Alexis wasn't sure how long she'd been working in the school system, at least 5 years by now... most likely. She sighed as she packed boxes, lifting pictures off the shelves; pausing as she looked over each. Most were with students and their best projects; others were from parent teacher meetings or awards.

The pay was lousy, it was never the best but she could get by. Up until recently she enjoyed her job, she could live with getting by on paycheck to pay check. But up until recently it was all about art, now they were pushing for more testing, better test scores. The whole system was falling apart around her; especially with the rumors that her pay check was going to be based on kid's grades.

Her long talks with the boards and the talks between other teachers, it ended up Alexis just couldn't take it anymore. "It's about the policy and the politics, it's hindering my job. If I can't teach the students up to my level because I have restrictions, then it's just not worth it." She explained as she left her keys, teacher ID and other things on the desk.

She paused, "You've got enough subs to cover, I'm sure you'll find someone to replace me quickly." She added, "Besides there's bound to be tons of people willing to move from where-ever they are to take my job."

It wasn't something Alexis wanted to do; it was something Alexis had to do. She owed it to the students; she wouldn't teach something that wasn't worth their time or hers. "I can't just teach to a book, there is no book in art. There's no right or wrong it's just giving it your best and knowing who has and who hasn't. If I know someone can do better I can't just hand them an A."

It was that conversation and the end of it that Alexis had resolved that she was no longer fit for the job. She was found walking boxes out to her car on a Friday after all the classes and students had gone home, Alexis could feel other teachers watching her. She couldn't help it though, her passion had fizzled out; teaching was no longer what it used to be. Despite that Alexis left with her head held high though, giving no indication that she was leaving in her class earlier. She didn't want to see heartbroken kid her last day, no tears. When the last of her boxes were in her car Alexis turned to look at Knightside Elementary one last time. "And this is where we part ways..."

When Alexis got home, everything in her apartment, and changed into her pajamas. She sighed and ended up sitting on the couch with her feet up, a cup of warm cocoa in one hand and a book in the other. Alexis was going to have to figure out what to do now that she didn't have a job. There was a sigh, at least she could free lance, her eyes following along the words of the book, on the crisp page. Each turn was a comfort as the former knight side teacher sat there in her pajamas.

It was when she was in about to the second chapter of her book midway a thought struck her. "Hm... maybe I should write my own book." She took a sip of her hot chocolate as she thought, eyes hovering on the page, "I've read enough of these I should be able to write one, I mean how hard could it be to write a novel?"

Alexis smiled as the idea seemed to brighten her day. If she could write a novel maybe she could live somewhere better than her dinky apartment.