Thank the Lord it was Friday. Oh, but what a week it'd been. It was clear that half the freshman class wasn't ready for their quiz on multiplying polynomials by monomials, while the majority of sophomores couldn't remember algebra I enough to understand basic geometry. With a sigh, Lorena Rivers covered her eyes with the back of an arm as she mustered the strength to crawl out of bed. She considered that perhaps her teaching style was not up to par and she simply failed the students due to her lack of experience. It had only been three years since she began at Kane Valley High School, making her one of the youngest teachers there at twenty six. Her quarterly observation resulted in decent feedback, but was there a chance she could be doing more to ensure success?
She glanced at the clock. 5:45. Fuck, it was early. With a groan, she remembered there was an open house after school, meaning she wouldn't be home until late. It was exhausting to talk with prospective and current parents on account of being "on", when all she wanted was a few days to turn off and reset. It was looking like a long and tiresome day ahead.
Lorena finally threw off the covers and found the carpet with her feet. Following was a breakfast of stale oatmeal and mediocre coffee-a brutal parallel to the tedium of teaching math. In the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and braided her chocolate copper hair over her shoulder. Loose strands not long enough framed her youthful face in imperfect tendrils like curls on a passionflower. Her makeup was subtle, only enough used to even out the skin and highlight her round cheeks. Because of the school event, she was asked to dress nicely, so a simple outfit of a knee length black skirt and white button down was donned with a pair of flats.
As she looked in the mirror, she studied her bust to make sure no cleavage could be seen-a taboo she would never dare to entertain at school. After another button was done, it was perfectly modest. She slid both hands down her hips and admired the curves underneath her fingertips. The skirt was tight, but it left plenty to the imagination. It would be a pain in the ass to dress this way every day, but on this particular morning, she felt-and looked-pretty damn good. So good in fact, that she kicked off her flats and dug into her closet for the black suede heels worn only once at a wedding the year before. They clasped at the ankle and had a fierce point. Now her reflection showed someone with confidence. Or at least, the appearance of it. But the heels would have to come off briefly until she arrived at school, as she walked twenty minutes to and from each day.
It was lovely in the warmer season, as the journey took her east towards the rising sun. She witnessed a palette of colors across the sky and admired its absolute uniqueness-never the same twice. But winter could be difficult with its darkness and bitter air. Thankfully it was still September.
When she arrived to her classroom and turned on the lights, she took a deep breath as she found her wooden desk, perfectly organized and color coded. Come hell or highwater, it would be a good day. She sat and removed her sneakers to put on the heels, filling her chest with intense feelings of aplomb. For a moment, she wondered if this footwear was the answer to achieving self-assurance. The thought gave her a laugh.
"What's so funny?"
Lorena looked up to see Principal Booker in the doorway. She wasn't more than fifteen years older, and she had a penchant for colorful pantsuits that accentuated her long legs. One could tell when she was coming, as the clicking of her heels always sounded as if they were in a hurry.
"Oh...nothing," said Lorena. "How are you this morning?"
Principal Booker walked in and tugged on her Kane Valley High lanyard. "As good as I can be on a Friday when we don't go home on time."
"Yeah, it's all right though," Lorena replied unconvincingly. She plastered on a grin and brought her hands together. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm glad you asked!" The principal bore her teeth in a way that suggested unpleasant news was ahead. "Listen, I need you to be the last one to leave the building tonight-at 8pm."
Lorena attempted to conceal her visceral reaction. "Oh-oh...why is that?"
"The maintenance guys leave at 7:00 and I chose a staff member at random. It's just an extra hour to wait until the building clears out. You'll need to set the alarm in the office before leaving. You know the code?"
With the burning intensity of a thousand suns, Lorena's chest briefly filled with confidence now exploded in dread. But there was nothing to be done. The task was an order and she couldn't refuse nor make up a solid lie on the spot. She bit her lip and gave a smile that more than likely showed displeasure. "All right. Yes-I'll make sure to set the alarm before walking out the door."
Principal Booker tilted her head. "Thank you Lorena, I know it's not ideal. But I've got a sick kid to get home to. I'll see you tonight." She turned to leave, then looked back. "Oh, and you look very nice today."
After she left, Lorena pulled up to her desk and shook her head.
"Great," she muttered under her breath. It was always a sick kid being used as an excuse. Maybe if she had kids, she could take off whenever she desired like the other teachers. She looked at the clock and felt the dread in her chest flood her veins like nicotine after that first puff. Thirteen whole hours in this place. It was swiftly decided that the weekend would be spent solely in bed as a reward.
***
The school day was standard, with a surprising number of passing quizzes from the freshman class. And by the final bell at 3:00, Lorena realized time had made haste as she threw herself into work. With a much needed breather before open house, she gained the momentum required to push through the evening and socialize with a smile on her face.
At 7:50, she was envisioning a glass of chardonnay under her blankets while walking around the school to check for empty classrooms. The first floor had been cleared of any staff, leaving only the second floor remaining. Her heels echoed throughout the dim hallway and ran along the walls, leaving a trail of weekend energy behind her.
"Goddamn it,"
she whispered. The last classroom on the right had their lights on, its glow stretching across the polished floor. She hoped they'd been left on accidentally, otherwise she'd have the unfortunate position of kicking out a teacher she didn't know very well. Upon peeking her head around, she saw the classroom was still in use. The junior and senior history teacher sat at her desk with a look of frustration while staring at her laptop.
"Miss Montague," Lorena said as she knocked on the door.
The teacher looked over and pulled out her chair to face the entryway. She was new this year, though a few years older. Her dark chin length hair was always styled back and she stood tall with broad shoulders. At most meetings she kept to herself and offered little input, as if she were still gauging the general atmosphere. There were so many staff members, the two had yet to formally meet.
"Ah, am I glad to see you," she said with a sigh.
Lorena leaned against the frame and crossed her arms. "I wish I could say the same. I'm closing the school in five minutes so I kinda need you to..." She motioned with her hand. "I'm sorry."
"No-no. I'm the one who's sorry," said Miss Montague. "After the open house, I tried to get my grades in, but the program isn't letting me submit them. Or I'm doing something wrong. I'll be out of your hair if you could give me a hand?" She stood and offered her seat.
With a nod and silent hope she could remedy the issue, Lorena entered the classroom and sat at her desk. It was cluttered and stacked with history textbooks and papers.
Miss Montague stood nearby in a fitted plaid suit and boots. She bit at her thumbnail as she watched and swayed with anticipation. "I apologize, I'm still learning I guess."
