Call of the Water (COMPLETE)

39. UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

During the weekend my thoughts kept flipping between Ms. Cyan on one side, and Nia and Nathan on the other. After their performance in the garden, it became pretty obvious that they shared something deeper than just friendship.

Nia's behavior changed. She was in a good mood throughout the week, singing to herself songs that spoke of the 'L' word. Margins of her notebooks got brand new heart-shaped decorations, some containing the letter N.

They were a lovely couple. Nia with her golden hair, blue sparkling eyes and a smile that shone brighter than the Sun, and Nathan with his light brown curls, hazel-colored eyes and infectious positivity. They were perfect for each other. Even I could see that, in spite the fact I never felt something like that. I suppose I hadn't met anyone who would make me wanna sing love songs and draw pictures of hearts on my notebook pages.

Opal thought it was funny. Sometimes she'd add a song of her own. Or should I say, a human song. Nathan and Nia, sitting in a tree...

It went on until one day at lunch Nathan and Nia publicly did what the next verse of Opal's song suggested.

That week I only saw Ms. Cyan on three occasions. Once during the lunch time and twice in the hallway. Both of those times she was heading to the garden. I thought about joining her, but I hesitated. In retrospect, I should have been more determined.

Instead, I made the decision to speak to her on Friday. I even worked up a plan with Opal. She was to occupy our third roommate in case of necessity. Nia was no longer a problem once she found her soulmate. It was a solid plan, but the chance to implement it went down the drain with the bell marking the beginning of the Literature class. The door opened but it wasn't Professor Cyan who entered the classroom.

"Good day," our headmaster greeted us. "I'm here for two reasons. First, to inform you that Professor Cyan is currently absent, and second, to quench my desire to teach. With that said, let's open our textbooks..."

After that, I hadn't heard a single word he said. Ms. Cyan was gone. Where did she go? How long will she be gone? Did something happen to her? And, most important of all, did I have anything to do with it?

Keeping quiet was next to impossible. My hand shot up and without waiting for him to give me the permission to speak, I asked, "Mr. August, why isn't Professor Cyan here?"

He looked at me, maintained calm despite the fact I interrupted him, and said, "Professor Cyan had to leave for a while."

"But where did she go? When will she come back?" I wasn't ready to just give up.

"Azora," he said patiently, "I'm sure you'll agree that Professor Cyan is entitled to her privacy."

Entitled to her privacy. I was beginning to hate those words. Whenever I wanted to dig deeper, there they were. Waiting to put a stop at my efforts.

I was wise enough to know that insisting on getting the answers in front of a classroom full of students would get me nowhere, so I sealed my lips. For now.

Opal nudged me with an elbow and indicated at her notebook.

It's still on, she scribbled lightly with a pencil. Different person, same plan. I stretched the arm that held my pencil and made a check mark under those sentences.

For the rest of the lesson, I was a model student. I read what Mr. August told us to read, included myself in the discussion and wrote what was supposed to be written. When the bell rang, I took my time putting away my things. Everyone left. Opal winked at me as she followed Ardea.

She went as far as to set the stage right after the Math class. She asked Ardea to help her with the problems we tackled that day. "I didn't get the last step in solving it," she told her. "Could you explain it to me? Maybe right after today's classes? You know, while it's still fresh." She finished it off with a pleading smile that made it impossible for Ardea to say no.