School Days

Solana smiled a bit to herself as the bell rang, signaling the end of the last class. It took just a split second for the kids to jump out of their seats and run out of the room, leaving the woman alone at her desk as her gaze swept out over the empty desks and seats. She let out a soft sigh as she closed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair, resting her forehead against her palm.  It was hard to believe this was her life now. Just about five months ago, she had been in the field in Fiore, but she had been forced to retire due to the extensive injuries she had sustained from her father while she had been young. He had been a cruel man, bent only on molding her to his twisted definition of perfection… She shuddered as she shook her head and stood up, straightening the papers on her desk up, then exited the room and headed to the main yard where she looked at the students. Some where not much younger than her and there were even some older. This was the next generation of Rangers, Operators and Mechanics and she was glad to have a hand in rearing them, but… She turned away from the scene and bowed her head as she started to walk away, but stepped back when she bumped into somebody. “Is everything all right?” Solana blinked and looked up when she heard April’s voice, greeted by warm brown eyes and a kind smile. “Do you need a friendly ear again?” The former Ranger hesitated for a moment, glancing down at her hands before nodding. “Come on; let’s go to the staff room.” Solana just gave another small nod before clasping her hands together and following the older woman down the hall. They walked into the empty room and Solana sat in her chair, closing her eyes as she pulled her knees to her chest, beginning to shake a bit, though a gentle hand on her shoulder helped keep her there. “I know this is rough on you, but you’re doing really great, Solana; I’m proud of you. I’m sure Summer is too.“ April smiled gently as she walked over to the coffee machine and got a cup for herself and offered Solana some hot chocolate. The teen sighed as she blew at the top, her heart constricted in her chest, though she instantly looked up when she heard a happy "Pla!” In an instant, Mimi buried herself in her former Partner’s lap and Solana managed a weak smile for a moment, though it faded just a few moments later. “I’m really not qualified for this job since I don’t have any formal teaching experience outside of these few days…” The semester had just started and she was already doubting herself. She was struggling to speak in front of the class and heard the whispers among the students. “They talk…” The former Ranger swallowed as she looked into the hot chocolate, feeling a few tears sting the corners of her eyes, but April’s hand once again came to her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Solana. They’re kids–for the most part–so of course they’re gonna talk. It’s just a natural part of growing up. Rumors are nothing more than them trying to make sense of the world.” April’s lips curled up in a reassuring smile but Solana just dropped her gaze to her cup again as she took a sip of the hot chocolate. The warmth was really doing nothing to help warm the inner void that had formed in her chest over the past five months. “I wouldn’t know. I was never allowed extensive interaction with other children.” Her voice was quiet as she spoke and she caught April nodding slightly. After the trial, the full extent of the abuse she’d been through had become public and the media had hounded her until Mewtwo had stepped in and forced them all away. That had created its own firestorm, but it had ensured the media knew to keep its distance from her. “But really; you’re doing fine. Everyone’s nervous when they start teaching,” April said and Solana looked up when she heard the slight chuckle in the older woman’s voice. She merely tilted her head to the side as her brown eyes gleamed with memories. “When I first started, it took me well over a week to fully be able to speak in front of everyone. The students gossiped about me, too, wondering where I’d come from and why I was so nervous and it unnerved me, but I eventually managed to overcome my fear of how they saw me and gained the confidence I needed. Really, don’t feel so bad; you’re doing fine.” Solana managed to smile a little and nod as she put one hand on Mimi’s head, her smile growing a bit as she felt her former Partner having passed out. “Come on now; why don’t we grade those papers?”