AWAKENED BY HER VOICE

“I can't believe Mr. Mike accused me of seducing him.” I stared at the clothes scattered across my bed, still unable to believe what had happened. My name is Emily. I’m twenty-two years old. I recently graduated from college, and I currently work as an English teacher at a high school. I had always loved teaching. It was something I had worked hard for, and I never imagined that one stupid accusation could put everything I had built at risk. But that was exactly what happened. There was a teacher at my school named Mike. He was my colleague, and for the past few weeks, he had been asking me out. I rejected him. Politely at first. Then firmly. I thought that would be the end of it. I was wrong. Because when I refused to date him, Mike went straight to the dean and accused me of seducing him. Me. Seduce him? The accusation was ridiculous. I tried explaining everything, but the dean said the school needed time to investigate the situation. And until then, I was being placed on leave. Six months. Six whole months away from my classroom. “I can't believe I'm actually leaving,” I muttered as I folded another shirt and placed it inside my suitcase. I had spent years working toward my career, and now I was being treated like I had done something wrong simply because a man couldn't accept rejection. I zipped up my suitcase and sat on the edge of my bed. Maybe a break was exactly what I needed. Since I had six months away from school, I decided to return to my hometown and spend some time with my parents. It was also the perfect season to do it. Snow had already begun falling heavily in the city, and the weather back home would be much colder. I smiled slightly. “At least I'll get to enjoy the snow with my family.” I stood up and continued packing. After making sure I hadn't forgotten anything important, I grabbed my phone. The first person I needed to call was my best friend. Kate. I quickly dialed her number. She answered almost immediately. “Emily! Finally! I've been waiting for your call.” I laughed bitterly. “You won't believe what happened.” “What?” “Mike reported me to the dean.” There was silence on the other end. Then Kate exploded. “That i***t!” I couldn't help laughing. “Kate—” “No, don't Kate me! I knew something like this would happen. That man has been asking you out forever, and you kept rejecting him. Now he's trying to punish you because you wouldn't date him?” “Apparently.” “That is unbelievable.” I sat down on my suitcase. “They gave me six months' leave.” “What?” “Six months.” Kate groaned. “I swear, some people shouldn't be allowed to teach.” Despite everything, I smiled. That was Kate. She always knew how to make me feel better. Kate had been my best friend since college. She was one of the few people I could completely trust. Unlike me, she wasn't a teacher. She worked as a real estate agent, helping people buy and sell houses. She loved her job, and somehow she always managed to find a way to turn even the worst situation into something funny. “So what are you going to do?” she asked. “I'm going home.” “Home?” “Yes. I'm going back to my hometown. I'll stay with my parents for a while.” Kate became quiet for a moment. “Actually, that's a good idea.” “I thought so too.” “You've been working nonstop since graduation. Maybe you need the break.” “Exactly.” I looked around my apartment. Almost everything was packed. “I'll probably leave tomorrow morning.” “Call me when you arrive.” “I will.” “And Emily?” “Yes?” “Don't let that stupid accusation ruin your life.” I smiled. “I won't.” We talked for several more minutes before ending the call. I placed my phone inside my bag and looked through the window. Snow was falling outside. White flakes covered the streets, rooftops, and parked cars. For some reason, I suddenly felt excited. I had grown up in a small village surrounded by mountains, forests, and endless stretches of snow during the cold season. It had been years since I had spent real time there. I missed my parents. I missed the quiet. And, honestly, I missed being the girl I used to be before adulthood became so complicated. I picked up my suitcase. “I'm going home.” ​