Bianca waited, crossing and uncrossing her legs; the cool tug of the leather chair softly pulling at the skin of her thighs. The room engulfed her. Her plaid skirt was too short to allow her to sit back, so she perched at the edge of the chair, her legs swinging back and forth, her pendulous white socks reminding her of when she was a little girl. The room was still, a foreboding quiet she thought, her hands folding and unfolding the small piece of paper that had summoned her. The air was rich in the aura of academia, a deep wood stain scent, the walls paneled in dark maple, horizontal columns of black picture frames yielding diplomas, graduating classes, and hand shakes with dignitaries. Book shelves lined with bound editions, many with Dr. Montgomery's name on the binder. Floor lamps with stained glass shades, a wooden umbrella stand, the school's motto "Virtue, Dedication and Service" mounted on the wall behind the broad oak desk. Behind her the closed door, the word Headmaster etched in the glass casting a shadow over her face and shoulder. "Wait here", the secretary instructed without tone or expression, leaving Bianca's to wonder as the door clicked shut. "Come to my office immediately after class" were the only words on the note, followed by scrawling familiar signature of Dr. Montgomery. At the L'Academia Virtuoso, the Headmaster's rule was absolute.
His office was on the top floor of the administration building. Built in 1892, the building brownish red brick had softened with decades of wear, the trimmed ivy weaving around the windows with arching fingers. Through the window in his office she could see the open lawn centering campus, the zigzag of sidewalks crossing in the middle circle. Students rushed back to dorms, while faculty wandered the grounds or headed out for the evening. The building was quiet. Across campus the tower bell tolled five times. The school day was ending.
Crossing her legs again, Bianca squirmed slightly, the heat of the room a billowing pressure that pressed her temples and took her breath. Her thoughts spun with worries and why's. Her evaluations were good, very good. There were no disciplinary problems, no failed or forgotten assignments, no secret encounters with boys. Of course, it was not as though she never wished for physical pleasures, her mind wandered often. The dress code limited expression, but short skirts were allowed, and the sheer simple white of her blouse captured the curves of her breasts. She warmed recognizing the looks she received, and the tug and rub of her thong often quietly entertained her during long hours of lecture. However, it was solely self entertainment. The teachers at the Academy were too old, or married, or simply not interesting. So she was left to enjoy her own thoughts, the images she returned to in quiet moments, which made her blush and were certainly not for sharing or acting out.
Time dragged as she watched the bronze metal arms of the wall clock slowly twitch, teasing her. Her mind replayed Dr. Montgomery's introductory words when she first arrived at the school. Bianca had imagined herself done with the strict rules and expectations of school. She had graduated with top honors from college, and was expecting to be treated as a rising star. His remonstrations challenged and surprised her. As an intern in the program, she was expected to follow the same guidelines as the student. "Discipline and obedience are the criteria by which you will be judged" he toned, his words leaving her mouth dry and skin flushed. She had thought to argue, but as she looked into the cool green of his eyes, she remembered distinctly her head nodding, and the desire to meet his demands.
"Miss Vergini," Dr. Montgomery's voice echoed in the room, the closing door cutting off any connection with the rest of the school.
"Sir." Her eyes glanced up, hoping to catch some quick clue as to why she was called. He strode behind the desk, and sat heavily, his movements seemed to reflect a seriousness and made her even more anxious. "I, um, your note, you wanted to see me?"
Montgomery remained silence, shuffling through papers, ignoring her sitting across from him. Bianca tried not to squirm, and she found herself overly aware of the shortness of her skirt. A flush of heat rose in her back, and she silently prayed that the blush would not spread through her checks and betray her nervousness.
After several long moments, Dr. Montgomery's head rose, and for a few seconds he just looked at her, his eyes locking on hers, daring her to not look away. "Ms. Vergini, do you enjoy your position her at L'Academia?"
"Why, yes, of course, I love it her, I have always wanted to.."
"We if so, then our rules simply do not matter to you, somehow you are above the rest?"
"Sir, I am afraid, I mean, I don't know what you mean, have I broken some regulations, I am sorry but"
"Silence."
The firmness of his command drew her breath, her hands dropped to her lap, her head bowed.
"Do you think your behavior serves as an important role model to the young girls under your tutelage?"
"Why yes"
"Please Ms. Vergini, explain to me then how I should interpret your writings?" He reached into a drawer and set Bianca's journal on the desktop. She froze, the color draining from her cheeks, unsure if she could breath.
"But that, but I didn't, those are my private thoughts, my own writings, I have never shown anyone."
"Everything at L'Academia is under my authority, even your own private naughty little fantasies."
Bianca gasped, her mind spinning with the realization of all that she had written. Her desires had seemed so innocently far fetched and fanciful. She never imagined allowing anyone to read them.
