The classroom was warm. Sunlight streamed through the windows. Parents were seated in rows of small chairs, their knees pressed against the desks. It was a room designed for children, but today it was filled with adults. Nerissa sat near the back. She had found a seat by the window. She told herself it was for the light. But really, she wanted to be close to the door. Her stomach churned. She pressed her hand against it. She took a slow breath. Just get through this, she told herself. Then you can go home and rest. The homeroom teacher, a young woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, stood at the front of the room. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming." The murmurs faded. "Before we begin, I want to thank you all for being here. Your presence shows how much you care about your children's education." She smiled. "As you know, our school's anniversary festival will be held four weeks from now." Some parents nodded. Others looked curious. "At our school," the teacher co
Last Updated : 2026-07-06 Read more