Westminster Academy (Part One)

thirty-eight

I stood in front of Mr. Salzman's office, a pen and a notebook in hand, and hesitated. I could still leave. I could make the right decision.

But would not fighting for my goals ever be the right decision?

I recalled everything that had happened up until this point, all the things that had pushed me towards doing this. How I had tried to get access to education by stealing books from the library, by secretly studying Henry's notes and by regularly kneeling on the floor during his classes.

I had even taken the bravery to ask the Headmaster himself for help - only to be turned down and told that there was no way for me. I remembered well how disappointed I had been in Headmaster Craven, the man I had thought would make everything possible for me.

In the end, all that I had gotten was more and more proof that in a world ruled by men, I wouldn't get opportunities by asking nicely. Because asking nicely was just not what men did.

And I couldn't help but feel slightly triumphant. I was proud of not accepting their rules, of outsmarting the authorities and not letting them dominate my life, without them even knowing. Even though I felt horrible for betraying Henry and Headmaster Craven, the satisfaction I took from deceiving men was bigger than the guilt.

Encouraged by the waves of anger and bitterness, I lifted my hand and knocked on the door. My heart fluttered nervously when I heard footsteps.

"Miss Evans. How pleasing that you haven't changed your mind this time."

I forced myself to look up at Mr. Salzman. Holding eye contact with him just wouldn't get easier.

"I've made my decision, sir" I said, more to convince myself rather than him.

Mr. Salzman gave me one of his approving smiles, stepped aside and invited me into the room.

"Please, sit. Everything is prepared for your first lesson in politics."

I slowly entered the room. Mr. Salzman had indeed prepared for me. He had put a school desk into the room so that I wouldn't have to sit at the same table as him, and I even spotted a small, movable blackboard that hadn't been there the last few times when I was here.

I was stunned. This teacher actually wanted to teach me. He put his position in this school at risk because he wanted to support me. As scary as Mr. Salzman was sometimes, the way he eagerly encouraged me to learn made him seem like a shining saviour in my head. I had never been encouraged before

Can this be true?

"Is there a problem, Miss Evans?"

I turned around to him, still completely in awe.

"N-no, sir, I'm just...I'm really grateful."

Mr. Salzman just nodded, as if my gratitude wasn't really something he was interested in, and gestured towards the desk.

"Sit down, please. I don't want to waste our precious time."

The slight sharpness in his tone made me snap out of my emotions. I hurried to sit down and put my pen and notebook on the desk.

Mr. Salzman walked over to the blackboard and gave me a pensive look before he spoke. It made me overly self aware to have his eyes resting on me. I was eager to make a good impression, but I didn't know how. The authority he radiated was intimidating.

"Now." He eventually said. "Before we begin, I would like to make sure we're in agreement about the rules."

Rules...?