“Your loss.”
Lily left Mei to it, retreating down the hall. Eva’s classroom door was staunchly closed, and Lily averted her gaze, wishing it didn’t make her chest ache.
* * *
The last of Lily’s honors class were barely out the door before Alisha came speeding through it, something wild in her eyes.
“Are you okay?” In the eight months she’d been at Greenfield, she’d never seen Alisha look rattled.
“I’ve had better days. My father’s been rushed to the hospital. Suspected stroke.”
“Shit, I’m sorry. What do you need?”
“You’re free next period, right?”
“I am.” Lily had been planning on making a start on writing her finals exam, but Alisha’s emergency took priority.
“How do you feel about taking my AP class?”
“Whatever you need,” Lily said, already gathering her laptop and her diary.
“Thank you. You don’t have to teach them the lesson. I’ve got a bunch of worksheets they can do. Just offer them a hand if they’re struggling on a question.”
“Okay.” She’d yet to be trusted with the AP class, but Lily figured this could be a good start. If she wanted to take the class next year, she needed to prove to Alisha she could handle it—Lily just wished the opportunity had come under better circumstances.
Alisha fell into step beside Lily as they walked down the hall. “Thank you, Lily. You’re a lifesaver. The worksheets are on my desk, along with a seating plan. Will you be all right letting them in? I need to tell Eva she’s going to be in charge of things for the next few days.”
A prospect Eva would no doubt relish.
“No problem. Do you need help with any of your other classes?” Lily knew how difficult it was to be absent as a teacher. It was often more work than coming in, and it was why Lily hadn’t missed a day yet, even when she’d woken up feeling like death—and Alisha must be desperate to be on her way.
“I think they’ve got a substitute coming after lunch, but if you could find some work for my chemistry classes, that would be great.”
“Just let me know where you’re up to and leave it with me.”
Alisha squeezed her elbow as they arrived at her door. “Thank you, Lily.” She continued down the hall to Eva’s room.
Lily stepped into Alisha’s classroom, earning herself a few curious looks from the students lined up outside.
It took her a moment to locate the worksheets Alisha had mentioned, the surface of her desk strewn with pieces of paper and textbooks. She thought of the last time she’d covered a class—Eva’s, the Monday after Winter Formal. Her desk couldn’t have been more different: immaculate, in a way Lily knew she’d never be able to emulate. Everything in its rightful place.
It was always weird to teach in a different classroom. Things were kept in different places, which made Lily feel off-balance, no matter how minor. At least in Alisha’s room, Lily wouldn’t be terrified of making a mess, wouldn’t try to make herself as small as possible, not wanting to make a lasting impression in what felt like enemy territory.
She was being ridiculous.Lily set her laptop down and located the promised seating plan. Satisfied, she crossed over to the door and waved the students inside.
“I’m Miss Cross, and I’ll be covering Mrs. Woods’s class today,” Lily said, as they settled into their usual seats. “Can you take one of these and pass the rest along, please?” Lily handed the worksheet to someone on the first row—Penelope, according to the seating plan—who volunteered, and the class fell quiet as they got on with their work.
Alisha ducked inside a few moments later and handed her a piece of paper. “I’ve written down all the lessons they should be doing today and tomorrow. Let Eva know what you find? She’ll be the one meeting the substitute.”
Lily made sure to keep her face even, knowing they had an audience, but boy, was she regretting her offer. Still, it qualified Eva’s condition—it would be a conversation about work. Nothing more.
“Will do. Now go,” Lily said, because she could see Alisha hesitating. “I promise the place won’t fall apart without you.”
Alisha did, though not without warning her class to behave. Lily watched her go before turning her attention to the paper she’d been handed. Alisha taught AP chemistry eight times a week, and general chemistry five times a week.
It was easy enough to find work for the general class—they were at the same point as Lily’s, and she’d already planned out her lessons for the week. The AP class wasn’t as simple. The syllabus was unfamiliar, but a quick look told Lily they still had one topic to cover before they were done. With their exams fast approaching, it would be a tight squeeze to finish it all if Alisha was going to be out for more than a week or two.
A hand raised at the front of the class, the student situated in a wheelchair, and Lily looked away from her laptop screen to glance at the seating plan. “Yes, Shanice?”
