Lets go celebrate
The school day came to an end, but for Agatha, the morning encounter was still spinning in her mind. Since her interaction with Rio, a persistent annoyance had been taking hold of her. How could she be so... so irreverent? She thought as she passed again and again through her meeting with the new teacher. The way Rio had challenged her, played with her, everything had been a reminder of how fragile the order was that Agatha valued so much. Agatha's mind could not find peace, and instead of resting, she immersed herself in her work, concentrating on the project for the Week of Projects at the institute.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the school, Alice and Jen were organizing a small party in the teachers' room to celebrate Rio's arrival. It was already customary for new team members to receive a welcome, and Alice was particularly excited. Along with Jen, he had invited all the other teachers: Carol (cellular biology), Wanda (psychologist), Natasha (geography), Steve (physical education), and, of course, Agatha. Alice, with her usual energy, approached Agatha while she ordered her papers, ready to leave, Alice looked at her with a wide smile on her face as she headed towards Agatha.
"Agatha, come to the party! It will be fun, we are all celebrating the arrival of Rio Vidal," Alice said, with a persuasive tone. "It will be a good opportunity to relax a little, you know, enjoy a drink and socialize a little, we haven't gone out since... "Alice's look changed to a sadder one when she remembered why Agatha Harkness did not relate or go out with anyone, but she continued. "Well, it doesn't matter, you have to come after all, it's going to be your colleague from the English area and you have to welcome her"
Agatha looked up a little puzzled by what Alice had said but saw the sparkle in her eyes, as contagious as ever. However, the idea of socializing in that messy environment seemed uncomfortable and unnecessary to him. She thought about Rio's relaxed attitude, her way of challenging the order that Agatha appreciated so much and that irritated her. "Thank you, Alice, but I really have a lot to do. The week of projects is fast approaching, and I don't want to be left behind with my preparations," Agatha replied, with a tense smile.
Alice, however, did not seem to give up. "Come on, Agatha, don't be so serious all the time. You could use a break, besides, it would be great to have you there! Rio is someone special, and everyone is going to have a lot of fun, did you mention that there will be alcohol?"
Agatha was silent for a moment, feeling the pressure of the invitation, but in the end, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Alice, I really can't. Maybe next time," she said, closing her folder firmly. Alice looked at her with a mixture of surprise and understanding, but she didn't insist anymore. "It's okay, Agatha. But if you change your mind, you know where we are," she said, and walked away, leaving Agatha immersed in her thoughts.
The afternoon progressed slowly, and Agatha went to her house, where someone unexpected was waiting for her, it was her Señor Scratchy, she pampered him and gave him some rabbit food to calm him down so she could focus on her work. She worked a few hours, however, his mind kept returning to the scene of that morning: she laughed with her playful attitude, her defiant look, and above all, how she had managed to destabilize her so easily. Agatha felt trapped between her desire to maintain control and a growing intrigue about that woman so... different.
It was when night began to fall that Agatha realized something: Her note folder. She had forgotten her most important notes in the teacher's room. Feeling somewhat frustrated with herself, she thought about really going back to school where everyone was gathered, but she saw her work incomplete and remembered how important that folder was to be able to continue working on the project fair, so she got up and drove to school again, determined to recover what she had clumsily left behind.
Upon arriving at the teacher's room, the scene she found made her stop in his tracks. The party was in full swing, the soft background music and the laughter of the teachers filled the air. Agatha tried to go unnoticed, go behind the table, and of all it did not work since Jen, when she saw her, approached and quickly invited her to join.
"Agatha, how nice that you arrived! Come, stay for a while," Jen said, serving her a drink with a charming smile (she seemed a little drunk). "We were having fun, you don't have to leave so fast. Just a little while, please.
" Agatha hesitated, looking at the scene that was unfolding in front of her. Although he didn't want to give in, the idea of staying a little longer didn't seem so bad, after a long afternoon of work she deserved a break and a drink. she accepted the drink, not knowing if her decision was out of courtesy or the need to get away from the desk for a while. she settled in a chair, a little far from the others but close enough to listen to their conversations and watch them all. She sat in the chair for a while moving her busy mind between everything that had happened that day, the conversations of the others, and the upcoming project fair.
Out of nowhere, she saw something unexpected, out of the ordinary, she moved her gaze quickly and observed the strange interaction of Rio and Alice. They were talking animatedly, too close in her opinion, laughing as if they knew each other all their lives. The way Rio talked to Alice, so playful, so free, made her remember the way she had treated her that morning. It was the same spark in her voice, the same carefree attitude. Agatha watched in silence, a strange ambiguous feeling of discomfort and peace taking hold of her. Is it just part of her personality or... is there something else? She thought, unable to avoid the growing concern that was beginning to take hold of her.
Suddenly, Rio turned around and saw her. Their eyes met in an instant, Rio gave her a mischievous look as if she knew everything Agatha was thinking, she finished looking at her by raising an eyebrow and increasing her smile. And at that precise moment, it was where Agatha felt something slide down her skin as if something had changed in the air. Has she noticed me? Does she notice it? Agatha felt trapped, but instead of staying there, she thought quickly and decided it was time to leave.
Without saying another word to anyone, or taking another look, she quickly got up and left the teachers' room, with her hurried steps, almost running, trying to leave behind that feeling that she could not define. As she headed to her car, the echo of laughter and conversations was left behind, but the uncertainty about what she had seen remained with her.
On the way home, Agatha couldn't stop thinking about what she had witnessed. she went to the bedroom and snuggled up to Señor Sractchy on his lap, while the cute rabbit rested, Agatha's mind was spinning "Was it jealousy what she felt? No, it can't be that I hate her, that woman drives me crazy," she said to herself. She erases the word jealousy from her mind and try to deceive herself all night. Maybe, simply a feeling of loss of control or even tranquility knowing that she is so "defiant" with everyone and does not try to get me out of my mind alone. The truth is that that feeling was killing her, she was unable to have control of this situation, she spent hours thinking and analyzing her feelings until she fell deeply asleep accompanied by her rabbit and her thoughts about Rio. Rio Vidal.