ng breeze gently brushing her face. The first rays of sunshine illuminated the facades of the buildings

er at a small private school, Sofia loved her job, even though it wasn't always easy. Her daily li

ut well-maintained building, she immediately spott

again, Julien? she si

n his thirties with a mischievous smile and tousle

as long as I can, h

head, amused but

for me at the door every morning, she

inted if I didn't, he countered

ght. Julien had become a fixture in her daily life, a

es doing today? he asked as he o

a chair and sighed so

to be taller and stronger than the other, as if it's a n

urst out

e. And I bet Noah wants to

e's the fastest in math, while Liam i

ehind her smile, a hint of nostalgia crossed her gaze. Sometimes, she wondered if she was doing enough

the right decision, Julien sudden

p at him, slig

hope

ile before handing her a cof

fore the horde of studen

d grabbed the cup, appr

already settled at their desks. The morning sun cast a golden light on the wal

exclaimed in a cheerful voice a

ponded in chorus, some enthusiast

to the blackboard to write the date. But as soon as her

uary

dy. Her fingers tightened around the cha

er mother

chest. It had been years since she had avoided thinking about that day, re

grave face of the doctor, the machines stoppi

cially,

ppointment that her mother had give

knew why her mother had

o save her. Something she told no one about

the frantic beating of her heart. She felt her l

Mi

from her torment. Looking up, she met the

ked a little girl

to smile, but she k

is fine, she murmured in

as foolin

. She needed to get out, breathe, regain her compo

.. get some air, oka