Jim's Gym Journey

the changeroom … just everywhere! To his disappointment, Raven was nowhere to be seen. Giving up on his search, Jim decided to clean himself up before the school day started. When he returned to the supply closet, he noticed a colourful shirt contrasting starkly against all his bland janitorial overalls. As he stepped out of the gym in his new attire, he was like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon: colourful, confident, captivating. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a familiar face walking down the pathway. Doing a double take, Jim realised that it was Raven, though she looked extremely different. In place of her large turban and wispy dress, her hair was fashioned in neat curls and she wore a smart ankle-length skirt. Hurriedly, Jim ran out of the gym and towards this foreign version of his new friend. “Raven!” he called out. Raven turned around to face Jim, her eyes, which had stayed the same despite her change in appearance, beaming with happiness. “Jim!” she called out in response. “What happened to you? What are you doing here? How are you here?” Jim questioned. “Slow down, Jim,” Raven laughed . “I had been asleep for a long time but, after we managed to escape from that endless train, I woke up. Before I had fallen into that slumber, I had been an English and Arts teacher at this school, so now I’m back! See, look at m y badge! Nice to meet you, I am Mrs. Nite. ” Raven extended her arm, offering a handshake. Jim shook Raven’s hand and remarked , “Wow! What are the chances that we work at the same school? I am the gym cleaner here!” “What a coincidence! It must have been written in the stars!” Raven commented. A student approached the two adults, holding a box of lamingtons. “Hey, Mrs. Nite! I heard that you were back at school, so I made some lamingtons for you! I’m just so excited to have you as my teacher again!” “Wow, thank you, Bridget! That’s so kind of you,” Raven replied . “You’re welcome!” Bridget turned her head to look at Jim, “Hi, Mr. Janitor! Would you like one as well? ” Jim recognised the child as the same one who had greeted him each evening for years , to whom he hadn’t bothered to respond. He was astounded, as no student had ever given him anything before, other than a mess to clean up. Gradually, as Jim realised that the child was genuinely offering him a lamington, a smile spread across his face and he nodded cheerily. Jim enjoyed the rest of his life, happy knowing that he could finally be himself, and doing it all with his best friend.