There was a light knock on her door, causing her to look up from the paper she was currently marking. A timid blonde women peered round the corner, cautiously, before entering with pursed lips - the same sorry-full look all the others seemed to share whenever they passed her in the corridors. "Just came by to check up on you," she mentioned, her tone careful as she approached the desk at the front of the room.
She couldn't help but roll her big brown eyes as far back as they could possibly go, tired - already - of everyone talking to her like a child. Tired of everyone constantly acting as though she'd break at any given second second.
"I'm fine, Gillian," she sighed eventually, putting her head back down to continue marking her papers. "You don't all need to act as if you're walking around on egg shells around me, you know?" she mumbled, barely audible. "It's almost been seven months."
This had been the day she had been dreading the most, and it had been way worse than she had originally anticipated. She hated the fact that everyone knew. Simply wished they'd all just leave her alone because she was, indeed, fine. However, the more she thought about it - and the more people brought it up - the more she felt awful.
"I know, Cora," Gillian exhaled, "but just-" she hesitated, knowing by the expression upon Cora's face that she should probably just leave her alone. "Just please let me know if you need anything," she sighed eventually, looking to her co-worker with eyes full of pity - she simply couldn't help it.
Cora bit down on her bottom lip and continued scribbling on the sheet of paper, trying her best to avoid Gillian's gaze. She was strong. She didn't need anybody's sympathy. She was handling it.
There was another gentle tap against the door that stole the attention of both the ladies who stood at the front of the classroom. The two each craned their necks towards the rather chubby looking man who now stood in the doorway, a clipboard and pen held securely within his grasp. Mr Bains. "Gillian," he nodded as a brief hello before entering. "Cora."
They each gave back the same expression before Gillian turned to face Cora once more. She just wanted to make sure her friend was alright.
"I'm fine," Cora repeated, her expression softening. "Honestly, Gil."
Gillian sighed. "Just remember-"
"I will," she interrupted resentfully. "Thank you."
She shot Cora one last smile and turned on her heal, seeing herself out of the room before clattering back down the English-Department corridor. Gillian was worried about Cora. Really worried about her. She knew that Cora said she was fine, for now, but there was no way she'd be fine. And in this place - being in this school - it was going to destroy her.
"It's good to have you back, Cora," Mr Bains said sincerely, fixing his trousers before placing himself down on the chair that sat vacant beside her, at her desk.
Cora sat her papers aside and took a quick sip of her coffee before responding, simply raising her brows in acknowledgement.
She wiped the excess liquid that had dribbled down her chin with the sleeve of her shirt. "And you, Paul," she returned with a genuine smile, swivelling her chair round to face his plump, rounded face.
Unlike most principles, Bains was a genuine, caring guy. He always tried his best to please both his teachers and students, whilst also working round what suited the parents best. He was a very likeable character, couldn't hurt a fly. There wasn't much anyone could fault him for, really.
Cora and him had a very special bond in particular, both of them having joined the school at the same time three years ago. She was always his hardest working and most praised member of staff.
