Our Shared Solitude

*

The bell rings with a deep, brazen clang that vibrates through the rafters, a resonant toll that seems to shake the floorboards themselves. Its metallic cry ripples through the room in widening waves, loosening the stiff focus of the students and stirring a restless shuffle among them.

Loredana releases a low hum, a thoughtful sound touched by faint irritation, stepping back from the chalkboard. Placing the thick wooden pointer upon her desk with a muted thud before tapping the wooden surface with its tip.

"I expect the 12 pages essay on human behaviour submitted tomorrow morning," she announces, each syllable accompanied by a hint of sarcasm. "If any of you imagine tardiness is acceptable, allow me to assure you it is not. Your work will be held to the highest standard, and I will not tolerate negligence." The professors tone rigid, her posture unbending, gaze sweeping across the room taking in all her students expression before dismissing the class, turning calmly toward her stack of papers. Straightening a few sheets, adjusting her spectacles, before beginning to mark her schedule with the tip of her fountain pen completely oblivious to the sudden burst of chaos erupting from the students.

Romina scrapes her chair back with a graceless screech, nearly stumbling as she stands shoving the seat in with a clatter and attempting to weave through the crowd, knocking shoulders as she pushes her way forward. "Move. Move. Move," she chants under her breath desperately trying to push through. "Get out of the way. Honestly, gods above, do any of you walk faster than a snail."

A few students glare others part out of her path. Romina hardly notices, too intent on reaching the exit as fast as humanly possible mind spinning with strained hope before reaching the door, a voice suddenly calls out causing the girls body to halt.

"Ms Maple."

Romina groans throwing back her head not bothering to turn around and face her professor.

"You appear to require a psychiatrist. Clearly there is an issue with your memory, since you were instructed quite recently to remain behind." Loredana hums leaning against her desk unbothered arms crossing tightly below her chest.

Romina curses turning back with a saccharine smile spreading slowly across her face widening her eyes in a faux innocent manner. "Oh? Was that today? Mmm..." placing a finger to her lips and making an exaggerated humming sound, tilting her head in feigned contemplation. "I must have lost track of time or reality. My mind is practically floating."

Drifting toward the tall, bland anatomical skeleton perched in the corner of the room before perching her arm lazily around its brittle shoulders mocking the woman before her and her time. "Perhaps you are right, Professor. Maybe or maybe YOU have memory problems. Or hallucinations. Or both. Maybe you've imagined the entire exchange." Giving the skeleton's jaw a wobble as if it were nodding in agreement. "See even Mr. Bones agrees with me."

Loredana's jaw tightens at the mocking words, the pointer that has rested harmlessly on the desk was lifted with sudden force as the older woman brings it down against the table with a resounding crack. The sounds echo through the classroom. "Sit down." The professor commands not taking her eyes from the blonde her patience wearing thin.

Romina only grins wider, her eyes alight with unruly amusement. "Oh, come now, Professor no need to get all intense." Bouncing on her heels as she saunters toward the front of the room, steps full of exaggerated buoyancy, swinging her hips.

Loredana lifts the pointer horizontally, extending it until the tip presses firmly against Romina's chest. The contact slightly agreeing. "Not on my desk," she replies, gaze trailing the younger girls expression before zooming in on where the pointer touched.