The Second Rate Nanny McPhee

Chapter 2: Skipping

Chapter 2: Skipping

"Dawn High School is the third-best school in Almonia both in sports and academic prowess. A coed public school that specialized in honing students' capabilities in arts, technology, and future entrepreneurship skills."

"That is right, my dear students. Do not forget. We are what?"

"We are the third-best!" A chorus answer vibrated throughout the gym.

In the rows and rows of seats, were colorful dots of students, all perfectly lined up like a stack of dominoes. For a public school, Dawson high school was said to be controlled by very strict personnel, especially their principal. While they may be lenient towards school protocols that involve other schools, with their students it may be a different subject.

"That is right. In this new school year, we hope to combat that third place and reach newer heights if all of you persevere even more. Not only will I be proud. Your parents and loved ones will see you shine even brighter." In the podium, a woman stood with a picturesque billboard smile, her height not even hitting 5 feet, while her hair was pulled back in a bun that looked like it was keeping her face from sagging, considering her age nearing her 50s.

She was Ms. Emelie Emerson. The principal of Dawn High school and the one person you'd want to avoid without a second thought. Though she was small, she could easily intimidate students without having to put much effort. Her words alone could pierce the heaven if provoked. She managed to have 100 students excel in her time being the principal in Dawn High School while also ruining their reputation of ever being accepted elsewhere for those who decide to go against her.

The students all clapped as Ms. Emerson gave a small nod to have the students vacate the gym so their classes could start. A younger teacher, much more courteous than the principal, went to report that the new student has already been waiting in her office.

"Make sure there's no one hanging on the hallway and bathroom. Have Julius check the club rooms too. If anyone is spotted send them immediately to my office." She said.

Emelia trotted to her office, her step making small and consistent clacking, while her chin and eyes were zooming in to possible rule breakers. Arriving in her office in less than five minutes, she opened it to see a girl already sitting on the chair in front of her desk. She was going to berate her for bad manners but she noticed her holding a cane and quickly assumed that it was unnecessary to discipline her.

Clearing her throat, she managed to get the new student's attention. The girl turns to Ms. Emelia with a formal smile and quickly stood up. "No need to stand up. Continue being seated."

The girl bowed before sitting down again. "I deeply apologize. I mean no disrespect but waiting for you had taken longer than anticipated."

Ms. Emerson held up a hand before she sat down in her chair. "It's fine, Ms. Monteith. It's a shame you didn't hear my announcement though."

"It really is. I heard from the staff who had returned, that it was moving." As the girl replied.

Ms. Emerson felt her chest puff out and her mood lighten up even more. "It's only natural. But we should really be talking about what you came here for."

"Ah yes" before she chuckled along.

"So, should I be expecting to see you in our school this week or do you still want to have more time to think?" Ms. Emerson leaned closer to the girl, her hands intertwined before looking at her.

"I actually want to start today if you don't mind. I know me enrolling so late is a hassle but if it's too much of an inconvenience then tomorrow wouldn't hurt as well." Ms. Emerson's eyes narrowed. This girl gave her an odd feeling. Since meeting her, she has been well accommodating and there was no fault in her reply. She even thinks she'll be a fine model student but she could be wrong.

She doesn't know who this girl is but having Undoline's recommendation would be disastrous for her reputation if she tries to deny her without a reason. So while she felt wary, she continued to be civil.

"Tomorrow should be okay then, Ms. Monteith. Please ask my secretary if you have any more you want to ask about." The girl stood up and bowed, her cane a sore thumb as she walks to the door.

Her fingers tapped on the wooden oak. She was wondering… a bit curious.

Calling for her secretary, she asked for the new girl's personal file and while she waited she saw her laptop already open when she move her mouse. She hadn't noticed it before until now. It was still locked, her passcode still not encoded but the warmth indicated it was open for some time. Did she open it before she went to do her announcement?

She couldn't remember.

When the door of her office opened, she decided it wasn't anything big before she took the file she asked for and prepared to read it.

"Could I ask for the map of the school? It would help me for tomorrow." She kindly asked the principal's secretary.

"If you go to the counselor's office, there's all sort of things that are useful for you, and be sure to take one. There's also helpful pamphlets and if you're looking for the school rulebook then ask the property custodian for it"

"Thank you, Ms…"

"Oh, it's Herd but you can also call me, Anna. Ms. Anna is fine." Unlike the principal, this woman seemed polite and too good-natured.

"Thank you, Ms. Anna. You've been a great help. Here." She went to give her a card.

"What's this?" Anna took the card from her hands and read it.

"Oh, it's a 50% coupon at Crystal lane's Spa. I thought you might like it." The girl looked as the woman's eyes sparkled. "Is this really fine?" Looking back at her to confirm that she hadn't just made a mistake.

"Of course, please take it." Then she heads to the counselor's room, having passed there a few days ago she already knew where to go.

Anna was going to thank her again when Ms. Emerson's voice sounded in her phone asking for the girl's personal file. The same girl who she just met. Looking over her computer she searched for her files and when she did, Anna thought her name was very familiar but she can't remember where she heard it from.

"Laurel Monteith. What a cute name."

Laurel opened her phone later calling Raven. The phone rang a couple of times before she got through but the first thing she heard was the rustling of metal and someone falling down the stairs.

"Is this you, Auntie?" she asked perplexed. There could only be two reasons why she heard that. Once could be someone finally got the guts to get back at Raven or his mother got the upper hand yet again.

"Why yes, this is, my lovable niece. Did you miss Auntie?" A woman's voice wove through her phone in a sweet tone. Then, someone on the other end of the phone grunted and more noises of things getting destroyed also sounded.

"I just saw you hours ago, Auntie Ellie. Now, could I please speak with Raven for a moment?" She sighed. Raven must have angered his mother again.

"Boohoo, you're being mean to me again." Her voice sounded more childlike than an adult with five children. Really, their family's the very definition of peculiar.

Laurel rubbed her forehead to keep her headache from rising. "Fine, I miss you, Auntie Ellie. I promise to join you shop for groceries next time. So could I speak with Raven now?" The other end squealed in delight that Laurel had to pull back the phone just so her eardrums wouldn't split.

"Did you hear that Raven?! Laurel missed me! Hahaha"

"Unhand me, woman!"

"What did you say to me, punk?!"

Laurel sighed again, waiting for their brawl to end, listening to her cousin's scream while she leaned on the lockers in the hallway without care. It's basically a routine at this point.

Suddenly, she heard an unmistakable huff. Turning her head to the side, a man was standing there as if insulted and gazed at her as if she was his problem for the day.

"What are you doing here? Out of class and playing with your phone!"

He took no more than 3 steps to close in on Laurel, his height superior to her and a chin that could compete with a rock. Taking her phone in his big gigantic hands, he dragged her with him before she finally reacted.

"Sir, I think you're mistaken. I'm new here. I just had a talk with Ms. Emerson saying I'm starting school tomorrow. So—"

"Save me your excuse. I've heard it all before. Be glad that I'm in a good mood so I'm not telling you to the principal. Since you're here anyway. You should join our P.E. class instead." Laurel was cut off after getting pushed to enter the gym of the school. Her eyes quickly took in the entirety of the gym and were taken by surprise at how spacious it really is.

She marveled at how the basketball court and the volleyball court easily fit. Not to mention a few more nets were hung up for other sports. She didn't think it'd be this big of a school.

Remembering the misunderstanding between her and the teacher, she faced him again and tried another round of explanation. "I get that this may seem as though I am lying and to be perfectly honest, I don't have any issue with participating. What I am afraid of is I'd get in trouble if I try joining school any classes without the permission of the principal." She explained.

"You're really testing my patience, aren't you? If you continue to be this complicated then I'll be sure to deduct your grade for this semester. Do you really want me to do it?" The man replied with a cross of his arms, his white t-shirt barely fitting his form.

What grade are you even talking about? But contrary to the situation. It doesn't seem bad at all. Yes, it was a hassle but since she did want to enroll at the earliest time, it wouldn't hurt to participate. It's also not like she didn't try to explain. The teacher practically wouldn't listen and insisted she joins in.

"Okay, sir. I'll join your class. But I don't have my P.E. uniform yet."

The teacher finally looked appeased by what she said and pointed to a small room beside the one with the sports equipment. "There are some clothes you can borrow from the school. They have it encase students like you forgot important things. Tell them you need to borrow one then come back here so you can join the juniors in Class 2." He said and went to greet the other students.

Now that she mention it, there were students that has been looking at them for minutes now. She hasn't noticed them until that teacher told her. None of them seemed like the people she was looking for so this was a bit dissatisfying.

After changing, she went back out to join them. Everyone else was looking at her weirdly. Was it her face? Laurel looked down and didn't find anything out of the ordinary. Surely, the uniform she was wearing was the same as theirs.

"Oi. Leave your cane. It's going to get destroyed in the court." The teacher came back to berate her again.

"Would it be fine to bring this with me? I'll be more confident if I have it, Sir." she reasoned out. So, that's why they were looking at her. She was so used to bringing it with her everywhere, even in her school back home that she forgot that they're not used to it yet.

"You're going to poke something with that cane. You're not even limping." Just cause she doesn't seem like she was limping doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't use it. Nevertheless, she couldn't stop the teacher from attempting to take it from her.

Laurel felt him closer then tried touching it, she maneuvered her cane away from his hands at the last minute and grabbed his wrist. She pulled him by his wrist until he was at ears' level and with a steady voice, she spoke. "Don't ever touch it. I'll leave it out but don't dare try taking it from me. Do you understand?" Her grip slightly tightened.

The teacher flinched and upon realizing she had moved before thinking about it, she hurriedly lets him go and forced a smile. "I'm sorry, Sir. I'll leave it by the room quickly." She gave an awkward laugh after which rushing to put her cane to a safe place.

Laurel could see at the corner of her eyes, the teacher's wrist turning red, and scolding herself for losing her cool. She hopes nobody saw what she just did.

"My bad." mumbling underneath her breath.