When the pressure's on I can never seem to come up with any ideas. This is the thought tip-toeing through my mind as I leave the last Creative Writing lesson of term. The assignment's due first week back meaning I've only got three weeks. What am I going to write about? Just time for a quick cigarette outside the main entrance - cold wind whipping against my bare thighs, why did I wear such a short skirt on such a cold day? - before rushing inside for Late Victorian Fiction.
It's one of my favourite lectures but, as usual, I'm late. It's a small, intimate class so I've no choice but to sit near the front. I sidle into the room sheepishly and slide into my seat. Sarah (the lecturer) looks at me, noting my lateness, but not seeming to be bothered by it. Looking down I notice that, with the cold, my nipples are protruding quite prominently through my top. I glance round, embarrassed, to see if anyone's noticed; Sarah catches my gaze and smiles slightly.
"So," she's saying, "themes of female power and, indeed, sexuality, are common in the Fin de Siecle novels. There's a strong lesbian subtext in many of the pieces we've looked at, which was seen as dangerous at the time of writing." I feel quite relieved as this is the topic I wrote my essay on. I smile Sarah when she looks my way again.
I get on well with Sarah. I'm a bit older than the rest of the class so we're quite close in age. I'm twenty-six (considered a 'mature student,' a label I'm not too fond of) and Sarah is in her early thirties, teaching and working towards her PhD. Our relationship's purely that of teacher and student, but I feel like she thinks of me differently than the rest of the class. It's like we're closer to being on the same level.
It's true though that some of the students are scared of her. She almost looks like one of the characters from the Gothic novels we're studying with her jet black hair and pale skin. She has an air of confidence and authority that exudes power. I can see how that could be a bit daunting to some, but her confidence makes me feel confident too. She also has the longest fingernails of anyone I know - like elegant black talons - and I find them quite amazing.
"I'm pleased to say," announces Sarah, "that everyone passed the essay assignment. As you know I'd like to see each of you separately for the Individual Feedback. I'll just read out the appointment times for you now." I'm hoping that mine will be early as I want to go out clubbing after. I'm disappointed to hear that my appointment is the very last: eight o'clock this evening. I'll have to change my plans, I think. I wanted to get the meeting out of the way so I could go home, get dressed up, have a bit of a drink, and meet the others in the pub. I guess I could just get ready first, go to the session in my 'going-out clothes' and head straight to the club from there. Why not? The feedback meetings take place at Sarah's house, which I know is nearer to town than my flat. It could work quite well.
The lesson finishes and the class shuffle out, chatting, excited that the term's finally finishing. A few of us arrange what time to meet for drinks later. Bending down to pick up my bag I think I notice Sarah looking at my smooth, bare legs, but when I look round she's straightening her papers and packing up. I head back out into the cold, light another cigarette, and walk briskly home to get dressed up for the evening's revelry.
* * *
After a quick snack and a hot shower, I pour myself a vodka and tonic, put on some house music, and start to select my outfit. It's a relaxed club we're going to later, but I'm feeling good about finishing term so decide to get properly dressed up. I've also just bought some gorgeous white patent six-inch heels and I'm determined to wear them. I choose a stretchy little white skirt and a skinny white t-shirt with angel wings printed on the back. I slip into a white g-string that won't show too much through the skirt and decide to go without a bra - my breasts are quite small and really firm so I'm lucky enough not to need one. My hair stays the same as always: a short bob, straight fringe, bleached platinum blonde.
I take a long sip of vodka and dance in front of the mirror a little, pleased with how my slender body looks as a wriggle around. I keep myself in good shape at the gym, and guiltily the tanning salon, and I'm proud of the way I look. I put on light eye-shadow, my trade-mark thick, black eye-liner, and shiny, candy pink lipstick and I'm all set. I light a cigarette, blow myself a kiss into the mirror and phone a taxi.
* * *
I arrive at Sarah's house just as the previous student is leaving. It's my friend Carly who I'm meeting later. We kiss hello and I compliment her on her outfit - she looks gorgeous, as always - and I knock and wait as she leaves. I start to feel a little apprehensive. Maybe it's because I'm about to get my essay grade, maybe it's something else. After a minute I knock again, and Sarah opens the door smoking a cigarette. This relieves my anxiety a little, as I didn't know she smoked. I follow her through to the living room and can't help myself from looking her curvy figure up and down as she walks ahead of me.
"Do you mind if I smoke," I ask?
"What do you think," she exclaims, rolling her eyes and forming a perfect smoke ring. We both laugh and I feel more relaxed.
The living room isn't how I expected it. The house is early Victorian so it has lovely wooden beams traversing the low ceiling, with metal hooks on that look really old. But the room is done up in a modern style: bare laminate floor; low, ambient lighting; slick, firm, boxy leather sofa; small glass coffee table. There's a large, neo-Gothic mirror over the fireplace. The room is warm and smells of perfume and nicotine. I notice on the table an art photography book titled, 'Honey-Lingus,' which makes me smile. I light a cigarette and sit down on the sofa.
"I'll just get your essay from next door," says Sarah, walking out, hips swinging smoothly.
I'm quite taken aback by her appearance this evening. I'm not sure whether she's supposed to be coming out clubbing tonight, but she certainly seems dressed up. Her straight black hair, like usual, is in a high pony tail, but she's got more make-up on than earlier and a black choker round her neck. She's wearing a fitted black blouse and long sleek skirt with a slit up the side, through which I can see she's wearing spike heeled black boots. Absently I flick through the art book on the table. It opens on a close-up image of a black woman's shaved vagina, dripping with honey. Sarah comes back in and I close the book and blush, not sure if she saw me.
She sits on the settee next to me and we both stub our cigarettes out at the same time, our hands inadvertently brushing against each other. I notice the difference between her pale and my tanned skin, and again her amazing long nails.
"OK Zoe," Sarah says, "If you'd like to read me your essay aloud we can go though it afterwards."