Slow Dancing In a Burning Room-JENLISA

08

Considering it was Wednesday, Jennie had felt beyond drained. The week had passed painfully slow, and not to mention seeing upcoming tests did not make her day any better. Knowing this, Jennie took every chance to ditch, running away from her problems for less than an hour to come back and re-live them in each class. Even in AP Chemistry.

Speaking of, her next class was indeed Chemistry, hence why unexpectedly, her mood slightly lightened.

Jennie's steps had become hushed as she heard the incoming heels of the school counsellor, locally known as the staff snitch. Though her job was to keep closure around students' problems, her mouth chose otherwise. Which is most likely the reason she's on the verge of being jobless.

Jennie had waited behind the entrance wall impatiently, listening to the footsteps fading down the left wing of the school. Carefully, she began walking, turning the corner swiftly as her phone rang silently in the outside pocket of her bag as she sipped on her beverage in her palm.

A few paces in front of Jennie were another pair of high heels, footsteps nearing in a slowed motion. It was Ms Manoban, fumbling with the papers in hand as she tried to walk in a straight line, her eyes focused anywhere else than the pathway in front of her.

Distracted, Jennie reached where the sound come from, oblivious to the incoming body.

In a hurried manner, both figures bumped into each other, papers fallen, and spilt alcohol. Almost instantly, Jennie bent down at the sight of the mixed papers on the floor, hoping to apologise and movequickly enough for the teacher to not ask questions once organised.

"Christ. I'm so sorry."

Standing up, Jennie's eyes recognised the woman's body, and evenin a semi-crisis, she found herself admiring the woman's eyes, howthey still sparked even after being drenched with water and alcohol mixed together.

Ms Manoban sighed looking down at her chest, afraid of the damage to come. Home to the stench of faded alcohol, Ms Manoban's white blouse was almost see-through, a laced material peaking from below her clothes, which Jennie guiltily peered at subtly.

Her papers had now been messily transferred into Jennie's reach, herpolo also saturated in the liquid. "Were you sneaking out again?" MsHale questioned after pulling her clothing off her skin, making itunstick. "Better question. Did you just spill alcohol on the both of us?"

"Yes?" Jennie responded, feeling the liquid drip down to her chestdownwards. "I-"

"-Don't." Ms Manoban cut off, her hand used to stop Jennie from continuing on.

Ms Manoban had begun moving onwards past Jennie, pausing in front ofher to get the papers in her hands. "Detention. Stay back after my lesson for half an hour."

"You can't teach like that." Jennie instructed, halting Ms Manoban to movepast her. "One sniff and you'll get fired."

"Then what do you suppose I do? Considering you drenched me." Ms Manoban spat back, her sarcasm mixing with venom. The woman toweredover Jennie as she raised a brow knowing she was unfortunatelynright.

"I've got spare clothes. Just follow me."After a trek to the other side of the campus, Jennie and Ms Manoban had finally arrived at the student's locker. Opening the small container,Jennie used her body to block Ms Manoban's gaze as she scrummagedthrough the neatly folded clothing in the top divider.

"There. This should be your size." She guessed, her options rather lowstudying the woman's comfortability and size.

Jennie had handed Ms Manoban the jumper, her fingertips brushing the blonde's hands.Looking down, Ms Manoban studied the jumper and its styled writing.

"Thank you." 

Just as Jennie was about to speak, the tardy bell had rung, signaling the final period for the school day. Halting her speech, Ms Manoban took the opportunity of excusing herself before the students could emerge from the classes, causing Jennie to simply nod her head and agree blankly as she watched the woman walk the opposite way.

After the lab experiment had ended, Jennie had taken the liberty tostay back from all the students leaving the classroom. Once free,Jennie walked towards Ms Manoban, her eyes had already met her green orbs.

"It's a nice fit." Jennie said first, breaking the eerie silence asshe sat across from the woman on another table. "Better than what it looked on me anyways."

Jennie took the time to admire the woman up close. How the jumper went somewhat well with the skirt she wore. The clothing itself was alittle tight on the woman's waist, which Jennie noticed.

"I'll have this cleaned and back to you before the end of the week."Ms Manoban countered blankly, resuming emptying the flasks and tubes.

Carelessly, Jennie answered as her eyes concentrated on what thewoman was doing in front of her. "Mhm, you don't have to."

Under her breath, Ms Manoban replied in a rather hush tone as she turned around, barely audible for Jennie to hear. "If that's what you're into." 

"I heard that." Jennie rolled her eyes jeering, tilting her head in amusement. 

A few moments later, Jennie had continued. "I'm sorry for spilling my drink onto you."

Turning around, Ms Manoban had shifted her weight onto the other foot,resting her hand on the table beside her. "No, it's my fault for not looking anyways." 

Her smile faltered into a small frown as her eyes wandered to her phone. "I was quite distracted."

"How so?" Jennie questioned curiously which gained her a raisedbrow from Ms Manoban.

"Not that it's any of your business." Ms Manoban began, walking towardsthe sink to clean her hands from the chemicals. "But your uncle cancelled on me."

"He's probably just swamped from work. I wouldn't think much of it." Jennie consoled.

From the other side of the room, Ms Manoban stood focused, her frown still obvious to Jennie's view. "I'm sure he has a good reason...You're not like the rest."

With her back to Jennie, Ms Manoban had suddenly felt flustered, giddy almost. For some apparent reason, she liked hanging out withJennie, even if it was a conversation based on venting. She listened. And Lisa was grateful on some level she had Jennie to talk to.

"How so?" Ms Manoban beckoned, copying Jennie's initial response asshe returned to her desk.

"You're capable and patient. Even I'd put a ring on you." Jennie rolledher eyes, her sarcastic tone saving her from internal embarrassmentas Ms Manoban lightly laughed.In this moment, both starred into each other's eyes, waiting for thelaughter to die down into silence. Jennie's words had bunched up into her throat, causing her to stay silent, much like Ms Manoban did.Jennie did mean what she said, however, she didn't know how she meant it.Perhaps on a literal note, or a comforting record.Jennie had to admit, she had feelings towards her teacher. She believed this was another stupid crush, one that she'd get over with.

She had to have at least one flaw. A fatal mistake that would makeJennie snap out of her love-sick realit. But somehow, it still brought her closer to the woman, despite the ongoing relationship. Knowing Mark, he'd already made many mistakes, so why can't Jennie make a mistake with Ms Manoban?It haunted Jennie knowing Ms Manoban was always in the back of her mind, taunting her in her sleep, or mocking her in reality during her lessons. Ms Manoban was a walked red flag, and yet, Jennie still dared to compete with her uncle in her own way.Jennie was just another love-struck teen. And this little crush wouldbe non-existent before she'd know it. However, until then, Jennie would continue admiring the woman from afar, causing herself more pain than she bargained for.