Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

The secretary was in a tizzy, her voice tinged with panic, "Parents are ringing us off the hook, demanding answers. Some who live close by have already shown up at the school and are making a scene at the gates." Dr. Meraz looked seriously concerned. Things had really gotten out of hand.

"Ms. Fiona, head back to your classroom. We'll handle this," Keaton quickly advised.

Dealing with those parents was no small feat. Fiona, right in the thick of it, would be a magnet for their questions and accusations.

Nash knew just how fierce those parents could be, both in their words and their determination. He gave a quick nod, and Robert, along with another boy, moved forward. They each took one of Fiona's arms and started to whisk her away. "Flora, let's get out of here. Mr. Garcia and his crew can deal with this," they urged.

Being teenage guys with boundless energy, they easily lifted Fiona off her feet. Fiona was caught off guard, realizing she was being carried before she even had time to react. Fiona: "..."

They made a beeline out of Mr. Garcia's office, hustling down the hallway. Just as they were about to hit the stairs, they came face-to-face with a formidable group of parents.

"Hey there, can you tell me where Mr. Garcia's office is?" asked a posh-looking woman at the front, her voice honeyed and kind.

Fiona, her arms still pinned, managed a nod in the direction of the office, "Right down there, at the end of the hall."

"Oh, thank you, dear."

The woman glanced at Fiona, charmed by her looks and the sweetness in her voice.

But then...

She noticed Fiona's legs, dangling in mid-air.

With a quiet sigh, she thought about how unfair life could be.

Such a lovely girl, yet seemingly disadvantaged.

The woman felt a pang of sympathy for Fiona, giving her a compassionate look before heading off to Mr. Garcia's office. The rest of the parents followed, their resolve clear.

"Why did her look seem so off?"

Fiona

womandered, reflecting on t

elet

's expression, feeling

something was amiss.

"Maybe she's just jealous of your

youth, seeing in you what she's lot Nachmsted with a cool

Fiona pondered that, touching her chin thoughtfully. It did make some sense.

"Hey, ease up, you're squishing me," Fiona frowned, noticing her feet still in the air, "Put me down."

At her words, Robert and the other boy flushed with embarrassment and set her down quickly. Uh...

Yeah, it did feel a bit soft.

"Flora, we're really sorry, we didn't mean to..."

Fiona shook her head, "No worries, you were just pinching my side."

Robert: "..."

If anything, that just made it more awkward.

"Let's get a move on. Once all the parents are here, sneaking out will be a nightmare," Nash said impatiently. Right, let's hustle!

Robert and the crew tried to guide Fiona away, but—noveldrama

She wasn't moving.

Fiona stood firm, arms crossed, looking as calm as ever.

"Leave? Why would we?" she said, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "After someone went through aft this trouble to stage a drama for us, wouldn't it be a shame not toplay our part?" en