pretty special yourself," she told him as he went out the door.

"All right, class. Your assignment is to finish the worksheet. It will be due tomorrow as class starts. Remember all work is half credit if turned in late."

Her students left the room and she mentally thanked God, the first hour was already over.

'Three more times and I'm done.'

New students started walking in and she studied every single one. The first four where girls, who walked in together. Mary figured they cared more about the trip to the mall they were planning for that night than the homework she would assign. The boy from earlier walked in.

'Matt. That's his name.'

Behind his a girl walked in followed by a boy.

"Come on sweetheart. I know you wanna. I know you like me," the boy said to the girl.

"Stop it, Josh. Leave me alone. How many times do I need to tell you that?"

"I will stop when I know you mean it," he said while leaning in to pull her into a hug.

"Hey, she said stop. Knock it off," Mary jumped in.

"Whoa, sorry. I was just playing." He looked at Mary and winked. Then he turned around and walked away slowly.

"Yeah well, take your seats. What's your name?" she asked the girl.

"Cheri Manstead," she told Mary with an anxious smile.

"And who was that?" Mary asked nodding toward the boy.

"Oh him? That's Josh. Josh Backer."

"Does he have a serious problem?"

"It's fine."

"You're sure?" she asked Cheri seriously.

"Mm hum," she said quickly, maybe not too sure.

Mary looked at her carefully, then turned around and started to the front of the class.

"My name is Mrs. Denvick. I am your new teacher. Let's take attendance, shall we?"

Thanks to those of you who are reviewing and to my beta NsCvIuS. The next chapter will be up as soon as I figure out what to write and find time to write it!