48 Vol 2 Lost Memories / Meeting The Pas (1/2)

It was a rainy day. I was running on the sidewalk, passing by all the people with a worried look on my face. My suitcase was orbiting me as I was making my way in the crowd.

It was my first day as a teacher in my new school, and I was a bit late to the opening. It wasn't entirely my fault, but in the end it didn't matter; it would leave a bad first impression on most people no matter the reason. I would be a new, young teacher who was late to school on the very first day. The fact I had forgotten my umbrella made me feel even worse, my clothes were wet and my hair was messy.

My new school was located far away from most of the city, literally in the woods. I was thinking of using that as an excuse; the distance of the school and the lack of public transportation. Thinking of it, why would someone even build a school here?

I finally saw the school building when I walked down a stone path. ”Chersonese High”. The school itself wasn't popular, but the mere size of the building would impress anyone at first sight.

Without enjoying the view for long, I ran into the school building from the main enterance, and immediately started searching for the WC. I wanted to tidy up my clothes and hair before I saw anyone. I got in front of a mirror and gave myself a better overall look.

Just when I got back into the hallway, someone saw me. He was a slightly fat man, he looked like he was in his thirties. He was wearing a green sweater on his shirt.

”Oh, who it is am I seeing? Might you be... the new teacher people were talking about?” he asked in a cheerful voice. ”Welcome!” he said as he patted me on the back.

”Ah, thanks!” I said. I wasn't expecting to be greeted just outside the WC. ”Did the lessons start already?” I asked, worryingly.

”Oh, yes. It is a shame no one is here to greet you yet.” he said. ”But a few teachers don't have lessons in the first hour, so they are sitting in the teachers' room. You might feel comfortable there.”

He held my arm and started walking. I felt a bit relieved as I remembered I had no lessons planned on the first hour either. I was late to the opening, but not to my first lesson.

”Here, this way.” he said and pointed into the hallway. ”The building is rather big and complex, so it is easy to get lost here in the first few days. If you ever get lost, you can just ask someone nearby to help.”

”Thanks, you are really helpful.” I replied as I followed him.

He opened the door of the teachers' room.

”Look at what I found on my way here.” he raised his voice, so everyone in the teachers' room could hear him. Everyone looked up to me, and I couldn't help feeling slightly embarrased in front of all the new people I met.

”Welcome, please make yourself comfortable.” a woman said, looking at me over her glasses. She was holding a thick book in her hands.

”Being late from the first day is a pretty big fail.” a man in white shirt said. ”But we can let it go unnoticed if you pay for the lunch.” He winked at me.

I could not reply, I was only looking around the room, trying to memorise everything.

”Oh, I see why you are feeling so... alien. Let us properly introduce ourselves.” said the man in green sweater. ”I am Okan, a maths teacher just like you, except better.” he said.

”Don't listen to him.” interrupted the younger man in white shirt. ”By the way, I am Ege. The other math teacher.”

”Right now, I am the only one in this room who is not a math teacher.” the woman with the book said. ”I am Sinem, and please guess what I might be teaching.”

”Uhm... History?” I said.

”Literature.” she replied, and kept reading her book.