I made it through the day.

It was a tall order to fill, but I promised I would teach multiple classes when I came back. I was exhausted by the end of my shift so when I told Rae I wanted to postpone our night out together she didn't hesitate either. We had kids between the ages of 5-10 for the last 2 hours, and our energy sources were completely depleted.

I said goodbye to her after we finished putting the studio back into its original neat and tidy form and I lugged myself to the bus stop.

I thought I would fall asleep on the bus, but I managed to stay awake. It wasn't a long commute, but it was long enough to feel a bit tedious because of the remote area that the mansion was located. Luckily there was public transportation strategically placed nearby the rich areas so that even if I had to walk to a street to get on it at least it had been there.

By the time I got back around 7pm, I was emotionally and physically spent. It didn't feel like I could stomach dinner so I told Edna I would go straight to bed, and when I woke up, I would have a large breakfast. She agreed and told me to have a snack if I woke up late in the night.

I could barely make it to my bed. When I hit the pillow, I passed out almost immediately. It seemed like doing business-related affairs was slightly less taxing on my body, at least in the span of 24 hours, which was ironic.

Edna was right, though. Even after sleeping as long as I could, I woke up at around 1am hungry. I decided to get something in the kitchen to eat, which I did, but upon hearing someone else coming in as well, I slid to the side and hid behind the counter. I hadn't turned on the lights, but she flicked them on. I didn't know why the hell I had to hide, but with a handful of grapes in my hands, I peered over the counter, watching Cassandra, in her silk nightgown grab a bottle of wine from the cabinet.

When she turned around, I saw her in a bright green face mask and nearly lost my senses, since I wasn't expecting that. I pressed my lips together and held my hand to my heart. She started humming loudly to herself before leaving, turning the lights off as she left.

I shook my head and then crawled to the side looking left and right. I eventually bolted back up to my room. But before I went back, there was a light strumming noise coming from Charlie's room. I stopped, thinking I must have been hearing things, but when I backed up towards the front of his door I could hear an acoustic guitar in the background.

As far as I knew, Charlie was the only one in his room most of the time. I wondered if he played any instruments. But why would he be playing when everyone was asleep? Didn't he also have to get up early for school? I thought about it momentarily, and decided that it wasn't the right time (literally and figuratively) to talk to him... I wandered back into my room...

I woke up early in the morning and I thought about what I could do for the next several hours before I went to work. It dawned on me that I hadn't seen Peter and his team for a while so I wanted to go to Ravenwolf. I thought it would be a good idea to bring something to them. To thank them for all that they had done for me. I had to think about what that would be...

I had a light breakfast, gathered my belongings into my bag, and then waited at the front of the house for the driver to pull over. I had requested a drive to see the mechanics team before I headed over to the art studio. It would be faster and I decided to take it easy on myself today.

Just because I was an unwanted presence in this household, didn't mean I couldn't take advantage of being driven around when needed. I mean, Ravenwolf is an automotive company...

I was brought to one of my favourite bakeries before I was dropped off at Ravenwolf. I even included another batch of desserts for the retail team. Even though I spent more time at the auto shop I wanted to show them my gratefulness for letting me spend time in their space.

When I walked into the shop, Peter was looking over some notes on his clipboard. Some of the other team members greeted me and I passed them small, goody boxes. When I walked over to Peter he looked up at me smiling brightly.

"What a surprise... what brings you by this early? Work?" I shook my head.

"I'm here to give the team something..." I showed him what I brought and he sighed, trying to protest the gift. I put the bag into the palm of his hand and he eventually held onto it.

"This is just a small token of appreciation for all your help."

"I don't think we helped you, kid" he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head, seemingly a little embarrassed.

"Of course you did... everyone here was an inspiration for me. They even decided to go with my ideas..." he nodded, patting the side of my shoulder.

"Good work."

We made some small talk before I went. I waved at a few other team members as they arrived, and told them about what I brought them. When I went over to the retail side they were equally surprised I brought them something. I told them, similarly, how grateful I was for what they showed me when I was in their care.

While I was heading out, I could swear someone was watching me from the main building. When I tried looking over further, I nearly lost my footing. I caught myself from falling down and sighed. When I looked at the time I cursed to myself. I wouldn't be late but it would be close.

When I approached the car again and requested the driver get to the studio as fast as humanly possible, he kicked it into high gear and we made it on time.

*

During my class, I met a few new students who were currently art majors and wanted to spend some time outside of their studies. Getting back into painting as their hobby. It made me recall a time when I was absorbed in theory without the practice. Studying artists and techniques from up to centuries ago without appreciating creation in the moment.

When they left, I had hoped I would see them again. When my next class was coming in, Rae danced over to me and stood next to me nonchalantly.

"What's up?"

"We should go out for drinks after this," she said, and I scoffed. I mean, I had a day off tomorrow, but thinking about getting too riled up with drinks and with my loose lips after a few. It was a dangerous idea. But the more I brushed it off the more she pushed.

"Come on! We haven't hung out in a while! Just a pint, that's all?" she grinned, showing her teeth. I couldn't keep this game up... and the more I thought about it. The more I realized I hadn't relaxed in a while. Maybe I could just forget about everything just this once...

"Fine, but only one pint, and I'm heading out after that."

"Ugh, no fun, but deal..." she smiled, and we both got back to greeting our returning students again. When we were done we cleaned up and then headed out. It was shortly after 7pm when we walked a few blocks to one of our favorite pubs. When we got inside I found a spot while she decided to get us some drinks directly from the bar.

When I got to the table I took off my jacket and placed it on the back of the chair. When I sat down, I could hear the conversation happening behind me. I saw that there were several young men seated together. I didn't care to look at who was sitting down. But when I heard the voice of someone I thought sounded familiar, at the corner of my eye, I saw that it was James...

James Ravenwolf.

I cringed, looking away again, putting my right hand up to the side of my face, as though it was going to block myself out of his peripheral. I knew I would just have to keep my cool until I excused myself.

Then again, this was a public space, and I could stay here just as much as him...

Ugh, why now... I thought to myself. I would just grin and bear it.

"So, how's that new grandmother of yours doing?" my ears perked up when I heard him. Who was he talking to, and what new grandmother?

"Someone like a third of his age too," they all started laughing, and I couldn't understand what their conversation was about..." at that moment, someone smacked their beer glass down. It even startled me.

"There's nothing I care to know about that woman living in my house. Precisely because people like her are dirty in the first place..." James said, angrily.

I sat back, thinking about what he had just said, and I realized... that this was about me, and my heart began to ache...