Dissent and Daffodils

Lilith stood in the corner of the empty hallway, checking her phone. She noticed some texts from her family. Suddenly, the stillness of the hallway was interrupted by the clicking of heels. Lilith glanced in the direction of the sound, and there she was: Hazel. Moonlight framed her face, and her dress hugged all the right places. Lilith couldn't tear her eyes away from Hazel.

"Feeling bored, Professor? Strolling around in the hallways?" Hazel asked with her radiant smile.

It took some effort for Lilith to speak. Her throat felt dry. With great difficulty, she replied, "I thought you were busy dancing with Mr. Vale." She looked back at her phone, trying to calm herself as jealousy stirred within her.

"Julian asked for a dance. I thought, why not? These events are meant to foster a sense of friendship between seniors and juniors," Hazel explained.

"That didn't feel like friendship," Lilith mumbled, still staring at her phone.

"Why, Professor? Do you have an opinion on us?" Hazel asked, leaning on her elbows against the railings.

Lilith straightened up, putting her phone back in her coat pocket. Narrowing her eyes at Hazel, she said, "Stay away from Julian."

Hazel's breath hitched, and she stood tall, even though she was still a few inches shorter than Lilith. Turning her chin up, she looked directly into Lilith's eyes and replied, "I am 19. It's completely my choice who I spend my time with, Professor. But to answer your question, I'm not interested in Julian."

Lilith took a step forward, but before she could say or do anything, a few more people exited the hall from the other direction. Both Lilith and Hazel remained rooted in place, glaring at each other and breathing heavily.

After a few tense moments, Hazel broke the silence. "I think I will take my leave now, Professor." Lilith stepped back, rubbing her hand across her face to regain composure. She responded calmly, shedding the fury from moments before, "Let me walk you to your dorm."

They walked in complete silence. The sound of Hazel's heels clicking against the hard stone and Lilith's formal shoes clanking created a dissonant melody. Lilith stole glances at Hazel as they went. Soon, they reached the dormitory. Hazel turned back to say thanks, her face just inches from Lilith's.

"You look stunning," Lilith said, her gaze intense.

"You clean up well too, Professor," Hazel replied, looking intently at Lilith. Her gaze flickered between Lilith's eyes and her slightly parted lips.

Hazel leaned a little closer, and Lilith waited, not even blinking, as if Hazel would vanish if she did. The moment felt surreal until suddenly, rustling leaves from a nearby bush broke the spell. Both of their eyes snapped toward the sound. Hazel, startled, grabbed the lapels of her coat in fear. Slowly, she smiled and straightened Lilith's coat.

A small dog emerged from the bush, eliciting a chuckle from Lilith.

Now that the moment was interrupted, Lilith whispered, "I think I should go now." Hazel nodded, avoiding eye contact. She murmured her thanks and went upstairs to her dorm.