Page 14 of The Hallows Queen

Maybe they’re not as giant as the bad things right now, but I’ll get through.

As I wash my hair and body, I choose my outfit for the day in my head. I don’t want to look too young, but I want to be myself. I want to be taken seriously by the people at Luxington High, but I also owe it to myself to be genuine.

I’m smart, and that’s what I’m going to show them. Maybe I’m edgier than your typical teacher, but that won’t matter when I blow them all away with my intelligence.

I’ve settled on a black pencil skirt and a long sleeve blouse when I’m turning off the water and stepping out onto the mat. That way, I look professional, but I can still put my flare on it with some heels and a pair of hoops.

I dry off, wrapping my long, dark hair in a towel and walking into my adjoining bedroom. I slip on some lingerie to wear under my clothes today because it makes me feel confident, and then I stand in front of the full-body mirror to check myself out. The set I picked is white satin with straps wrapping around me and I look amazing in it. I’m already starting to feel that spark of sexy confidence spreading through my limbs, so I grin at myself before I turn around to go to my closet.

Thankfully, I shipped most of my clothes in wardrobe boxes, so everything is hanging in my closet already and there aren’t any creases. I need to remember to leave a good review for the moving company.

I slip on my skirt and blouse, then walk to the kitchen to grab the rest of my coffee.

Katie is on the couch, watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix with three empty muffin wrappers scattered on my coffee table in front of her.

I laugh. “You hadthree?”

She snorts, rolling her eyes. “Why’d you buy ’em if you didn’t want me to eat ’em?”

I shake my head, laughing under my breath as I make my way into the kitchen to grab my coffee. Taking a long sip, I walk back to Katie. Once I’ve swallowed, I clear my throat to get her attention. “Well?”

She gives me a confused look. “Well?”

I stomp my foot dramatically, waving my free hand over my body. “Does this outfit say,‘teacher’or does it say,‘faking it’?”

She presses her lips together as she assesses my outfit quietly, then she shrugs. “Little bit of both.”

I sigh. “Is that a good thing?”

She nods enthusiastically. “Definitely. I think if you look too confident, they won’t take you seriously. They’ll be happier if they know you’re shitting your pants a little.”

My brows rise. “What?”

Laughing, she pulls her legs up on the couch and wraps her arms around them. “Like, they’ll want you to be a little nervous, right? It’s your first teaching gig, so it’d be weird if you were cool and careless.”

I shake my head. “You know, in some weird way, I know exactly what you mean.”

* * *

When I getto Luxington High, I sit in my car and give myself a pep talk before I have enough courage to turn the engine off and step out into the day. It’s easy enough to find the front office, and I check in with the woman sitting at the front desk when I get there. She directs me to a line of chairs along the wall and tells me she’ll let the Headmistress know I’m here.

I sit down, taking a breath as I put my purse in my lap. A minute later, the door to my left opens, and an older woman steps out.

“Miss Leyton?”

I stand, clearing my throat silently as I brush my clammy hands down the front of my skirt and cross the office to meet the woman standing in the door frame who’s called my name. Her dark hair is slicked down and twisted into a high and tight bun that would impress even the best of ballerinas, and the crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes are prominent, even as she stands somewhat emotionless. I smile, holding my hand out for her to shake.

She grips my hand in a strong one of her own. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Miss Leyton. I’m Headmistress Rothchild.”

She looks wise, like she’s been doing this far too long, and the worries of the job have gotten to her. I keep smiling. “Please, call me Penelope. It’s so great to meet you.”

Even though her tone is flat, her smile still radiates warmth. I swallow down the minuscule nerves clawing their way up my throat and follow her into her office when she turns to lead me. She waves a hand at the vacant chair across from her desk, so I take a seat while she rounds the desk and does the same.

“I want to be completely transparent with you, Penelope, we don’t normally take on fresh graduates here at Luxington. There’s a certain reputation we must uphold, and the members of our board expect the best.”

I nod. “What made you decide to take me on, then?”

The worry that she’ll say my father’s phone call was the reason I’m here bubbles in my gut. I love my parents. I love everything they’ve worked toward and built, but I want to get this on my own. Make them proud.

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