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    Mia was an art student from the local college. When she heard about this volunteer program, she signed up right away.

    She was lively and animated, and her lessons were always full of energy. By the time ss was over, she’d blended right in with the kids, quickly bing their ringleader.

    Alessia’s eyes drifted back to her own papers as someone approached. She slid her notes closed, the movement so subtle and natural that ino /i

    one would have noticed. Not that she was hiding anything sensitive—just some scribbled improvements and things to fix.

    “Do you need something?” Alessia asked.

    “Ms. Warren said these are the questions from thest few quizzes. The kids are split by age group, so she teaches and tests them separately. All

    the materials are here.”

    Alessia taught math. After talking things over with Ms. Warren, she’d decided to start by giving a few problems to gauge the children’s current

    abilities.

    “Thank you.”

    i“/iWe’re all here to help each other out, right? Besides, it’s no trouble.” The young man set down the stack of papers and, instead of sticking around to make small talk, walked off without another word.

    Alessia tucked away her notebook, closed it, and focused on the packet

    of materials in front of her.

    Before long, it was lunchtime.

    After helping serve food to the kids, Alessia had just sat down when Mia plopped herself into the seat beside her.

    “Good afternoon!” Mia chirped.

    “Good afternoon.” It felt oddly formal, but Alessia was serious by nature,

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    so she just went along with it.

    Mia seemed delighted by her response. She found Alessia’s seriousness oddly endearing.

    “So, what were you working on all morning? You looked busy.”

    Mia had clearly been raised well–she didn’t talk with her mouth full and always waited until she’d finished chewing to speak.

    “I was putting together a quiz,” Alessia replied. The questions weren’t hard, but the real hassle was the ancient printer in the office–constantly jamming, painfully slow, and needed constant babysitting.

    Mia shook her head. “You know, you’d have been my least favorite teacher in school. First day, and you’re already giving tests.”

    “Then how about you swap with me and teach math instead?” Alessia quirked an eyebrow at her.

    Mia made a face. “No, thanks. I’m an art student for a reason. Math was always my worst subject. It takes a real genius, and my skill points are definitely not in that area–I can’t even fake my way through it.”

    Her dramatic response was so different from anyone Alessia had met before.

    i“/iiSo /iwhy’d iyou /isign up to be a teaching assistant?”

    “My parents actually met doing this sort of thing. They volunteered together in a remote vige. Once, my mom hurt her ankleing down the hill, and Dad carried her the whole way back…”

    “So, what–are you hoping to twist your ankle too?” Alessia teased.

    Mia shot her an indignant re. “Aren’t you supposed to say, ‘So you want to find a romance like your parents‘?” She sped her hands over her heart and fluttered her eyes dreamily.

    “So, have you found your romance yet?”

    “Nope.” Mia’s expression dropped. “But… I think I’ve found something

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    even better. So it’s okay.”

    “A new purpose?” Alessia asked.

    Mia nodded, her gaze drifting to where the children were eating. Her eyes

    softened.

    “Look at them. Aren’t they adorable? I think my parents fell in love not because of an injured ankle, but because they shared the same kindness and the same dreams. That’s why they met, and why they stayed

    together.”