Everything.
Nevermore was something incredible. The new semester had started and I was completely taken up with my teaching. I would spend most evenings planning and prepping for the next day. The students seemed to enjoy my lessons- which is definitely a bonus. I had a glass greenhouse surrounded by beautiful flowers and vines that gripped onto the glass panes protecting the life inside. Decorating took time, but it was starting to come together. Warm gold lights hung around the edges and lanterns filled with fireflies were placed on each oak desk.
All kind of potted plants were around the classroom.
I had grown several different types of flowers; Dahlias, red Tulips, Peonies and my favourite the Alchemilla Mollis. Potting my last Alchemilla Mollis and conjuring up a little rain shower, I stood up and wiped my hands in my deep green overalls, folding my arms tight into my body and took a deep breath. Home. Gazing across my room admiring my creation, I failed to notice the presence at my doorway.
“The Lady’s Mantle” Larissa breathed, and leant on the side of the door. Startled, my head shot around and landed on the goddess herself, leant on my doorframe.
“Oh? Umm- sorry- I… didn’t see you there” I stuttered and pulled my gaze from her and walked around to the front of my desk.
“Is there anything I can help you with Miss Weems” I asked, fumbling around with the mess I had formed next to my leather notebook. Head still down, I raised my eyes to meet hers. The corner of her perfect poised lips raised into a smirk and she slowly pulled herself from the doorway and slowly made her way into my room. Her heels echoed in the space and sent my heart racing and my cheeks flushing. What is happening to me? What sort of hold does she have over me? I’ve barely spoken to her. Wandering over, her body swaying, she smooths down her emerald green dress suit, that hugged her curves beautifully.
“I was intrigued by you…”.
Breathe. Just breathe.
“What you had done to the classroom, so I thought I’d come and take a look, and found you planting Alchemilla Mollis. They’re almost my favourite flower- known as the Lady’s Mantle. A love flower if I’m not mistaken” she questioned, raising those lips into a smirk once again.
“I’m impressed Miss Weems, you seem to know your flowers. The Alchemilla Mollis symbolises love yes, but did you also know that it’s known to regulate the female menstrual cycle ” I praised, looking up at the headmistress.
Larissa raises her eyebrows and in doing so, lent her hip on my desk and nodded her head.
“Interesting Miss Fern… I did not know that. What else does that pretty head of yours know?” Larissa smirked.
A growing shade of pink spread across my cheek. Pretty. Without saying anything, I picked up the last empty flower pot for my desk and start to grow one final flower. A White Lily. Stunning.
Larissa obsessively watches me as I grow the White Lily, and brings her manicured hands up the the desk.
“How did you know?” She whispered.
“Sorry? “
“White Lilies- they’re my favo- “ she gulped and stopped herself, looking up into my eyes and straight into my soul. I can’t deal with those eyes. I can’t breathe- I wipe my clammy hands into my overalls and place the pot in the middle of my desk.
Her sea blue orbs were eating me alive.
“Miss Weems, I-“
“-My office- 5pm, and bring a bottle of wine” Larissa ordered as she smirked, turned effortlessly on her heels and slowly began to make her way out of my room. Once she passed the threshold, she whipped her head back to face me.
“Oh, and Miss Fern, bring me some White Lilies” Larissa ordered then made her way down the hall, heels echoing the power she radiates.
I sighed. This isn’t a good idea. You shouldn’t do this. There’s something about her that seems addictive. One thing for certain is clear. I clearly have a crush on the headteacher.
Later that evening I walk down the corridor towards Larissa’s office with a bottle of italian Chianti DOCG, and a deep red vase with a handful of white Lilies, my black heeled boots clunking in the empty space. After what seemed like ages deciding on what to wear, my decision fell on a silk mustard yellow shirt, with an low crossed back, a pair of black leather pants and black boots. I straightened my dark hair and wore it down, with some makeup to cover any blemishes. A dark nude colour covered my lips, I thought a nice contrast with my blue eyes.
Hovering outside her door, I gazed downwards to the auburn blaze that was coming out of the crack taking me back to my hometown. I hesitated and fire began to glow in my eyes and fingertips.
“Fuck! Not now Ava “ I panicked turning and running back down the corridor towards my room. Of all the times for an outburst to happen and it was now.
“Miss Fern! Turn around this once! ” A voice boomed down the corridor. I froze mid-track and swung around searching for Larissa.
Larissas heels filled the corridor as she slowly walked out of her room and walked towards me stalking her prey.
My voice hitched in my throat and I had suddenly forgotten about the outburst I was having. She sauntered up to me, towering over my frame as her brows frowned.
“And where do you think you’re going Miss Fern?” Larissa questioned noticing the fire that almost immediately dissipated In front of her.
A small blackened cloud formed an over my head and started to downpour as vines began to wrap themselves tightly around my fingers and arms.
Searching for answers in my eyes, she grabbed my shoulders and walked me towards her office, where a huge hearth was burning bright.
She gently placed her palms on mine and locked my gaze. Tears freely ran down my face, not willing to fight with the power surging through my body. Too afraid what might happen if I did. After staring into Larissa’s orbs for what seemed like hours, the outburst began to fade. The vines unwrapped themselves from my arms leaving sore open wounds and I shivered noticing how cold I was. I looked up and realised that Larissa was gone. Ruined that evening. Great. What’s she going to think of me? Can’t even control a little rain storm. Pathetic.
I stand hunched near the burning hearth, arms wrapped around my body, staring deep into the dancing flames. I feel a large blanket wrap itself around me and a body pressing against me from behind, long arms concealing my in a backwards hug. Larissa. I blush thinking how close she is and how easily she has me at her control.
“Miss Weems, I’m so sorry… I-“
“It’s Larissa. Call me Larissa” she consoles, still wrapped around me.
“Larissa…” I repeat.. lost in that name.
Minutes pass and Larissa begins to move behind me, removing her arms and the blanket that had concealed my magic. Putting my hands in the pocket of my jeans, I noticed they were dry. I was dry. The blanket. Huh.
Larissa saunters over to the tall glass cabinet and retrieves two wine glasses from the shelf, walks back to the bottle of wine, slowly pours two glasses and sinks into the two seated navy leather sofa crossing one leg over the other so that her dress rose ever so slightly and more leg was shown. I nearly swallow my tongue. I’ve been staring and she knows.
“Come..” Larissa commands and taps the seat next to her. I slowly ease myself down onto the seat, sat with my legs together and hands on my lap. Larissa hands me the wine glass and I gulp down a few mouthfuls.
“Easy tiger, you’re going to want to take that slow” Larissa chuckled, watching my every move.
“Oh sorry, I definitely needed that” I apologised, turning my body to face hers. She smoothed out her skirt again with her soft hands and brought her arm up so that she was resting on her elbow.
“You never told me about your magic… it’s quite impressive- even if you don’t want to control it” Larissa was looking for answers in my eyes.
“I don’t talk about it…I can’t control it. Whenever I try, it’s worse. So I let it surge through me, and I do nothing” I sighed, resting one head in my hand as my other hand held tight to the forgetting wine. My eyes were focused on the flames of the fire, flickering and floating between each other. I lifted my gaze to the beautiful woman next to me and gave her a weak smile. She truly was a work of art. Pastel orange reflections from the fire glowed on her face, highlight the cupids bow of her lips. Darting my gaze away, I took another sip of my wine.
“Miss Weems, why did you ask me her-“
“Larissa.” She commands, “it’s Larissa”. She turned in her seat and elegantly placed one leg over the other, her dress riding up revealing beautiful long legs.
“Larissa…” I breathe, looking down at the drop of wine left in my glass.
“Why do you think I asked you here?”
“Becau-“
“I told you Miss Fern, it’s because I find you intriguing”. Larissa was staring with that smirk.
Heat starts to warm my body, both from the fire and Larissa’s words. Time to be intriguing…
“Ava” I lock onto her eyes. She smiles, pearly white teeth showing and then raises an eyebrow.
“Well, Larissa… “ I breathe, switching legs on the leather two piece so that I’m closer to Larissa. A lot closer. “What about me do you find intriguing? What do you want to know…? I breathe quietly, gazing in her eyes, and darting down to her lips. I want to kiss them.
Moving closer so that we’re inches apart. Her hand slowly moves up and tucks a loose hair behind my ear.
“Everything.” she whispers.
A loud pounding knock interrupt us, as we both jolt our heads towards the door. Larissa sighs, moves towards the door and opens it to Wednesday and Enid, in the company of Marylin, another professor at Nevermore.
“So sorry to disturb you so late Miss Weems, I hope I’m not interrupting anyth- . Oh, Miss Fern. I didn’t see you there. You should have called me if you fancied a glass of wine. I would have joined you” Marilyn says sweetly, looking straight past Larissa and directs all her focus onto me.
Larissa didn’t like that. She didn’t like that at all.
Larissa’s eyes darken and she looks between us.
“You are interrupting- we’re having a meeting. What is the matter this late?”.
Searching in the eyes of Enid and Wednesday, Larissa folds her arms tight to her body and impatiently waits for an answer.
“I will not share a room with her. She makes my ears bleed and I will cut her hair off if I stay with her any longer. I might at least enjoy it then.” Wednesday states, raising both her eyebrows and pursing her lips.
“I am not dealing with this right now. Wednesday you can stay with each other for one more night. Miss Thornhill, you will stay near them so if there are any issues, you can deal with them. You will both be back here tomorrow morning, and then we will decide on the next move. Do stay out of trouble Adams, I don’t want to see you until the morning. Now go. Goodnight” Larissa ordered, practically shutting the door in their three faces.
She faces the door and sighs, then turns to face me.
“Tell me everything about you” Larissa commands, as she fetched the wine and refilled our glasses.