No, she definitely wasn't coming out. Probably just as well.

Disappointed, he levered himself back into the Camaro and - now with Eminem blaring out of the stereo - began cruising along the main street. In no particular hurry now, and with no place he wanted to go, he cruised on the speed limit, though he didn't bother to set the cruise control he'd salvaged from a wrecked Cadillac last month. He turned through a few streets, aimlessly circling, not really knowing why, save that his mood was black. He'd have described himself as jejune, though he doubted anyone would have understood what he meant if he'd used the word. It was one thing to be pissed when yuo knew why - another when your black dog jumped out of nowhere and settled its teeth into your ass!

He'd taken the long way home, hoping the drive might clear his head, when he saw her. She was walking in that "Don't come near me" sort of way that people do when they're not happy, but his assessment was that she was a girl who was never happy anyway, or if she was wouldn't find it cool to admit it. He half thought of driving on, but realized that when fate presents you with a gift like this, a serendipitous encounter with the person you've been looking for, the last thing you do is ignore it. He wasn't going to curb-crawl, though - he could imagine her abusing him through the window kicking the car, and while he didn't mind what anyone thought, he doubted it would do much to kick this evil mood out of his head. No, time to get it over with...

So he pulled ahead of her, checking in the rear-view mirror that it was her, pulled the car over, and stepped out. He was leaning against the vehicle as she passed. If she didn't change direction, or duck onto a bus, he could get this over with right now.

Tabby continued on down the street with her commanding stride, ignoring the people around her that walked by and the children running around her, free from their school obligations. She pushed past them all, not wanting to be bothered by their loud, annoying squeals or cries for attentions, their young voices grating on her nerves worse than nails grating on a chalkboard. A ball came rolling toward her and she turned enough to give it a solid kick, sending it sailing back to the children at play as she hurried across the street before being run down by a speeding truck. She shouted and swore out loud a sting of profanities, shaking her fist at the bastard as he drove off. The lights, the noise, she hated the city, there was never any room to think, no air to breathe. It was constricting and she was tired of running to free herself from it all.

Anger was laced through her blood, an intricate part of who she was as a person. It was a sad truth to those who looked at her life from the outside, but it was her protection. Her fire, her strength, it was how she survived and would continue to survive. She had no use for sympathy or pity, and was more likely to lash out at those who tried to show her any than those that would try to taunt her, goad her into a fight. Not that she ever needed goading. She was always more than happy to oblige one asshole or another with an ass-kicking all her own.

She watched as a car pulled up to the curb in front of her, blaring obnoxious music that only added to the noise that surrounded her. A person stepped out of the car, noticing that it was that Saul kid from her new class. She figured it fit how she judged him to be, blasting rap music as if everyone must love the sound and appreciate it infiltrating their lives. What's worse, it seemed he wasn't planning on going anywhere and was leaning against his car, waiting for something. She didn't care, it didn't concern her in the least, save for the fact that she had to walk by him and his car on her way home. She notched her chin higher, kept a tight hold of her bag, and kept walking. She didn't hear anyone call out or try to flag her down, so she continued walking by him, assuming he was simply waiting for someone in one of the buildings surrounding the area.

Finally. The class was dismissed. As students fled the room, Eli gathered his backpack and looked over the quote that was supposed to be their homework. Normally he would've just blown this off and gotten a zero, but Ms. J gave off the impression that she actually expected the students to get something out of this instead of just giving them an assignment for a grade. He figured he might as well look it over.

In order for the brain to comprehend, the heart must first listen.

Honestly, he didn't really get it. He heard the teacher say she wanted to talk to Mandy after class, so he decided to wait for them to finish outside and ask about it after. Turned out he didn't have to wait long since Mandy and Tabby left the class almost immediately anyways. Eli ducked back inside the classroom cautiously - he'd never really talked to a teacher one-on-one before unless he was getting in trouble and it was hard to not associate "alone time" with anger.

Standing by the doorway the boy cleared his throat to get the teacher's attention. "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.." he trailed off, trying to put his thoughts into words. "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." The more he talked and tried to explain himself the more stupid he felt for even bothering. She was probably gonna yell at him now and tell him how easy this was and how he was retarded for not getting it, just like all the other teachers he'd had. He grimaced, waiting for the sting of her words to come.

Free from school meant free from the worry that came with it. She watched as Tabby walked away before once again, she remembered that she had somewhere else to be. She hurried across the grounds, ducked quickly between two buses and hit the sidewalk. Already her mind was working over what she could say to her boss. Of course she needed the hours and she needed the pay. That wasn’t something that anyone would question but if she kept working at that rate, he was going to have to pay her under the table and that involved a whole different set of circumstances. She felt a headache coming on already. As she walked briskly, she thought about the students that were in her class. The smart-alec that was Saul, who seemed to know something about English. There was another guy whose name she couldn’t quite remember. Eli, the kid that seemed like a beaten puppy that no one really wanted, Melec, whom she knew all too well… and then Tabby. She was the vivacious red-head who was willing to wait after class with her and then walk with her outside and was the sort that seemed to have command of the world and didn’t care who knew it.

She was nowhere near as brave as Tabby, as outspoken as Saul, as…corrupt as Melec, or as quiet as Eli. Blending into the background was going to be pretty hard with a class size that small. She kept walking, seeming to have more of an outgoing persona as she got closer to her work. She heard loud music playing and she shuddered, pushing the nuisance away. The city was loud enough, why add more noise to it?

Still, the thoughts fled when she saw the dark wooden sign that denoted that she had arrived at work. The Red Tavern, known for its beer, pretty waitresses and a manager that liked to grab ass. Still, it paid and she was thankful to have a job. It enabled her to have money in her pocket, food in her mouth, some to go into the donation plate on Sundays and a little extra that was her savings. She walked into the backroom, put down her bag and quickly got into her uniform before her boss came in for the free show. She looked at the side wall and noticed that yay, her favorite Manager on Duty was working that night. It meant that she would have to worry less about lecherous hands and worry more about her manager skimming off the top when it came to tips. She buckled down, put a sweet smile on her face, grabbed her notepad and went to look over the specials for the night. Quickly, she made up a rhyme that would enable her to remember it, before she went to go talk to Judy, the manager. After much pleading on the blonde’s part, the older woman allowed her to work a double shift that night.

Mandy stepped out onto the floor.

In order for the brain to comprehend, the heart must first listen…. The thought flitted across her mind. Reminding her that she did have homework before she stepped up to her first table. She nodded, feeling like a bobble head, as she took their orders and as she walked away, she flipped to the back of her notepad and scrawled down quickly.

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; What is essential is invisible to the eye… She smiled a little. She liked that quote much more than the one that was given to her to write about. She knew all about balancing emotion with intellect…though she was far more emotional than she was rational. She stepped into the kitchen and placed the order down, picked up another order and headed out. Through remembering quotes from things she learned how to deal with the stress of waitressing. Smile on the outside. Rage on the inside… but the money came through pleasing the customer and no one ever cared how much her feet hurt, her back ached or that she had a paper due the next day. They just wanted their food.

She sighed as she paused for a moment and looked over the restaurant. I wonder if Tabby will show up, She mused as she brushed a lock of hair away from her forehead. Or even that Teacher...I doubt anyone else would show up here. Not like they can't get better food downtown...

Saul watched as Tabby approached him, her chin high like she had a nasty smell under her nose, her long fast stride screaming "don't mess with me." Even when she drew alongside him, he waited, still leaning against the car. He met her eyes, as she passed, but this was going to be no standing confrontation. He'd make no effort to block her way, just say what he had to say. After that - she could do what she liked, and he'd sleep soundly.

"Tabitha," he said, clearly, as she walked past, "I shouldn't have said that today. About you can't get a fuck and should put a bag on your face. I guess I over-reacted. It was just stupid."

He did not move, did not unfold his arms. She could turn, or keep walking, even (as he expected) flick him the finger. His code was satisfied. Whatever came next, if anything, was her call.

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.