Hello lovely people,

Just a quick message as I wanted to inform you of something.
I am yet to decide whether or not this will be a Rizzles fiction. I have a couple of ideas, and it could go either way. I would like to assure you though, short of actual Rizzles, their relationship will be nothing less than a remarkably strong friendship, so please give it a chance.

Also, I don't remember if I ever pointed this out but, as some people have correctly suspected, Jane here is about grade 12, age 18.

Other than that, all I can say is that we're going to find this one out together.

Hope you're all happy and well.

The days travelled as per usual over the weeks that followed. Jane had made a conscious decision to study more, particularly history, in order to keep her reputation up. Whether she'd admit it or not, she knew exactly why she didn't do too well on that test. All the same, she had a life to live that wasn't going to wait just because she had something on her mind.
And so, she did. She made plans to study a little more for each subject, and pretty soon it became an unspoken part of her regular routine.

•••

The bell went, and students started collecting their things quickly so they could get home.
It'd been a week since the occurrence, and Jane had mostly put it to the back of her mind.

"Don't forget students, there will be a chapter quiz tomorrow," Miss Isles said as the students rushed out the door.

And the thoughts were back. Crap. Jane let out a small sigh but tried not to let it show. She had no reason to think she was going to fail, but she didn't really think that the last time either. In her mind though, she was set. She would study tonight and just try to survive tomorrow.

•••

"Oh, I nearly forgot. Just before you go students, I have your quizzes back for you today." She smiled reassuringly to the class implying that they hadn't all gotten zeros. "I do apologise that it has taken a little while to get these marked," two weeks to be exact, she said picking up a large pile of papers, "but I assure you feedback, good or bad, is always worth the wait."

The class became quite quiet in anticipation of their results. It was only a quiz, but it was always good to get good marks.

Miss Isles wandered around handing out each of the papers. She had started by quite clearly announcing the names of each of the students as she got to them, but it dissipated into mumbles as she realised it had no real benefit to the class considering it took twice as long to actually verbalise the words as it did to process them mentally. As she reached Jane, she laid it on the desk in front of her with a kind and somewhat pleased smile. Jane quickly glanced down at the page before a grin immediately developed on her face. "Yes!" She mumbled. Miss Isles had walked on to the next student by now though.

"Jane's back!" Korsak said softly nudging her upper arm.

Frost too gave a smile and a friendly pat her shoulder.

"Jane," she mocked, "was never gone. I always kick ass," she laughed.

"You all did quite well on this quiz, so I would like to thank you all for studying. You too should be quite proud of your results." She said professionally. "Should you have any questions regarding the test or your results, please don't hesitate to speak to me." The bell rang, so she tried to squeeze in, "And look them over for homework. They will help you in the future," she emphasised, but the students had already half gotten out the door. Admitting defeat, she moved onto her next item to attend to. "Jane, may I please speak to you quickly before your next class?" She said loud enough so that Jane (and her friends) could hear.

Jane looked up and relented. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said to Frost and Korsak who each had different subjects for the last period of the day.

"Bye," they practically said in sync with no intention of slowing down.

Jane couldn't help but roll her eyes a little at the fact that neither of them were paying practically any attention to her at all. It was understandable though because the next period she knew they both had Mr Dixon for woodshop and he was not fond of latecomers.
As she walked to the front, she was tempted to go on the defence and remark that she'd gotten a good mark on the quiz, - An 86, for that matter, - but decided it would be best not to seem too on edge. She decided to go with casual, instead. "Yep?" She said in a typical teenage way.

Maura just smiled this knowing smile as she began to speak. "I see you did better on test this time." She said with a smile before waiting patiently for a response.

"Yep," she smiled hesitantly. That was why she called me up? Jane glanced away trying to figure out what response Miss Isles was trying to invoke.

She waited momentarily before replying. "I am glad to see it," she said, still working out what was going on in Jane's head. "I also hope to continue seeing these marks from you," she paused. "You are certainly capable of attaining them, if not higher." She stopped once again, waiting for Jane to share something with her. A thought, a truth, anything. She cared a great deal for her students, and Jane was no exception.

Jane just nodded and let out a slightly nervous, "mhmm." She tried to make it sound confident and certain, but she was still a little too confused. She realised that this was obviously not what the teacher had been hoping for as she swears she watched her eyes roll back ever so slightly.

"Jane," she began to say quite persuasively, "I am glad to find that whatever may or may not have been going on during the last quiz has subsided, please know that you can always come talk to me. My door is always open. Or," she stated, "if perhaps there is another teacher or even a counsellor you would prefer to speak to, I can help to put you in contact with them."

Truthfully, Miss Isles didn't know what was going on, but it had almost immediately caused a sharp response from Jane at the possibility of getting anyone else involved. Offering a lending ear as a teacher, that's one thing. Offering to get more people that Jane had no interest in talking to involved, that was a whole other story. Breathe. "Ah, yeah," she said more nervously. "Thanks, but ah… I think we can just keep things between us for now." She made her best argument.

Miss Isles nodded understandingly. "You may go, but Jane," she insisted, "please talk to me if you ever need to. It's what I'm here for." Her eyes were kind, though she could still sense concern. "It can just be between us." She hoped that last part would make whatever 'freaked out' feelings Jane was experiencing settle.

She let out a small sigh of relief knowing that she wasn't going to take it any further. She nodded politely and thankfully with eyes closed, before gesturing toward the door to get to her next class.

Miss Isles simply politely nodded, hoping that her words had gotten through. She didn't know what was going on, but held strong her values and her duty of care as a teacher and a human with a little more experience of the world.

As Jane too began to hurry through the corridors to her next class, she was faced with somewhat conflicted emotions.
At the time, she was a little too worked up to realise it, but a part of her (even if it was just a small one) had begun to welcome the presence of Miss Isles. Whether she could decipher her actions or not, they seemed to be with genuinely caring intentions and some part of Jane's brain was beginning to realise that.

•••

A couple of days later on her way to school, she sent an e-mail.

To: m. .

Subject: Year 12 History

To Miss Isles,

I was wondering if your offer to do some tutoring was still there?
If not thats totally fine. Just figured Id ask.

Thanks

Jane – Year 12

[sent from an iphone]

About five minutes later she receive a reply. Of course she's prompt, she thought to herself.

To: jane. .

Subject: RE: Year 12 History

Good morning Jane,

Thank you for getting in touch.

The offer still stands. Usually I offer sessions before and after school, however I am flexible that, if we each have a period that corresponds with the other's availability, I am happy to organise something then also. Please let me know what would suit you best.

Have a good day.
Regards,

Miss Isles

Hello lovely readers!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being patient with me and thank you for reading this chapter! I truly hope you're enjoying the story so far and would genuinely love any feedback or ideas you may have! Please don't hesitate to leave a comment or send me a message!
I'd also love to know what you'd like to happen next.

Hope you're all happy and well.

CC