The Teacher's Assistant

The Desk

You stayed behind during lunch to clean up the latest dissection in the conservatory. Dissection of carnivorous plants was always so much messier than you expect they are, and for the conservatory to be ready for the next group of students, someone had to make the time to clean up after. Today that was you. You gladly sought a distraction.

All you could think about was Larissa though, hearing the strain in her voice as she called your name as you fled from her once again. This time though there was no excitement, no heart-fluttering hope that she'd chase after you and catch you in her arms. Disappointment and distrust sat in your chest now, heavy and hard. Why was she keeping things a secret from her employees? The other people that loved these students and have to protect them. Wouldn't that give you a right to really know what was happening? Wouldn't giving your heart to Larissa give you the right to expect no secrets to lie between you two? Maybe you were being unreasonable. You knew Nevermore came first for Principal Weems, her whole life's work laying in this school. Maybe she couldn't share because of safety. You two had just started seeing one another, maybe she wasn't ready yet. You sighed knowing what you had to do and all you could hope is that she would forgive you.

You walked to the conservatory doors but were surprised by them opening in front of you instead. Marilyn smiled and held food in her hands, holding out a plate to you. You would never admit it, but you were getting a little tired of her popping up at the most inconvenient times. You smiled anyway and took the plate in your hands, looking it over. It was your favorite that the cafeteria made and it really was a sweet gesture but you had a mission.

"Thank you Ms. Thornhill for lunch, but I have to go see Principal Weems," you said, setting the plate on a nearby desk. Marilyn immediately deflated, her kind demeanor gone and replaced with an incredibly agitated one.

"You just came from her office prior to class," she said, sitting at the desk you placed your plate on. She dragged the plate in front of one of the chairs. She patted the chair beside her.

"Come have lunch with me and talk, that is all I'm asking. Isn't that better than reporting to whatever strange conversations you two have and whatever punishment you were assigned for your disappearance," she said, taking a bite of her lunch.

"We don't have strange conversations," you grumbled back.

You were hungry and Larissa wasn't expecting you. In fact, she may not even be in her office. As unpleasant as Thornhill had become to you, she had gone out of her way to bring you your favorite and it would be rude to just brush that off. You smiled and sighed and sat beside her, her face lighting up immediately in that signature Thornhill way.

You sat, eating in silence for a few minutes before Marilyn eventually spoke.

"You know you can tell me anything, Y/N. Even whatever is going on with you and Principal Weems."

"Nothing is going on Marilyn, we have just developed respect for one another and she has become a mentor to me."

You applauded yourself for the quick lie. Loving Larissa had already begun to change you. Marilyn's face contorted again, discomfort crossing it. She looked away from you, deep in thought for just a moment.

"I am meant to be your mentor."

You felt like you had been slapped.

"Are you jealous?"

"Absolutely not!" She nearly barked. She regained her composure quickly though.

"I am not jealous by any means. I am concerned. I just believe you should have a mentor that is more like you."

"You mean, a normie?" you said, keeping your tone flat.

"You say it like it is a bad thing. We are the only two in this school that is normal."