Return of Seamstress Cybunny: Part One

     Shai's Outfitters was usually a quiet little shop in a small village located on Terror Mountain. Ever since the incident with my siblings and me, the shop became the talk of the town. On weekends, the place would be piled with Neopets searching for special outfits to wear. I recently learned how to stitch plushies. Those, along with the clothes, were the only goods that were sold in Shai's Outfitters.

     I was known as Sakura, usually called Seamstress Cybunny. My dark pink fur matched my lighter pink eyes perfectly. I often wore my work uniform, which was a pink dress with a dark pink heart in the center. It was my very first piece of work in the workplace I also called home. The dress was made of a special kind of silk from the other side of Terror Mountain.

     My mother, yellow with cheeks as pink as a strawberry milkshake, lived in a cabin-like house where my twin sisters and I used to live. When off from work, I would pop over for a small visit.

     My boss and special friend, Shai, was a yellow Wocky with many wrinkles. Sometimes she looked frail, especially since she had a high fever a while ago. I often felt bad for her because she suffered so much over the last month. Fortunately, the clothes and plushies that were sold daily helped pay for a lot of bills.

     At first, I thought that I would go to teach at a local Neoschool in Neopia Central. Now, with my specialty of being a seamstress, I felt very happy and glad that I stumbled upon this place on the coldest night in Terror Mountain. I thought that this would be my future. However, that didn't exactly happen either.

     It was a usual morning, with snow expected in the afternoon. Shai was making morning tea while I sat on my cushion drawing a sketch for new plushies and dresses.

     "Good morning, dear." The kind Wocky smiled as she passed me my teacup.

     "Good morning, Shai!" I replied with my usual positive greeting. Shai smiled and drank her tea. I had finished the day's issue of Neopian Times, so I gave it to Shai for her to read. She wasn't feeling feverish or ill, which was a good sign.

     "Sakura..." The Wocky looked up from the Times.

     "What is it?" I asked with curiosity. Despite my petite size, I was rather curious of some things, especially in the shop.

     "I have something to give to you. Please close your eyes." Shai got up and went behind the wood counter. I obeyed and closed my eyes, wondering what the gift may be. Would it be a new material to practice on? The different fabrics of Neopia always fascinated me.

     Suddenly, I felt something land on my paws. I opened my eyes slowly and saw a wrapped piece of paper.

     "Shai? What is this?" I asked.

     "Well, Sakura, unwrap the ribbon."

     The ribbon was a golden yellow colour with small red dots all over. I unwrapped the ribbon and opened the piece of paper.

     Dear Sakura,

     Congratulations! You have been accepted to Neopian Teaching School, located in Neopia Central. Attached to this letter are directions to the building. Classes will begin on the date shown.

     Sincerely,

     The Neopian Teaching Committee

     What? I had been accepted into a school for teaching? This is insane enough!

     "Shai? This is an ACTUAL letter, right?" I stared at the Wocky for a moment.

     Shai held out the directions to the school and smiled sweetly. I had a feeling that the letter wasn't a fake.

     "I object to going to this school! First of all, I didn't sign up! Second of all, I actually enjoy working here!" I pleaded. "Please, Shai, don't make me go!"

     "Overruled," she simply replied. "You shall be going to school. This was your dream in the first place, right, Sakura?"

     I nodded my head slowly. I had also wondered who actually paid for the supplies and books. That was my next question to Shai. The elderly Wocky smiled once again at me.

     "Your mother signed you up. I paid for some of it, your sisters paid for some of it -"

     "WHAT? My SISTERS paid for this?" I instantly stood up from my cushion. "You have to be kidding about this! My sisters wouldn't even pay for much of anything! Even necessities!"

     "Calm down, dear," Shai sighed. "Anyway, yes, your sisters paid for this. They only did so because they were sent to the dungeon a bit ago and were charged many, many fines. So, that's another reason for going to this school."

     I couldn't believe what I heard from Shai during the past few minutes. It was shocking enough that I get to go to a special school, but even more when I found out that my sisters paid for some of this. I imagined that Colleen and Colette were quite appalled at the fact that their money was being spent on my future.

     "So, when will I be going to this school?" I quickly asked while putting my teacup away.

     "Classes will commence in a few weeks. You should pack up next weekend," Shai replied, voice suddenly croaking.

     "Shai? Are you all right?" I hopped back to my cushion.

     "Yes, I'm just fine." The old Wocky coughed a little. "You don't need to worry about me."

     I became worried about Shai's condition - whether she would have to be rushed to the hospital again or not. I only sighed at the thought. Questions, however, still raced around in my mind - would I have to be excused from school to help Shai? Should I not go at all?

     The next few weeks went by faster than a snowstorm. I was right next to the door, with my suitcase and supplies ready to go. Shai approached me with a smile.

     "Be careful, dear, and have a safe trip!" she smiled.

     "I'll come on weekends if I get the chance!" I waved and closed the door. It was time for my dream of becoming a teacher to come true. To get to Neopia Central, I rented a sleigh and dashed down the snow flurries. A boat was ready to take me to the warmer region.

     Many hours later, I finally arrived at my destination - Neopia Central. The walkways were crowded with people, especially in marketplaces. I made myself a mental note to buy a few souvenirs for Shai and my mother before leaving. Many houses of different styles and materials were lined up in many more rows.

     I eventually found my house, which was owned by the school. They give you a house, which was included in the costs of attending the school. I became excited about starting my education.

     Taking a peak at the starting date, I grabbed the direction sheet. As it turned out, the classes started two weeks ago!

     "Why didn't that Wocky tell me earlier?" I shouted out loud. There were a few vibrations during that scream. It seemed that the first time was going to be a very difficult time.

     The next day, I was ready to go to classes. I carried my books with one paw and my supplies with the other paw. The books were quite thick with thousands of pages contained in all. Supplies weren't as much of a big deal though - they were only paper, pencils, and pens.

     The Neopian Teaching School was as tall as an ordinary school, with two floors full of classrooms and books. It seemed that the difficulty wasn't going to be much. While walking toward the doors, I heard a Yurble and a Lupe gossiping. I had thought that this was a school of grading and teaching, but I assumed that even teachers, whether they're students or not, had gossip as well.

     My classroom was on the first floor, the fourth door to the left in hallway B. The halls were crowded with students who weren't going to classes. I sighed as I approached my assigned class.

     As soon as I opened the door, a green Kougra was sitting in the front of the room. She was petite like me, but had a couple of wrinkles here and there.

     "Welcome. Who might you be?" The Kougra got up to shake my paw.

     "I'm Sakura," I replied with a smile. "This is my first day in classes."

     "I see. I'm Miss Kougra and your seat is over there." She pointed to a desk that was close to the teacher's desk, but closer to the board. I simply nodded and took my seat, while the teacher added my name to the attendance list. The chairs that students sat on were as hard as the desk - not as comfortable as my cushion back in Terror Mountain.

     About ten minutes later, the bell rang to begin class. Miss Kougra stood and walked to the front board.

     "Everyone, this is Sakura from Terror Mountain," she stated and nodded for me to stand. I heard whispers of first impressions. Don't get nervous, don't get nervous, I thought.

     "Sakura was a seamstress in a local clothing store," the teacher explained to the class. "I'm sure that you all will be on your best behavior as usual."

     That was it. I suddenly felt like as if I was in a little pet class, the one that you end up at when you were VERY young and small. Embarrassed by the introduction, I sat down in my seat while the teacher was explaining about other things.

     At the end of the day, I was relieved as ever to leave. Other students were teasing and making fun of me, the ways that Colleen and Colette used to make fun of me. I felt ashamed, nervous, and embarrassed at myself. I regretted coming to this school, and I even more regretted leaving Shai behind alone in Shai's Outfitters. Even though she was an old Wocky, I knew that with her condition that she would not be able to manage a whole store to herself.

     "Sakura!" Miss Kougra suddenly called. I turned around in an instant. Some of the pets around me were giggling and whispering. I was beginning to hate this school all around.

     "Yes?" I rushed back to the teacher. She simply smiled at me, the kind of smile that Shai always gave me when we first met.

     "During the introduction, did I make you feel unwelcome?" Miss Kougra asked with worry.

     "Well…no," I lied through my teeth. I never actually fibbed or anything before in my entire life. Actually, I only lied to my sisters a few times so that they could get off my backs.

     I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten something in the classroom. I dashed behind the teacher and found my missing item under my desk. Miss Kougra popped back in to the room, feeling that I didn't tell her the entire truth.

     "Are you sure that everything is all right?" she asked with a frown.

     "Well…um…it's hard to explain, really." I sighed and leaned against my desk. The teacher came around and looked at me face to face.

     "Was it the students? I can talk to them if you like-" While she was trying to finish a sentence, I suddenly heard something shatter.

     "No! I don't know who you are talking about!" I heard someone shouting. Another item shattered and I hurried out the door to find out where the crashing came from.

To be continued...