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“Please!” I yelled, holding ot one ood, you can have a treat from the Treat Apple” I pointed to the small, plastic apple on my desk filled with individually-wrapped candies

The class let out a collective enthusiastica handful of photocopied papers, I handed them over my desk to my teacher's assistant, Ruth

“Thanks June,” Ruth said She rolled her eyes “They're really a handful today, aren't they?”

I nodded “Just tell theraph and write a short summary at the bottom – no more than fifty words, okay?”

Ruth nodded I sighed as she began walking around the roo out the papers I had no idea as in the water of PS 151, but whatever it was, I hoped it wouldn't be around for , and I was already starting to feel like I needed a vacation

The year had started off well Kids were always so well-behaved during the first month or so of school But now that ell into October, they were starting to bounce off the walls It didn't help that the weather outside in New York City was still as waret all excited to go hoic for my own youth

Soon, the roo on papers Ruth sat down heavily at her desk and rolled her eyes She was an older woman – probably in her h a surprise divorce When she'd first been assigned to me, I'd been nervous After all, I was only twenty-twoI couldn't stop thinking about how difficult life would be if Ruth tried to boss me around But thankfully, Ruth had always been a perfect coworker She was good at cal the kids down, and honestly, I think they respected her a little ht as I watched her These kids are probably used to teachers as old as their grandparents

Back in college, I'd had no idea that I wanted to teach fifth-graders I'd initially thought about younger kids But I'd been assigned to a sixth-grade classroo about the older kids really intrigued me They weren't babies any real little people I loved the idea of influencing kids, for the better, and helping them to become better people

The sudden sound of a girl crying out made me snap my head up and stare Brett

March, a particularly difficult student, was standing beside Lily Bulger and tugging at one of her pigtails Lily's face was red and streaked with tears, and Brett was staring down at the little girl with a cruel,smile

“Miss Rogers!” Lily cried “Brett won't leave me alone!”

“She started it!” Brett retorted “She wouldn't let me do my work!”

I leapt froht now!”

Brett glared atof the year, he'd been so sweet and well-behaved But over the last feeeks, I'd noticed a definite change in his personality for the worse – almost like he'd becoht on the cusp of puberty, but Brett exhibited such anger that it alhtened me

Lily was looking up at reen eyes filled with tears Truth be told, I found her fairly annoying She was a little princess who cried if she didn't get her way, but she was tooI so the other children were just as annoyed with her as I was, but still – that didn't warrant an attack from Brett

“Miss Rogers, I wasn't doing anything, I swear!” Brett howled “I told you, she started it! She wouldn't stop sticking her tongue out at me!”

I sighed “Brett, I' to have to call your parents about this,” I said slowly “This is the third time this week you've deliberately harmed another student!”

Brett gave me a sulky expression “Fine,” he said “Do it Call them See if I care” He turned on his heel and slouched back to his desk

“Brett,” I said in a warning tone “Aren't you forgetting so?”

Brett turned to me with a sullen look on his face “What?”

I jerkedat her desk, pouting, her cheeks red with anger

“Apologize, please,” I said

Brett groaned “Sorry, Lily,” he muttered

I knew I shouldday – honestly, I was just as excited for Friday as the kids, but only because I needed a break

“Thank you, Brett,” I said “You may take your seat now”

Ruth collected the papers and shortly after, the bell rang The kids screay to make them line up at the door like usual, while they waited for their buses and parents to bring them home I was so drained – part of me even wanted to call in sick tomorrow, or ask Ruth to coverso lazy After all, it was only

When the kids and Ruth had gone, I settled behindof dread in htly unusual – he lived alone with his father – and I wondered if in part, that was the reason why he was acting out Maybe there was so beyond my control