The weight of Guardian

“Alright class, I think it’s about time we reviewed what we went over today.”

Mom is in her element like usual, then again as a teacher she wants to make sure we’re ready for the future. Although, I would love it more if she didn’t always watch me during class. That and I hate how everyone naturally calls me the teacher’s pet, because my mom teaches the class. What do they think my mom’s giving me the answers or some-

“Nina!”

“Y-Yes!”

“Please answer the equation on the board, what’s 10+9.”

When my mother asked me to answer, she gave me a wink. No worries mom, I got this!

“Hmmm? 21?”

“Incorrect.”

You could hear the whispers in the class, everyone was shocked that the teacher’s daughter couldn’t get it right. Soon another girl raised her hand and got it correct, in all honesty I knew the answer was nineteen. When my mom winks at me, it means she wants me to take a dive. No one would grow if I answered everything for them, so that’s where I come in. Sometimes I’ll pretend to slip up in order for them to be able to stand on their own. It was annoying to me at first, but now I think I get it. It’s nice seeing everyone be able to grow and learn something. Thinking like that I couldn’t help but stare at Marcus, I wonder if he learned his lesson.

(You better not try anything funny…)

I thought like that as I watched his expression, eventually he noticed me and shot back a glare at me. I shrug and turn my head around, I swear he better not try anything with Ein. Thinking about him I shot a side glance his way. Ein was writing down notes from today’s lesson, and people treat him like trash. How could someone who works so hard be a cursed child? Poor Ein, I can only hope things get better for him.

****

“You did great today sweetie, I’m sorry you had to take the losing side today.”

“It’s okay mom, I’m happy I was able to help everyone.”

“You’re such a sweet child, I think someone deserves a nice treat!”

A treat? Wait does that mean!

“You’re Gonna Make Stew!”

“I might even make an apple pie too, I'd do anything for my little rabbit.”

“Mom! You said you’d stop calling me that…”

Even though her teasing annoyed me, I couldn’t help but smile and feel warm. I said my goodbyes to mom as she went home to cook and decided to make small talk with my friends.

“I can’t believe you got that wrong Nina, sheesh even I could solve that one.”

“Heh, sure you could Patty. Just last week you couldn’t even do 10+5.”

“Hey! Don’t make fun of me!”

Me and Patty started laughing, but soon we heard sinister snickers coming from our third friend.

“What is it Viola?”

“Hehehehe, I think you’re forgetting something important. Am I right Patty?”

“Something-Oh, you’re right!”

Soon enough Patty and Viola turned to me with starry eyes, and both started snickering. What’s gotten into these two?

“So tell us, what’s your relationship with Ein!”

“Huh?”

What is Viola talking about? Wait a minute, Don’t Tell Me!

“There’s Nothing Going On Between Us!”

“You answered that a little too quickly Nina! Come on, give us some juice!”

Patty, I expected better from you! And to think word about this morning's incident spread so soon!

“I must say, I’m jealous of you Nina. A lot of the girls think Ein is cute, but our parents tell us to stay away from him. Then you came running this morning while holding his hand, just how did you manage to get the drop on us.”

“Viola you dummy for the last time it’s not what you think!”

Despite seeing my irritation, my cherry red face caused those two to keep going. I swear Ein, you owe me one for this!

“Uh, excuse me?”

“Hmm? Sally, shouldn’t you be heading home?”

My torture was halted by the appearance of Sally, she’s one of the quiet girls in the class. She’s usually on her way home by this time, why is she here?

“Well you see, after watching your courage this morning-”

Curse You Sally! Not you too!

“-I decided to go see if I could talk to Marcus. I thought I might be able to finally confess my feelings.”

“Oh right, you have a crush on Marcus right?”

Sally’s face lit up red once she heard my statement, aren’t you a little lovebird. Wait, what does her confession have to do with me?

“When I went to talk to him, I saw him and his friends heading to the back of the school house. I’ve never seen him so angry before.”

“You saw him and his cronies heading to the back of the school, and he was angry?”

Why do I have a bad feeling all of the sudden? Wait a minute, where’s Ein? At that moment it felt like my body froze, how could I be so stupid!?! Of course that guy didn’t learn his lesson!

“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, anyway I gotta go. I’ll catch you guys around!”

I ran out the front door and swiftly hid around the corner, soon the girls came outside assuming I left. Thinking I was gone they started to follow suit and began talking about boys, jeez it’s a little too early to worry about that right? Now that that’s over-

“Ein, please be okay!”

I rushed to the back of the school house to stop marcus from doing what he was about to do.