The school always smelled nice in the morning. All of the people weren't there- it was much too early for that. In fact, school still wasn't going to start for another half an hour. It was better this way though. It was so quiet, and the smell of books pervaded the air. No students milling about to interrupt her, push her out of the way, drown her out in a cacophany of teenage dreaming. Now it was just quiet.

Silence wouldn't deter her from her goal though. She'd promised Keren she would talk to the teacher, and Layton wasn't one to stray from goals. Mostly because she was afraid to cause insult to the one asking the task, but that was neither here nor there. Either way, she was going to do it.

The woman was, luckily, in her classroom setting up for the day. When Layton walked through the wooden frame into the classroom, the teacher didn't even look up, but after a quiet, "Um ... h-hello ..." her interest was finally piqued.

"Oh Layton, I didn't hear you come in. You're here ... early." There was an awkward pause and the shuffling of some papers before she added, "What can I do for you?"

Scooting in closer to the desk, Layton's fingers tightened around her backpack. It wasn't often that she asked others for requests, so this was tough for her. "I was wondering .... um I was just ... if its okay w-with you um ..." Layton's eyes flicked up to the teacher. They were met with concern and confusion, which didn't help her nerves at all. "About the um ... the ... th-the ... the speaking um ..." Layton took a deep breath, trying to focus herself. "W-Would it be possible for Keren to do the speaking and I do m-more of the research and p-powerpoint?"

The teacher gave her a long look, weighing the options in her head. Layton tugged on her backpack even tighter, waiting in anticipation of what the adult was going to say.

"I don't want to make your uncomfortable, but," she began, pursing her lips slightly, "Public speaking is a key skill for all your classes and for life." Layton's heart began beating harder as she heard the cursed words. "I'm sorry, I just can't allow you to skip such an important assignment."

"B-But maybe I c-c-could-" She saw the disappointment in the teacher's eyes and began to tear up slightly. "I c-can't even talk to y-you how am I- how am I s-supp-posed-!"

The teacher held up her hands, making a swaying motion. "Okay, okay. Calm down for a moment Layton. There's no need to cry, shh." Layton sniffled, but tried to keep it in. "Maybe we can find a way to compromise, okay?" Layton nodded slowly, wiping one of her eyes and feeling a bit childish. "Maybe you could practice it here, one on one with me after school or during lunch? The more practice you get in the more confident you'll feel."

Layton nodded in agreement, but only because she had to. She knew full well that practicing it a million times over wouldn't get rid of her stutter or her shyness. But what could she say? The teacher had already told her no, and Layton wasn't one to fight back to a teacher.

Voices rose in the hallway, students had begun to file in towards their classes. There was still a good deal of time before classes began, but students were showing up just the same.

"Class is going to start soon," the teacher remarked, nodding at Layton in a way that made it seem like the lady wanted to pat her on the head like a dog. She continued, "Why don't you go find your friends- there's still some time after all. You can't waste these high school years." She winked, but it didn't make Layton feel any better.

"Yes ma'am ..." Layton said, quietly filing towards the door.

That had gone just about as well as she thought it would.