Forty One

Heading inside the now all too familiar building, I walked into the noisy classroom, only to find that the students were still in the middle of a colouring session.

"Julie!" Anya immediately perked up when she saw me, abandoning her crayon and nightmare fuel drawing to run up to me and hug my legs.

"Hey, brat," I patted her bright pink beret, trying not to cringe as the two teachers in the room let out a string of aww's.

I caught the kids I had absolutely obliterated at bumper cars glancing my way with genuine fear in their eyes, quickly turning away when I caught them staring. Wow. This is surprisingly therapeutic.

"You're early today," She said curiously, tilting her head up to look at me. "Caleb and I are colouring together! We haven't finished yet."

Narrowing my eyes, I whipped my head toward the other little brat, who jumped from his seat at my sharp look. Anya giggled. "He calls you scary uncle."

I gasped, offended. "Me? Uncle?"