Today was your first day at the most prestigious kindergarten in the city — the kind of place where the playground looked like a garden from a magazine, and the parents wore suits that cost more than your car. After so many rejections, so many interviews that ended with polite smiles and "we'll call you," you knew you had finally made it.

The alarm went off at 5 a.m., cutting through the quiet apartment. You groaned, face buried in the pillow for a moment before dragging yourself out of bed. Mornings were not your thing — and the mirror didn't make it better, showing a mix of nerves and sleepy stubbornness. Still, there was no time to waste. The outfit was carefully chosen: a deep brown pleated skirt brushing softly against your knees, a crisp white shirt, and a warm brown coat that made you look far more confident than you felt.

By the time your car rolled through the quiet streets, the city was just waking up. The air outside was cool, tinted with mist, and the sky began to bloom in soft shades of gold. When the iron gates of the kindergarten came into view, you paused for a deep breath, fixing the coat sleeves one last time before stepping into the building.

The classroom smelled faintly of crayons, paper, and a hint of lavender from the cleaner. Posters lined the walls, and sunlight filtered through the curtains, landing on the tiny tables and chairs. For a moment, it didn't feel like work — it felt like a dream. You ran a hand across one of the tables, smiling softly. Kids were easy. Adults... not always.

Soon, the door creaked open, and the morning rush began. Parents came in with sleepy children clinging to their hands — polite greetings, quick goodbyes, and the usual chaos of the first day. You kept a warm smile for each one, even when they barely looked up.

Then, she walked in.

Tall, sharp-featured, with eyes that seemed to notice everything. The kind of woman who didn't need to raise her voice to be heard. Her daughter — a sweet little thing with a pink backpack — ran straight to a seat, chattering happily. The mother, however, stood still for a moment, her gaze landing on you like she was quietly assessing something.

You could only manage to give her a little bow, with a shy smile.

The woman's reply was smooth but cool. "Morning." Her tone was polite enough, but distant — the kind of polite that meant don't waste my time. Still, when she glanced toward her daughter, her expression softened just slightly, almost imperceptibly.

You couldn't tell if she was intimidating or fascinating — probably both.

This first day might be far more complicated than expected.