Burning frustration. That's what I felt storming into Harper's business class, tugging down the sweater I had swinging from my waist. I muttered a gruff greeting at Mr. Henry who sat perched at his front desk. With only half an hour or so left of class the overweight teacher couldn't have cared less about my intrusion.

"Guess who didn't show up. Go on, guess." I urged Harper, locating an empty seat and pulling it beside her.

"You're telling me Pierce didn't show up today after your scuffle? Shocking." Ella chirped.

Harper glanced at our friend in mock amazement, not even giving me a chance to muster a dry look.

"I'm personally flabbergasted you even know what scuffle means." And just like that she went back to her assignment, ignoring the gesture she received.

"Ella," I said, peering around Harper, "aren't you meant to be in class?"

"Aren't you meant to be completing your community service?"

Touché.

"Seriously guys, this is the third day he hasn't shown his face. Not only that," I wiggled my index finger, suspicion dripping from my tone, "but by some sheer coincidence someone left a puddle of ketchup on a chair in the study room. And guess who sat in it?" I darted the once swaying finger in my own direction, "Me!"

"It's okay to have an accident every once in a while Cali, no need to be ashamed." There was no hiding the sly smile Ella wore as she clicked at her phone.

"How was poking at dead rats today in biology, Elle?" I questioned in a sugary tone.

An unwanted shiver wracked her thin frame from the induced memory. Someone wasn't happy about dissecting dead rodents.

"So what are you saying? You think the hooligan who's been targeting you for the last few days has something to do with Lincoln?" Harper interrupted, ignoring Ella and I.

"Oh, it has everything to do with Lincoln. He's the ringmaster behind this whole operation! Who else would be freezing cotton balls to my car, pouring Kool-aid on me from the school roof, and slipping stink-bombs in my bag?"

"Do you have any proof?" Harper scanned through some math related problem on her screen that granted me a headache by just looking at it.

"No... I haven't even seen his annoying face around school."

"Mmm, the things I would do to that annoying face." Harper and I turned to Ella with looks of exasperation and disgust.

"Really?" We chorused. Ella simply wiggled her eyebrows before returning her undivided attention to her phone.

Harper snatched it from her manicured fingers.

"Okay, fine," the blonde huffed after a couple failed attempts to retrieve her device, "maybe you're just being paranoid. Maybe he's sick."

"Negative. I witnessed him and his band of goons in their usual spot on my way inside the building."

"Great... so he's been avoiding me."

"Didn't you kinda expect that?" Ella pipped in reaching shamelessly for her cell again. "From what you've told us he obviously doesn't want to be tutored."

"Consider this a blessing in disguise Cali. Take Lincoln's ultimatum." Harper chimed.

"He's my only chance

"The boy doesn't want to be tutored Cali. You could attempt to receive assistance from Mrs Lake but it's not as if though she can physically restrain him to a chair while you go about shoving class material down his throat." Harper took a short break from tapping her unkempt nails across the black keys, "Personally I'd be delighted in your situation. He's wasting your time. I understand you're not one to give up on people — even a lost cause like Lincoln — but I wouldn't give this any longer then a few more days. I would have pushed him off my tutoring life boat already and watched him sink, irrevocably if he was the one squeezing paint on my windshield wipers."

Yeah, washing the frozen paint off after work wasn't fun... But at least the rainbow it created was nice too look at.

"If you're gonna hold out for a little while longer what are you gonna do about the pranks?"

I met Ella's green graze. Good question. "I don't know... bring it up to Mrs Lake? I know I don't really have very much proof —"

"You don't have any." Harper reminded.

"Okay... so I know I don't have any proof, but I'm pretty sure Mrs Lake will take what I have to say into consideration. He's been able to send every tutor to our school's name running for the hills. It's not a far fetched concept. I'll probably even mention his attendance while I'm there."

"When you going to tell her?"

"Probably Monday during spare, lunch if I can't take it a second longer." Shifting in my chair I tried to get comfortable but it proved difficult with the unnerving feeling of ketchup soaking through my jeans.

My best friends looked at me, a tad bit apprehensive.

"What?"

"I don't know. Just... Lincoln doesn't seem like the type of guy who would take you ratting him out well." Ella muttered. "What if it just gets worse?"

"Well I'm not the type of girl who likes to go shopping often so the fact that he's already managed to ruin several articles of my clothing doesn't exactly make me happy."

"I just hope you know what you're doing."

"I'll be fine. Can't get much worse than it is already." I sighed rising from my position. "I'm heading to my locker. Coming Ella?"

"Yeah, sure. Just come with me to Walters', I have to grab my bag."

Trekking down the barren stairwell and all the way to the other side of the school, Ella and I entered Mr Walters' workshop-like computer room. It was the polar opposite to Mr Humphries' pristine and organized lab. Instead, Mr Waters' room looked as if though it was still under construction. But I guess that's what you get when your room is stationed in the shop section of the school.

Ella and I stuck around five more minutes just to have a chat with one of our favourite teachers. Mr Walters liked to talk and it was the least Ella could do for skipping his class. Again.

We didn't take our time heading back to our lockers, hoping to beat the rush of students who would soon be let out. The two of us were chatting absentmindedly about how often Ella fell asleep during her tutoring sessions with Devon.

"I just can't help it! It's not my fault. He starts talking about imaginary numbers and I start imagining myself getting hands-y with Harry Styles."

"I don't blame you. I'd rather dream about Harry than figure out math problems any da—"

My sentence reminded unfinished because instead a scream of complete horror ripped through my throat.

Stumbling back I placed one hand over my erratically beating heart.

"What the... Cali, you okay?"

Ella analyzed the panic ridden features on my face before slowly opening the metal door that I'd slammed shut moments ago.

The dead rat that had fallen from the top level of my locker tumbled onto the floor. Ella's reaction was to jump beside me, almost stumbling to the floor in her heeled boots.

"Cali..." Ella trailed off, green eyes fixated on the brown ball of fur in front of my locker. "Something tells me you shouldn't blab to Mrs Lake."

"Yeah," I breathed out, trying to calm myself down. "Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't want to be a rat."

Especially not a dead one.

*****

Upon entering the daycare I noticed Mindy's office door was closed. When I got to the point of passing the long strip of glass that ran the entire length of her desk I peered inside. The lights in her usually bright space were off yet there were signs of Mindy being in at some point.

Realizing I was going to have to get my instructions elsewhere I headed down the hall, my soaked boots leaving water marks as I went. I was prepared to ask Shawna, the daycare chef and Mindy's right-hand woman, but I spotted Dawn first.

"Hey Dawn."

"Hey Cali, how was school?" She flashed a smile, shuffling through mounds of crafts.

"Eventful... have you seen Mindy or Shawna by any chance?"

"They ran out to grab groceries for next week. Wondering where you are today?"

"Yeah, actually."

"We'll you're at the right place," Dawn announced, stuffing a cotton ball covered bear into a folder. "Veronica had to leave early and I opted to wait for you rather then have Tammy come in here and sit in a corner."

"Perfect," I beamed, taking some pride in the fact that I was wanted. "Do you need help with anything?"

"Ugh, yes please!"

It didn't take long for Dawn and I to get through everything that needed tending to. We prepared the crafts and learning activities as well as decided on a theme for the following week. Everything was smooth sailing until Dawn had to go drive the bus and pick up registered school agers.

"You sure you'll be okay?"

"Positive. It shouldn't be an issue. I have Tammy next door if need be." I tried to reassure my coworker.

"Oh yeah, because she's such great help..." I had to laugh at that. No one was too fond of Tammy.

"You won't need her. I know you'll be fine. I just feel bad leaving you with them all. They haven't been outside at all today because of the cold. They'll be on the hyper side."

"Don't worry, I'll manage."

With me putting her mind at ease, Dawn scrambled to help me prepare snack before scurrying off with Melanie to pick up the school agers.

She wasn't kidding about the hyper thing.

"Noah, please stop."

Noah shot me his usual cheeky grin and I raised a brow at him in clear warning. To my distaste his smile never wavered and soon my stern mask slipped right off.

The boy was too cute for his own good.

"Ms. Calista?"

"Yes, Valerie?"

The little fireball with an afro of ringlets chewed thoughtfully on her cookie, "Do you like pears?"

My gaze travelled south to the napkin laid out in front of her, pear slices untouched.

"I love pears," I stated, picking up a spare piece of the fruit off the plate Dawn prepared. "One of my favourites."

"Me too!"

"I like pears too."

"I like them more!"

Always a competition.

I scanned the four round tables that had been squished together for snack, the children happily munched away. Even those who weren't too fond with the white chunks in their plates attempted a few nibbles.

Except the one child with nothing in front of her.

"Sadie, you're done already?"

The little girl, who I noticed was wearing the same dress as the day prior, nodded.

"Do you want a couple more cookies?" I offered knowing she would most likely be here well past dinner.

She nodded, tucking lose strands of blonde hair behind her ear. "Yes, please."

Her voice was so tiny and quiet. It reminded me of the meowing of a baby kitten, so soft and fragile. I didn't hesitate giving her half of what was left over of the almost empty sleeve of cookies.

"I want more cookies too." Livvy whined five seats over from me.

"Me too!" Darren and Landon chorused.

"Once you eat your pears." I promised. "Look at Connor, he's eaten all of his. He's going to grow big and strong. Then you won't be able to beat him in a race anymore."

The boys grumbled but complied knowing I wouldn't give in as easily as Veronica usually did.

I turned back to watch Sadie as she put more cookie in her mouth. Sometimes that girl made me wonder. She never missed a meal and took full advantage of what we offered at the daycare.

But she could never say no when someone asked her to share.

"Darren." I called sternly. "That's Sadie's snack. I told you that you can have more cookies when you try your pear, okay?"

Darren pouted, unhappy with the arrangement. He crossed his arms in a huff causing a guilty expression to cross Sadie's face as she put the cookie she was going to give away back down.

The rest of the day flew by — especially when you were chasing around out-door deprived children.

Dawn was quick with her bus route and made it back with enough time for me to blast through the pile of terror in the kitchen.

The number of children slowly began to dwindle and before I knew it Ally had made her way over to combine what was left of the Preschoolers and Kinders.

"Night Jacob," I waved as the boy with a mop of white-blonde curls dashed out the door. He turned back, flashing his pearly whites and showcasing his dimples with a wave. I said one last goodbye to his mother and older sister Kayla before the door shut and the threesome headed out the door.

"Another one down, four more to go." I announced to an already aware Ally, scribbling the time on the attendance sheet.

"He's honestly the cutest thing." Ally gushed coming to plop down in a miniature chair next to me. "My day wouldn't be complete without him."

"You wouldn't be saying that if you had him a year ago." I stated closing up the blinder. "He was a completely different kid in the toddler room. Apparently he was worse as an infant. I don't know how Cam and Rose did it but you seriously have them to thank for the way Jakey turned out."

Ally winced next to me. "I heard about his tantrums. Talk about scary."

"Oh, trust me, they were."

Ally went silent for a moment.

"It must be pretty awesome."

"What must be pretty awesome?"

Having four children was a nice change from eighteen. The kids busied themselves and kept the noise level to a minimum.

"Going from room to room. Knowing all the children personally. The kids, no matter what room, are always happy to see you. They flock to you, while half of them don't even know my name."

A slow smile crept into my face, "Yeah, it's a pretty good feeling."

I went back to checking on the children. Three out of the four left were boys, happily skidding cars along the city streets embroidered within the carpet. The other sat herself in a corner, sinking into an overgrown pillow with a book in one hand, a worn teddy under her arm.

Raising from the too-small-for-me chair I crossed the short distance to the reading carpet.

The bear itself appeared to be nearing its expiry date — it truly must have been loved. Blotches of short velvety fur were scraped right off the cloth, stitches unraveling and tuff after tuff of stuffing pushing threw minuscule holes that were only going to get bigger. But no matter how worn down the material was or how many threads were pulled from the make-shift mouth the stuffed animal looked as soft and warm as ever.

Not saying anything just yet I plopped down on a parallel cushion. Sadie bounced her teddy up in down in prancing movements as she read whatever her mind created when looking at the pictures in the book.

"What's Beary doing Sadie?" I mused.

"Dancing." She answered simply. "She wants to be a ballerina."

"And what do you want to be."

"A millionaire."

"Don't we all." Ally muttered while scribbling down notes in her binder. "Marry rich kiddo. Marry rich."

I couldn't help but breathe a light laugh. "Why a millionaire?" Everything about this girl made me curious.

"That's what Mommy wishes she was. So we can go somewhere better."

The little blonde girl continued to play, never taking her eyes off her bear.

"Where's somewhere better?"

"Somewhere with a pool."

I couldn't argue with that.

Ally stifled a giggle with her palm. Being that the room was relatively quiet she most definitely heard our short exchange. Sadie and I chatted randomly in the same position until she was the last child left in the entirety of the daycare. Ally and I waited somewhat impatiently for Sadie to leave so we could lock up. Ally had a harder time waiting than I did, huffing at the clock and tapping her polished nails.

Two minutes prior to closing a familiar old lady came wobbling into the daycare, her face sagging in a wrinkled frown. It was the same expression I wore when I was alone in the kitchen scrubbing at a seemingly endless amount of cutlery. Sans the wrinkles and age spots of course. Her salt and pepper hair was twisted tightly in a bun which I assumed she hoped would aid as a temporary facelift.

Ally didn't have the chance to finish her usual preppy greeting. The grumpy landlady shot her a sharp glare causing her to visibly cringe in response.

"Mercedes. Let's go." Her voice was as sharp as her glare. Poor Sadie jerked to her feet at Ms Fredrick's tone, nearly dropping her toy in the process.

"Always with that stupid bear." Ms Fredrick sneered causing her frown lines to etch deeper into her aged skin. The miserable old woman hardly gave the three-year old a chance to exit before slamming the door shut, nearly catching her mane in the process. Within a few short, rushed moments the lanky asian lady was ushering Sadie by her arm and out into the blistering cold.

"You know," Ally started with her hand on her hip clearly annoyed, "they say things get better with age."

I puffed out a whisper of a sarcastic laugh through my lips, "I couldn't disagree more."