Chapter 24: The First Lesson

I wanna start building something that's mine, not given.

Liana

Dr. Bailey handed me a flyer after our Tuesday session.

Plain paper. Blue ink. A logo I didn't recognize.

"It's an online tutoring platform," she said. "Mostly for elementary ESL students."

I stared at it.

"You understand English," she continued. "You just need more practice with structure. You said you want to improve your english. Teaching is the best way to learn."

I looked up. "I've never taught anyone."

"You don't need a degree," she said. "Just patience. And clear instructions. You already do that with yourself."

I didn't know what to say.

She didn't smile. 

But her tone softened in that way she used sometimes—when she saw the panic flicker behind my eyes before I even knew it was there.

"You don't have to decide now. Just… think about it."

And she left it at that.

No push. No pressure.

Just the flyer in my hand.

That night, I went back to my room after dinner and pulled out my laptop—the one he bought me after we signed up for the class.

I typed in the platform name.

It didn't look fancy. The layout was clean. Friendly. Soft colors.

Pictures of kids holding up worksheets, smiling through the blur of low-resolution webcams.

There were tutor profiles. Language levels. Time slots.

Parents posted requests for help.

"My daughter is 7, learning beginner English."

"Looking for a patient tutor for my son, age 9."

"Must be okay with shy students."

Most sessions were online.

Some were voice-only. Others used video.

I hovered over the "Apply" button for a long time.

I'd never turned on my camera before. Never had the chance to use it.

But the more I looked through the listings, the more I saw… people.

People who looked harmless.

Kids who didn't need a perfect tutor.

Just someone kind. Someone who listened. Someone who tried.

Could I be that?

I didn't know.

But maybe I wanted to try.

Not because of the money.

Though Dr. Bailey had mentioned it.

"It's not much," she'd said, "but it's something."

She was right.

I had nothing. No job. No record. No income.

And that was fine. Elias never asked.

But I was tired of only needing.

Of always being the one who received.

What if—

Just once—

I could give something back?

I clicked on "Create Account."

It asked for a name, an intro video, a preferred age group.

My hand hovered over the webcam icon.

I breathed in.

Then turned it on.

The screen blinked.

And there I was.

My hair tied back. A soft gray sweatshirt.

The background: the bookshelves Elias made for me.

I looked… small.

But not scared. Not entirely.

I hit record.

"Hi," I said. My voice came out quieter than I expected.

"My name is Liana. I'm a tutor for beginner English. I can help with reading and pronunciation. I'm very patient."

I paused.

"I used to be scared to speak English. Now I'm not. I want to help other people feel the same."

I blinked.

Then smiled. Just a little.

"I hope to meet you soon."

I stopped the recording. Watched it once. Didn't hate it.

I uploaded it. Filled out the rest. Clicked submit.

Then sat back.

There was no explosion. No great rush of pride or fear.

Just the quiet.

And the thought: Maybe this is how it starts.

Not all at once. Not with applause. Just… a small click.

A whisper that said: You're doing something.

Something that's yours.

And for tonight—

That was enough.