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I would’ve pushed my move to September if I’d known it would be this hot on Pepys Island in July.

But I figured it’d be cooler here, being close to the beach and all, so I decided to move right away.

I hate summer in the city. The air gets thick, there’s no breeze, only asphalt and buildings bouncing around light everywhere, making the weather forecast’s ‘real feel’ the only thing I trust.

So, as soon as I had the chance, I packed my bags and came to Aria which is the biggest small town on Pepys Island and seemed the safest place to move to.

I don’t know how to live without a supermarket nearby.

I don’t know how to function without a supermarket nearby.

My meal planning skills? Honestly, they’re terrible.

I swear I have a list when I shop, and yet somehow I never go more than two or three days without needing to run back for something I forgot.

There’s always something. And today is no different.

I don’t have a snack to bring with me to work.

We can't have that. At least I’ve made friends with Helena, one of the cashiers, which makes the errands feel a little less lonely.

As I was saying, summer in the city is the worst. And for some reason, I thought summer would be better here.

Could I have checked the weather forecast? Yes. Did I? Absolutely not.

But with all the open spaces, the mountains and very few glass skyscrapers, I figured there’d at least be a breeze. Nope. None. Nothing. Nada.

Showing up with my armpits drenched in sweat was not the first impression I was hoping to make. It’s my first day working at the school here on Pepys Island. Being a teacher has always been my dream and I feel so lucky I get to do that.

In the city, I moved schools again and again due to budget cuts, schools closing as it gets harder and harder to get the financial support they need.

It made being a teacher so much harder, I felt exhausted with the constant bouncing around.

Pepys Island seemed a safe choice, being so far away and living on an isolated island is not for everyone so they’re always hiring willing teachers.

Honestly, as long as I get to teach these kids; get to be the mentor they need me to be, I’m okay with living in a more isolated location.

After I grab some snacks, I head to the school.

The school is open all year around to help out parents who work through the summer.

Although they’ve told me classes are more relaxed at this time of the year, focusing more on teaching themes that don’t fit the school year schedule and making sure the kids have plenty of time to play.

“Okay everyone, here’s Bethany, she’ll be joining us. She’ll be teaching Math and IT.”

“Finally someone to help us fix the computers!” one guy wearing a blue plaid shirt says.

She turns to me. “We’re all doing more than teaching these days. Ever since the IT guy quit, we haven’t been able to find a replacement. So we’ve been struggling.”

“I’ll be happy to help,” I say truthfully. “Maybe I could teach the kids how to fix them too.”

“That’s such a great idea Bethany! I knew you’d fit right in.

That’s exactly what we need: new ideas, new things going on.

Most of the kids are here because they can’t stay home all day while their parents are at work, but it’s summer for them, you know?

We don’t want them to feel like it’s regular school.

It’s just the same place where they go all year but it’s nothing like that.

There’s plenty of freedom here to make sure it feels different for them.

That also gives us plenty of time to prepare for the next school year.

We’re lucky to have this incredible staff that gives us teachers time to do that too. ”

She looks at them appreciatively and points towards an empty chair and I take the order to sit down with the rest of the team.

It’s Thursday morning, an unconventional choice for a first day, but the headmistress wanted me to have a shorter week.

Her words were ‘we don’t want you to get tired right away.

’ I guess today’s meeting is part of the reason too.

It seems this is a weekly meeting where everyone on staff gets to share their struggles and their plans for the week ahead.

It’s a way to make sure everyone is in sync and it’s the perfect environment to learn about the dynamics of the place.

When the headmistress starts talking about needing volunteers, I perk up. I’m eager to feel useful after spending the past hour quietly listening to every single person. I’m ready to help everyone and be part of the team.

“First up, we need someone to talk with Marcus about requesting access to the small lake next to his house. The local pool is closed and I think it’d be good for the kids to swim this summer.”

Talk with someone? That seems easy enough. I raise my hand.

I’m feeling very proud of myself until everyone turns to me in surprise and then sly smiles appear on their faces.

“What?”

“No one has been able to get Marcus to give us access to the lake for years.”

Oh. That’s not ideal.

“I’m sure Bethany will be able to do it! This is the first year that we don’t have access to the public pool, so I’m sure he’ll understand!” the headmistress says. I bet she likes to be everyone’s cheerleader.

“If he even answers the door.”

“If he doesn’t kill her.”

“What?” I shriek. That’s a whole other level. I certainly don’t want to die. I didn’t even get a chance to get a plant for my apartment yet!

“Don’t let them scare you. Marcus is inoffensive. He’s just closed off and people like to spread rumors about him. He looks scary, but I promise you he’s not.”

“I bet he hates children,” someone says. “If that’s not it, why doesn’t he let them access the lake?”

They’ve got a point. What’s the harm in letting the kids use the lake?

“Is he the owner of the lake?”

“Not really, no. But the lake is only accessible through his property, so it’s practically the same thing. He lives in the Almond Mountains. And up in the mountains, well, it isn’t like we can build a new road.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll convince him.”

I hope I sound way more confident than I feel.

But one thing I know for certain: I’m not backing down.

I want a chance to prove myself here. It might be something small in the grand scheme of things but it feels important.

Plus, I’ve a trick up my sleeve. Behind this frilly dress and these Mary Janes, is a very stubborn person.

When the meeting wraps up, the headmistress gives me her car keys–I still don’t have a car–and the address.

“Good luck!” People shout as they see me go.

He can’t be that bad, can he?