A single tear fell off her chin, leaving a small, dark circle on her skirt. She sat back, sinking into the soft cushions, exhausted, yet relieved somehow. It felt like months since she had really sung. The release was almost spiritual. She ran her hands along the cushions, the sound soothing her mind. She wiggled father back and let her head fall back as she breathed deeply. The ceiling was popcorn with some spots of water damage. She probably had to leave. She had no idea what time it was. But not yet. Not yet.
Adalise frowned as the singing stopped. She rested her hand gently on the golden door handle, and before she could stop herself, she opened the door and descended down the stairs into the room.
It was just as she remembered it. The paint chipped walls, the slightly musty smell, the dimmed lighting, the old couch…
Adalise jumped in surprise at the figure on the cushions. She'd known someone was down here, but she had no clue who it was. She was very surprised. "Miss Zheng?"
Alene nearly shot from the couch.
"Oh- Jeez. I'm sorry!" She looked like a mouse caught in a trap.
Adalise's mouth dropped open. She blinked quickly for a moment and cleared her throat. "Don't be, I… I don't know why I came down here in the first place…" Now that was a lie.
"Yeah, um- neither do I. I was just, uh- exploring. Looking for- well never mind."
Oh what a nightmare. Alene only wished she could disappear or at least run away, but Adalise looked just as awkward and confused as she did.
Adalise shook her head and laughed slightly, hoping Alene would be able to laugh off the awkwardness as well. "Exploring?" she asked sincerely. She had an idea of why Alene was down here. "You were looking for a quiet place, weren't you? Away from all the…" Unsure of what words to say, the teacher made a bit of a wild gesture towards the top of the stairs.
Alene considered lying. But why bother.
"Yeah. I guess so. I-"
What was she going to say. That she was lonely? Not likely.
Miss Lansing offered a smile full of understanding. "I get it. I was the same, especially when I was your age. This was where I came too." She winked and approached Alene slowly. "I hope you don't mind… I heard you singing a bit. You have a lovely voice, dear."
Oh- Jeez- "I'm not that good." Ugh. The downside to her pale skin was that she could never hide her blushing.
"My apologies," Adalise acknowledged. "I didn't mean to make you think uncomfortable. But… if you don't mind, could we talk? I'm glad it's here, though, rather than that stingy classroom. I like this area better. It reminds me of an old someone. Do you mind if I sit?" she asked, inclining her head to a loveseat beside the couch Alene was sitting on.
Adalise sunk into the material and sighed softly. She gazed at Alene with a welcoming gaze. "What made you desire to speak out in my class today?" she asked. The words, coming from any other teacher, would likely be short and angered. From Adalise, they were simply curious and maybe even a touch amused.
"I don't believe in destroying things without reason," Alene said quietly. "People shouldn't just follow people in authority. Bad things happen." She didn't go into detail. History had more than enough examples.
Adalise nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I understand that," she replied genuinely. "But like I said in class today, if for any reason during the semester you should change your mind, feel free to let me know."
She smiled warmly before turning her eyes to initials carved into the wood of the table reading "AL + KT". A nostalgic look came over her face as she leaned forward and ran her thumb over the letters.
"And I agree with your statement. People most definitely shouldn't blindly follow people in authority. That's hopefully what my class will be teaching you and your peers. Breaking the art of conformity is dangerous, but oh so worth it."
(Ooh this not dead. Nice.)
Alene raised an eyebrow. "I doubt that I'll be changing my mind." She watched in thought as Lansing traced the carved letters on the table.
A smirk lay deeply hidden in the serious expression of her face as she spoke again.
"No disrespect intended, but you'll have to be a really good teacher to effect meaningful change. People are… forgetful." A shadow fell over her eyes. "Sometimes you have to be amazing to stand put enough to matter."
Alene gazed thoughtfully into Lansing's eyes. She tilted her head and smiled questioningly. "Are you up to it?"
