Page 1 of Searching for Sunshine (Crestbrook Cove #1)

STELLA

“ M iss Hale, Principal Wilson needs to see you at the start of your planning period,” the staticky voice of the school secretary blasts loudly through the archaic intercom system in my classroom.

“Yes, ma’am. Thanks, Mrs. Turner. I’ll be there as soon as the bell rings,” I yell before turning back to my class full of ninth grade students.

“Oh, Miss Hale, I didn’t know teachers got called to the office too. What’d you do?” one of the girls in my class teases, and I smile at her.

“Yeah, Miss Hale’s totally the trouble maker around here,” a student across the hall argues sarcastically. “Y’all know she loves rules. Remember when she spent the entire second day of school going over the handbook. There’s no way she did anything wrong.”

I have to laugh at that because he’s right. The district pushed out a ton of new rules at the beginning of the school year, and I thought it was important for them to be informed. But this class of students has never let me forget it, and it’s turned into something they love to tease me about.

“Whoa, whoa, guys it’s all okay. I’m sure there’s just some paperwork he needs me to look over, but enough about me.

Next week is the last week of school so I need you to make sure you study the figurative language notes for your final exam and get those last projects turned in too.

Let me know if you have any questions. See you all next week,” I tell my class as the bell rings, and they pile out of my room.

After tucking my phone into my pocket and taking a sip of my favorite energy drink, I blow out a breath and head to the office. I feel my anxiety rise at being called in, but I remind myself it’s probably over a referral I turned in last week.

“You can go on in. He’s waiting for you,” Mrs. Turner says, sending a small smile my way before answering the phone on her desk. I smile back at her before knocking on Principal Wilson’s door.

“Miss Hale, come on in and have a seat,” Principal Wilson says, gesturing to the small armchair across from his desk.

He pauses for a moment, but before I can say anything, he continues.

“I keep hearing great things about that classroom of yours. All the kids are talking about that field trip to see Romeo and Juliet that you took them on last month too.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wilson. We had a really good time and I’m so excited they all got to participate,” I say, waiting for him to get to the point and tell me why he really called me in.

“Of course. Well, I guess I should go ahead and get this conversation over with. As much as I don’t want to do this, the district’s given me no choice.”

“Uh, okay? What’s going on?” I ask, swallowing the nerves building in my chest.

Mr. Wilson gives me a sad smile before replying.

“Well Miss Hale, I’m sorry, but I wanted to let you know that the district will not be renewing your contract at the end of the school year.

I know we still have about a week left in the school year, but I wanted to give you time to start looking for other arrangements.

This also gives you time to resign if you’d like instead to keep it off your record. ”

I blink a few times, confident I didn’t hear him right. “What? I’m sorry, have I missed something?”

“No, not at all, Miss Hale. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but to be honest, I’m an old man with a year left until retirement.

I’ve spent the last ten years here, and I’m tired of seeing this district act in the best interest of the people in the office rather than kids in our classroom.

The district is losing a number of teaching positions, and we’re having to make a lot of cuts.

I pushed for us to reallocate some funds to keep some of you, but there just isn’t enough money to go around. ”

I stare at him in shock for another minute before I stutter, “But all of my observations and feedback for the last three years have been close to perfect. I’ve spent the last two summers rewriting the curriculum guides and organizing training for the other staff for free because they couldn’t find someone else to do it.

I’ve taken on all the clubs and extracurriculars you’ve asked me to.

” I pause and take a deep breath, as tears threaten to fill my eyes at the realization that I’ll have to say goodbye to all the students and staff I’ve spent the last three years of my life with.

“You’re right, Miss Hale. They have been.

And I don’t have words for how frustrated I am with this whole situation.

The truth is our class sizes are going to skyrocket, and I know the solution of filling the gaps with online classes is not going to benefit any of our students.

And I’ll be the first to tell you that no part of me thinks that you and the other staff members we’re losing are as replaceable as the district would like to believe.

But since we have to make cuts and given the fact that this was your tenure year, my hands are tied.

I’m so sorry. But once you have time to process this, I’ll be happy to make some calls and help you find something else. ”

Wiping away the lone stray tear that managed to break free, I smile at him and straighten my shoulders. “I understand, Mr. Wilson. I really appreciate you letting me know. I’ll have my resignation letter to you tomorrow, and I’ll let you know if I need a reference. Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Hale. Enjoy your weekend,” he says, turning back to a stack of paperwork on his desk.

Defeated, I walk out of the office and smile weakly at Mrs. Turner as I head back to my classroom.

At least it’s the end of the day because I don’t have the energy to teach another class after what just happened.

I collapse into my desk and take a moment to look around the classroom that doesn’t feel like mine anymore.

Sure, the last three years have had their ups and downs, but I’ve worked so hard building relationships with my students and trying to create some fun memories for them in my class.

I’m not too worried about finding another teaching position, but since the whole district is downsizing, I realize I’ll have to consider moving or committing to a pretty hefty commute for whatever new job I find. And that’s without the challenge of finding administrators who are supportive.

It looks like this summer might be more stressful than I planned.

“Hey, sweet boy,” I call out as I open the door to my apartment later that afternoon.

My chocolate lab, Duke, runs out of my bedroom and jumps on my legs in excitement.

Despite how shitty today has been, I can’t help but smile as his tail beats against the side of the counter when I bend down to pet his stomach.

“There’s my angel,” I tell him, and his long tongue slides out to lick my arm causing me to giggle. I got Duke two years ago from the shelter while I was on summer break, and his silly behavior never fails to bring a smile to my face. “Were you a good boy today?”

He gives me a goofy grin, and I pat his stomach again before standing to grab his leash. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go for a walk.”

Duke barks in agreement, and I grab his leash to take him on a lap or two around the apartment complex.

As I walk, I try to decompress after everything that’s happened today.

Before I can get too lost in thought, Duke pulls at his leash, reaching to grab a stick on the side of the sidewalk.

He brings it to me, wagging his tail at his new find.

My dog looks at me for a moment before dropping his new stick and sitting at my feet for me to pet him.

“You always know when I need some love, don’t ya sweet boy?

” I coo, bending down to his level and petting him again before leading him into the gated dog park in the apartment and throwing the stick for him to chase.

We play for a while until he’s panting and looking like he’s ready for a nap.

Re-clipping his leash, I pat his head before telling him, “Come on, buddy. Let’s go home. ”

I’m walking back inside when I hear my phone ping with a text. Pulling it out, I see that it’s Avery, my roommate and best friend from work.

Avery: Did you get the boot too?

Stella: Yep. They got you too, huh?

Avery: Sure did. Apparently the district doesn’t think funding art and some of the other electives is necessary. Biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard.

Stella: *eye roll* I hate that. I guess we’re job hunting together then?

Avery: Hell yeah we are. There’s no way I can deal with all the craziness at school without you.

Stella: Sounds good. I’ll start searching and see what I can find.

Avery: Perfect. I’m finalizing the set up for the art show next week and then I’ll be home.

Stella: Okay. Dinner?

Avery: As long as there’s also drinks, I’m in ;)

Stella: Deal.

I can’t believe this is happening, I think to myself, throwing my phone on the bed and changing into my running clothes.

I’ve spent the last three years devoting all of my energy to Smith’s Valley High, and now what?

I start over again in a new school? The thought makes my stomach hurt, so I try to focus my attention on getting ready for my run instead of the frustration and anxiety running through me at the thought of what the next few months may bring.

Running has always been my favorite way to unwind after a long day of work, and I definitely need something to take my frustration out on today.

After lacing up my running shoes, I grab my headphones and hit the trail behind the apartment.

It takes me a little longer than normal to find my rhythm, but after a few songs, I settle into my easy pace.

As I run, I go on autopilot and all the noise in my brain goes quiet for the next few miles.

I didn’t grow up in Smith’s Valley, Alabama, but I’ve spent the last ten years here, and I have to admit that the thought of moving to a nearby city for work does make me a little sad.

Between losing my Memaw earlier this year—who was the closest thing I had to a parental figure after my parent’s divorce—and now the loss of my job, I feel a little lost. My parents announced that they were separating the day after my high school graduation, and both of them rushed into new relationships, meaning I’d been all but forgotten by the time I moved into my dorm two months later.

My Memaw was one of the only family members that I still had contact with, and that knowledge made her loss even harder.

I’d give anything to call her and get her advice on what to do right now, but I can hear her voice now. “ Oh, my sweet child, don’t you know everything is going to work out? Life’s a trip and it’s time for you to enjoy the ride. And if you need some help, find yourself a hot guy and ride him too.”

Despite feeling my chest tighten with grief, I can’t help but smile at the thought.

Memaw was notorious for sprouting out some of the most inappropriate, silly things with a smile on her face.

Shifting my attention back to my run, I focus on my pace for the last three miles.

By the time I make it back to the apartment, I’m desperate for a shower, but I feel way better than I did seven miles ago.

“Damn, girl, hasn’t your day been bad enough? Did you really need to torture yourself anymore running in this heat?” Avery teases, holding up her wine glass. “Couldn’t you just have a glass of wine like the rest of us?”

“I figured I’d do both,” I say with a laugh, grabbing my water bottle and taking a long swig before turning back to her. “I’m going to grab a quick shower, and then we can go get dinner.”

“Sounds like the perfect end to a shitty day,” Avery says, shimmying her shoulders.