I could have stared holes in her. There was a deliberateness in how she ignored me, how she didn’t even shift her gaze over to Beouf. She was practically a soldier at attention, waiting for the bus doors to open. She knew what had happened last week. There was no way she didn’t. She knew I was standing there, looking like a resentful toddler; there was no way she didn’t.

She wouldn’t even look at me. I had expected to see something from her; anything. A look of guilt that she’d abandoned me to the giants. A sad and sympathetic smile, perhaps; to indicate that she hadn’t but there was nothing she could do to help. She didn’t even go along with the gaslighting and give me a cheery smile and a friendly wave.

It was like I didn’t exist to her.

That hurt. That really hurt.

My gaze shifted up. Standing behind Tracy was an Amazon; another teacher…my replacement, perhaps. She was heavy set, even for an Amazon, with middle-aged wrinkles and a piggish nose and multiple chins. She was dressed almost identically to Tracy; or more likely Tracy was dressed as a miniature version of her.

Janet wasn’t the only Amazon who liked matching her outfit to someone smaller than her.

The doors to the last bus opened, as just like the old routine we’d set in place, it was Tracy who climbed the stairs to escort our students off the bus. Routine, and perhaps the fact that the intruding teacher would have a hard time in those heels. Seriously…who wore heels when working with three and four year olds?

Something about her bothered me, and it wasn’t just her mean mug. Where had I seen her before? I scanned her carefully, wracking my brain. It was the purse! I’d seen that purse before!

The last time I’d seen this stranger, her purse had been filled with a rattle, a bottle of juice, and a diaper that had just barely managed to poke itself out. This was the woman who had tried to help Brollish set me up! I’d just been too sleep deprived and quietly terrified to take anything else about her sink in. And now it looked like she had my job…

Beouf squatted down in front of me, obstructing my view. “I talked with your Mommy, Clark.” I blinked and focused on her. “She told me that you’re getting a special treat at the end of today, but only if I tell her you were good. Do you understand?”

Sullenly, I nodded. Yeah. I understood. Beouf was in on the plan. If I pushed too hard, too fast, or made any big scenes today, I’d never get to see Cassie ever again. The pain still fresh, even the hope of seeing her was the thing keeping me afloat.

I made myself look away: Away from the pretender who’d taken my place. Away from the fair weather friend who refused to acknowledge me. Away from the two-faced traitor who had just been waiting for me to fail.

I had to keep calm. I had to keep my shit together.

For Cassie.

Zoge came out with two Littles, one on each hip. The boy had a gray onesie with a cartoon cactus on it that complimented his eyes. “Free Hugs” it read. For some reason, his bare legs stood out even more because of the socks and sneakers on his feet. The girl’s nearly white blonde ringlets spilled over her face. Her checkered romper dress looked every bit the infantile mockery of the real thing as my own sailor suit. Unlike Ivy’s outfit, hers at least covered her diaper once Zoge set her down and pulled it straight.

“Billy, Annie,” Mrs. Beouf said to them, “link up.”

Billy took my hand. Annie took his. Now I was well and fully trapped. Cold comfort that I’d trapped Billy with me and Billy took Annie.

A double take. Billy looked at me and his mouth hung open slightly. He didn’t speak, but I saw him move his lips. “Gibson…”

I’d been made. Recognized. I saw the shock in his eyes. The anger. The hatred. The cold satisfaction. I felt a hard squeeze. Not painful. Just rough enough to let me know it could be… I didn’t dare call out. Didn’t whine. Didn’t flinch.

Billy jerked his head away. Gave Annie’s hand a squeeze and jerked his head. Another double take. Another look of recognition. Shock. Anger. Hatred. Grim pleasure.

“Shauna. Mandy, link up.”

So the chain continued. In hushed whispers and hurried looks, every Little that had more than a week of experience in Beouf’s care was alerted to my presence.

“Jesse and Tommy. Link up.”

Some looked sad for me. Some seemed morbidly curious.

“Link up, Sandra Lynn.”

None of them seemed happy to see me. I wasn’t a new classmate. I was fresh meat.

Chaz came out last, still stroller bound and diaper uncovered. At least it didn’t look like he’d worn it overnight. “WHOAH!” he shouted. “DUDE! THEY GOT YOU, TOO?”

My face filled up with red pokers. I almost wanted a pacifier just then so I’d have something to bite into.

Almost.

“Yes, Chaz,” Beouf said calmly and loud enough so that everyone- even the actual children right behind us- could hear. “We have a new classmate today. We’ll make introductions after breakfast, but I’m sure you’ll all get to be good friends together.”

“YAY!” Ivy, of course.

No one else said anything. The silence was answer enough. This was going to be a long day.

Zoge handed the stroller off to Beouf and took Ivy’s hand. “Okay, boys and girls,” she said; her voice still had that odd and irritating musicality to it. “Let’s go get some num-nums in our tum-tums.”

This was going to be a very, very long day…