As the children started loading into the class, the noise went up as well. But it was the weekend, and I know children this age want to say everything that happens in their lives.

"Ms. Argenten, what are lunch options?" A student asked.

I didn't look at her, but I recognized the voice that talks during every video. "It's on the board, Ava. Just like it's always been." I pointed to the multiple things they could order. She nodded and went up there.

"So, how was your weekend, Ms. Argenten?" Rowly put his elbows on my desk and looked at me directly in the eye. I swear this kid is trying to break me. 

"I stayed home and watched TV shows." I leaned into his face and moved back a bit to not feel his breath in my face.

"Are you sure that's all you did?" He had his questioning face on. 

"Well, I did do something else."

His ears perked up just like a dog, "What was it?"

"I went to sleep." I chuckled. He frowned at me, then stood up.

"I know your hiding something. And I know your real name." He looked at his hands." It's May, right?"

I nodded. 

"Could I call you Ms. May, then?"

"Sure, but don't tell any of those strict teachers. They'll tell you to stop."

He did a goofy salute, then walked over to his desk and started talking to his friends. And his very obvious crush.

Rowly was the most oblivious student I've had. He shows his emotions on his face, and usually, he is abnormally obnoxious. I've talked to his second grade and fifth-grade teachers, and they both said that he was the shyest boy. That is almost unbelievable, but people can change a lot over the years.

"Okay!" I clapped my hands and rose from my desk." It is now eight-fifteen, so we need to get started. As you already know, if all the students are here today, then that's one more day closer to a free dress. But, Adam isn't here is he?"

Most of the students shook their heads.

"I have talked with the office, and we're going to not count him, but he'll still get the free dress like the rest of you."

Adam was always sick, and he was last seen with a cast on his arms and legs. I know Adam is okay, but I'm ordered to not talk about him a lot with the students. Makes sense, but I think his friends should know if he's okay or not. 

"Also," I walked over to the board. "Who here brought a phone with them?"

Half of the class raised their hands.

"Alright, I won't tell anybody. Let's begin."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"So then I asked if any of them had brought a phone, then basically everybody raised their hands! I am not kidding, Lil. Isn't that crazy?"

She just laughed. Right now, we were eating microwaved pizza from yesterday. The whole half of the day was just me going through the Monday schedule with the students. 

"Did anyone question that shirt." She tugged on the hem and looked at my neck.

"Rowly did. Nothing gets past him." I laughed along with her. 

"I actually came here to ask you something." She let go of my shirt and sighed. "You're good with people, and the students talk about you a lot. Do you know Sarah Wind?"

Sarah didn't ring any bell in my hollow head, but I did have a couple of Winds' over the years. Sarah must've been the youngest.

"She was talking to me about liking another girl or something, and she told me that since I was your, 'bestie' then I would get you to have a little chat with her."

"So you sold me?"

"You aren't being paid."

I nodded and chuckled a bit," I can get her now."

She smiled and hugged me. "Thanks, babe. I knew you were the right person." 

I hugged her back and kissed her forehead. "Where is she?"

"Probably outside." She got up and went to the door.

"So you let me kiss you with a person watching?"

"Calm down. She's sitting on the carpet outside."

"That's better." I rolled my eyes. 

She waved me over to the door, and there stood Sarah Wind. All the winds had a nice set of hair, but she looked like she had green eyes, not the silver the Winds had usually.

She waved at me and tilted her head to the left. " Thanks."

I shrugged, "I didn't even do anything yet. You can thank me after. And apparently, I'm not getting paid." I elbowed Lillian, and she moved when I went in for the second hit. 

"Are you going to take this seriously?" Sarah looked at me with her stone-cold eyes. I felt a chill.

I nodded and turned away slowly. "Got it. No goofing."

I went towards one of the tables and pointed to a seat in front of me. 

"I came here because Ms. Spore told me that you were the best person to talk to. Though I'm starting to reevaluate coming. I have no idea why I would need to get some advice from a straight woman. I need a connection."

Excuse me? Did this girl? This fifteen-year-old girl.

"I would like you to know that I am gay and I more than qualified to help you with your problems! I got thrown out when I was fourteen, and I lived with my older sister for three years. And do NOT talk to a teacher like that!"

I huffed and leaned back in my chair. Lillian put her hand in m lap. 

"I like you. So, are you going to help me? I can already tell that felt great. Screaming is a pretty good stress reliever."

"Sure." I looked at her again, "What seems to be the problem?"

Lillian snorted.

"My mom has been dropping some sort of hints for the past few days.  I don't know what she wants, but she made me watch frozen. Then she asked how do I like Elsa on a scale of one to ten!"

"She's a solid nine." Lillian nodded. 

"But when I asked her about it, she said to figure it out. And yesterday, my dad started to do the same thing. He said he didn't care if I like a dump truck. Then my mom hit him on the head."

"Child," Lillian rested her elbows in her lap, then put her chin on her neck, "Do you like anyone?"

"Yeah, there's this girl in your class that's I've talked to. Her name is Mary. I've taken her over to my house a couple of times."

Lillian nodded, "So your parents know you have a crush on her, and they want you to know that they're okay with it. So talk with them when you get home, then they might stop with that behavior."

Sarah looked at her with wide eyes. "Wow, really?"

I laughed," Yep, easy as pie, but please don't tell everyone I'm gay. They don't know, and I love making fun of them."

"Don't tell anybody about me either."

I smiled, but she just looked at me with a stern look. This girl is hard to crack, and very disrespectful. All the other Winds were the nicest and funniest kids in eighth grade. She's different, but that doesn't mean I don't like her.

"You can go now. Lunch has ten minutes left."

She smiled this time, then her cheeks got crimson," I'll be in the art room with Mary. We're working on a little book."

Lillian chuckled," Then go. I'm glad we can help with your obviously solvable situation."

Sarah rolled her eyes and got up. "See you in class, Ms. Spore. Ms. Argenten, I hope this never happens again."

I saluted," Same here. Please don't talk to a teacher like that. You'll get expelled. And  kind of like you."

She turned around and moved her head to the right," Not, like, like, right?"

"No, I have a girlfriend."

"Who?"

I turned my head to Lillian, then she turned away. I chuckled," I'm telling everybody you are my girl by the end of the month for sure!"

Sarah's eyes got wide." So when I asked you for advice, you handed me off when you aware you're in the same situation?"

Lillian shrugged," Sometimes I don't want to do everything by myself. And I'm terrible with talking with that type of stuff."

"You won't talk about gay things, but you don't mind blood? Sometimes, I wonder who you are." I crossed my arms.

"I am the girl you love, and you can't say I'm wrong."

I leaned close, "That may or may not be true."

She leaned close, then planted a kiss on my forehead. "It better be."

"You know-"

"Okay, so I only asked a question, not a demonstration, please don't do this." I turned to Sarah, who was now beet red and slowly backing away.

"You might have your goal done by tomorrow."