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Surely, it would get easier in time. And it wasn’t as if this was the first time that she’d overseen a class on her own. Shauna took a deep breath in, held it for a few seconds, and exhaled. She could do this.

Shauna looked around the room, empty though it was. The walls had scuffed marks from shunted chairs and desks, and were painted a dull beige colour which blended into the dusty carpet. Her desk was a little left of centre with a whiteboard that was relatively clean and ready to go. She’d set up her laptop and her lucky water bottle, a gift from her best friend, which always made her smile.

Voices carried along the corridor, and Shauna felt a flutter of anxiety, then gave herself a shake. ‘Fake it till you make it, fake it till you make it.’ The mantra was murmured softly, and it helped. She pulled her shoulders back, and smiled a welcome as she turned to watch the first of her new students come into the room.

There was the occasional nod, but mostly they filed past her and took their seats, with barely a skipped beat in conversations. It was easy for them, Shauna thought. They know each other. She rested against the desk, doing a quick head count. No-one seemed to be concerned that they were a little late in starting.

On the desk, Shauna’s mobile flashed and wriggled. She turned to read the screen. It was a message from her Mum.

‘You’re going to be great XO’.

Shauna smiled, turning the phone face down before taking a deep breath and facing the room. She deserved to be here. Imposter syndrome was all in the mind, and she knew her craft.

‘Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the first lesson on how to win at Scrabble.’ She gave her best bluffing smile and looked around the room. Faces were turned expectantly towards her, and she began to relax, just a little.

This was written to a prompt at my writing group.

Photo: Scrabble board