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Layla works at the desk of a school. She sits at a big desk near the front door. Every morning, she checks the and answers questions from parents and students. She likes her job because she likes helping people. The school is busy in the mornings. Many people come to the desk. Some people ask about classes. Some people ask about their children. Layla always tries to be and polite. She has a cell phone for work calls. She also has the school phone on her desk. Today is a very busy day. There is a big meeting in the school. Many parents are coming. Layla wants everything to go well. She takes a deep breath and smiles. At nine o'clock, a parent named Mr. Park comes to the desk.
He wants to talk to the . Layla says, "Please wait one moment. I will check if she is free." Layla picks up the school phone. But before she can , her cell phone starts to ring. She looks at the screen. It is her sister calling. Layla thinks, "This is not a good time." She does not answer the call. She puts the cell phone down. Then her cell phone rings again. Mr. Park looks at the phone. He looks at Layla. Layla feels . She says, "I am so sorry." She picks up the cell phone and ends the call. Then her cell phone rings a third time. Layla's face turns red. Mr. Park starts to laugh.
"Your sister really wants to talk to you!" he says. Layla laughs too. She quickly puts the phone on . After Mr. Park goes to the 's office, Layla calls her sister back. Her sister says, "I just wanted to ask what you want for lunch!" Layla laughs and shakes her head. She says, "Please don't call me at work. Send me a message next time." Her sister says, "OK, sorry! I didn't know you were busy." Layla feels better after the call. She puts her cell phone in her bag. She does not want it to ring again during work. The rest of the morning is quiet. No more surprise phone calls. At lunchtime, Layla's sister brings her a sandwich. Layla smiles and says, "Thank you. But next time, just text me!" Her sister laughs. They eat lunch together outside the school. It is a funny story that Layla tells her for many days after.
the front desk of a school, office, or hotel where people go first when they arrive
"Layla works at the reception desk and greets everyone who comes in."
a plan that shows what will happen and when
"Layla checks the schedule every morning to see which classes are happening."
the person in charge of a school
"Mr. Park wants to speak to the principal about his child."
feeling uncomfortable or ashamed because of something that happened
"Layla feels embarrassed when her cell phone rings in front of the parent."
making no sound; quiet
"Layla puts her phone on silent so it does not ring again."
to call a number on a phone
"She is about to dial the principal's office when her phone rings."
a person you work with
"Layla tells her colleagues the funny story about her ringing phone."
relaxed and not worried or excited
"Even when the school is busy, Layla tries to stay calm."
wait one moment
used to ask someone to stop and wait for a short time
"Layla says, "Please wait one moment" while she checks if the principal is free."
this is not a good time
used to say that now is a bad moment for something
"Layla thinks, "This is not a good time" when her sister calls during work."
put (something) on silent
to change a phone setting so it makes no sound when it rings
"Layla quickly puts her phone on silent after it rings three times."
call (someone) back
to telephone someone again after they called you first
"Layla calls her sister back after Mr. Park goes to the principal's office."
send me a message
used to ask someone to write a text instead of calling
"Layla tells her sister, "Send me a message next time.""
turns red
when someone's face becomes red because they feel embarrassed
"Layla's face turns red when her phone rings for the third time."
take a deep breath
to breathe in slowly and deeply, often to feel calm
"Before the busy morning starts, Layla takes a deep breath and smiles."
next time
used to talk about what should happen on a future occasion
"Layla says, "Next time, just text me!" to her sister."
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