Gears of Harmony

Episode 22 - Passing Dreams

That very same day, I quickly jotted down my essay during the last two periods after lunch break and after the other classmates have gone back to their dorms. On my desk, a few F4 papers with black scribbles and smudges lied before me. The outer side of my right hand was smudged with black ink from the pen and white ink from my correction pen. My right wrist felt so sore, I'd even go as far to say it was on the verge of breaking. Sweat that once drenched my body a few hours ago has evaporated during the time I took to write. The lights had been turned off, however, the setting sun tapped gently on the classroom windows and extended its gentle orange rays before it fully sets.

Finished it... before the day ended... I thought and stood up listlessly.

I picked up my bag and my essay and staggered to the second floor where the teacher's lounge was. Every step felt so heavy and the stairways seemed unending. One step, another one, and another one... and another one again...

I watched my shoes took a step from one staircase to the next. My footsteps echoed in the empty halls and stairways. Unlike how it usually is in the school hours, the school was very quiet and I did not spot a soul along the way. It was so deserted I could almost expect tumbleweeds to roll by. However, as I walked further and further down the halls, vaguely I could hear people laughing and talking. They were coming from the teacher's lounge.

Are all the teachers still here at this hour? I thought.

The oak doors of the teacher lounge were slightly opened. I peeked over it to see desks lining up against each other, with various stuffs were placed on those desks. Some have framed pictures, some have dolls, some only have stacks of papers and books. Middle aged men and women sat behind desks and talked among themselves.

"I heard that that Andrew from your class broke up with his girlfriend again?"

"From what I've heard from the girls, he was rejected by the girl because her friends don't like him,"

"Whoa, Andrew would have been so popular back in my time - an upperclassmen with good grades, fame, and a special position close to the chairwoman. I wonder why they don't like him?"

My mouth dropped open upon hearing them.

Really?! I thought in disbelief, this is what teachers do in the teacher's lounge? Gossip about students?

Then a small woman with short hair and glasses spotted me.

"Hi, are you looking for someone?" she asked.

"Yeah. Is Mr Collins around?" I asked.

"Mr Collins, someone's looking for you!" the teacher exclaimed.

"Okay!" someone else exclaimed back.

I just looked at her, gawking around awkwardly.

"Just wait for a moment, dear," she said.

"Thank you, miss," I said.

Then a small male teacher with dark skin and side swept hair popped his head on the doorway.

"Oh, Wina," he said.

"Sir, I'm so sorry to submit my essay this late," I said and gave him the papers.

"Nah, it's still within the deadline," he said and waved his hand, "well then, thanks. Have a good day,"

"Thank you so much, sir!" I said and bowed.

Thank goodness Mr Collins is so chill... Mr Leroy would berate me without an end for this... I thought and turned around.

I began walking back towards the stairways in lighter steps. From the balcony, I could see the afternoon skies. The sun has almost set and the sky was dyed orange. White, whispery clouds floated aimlessly in the marmalade sky. Once again, only my footsteps seemed to have filled the hallways, accompanying my journey back to the dorm.