Snippet #1650703

Just as Mandy did her best to avoid Lisa from talking to her privately she almost didn't see that Eli had something in his mind.
"Uh.. sorry to bother you Ms. J.." he started awkwardly. "I just.. I don't really get the homework. I mean, I get what we're supposed to do, but the quote doesn't really make sense... Like.. when you learn something like math, like 2+2=4, I don't see how you're supposed to 'listen with your heart' with that."
He looked really nervous and at the same time wanted to speak his mind out. Lisa took a quick glance at her wrist to see that she has more than enough time to assist her student. At least there has been progress on more than one student.

She gave him a warm smile and said, "Eli, I'm glad you are taking interest. To be honest, there is no wrong or right answer for my question. What do you think your heart tells you when you learn something new? How do you feel when you know you have absorbed new information? In order for the brain to comprehend, the heart must first listen Eli. Listen to your heart," She tapped the upper part of her chest, where her heart is located and winked at the young man. "You can tell me a story. It doesn't have to be too formal. Besides, being too fundamental can get pretty boring doesn't it?" Just then the final bell rang. A signal that students with no official business in the campus must leave already. "I think that's your cue to go home. I'll see you tomorrow." She bid him good bye and started gathering her things on the top of her table.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And before she almost forgot she paid the principal a short visit. She knocked on the door and slowly opened it. She found Christy getting ready to head home as well so she cleared her throat to let her presence be known. "Principal already went ahead, is there anything I can do for you?" The woman shot her a raised eyebrow and a pursed lips.

"Well, I just wanted to know where I can get some materials for some class activity? Like some journal notebooks perhaps?" Lisa was fumbling with her fingernails while she admitted her purpose in approaching the office.

"Materials? Students are supposed to supply for their own, well at least the remedial class. Only the top classes have sponsors and clearly that class won't get any," Christy made her point loud and clear. In fact, she was more than annoyed at Lisa's question. She wore her bag's strap and walked out of her cubicle just before spitting a gum into the trash can and gave Lisa a "I-don't-know-why-you-are-wasting-my-time" look.

But Lisa was more than determined to know why the situation of her class is starting go to the dumpster, "What do you mean? What about the school budget? Isn't the school supposed to finance all students?" This time there was anger in her voice though she try to suppress it.

"Look, I don't have time for this. It's already 10 minutes after my off and I'm still here trying to explain something that's pretty obvious since the beginning. It is none of my business if your students get compensated well. It's their fault most probably, I don't even get why they're here in the first place. Their family has given up on them, why pretend that they actually want to learn something? Now move out of my way," Christy intentionally bumped her right shoulder and passed her without giving a damn.

"Wait!" She called out to the secretary, "They are not useless. They are kids, and they have a future. Now if only this school will acknowledge that and support them and-" She was about to say something further when the woman raised her hand on her face and said, "Save it Mother Theresa, I don't care and will never care." And with that Lisa was left in the empty hall way almost brimming with tears. Wasn't it enough that her clothes are giving her a hard time? Did the school actually think her class will survive without any support?

Lisa quickly searched for the nearest place she could sit on and found the staircase, she slowly brought herself to sit at the 3rd bottom step and cried softly to herself. So much for a great first day at school. She was drying her face with her hands when she noticed the scribble she had written earlier. It was the name of the place where Mandy worked.

Lisa has that mannerism of scribbling things or notes at the palm of her hand so she won't forget about important things on a daily basis. So she stood up and dried her eyes properly, hoping that the swollen eyes won't show any trace of tears.

A few good minutes, Lisa found a parking slot a few blocks away from the RED TAVERN. The sign that shows where Mandy might be. The sun was starting to set and she knew it would be dark soon. She took another glance at the place and figured it looked more like a diner than a restaurant. But who is she to know? She has barely spent half a year in the country, let alone know things about the place. She was checking her previously owned car's lock when her sight was caught by a medium sized bookstore and supply store.

She bit her lower lip and decided to just pay Mandy a much later visit, she has to check if the materials she needed was at the store. She only had the night to get them. So after double checking her vehicle, she crossed the road and went the other way from the restaurant. Lisa opened an old fashioned door with a bell when she arrived at the front of the store.

It looked really vintage and had vintage signs of the 60's everywhere. In fact, the place looked like it hasn't been properly cleaned or dusted off for years. And absolutely no one was around to help her. She decided to check some of the interesting looking books that was stacked on the shelves. Most of them are on sale while some are ridiculously dusty. She tried to cover her mouth and nose with the back of her hand when someone suddenly spoke in a low, crackly voice. "How can I help you?"
It immensely startled Lisa that she dropped the two books she was holding. A sharp and long shriek escaped her lungs as she tried to pull away from the old man.
"What? What were you saying, young lady?" The man tried to lean closer with his right ear towards her. In it, is an old fashion and bulky hearing aide.

Gah, the man almost scared her to death. "I'm sorry. I'm just looking around. I actually need some journal notebooks." She tried to speak with a calm and clear voice.
Lisa stared at the old man's left chest. His polo had a name tag pinned and says "Julian"

"Robots? I'm sorry dear but this is a bookstore and a supply store," Julian explained. Surely, not being able to hear the correct word.

"No, no. I mean notebooks," She tried to speak louder this time. Hoping the old man would finally understand. Then suddenly his old wrinkly hand rose as if telling her to shut up. He slowly walked towards the other end of the store and started tapping on a shelf with his cane. He kept tapping until Lisa decided to come over and see what it was for herself. There she saw a pile of old and dusty moleskin journals.

Lisa didn't know if she'd be happy or disappointed with what she saw. But when Julian tried dragging them out of the shelf with the end of his cane, Lisa bent over and grabbed them. She dropped them on top of a nearby counter and coughed as the dust flew around the place.

"There, journals you say? You can have everything for $5," Julian adjusted his eyeglasses and slowly walked around the counter in order to get the ancient cash register working. "$5? For all of this?" Lisa was surprised. There were more than enough for her remedial class. Sure they're old and dusty but at least it wasn't as expensive as she thought it would cost her. "Well do you want to pay $10 then?" The old man gave her a smug look before looking awfully uncomfortable. "Ooohhhh, dang it. Stomach's churning again," He struggled as he walked off to a door way as fast as he can. "Be right back, I just need to pay the old loo a visit," Soon Lisa was left in the old store, waiting for Julian to come back so she can pay him. Yeah she can just leave the $5 on the counter, but she did owe the man a huge favor so she opted to wait- but wishing she'd make it in time to see Mandy.