Her Competition || Lady Lesso

Her Late-night Hobby

It was past midnight and even teachers were supposed to be asleep. But, Meredith just couldn't. So, instead she found herself in the Goods library, nose deep in a book.

She had started this book when she became a teacher but she hadn't found anytime to read it yet.

The book was about these two women who are madly in love but pretty much everything keeps them apart. Almost like a lesbian version of Romeo and Juliet. The only catch is one of the women is also in love with a man which places her in a love triangle.

Meredith had only gotten about 2 chapters in but was already in love with the story. So in love, in fact that she didn't notice when two deans had walked in and were now only feet away from her.

"Why did you drag me up here, Lesso? This isn't even your library."

"I need to talk to you about Meredith."

Meredith snapped out of her reading trance when she heard her name. She looked up to see the two deans standing there. Thankfully, she was in a dark spot and couldn't be seen but she still made sure not to move a muscle.

"What's wrong with Meredith?"

"You're her friend right? Well, I need you to keep her in check. I can't have her messing up my whole school system because of some silly fantasy of 'how it used to be.'"

The words cut deeper than a knife into Meredith. She had closed her book now but kept her finger in between the pages she was reading. Her full attention was placed on Lesso and Dovey.

"I know. But, she's always been like that. Can you blame her after what happened with her...family?" Dovey whispered the last word as if Meredith would somehow hear, although what the good dean didn't know was that she did. She shook her head to clear the thoughts, hoping they would move on from that subject.

"I can and I am. I've been dean here since I got out of school. She's only been teaching for what? A week? She has no right to change how we do things at my school. The only way that could happen is if she was dean. And lord knows that will never happen." She scoffed.

Meredith's face lit up.

Now that's an idea!

"I'm sure you're just overreacting again, Leonora."

"Goddammit, Dovey! You're not listening to me. She's bad for these schools! Remember when she ran campaigns to join the two together? Does that not upset you?"

"Lesso. I agree that merging the two schools is a very bad idea. But-" All of the sudden a book slid out onto the floor. Meredith didn't notice it fall from her arms as she started silently sobbing.

Lesso picked up the book and looked at it.

"Lovers in the dark? What the hell-"

Meredith finally noticed her book was gone and knowing that they now knew someone was there she got up and ran past them out of the library.

"Was that Meredith?" Lesso with a little bit of concern in her tone, still holding the book.

"I think it was..should I-"

"No no. I'll do it." Lesso swiftly walked out of the library.

Once outside she looked both ways but found no one. Until, she heard a small whimper from around the bend.

Meredith had heard the clicking of the heels. The last thing she wanted was for Lesso to find her. Meredith had only shown her stubborn hard side in front of Lesso and she didn't want that to change. Besides, she was probably only coming over to mock her anyways.

She buried her head into her legs hoping to disappear when she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. It created goosebumps down her arm but she refused to look up, already knowing who the hand belonged to.

"Nevers don't cry, darling." Lesso quipped, just like Meredith expected. She kept her face hidden but she could feel the woman sit beside her.

"But, why are you crying?"

Well, she obviously doesn't understand normal human emotions.

"Why do you think?!" She lifted her head towards Lady Lesso, her cheeks wet with salty tears. "First, you insult my family history, then you talk about how I'm basically ruining your school, and then my bestfriend comes clean about not supporting what I fight for.." Her voice trailed off as she started to relive that moment.

Back near the library, they both heard feet hurry down the other side of the hall accompanied by small cries. No doubt it was Dovey beating herself up for Meredith's emotions.

"I still don't quite fully understand what happened with your family.." Lesso laid a hand on Meredith's back but as soon as she did, the girl jumped up.

"Nor will you ever." Her voice was cold as she wiped her tears away. "Now please excuse me Lady Lesso, I have classes in the morning." She began walking away.

"Wait." Lesso stood up.

"What now?" Meredith sighed as she turned around, tears still wetting her cheeks.

"You forgot this." Lesso held out the book, keeping her finger in the place where Meredith left off.

"Oh..um..thank you." She carefully fit her finger where Lesso was holding it open a bit. Before she could pull away with her book, their fingers touched for a second. She stared at Lesso and Lesso stared back.

The dean opened her mouth to make a comment but Meredith quickly took the book and ran off.

I'm sorry this one is so short. I'm in exam week right now so I haven't been able to put my full attention into it. Also, I know. The finger touching made me cringe just a little bit but it was the perfect opportunity. <3