Don't Worry About It

Chapter 1

Larissa Weems lay motionless in her hospital bed, surrounded by flowers in various states of decay left by students and faculty. It had been nearly a week since the incident with Ms. Thornhill, and Nevermore already felt the absence of its esteemed principal as they waited for her to wake up. Larissa had received countless visitors, and her latest one was no different than her predecessors. A tall, slender woman in her mid-twenties stood at the foot of her bed, holding a small book in one hand and a lavender plant in the other. "Um... hi, principal Weems. I don't know if you can hear me; you probably don't even remember me. I know I'm new, but I wanted to stop by and give you these," she gestured to her full hands. "You're not really up to reading right now, but I remembered in my interview that you mentioned Virginia Woolf, and I thought it would cheer you up once you're awake," she gently placed the book on a nearby table. "And I got you this lavender plant too. It's supposed to be soothing, so... well, after what you've been through, I figured it wouldn't hurt." She smiled slightly and placed it on top of the book. "I hope you get better soon, principal Weems," she said and turned towards the door. Just as she touched the handle, she heard a moan.

"Principal Weems?" Larissa's eyes fluttered open slowly as her vision came into focus. She could barely make out the figure at the door, but she could see a girl with long dark hair. "Wednesday?" she asked in a hoarse voice. "Nurse! She's awake!" The woman shouted into the hallway. Before she knew it, Larissa was surrounded by medical staff checking the machines she was hooked up to and asking her how she was feeling. Her visitor hung back amidst the commotion and debated whether it was more polite to stay or leave. While silently weighing her options, she watched as Larissa's team of nurses gently propped Larissa up and checked her vitals. "What happened to me?" Larissa asked no one in particular. "Ms. Thornhill attacked you," a small voice answered from the room's far end. "She stabbed you in the neck with poison, and you've been in the hospital for the past six days." Larissa's eyes widened as she tried to wrap her head around what she had just heard. "Thank you... please forgive me, as I don't recall your name." The woman smiled and paused until Larissa's medical team was satisfied with their poking and prodding. "Alice Walker, ma'am. You had only hired me a few weeks ago, so I'm quite new to Nevermore."

Larissa smiled but quickly sat up straighter with a look of panic. "What happened to Wednesday Addams? Is she alright?" "Wednesday is perfectly fine. I must say that she and the other students handled Ms. Thornhill quite admirably. They must have learned from the best." Larissa breathed a sigh of relief and blushed slightly. "Thank God. I swear that child will turn my hair gray." Alice smiled. "What is happening to Nevermore? Who is in charge?" Larissa pressed. "The board decided to end term early given everything that happened, and the students are being sent home until after the summer." Larissa nodded.

"In light of recent events, I agree that is wise. It gives us time to investigate everything that went wrong and to prepare even more for when they come back. Have they discussed faculty development?" "I am very low on the food chain, so sadly, I'm not the best person to talk to." "I disagree- you're the first person I've talked to in a week, and it's been lovely," Larissa said with a small smile. Alice cleared her throat and hoped her cheeks weren't as red as she feared. "I know that the board is encouraging staff to stick close to Nevermore over the break for professional development and security training, so we have that to look forward to," said Alice. "I better start making my way home- I'm sure you have some very eventful days ahead of you while you get your strength back." Alice walked towards the door and gave Larissa a small wave goodbye. "I'm happy you're okay, Principal Weems. It's good to have you back." Larissa smiled. "I look forward to seeing more of you, Miss Walker," Larissa called to Alice as she turned to leave. She smiled in satisfaction as she noticed the subtle flush of pink on the back of Alice's neck before she was out of sight.

Larissa's recovery was speedy. She would attribute it to her team of doctors, who seemed to be constantly hovering over her, although they would say it was due to her sheer stubbornness. She was discharged within three days and found herself once again at Nevermore. Being back gave Larissa an eerie feeling as she walked through the courtyard that usually was bustling with students that now stood vacant. She tried not to focus on the echo her high heels made in the empty corridors and pressed on toward her office. It was almost as she had left it except for the fireplace that was usually roaring, which was now home to ash and soot. She crossed the room to her desk and opened the bottom drawer. She plucked a wine glass and a bottle of red wine from it and set it down before her. She poured with a heavy hand and sank into her chair. In times like these, Larissa sought perspective to calm her nerves- the students were safe, the school was still standing, and she had time to clean up the mess before they came back. She took a long sip and began planning her first move. After her second or perhaps third glass of wine, Larissa felt herself start to slip. Now that she laid out the framework of what to do, there wasn't much else to do but wait. Wait until she could meet with teachers, get police reports, and finally get the full story of what happened while she lay in her hospital bed. Her attention now turned to Miss Walker. She imagined her long dark hair, full lips, and dark brown eyes. Larissa began to feel the heat from her wine snake down into her belly as she remembered the delightful pink her cheeks had turned in her hospital room. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She knew the effect she had on the younger teacher- surely, since the school was out of session, there wouldn't be any impropriety of two adults enjoying each other's company, right? "You are her superior," a voice in her head said. "You're still her boss. Imagine the scandal if people found out." "The students are home. The school is empty. Who would find out?" another voice said. "She wants you- you know she does. You've seen the way she looks at you." Larissa smiled, eyes still closed, as she listened to this new voice. She began to imagine scenarios and exchanges in her office with the younger woman- bending her over the desk in a short skirt, looking back at Larissa innocently. She felt her cunt ache as she imagined what she tasted like. Larissa rose from her chair and made her way to her quarters through the door hidden behind her office. She walked through her living room and to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Her head was spinning from the wine, and she flopped onto her bed without removing her clothes- still thinking about the filthy things she wanted to do with Miss Walker.