Never Stop Running

He walked around the school corridors one more time. It wasn't his school. Well, it used to be but now it was someone elses. He used to be a pupil here many moons ago, but that was back in the early noughties when times were slightly different. And, when he came to think of it, before some of the kids' he's helping now were even born! Before they were even an idea! That was a strange feeling for him. He was in a borrowed place.

But now was the last time he would walk those corridors. His time had run out and he had to leave for good. Though, this was much easier said than done because he wasn't the only one leaving... The kids he was helping were leaving too as they all headed up to the dreaded BIG school. He totally understood their fear and dread as well as their excitement and joy. He'd been there. Many years ago still. He knew how it felt though the kids didn't understand that.

He looked around one more time as he slowly left for the exit. As he did, all kinds of memories flew around his head. He'd known the class he was with now for about 4 years helping them on and off for all that time. He'd effectively watched them grow up and, funny as it sounded, felt like a big brother to them. He would miss them somewhat.

He walked down the corridor, only to be greeted by a familiar voice. It was the voice of one of the pupils who he'd known before. He stopped and turned around to see her standing there. It wasn't her last day. She had 3 more days but he had to go. She stood there with her bag over her shoulder and white nike trainers on. She wasn't a chav in the making. Just kinda sporty. She smiled at him and said

"See ya Monday, yeah?"

He chuckled and shook his head.

"No. Not this time".

She looked at him confused.

"Why?"

"Because I'm off on holiday tomorrow. And I won't be here on your last day here. I would like to have been but, my holiday awaits!"

She looked at him slightly upset. He looked at her confused.

"What is it?" He asked her.

She walked up to him and looked up at his face, which was confused.

"I'm never gonna see you again. Am I?"

Suddenly, it hit him. She was probably right. They would never meet again. And this unsettled him somewhat. So much so, he couldn't lie to her.

"Probably not..." He said softly. "But maybe that's good?"

She looked confused.

"Good?! You've been here sometimes for four years! How is not seeing you again good?!"

This was a tricky question. He gave it some thought before crouching down to look her in the eye. He thinks he came up with the perfect answer.

"Do you know how old I am?" He asked her.

She gave it some thought.

"46?"

He looked confused.

"NO! I'm not 46. I'm 19 next week".

"Oh".

"I'm 18 and I have known you since I was 14. I first met you when you were 7 years old and I remember you when we first met. Crazy, manic, odd but you had a wonderful mind! I remember all of your class when you were 7! I absolutely loved being in your class! It was...an eye opener. And I came out of it with some amazing stories and I got to know some brilliant people like you. Then I came back again and again to your class to help you. Sometimes by request, sometimes not! But I was always glad when I knew I was in your class. Partially because you lot all knew my name so it was easier, but also because I knew how to deal with you all. I knew what you were like, I knew what you liked and you all knew what I expected of you. And watching you all go now, to big school, it..."

She looks expectant. He sighs.

"...It breaks my heart a little. I've watched you all grow up! And I feel so privileged to have been able to do so. It's just a little weird knowing I may not see you all again".

She didn't really understand the sincerity if his words but she realised that he was a little bit upset. She looked at him and tried to change the topic.

"Can I tell you something?"

He nodded.

"Of course you can! Anything".

She tries to find the words.

"I'm really scared..."

He looked confused.

"Of what?"

"Of big school".

"What are you scared about?"

"Everything. I'm scared of everything".

He chuckled and looked at her. She didn't understand why he was chuckling and looked a bit upset. He stopped chuckling and attempted to reassure her.

"I'm gonna give you some advice. I'm going to say it and what you do with it is your decision. But I want you to remember it if you can. Ok?"

She nodded.

"Big school isn't scary. It's TERRIFYING! But, it's also gonna be the best days of your life. Life will be easy for you for the next 7 years. And I'm not talking about the homework, the essays, the coursework, I don't mean that. I mean life generally. Sure you'll have relationships. Sure there'll be grown up problems and grown up arguments...but it'll be easy. Just don't think for a moment that everything will go your way. You'll make plans that won't come to pass. You'll have ideas that'll never see the light of day. But don't do what most people do and give up. Don't let it get to you. Just run. Run away from it and chase the future. Run towards the future. That future plan. That future idea. Just run. That's my advice. My advice to you for life and big school. Never...Stop...Running.

She smiles as she understands what he's saying.

"I like running..." She said.

"All the more reason to then!" He chuckled. He started to get up but she continued.

"Will I ever see you again?" She asked, looking quite sad at the idea now.

He smiled back.

"If I'm lucky..."

She smiled back.

"But I wish you all the very best of luck for the future. I know you'll do great. And I look forward to seeing you do so. Goodbye..."

She smiled back. He smiled once more and walked towards the door. She watched him leave the building before shedding a little tear. Like a big brother had just left home...

Four years or so later, she walked into the secondary school she'd frequented for the past few years and saw what she had for lessons today. It was the first day of the new school year and she was dreading GCSEs. But, just like someone she knew told her years ago, run towards the future. Which is what she was doing.

The day went by and it transpired that her first proper lesson of the new year was History. A subject she despised but only took to avoid Geography, which she hated more. She begrudgingly walked into the room and was greeted by a new man. A man she'd never seen before, yet seemed familiar. He turned around to look at her and smiled.

"Hello there...", he said, "Here for history?"

She nodded.

"Good. I was hoping you'd be here..."

And that's when it hit her. She remembered. A huge smile grew across her face.

"It's you!"

Her big brother had come home...