I tend to get so immersed in what I love that I forget everything else. I'd play alone, lost in the game, not caring about anything else around me. I was always worried about hurting someone, about doing the wrong thing. It wasn't supposed to be like that. I knew I had to stop.
"I'm really sorry, Lindsey, but you'll have to find—" I started to say, but my voice caught in my throat. The words felt heavy, stuck there, as if they couldn't escape. Just then, the same group of students from earlier noticed us. They stopped their game, and suddenly, they were rushing toward us, their faces curious and expectant.
"Teacher Lindsey!" one of the kids shouted excitedly.
"Teacher! Whose this lady?" another called out, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Hi miss!" a small voice chimed in.
"Wow, you're pretty!" someone added, grinning brightly.
"Are you a friend of Teacher Lindsey?" a third asked, tilting their head.
"Are you an alumni of this school?" another inquired, eyes gleaming with interest.
