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How white roses stopped a death.

I walked down the hall towards my classroom. John had sent me a dozen white roses to mark my first year teaching. I remember thinking that life is fantastic. I have a noble job. I have wonderful friends. I have a beautiful child. And I have remarkable students. I walked down the hall and heard several comments on how beautiful the pure white roses were. I tilted my head in and inhaled slightly. The beautiful fragrance tickled my nose and I smiled again. He is so thoughtful.

I was lost is thought when I felt a bump. I struggled to steady the large vase. I looked back and noticed Amber. She is an average looking young girl who will be a beautiful woman. When she smiles I see all of the goodness that she has to offer. She is always the first to help a student when they are struggling and the last to leave, because she is helping the teacher clean up. She is in the Choir as well as being on the Girls Volleyball team. She never says a bad word against anyone I think how proud her parents must be.

"Amber. Honey you need to be careful to watch where you are going. I almost dropped everything." I said. She turned around and looked at me. I stared back. Something is different, I thought . Her hair is not as neat as it usually is. She is not wearing any lip gloss. Her shirt is wrinkled. And if I am not mistaken it looks like she has been crying. I looked again at her eyes and wait for her to respond. "Sorry Ms. K" She turns to walk away.

"Amber." I said again.
She turns towards me but avoids eye contact. "Yes, Ms. K."
"What is going on?" I asked. I know that something is wrong. Amber never looks away to avoid a conversation. She will just tell you she is too busy and make plans to talk later. Her noncommittal response concerned me "Look at me Amber. . . I know you. You know me. Do you really think I will let this drop." She looks up and a single tear runs down her cheek. She stands there staring into my eyes. The look is so haunting that I press the issue. " Why don't we go to my room and talk." I start to turn and I look to see if there is a response. Nothing. No movement, not a flinch. "Amber, I need you to come with me." I said more firmly.

" I can't. I need to get to the counselors office. Can I come by after class?" I responded with a yes but knew she wouldn't come by. She turned to leave and I noticed the shrink of her shoulders.

"Amber. Wait. I need to tell you something." She turned and looked at me with her vacant eyes. "You are one

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