Bernadette Azizi - Undying

I finally decided to get up and get ready, unsure of what to wear. I made my way to the closet. After a short while, I finally decided on my tight-fitting beige skirt with a sky-blue silk shirt and heels. Considering I felt drained, surprisingly I looked quite nice.

I left my room and not a moment too soon, the college was quiet and there was no one in sight.

I must be late!

I struggled to make good pace, restricted by my tight skirt and heels.

Finally arriving, I could see how late I was, the assembly had already commenced and the room was full. The students took up the front three-quarters of the hall with the teachers and then the parents sat towards the back.

One of the senior students was speaking on the microphone while James sat on the side of the stage with three other men. I quickly looked around to see if there were any vacant chairs close by, but there didn’t seem to be any. I could see Jules further up moving about, I guess trying to see if I was here yet. She was in the first row behind the students in the middle with an empty seat beside her.

There was no way I was going to take that seat; everyone would see how late I was .

In front, a man unexpectedly stood up and started to make his way towards me. It was Richard Cartwright.

“Good morning,” he said once he reached me.

“Morning,” I continued to look forward, not wanting to encourage a conversation.

“Please, take my chair.”

“No… Thank you… I’m happy to stand.”

“I won’t take no for an answer,” he promised.

“Please, I am really fine here,” I said looking over to him with a half smile.

“Well, I will just have to stand here with you,” he said, crossing his arms and looking towards the stage.

I couldn’t help but notice that the women that were sitting close by him were looking back at me and didn’t seem to be happy. Left with no choice, I nodded to him and took his seat. I felt so uneasy having him directly behind me; I could feel his stare on me. The women on both sides of me were constantly looking at me from head to toe. I felt awkward and couldn’t see how I was going to last the whole assembly, until James got up and spoke. His words were powerful and in his presence I wasn’t bothered by who was staring at me or who I had upset. Nothing mattered, I was happy to be here with James in view. After the choir sung, James got up again to speak. Perfect.

“Professor Davidson you will be missed, we wish you all the best and look forward to your return.” The roar of clapping filled the room. “And finally I would like to formally introduce and welcome Miss Catherine White, who will be replacing Professor Davidson for the school year. If you could be kind enough to stand.” No clapping this time just a lot of chairs shuffling about trying to see what Miss Catherine White looked like. I was dumfounded. I had no choice but to stand, and when I did, the room again filled with clapping and some whispers. I stood for few seconds then sat down. Moments later the students started to make their way out of the hall. Parents and teachers immediately started to come together and speak. I could see Jules making her way to me swiftly.

“Catherine,” she yelled as she made her way towards me.

“Hi Jules,” I turned away, my face was still burning from embarrassment and I was trying my hardest to control it.

“Oh, Mr Cartwright, over here.” Jules shouted across the room waving her hands as she approached me. I looked over and saw she had got his attention and he was now heading our way.

“Good Morning, Miss Kent,” he said and then turned to me and smiled.

I looked away, wanting to see James.

“Mr Cartwright, I was so disappointed when I missed you yesterday, but at least Catherine had the opportunity to meet you .”

“Yes, I was quite fortunate to have met Catherine yesterday.” He said, again looking at me not Jules, when in fact he was speaking with her not me.

“Excuse me,” I interrupted and left. I just had a feeling that Jules would be distracted with another person and would have left me alone with Mr Cartwright.

I headed to Professor Davidson who, luckily for me, was speaking with James. As I approached him, James noticed me and a smile spread across his face. My heart started beating fast and I prayed my red face would not follow. James introduced me to Professor Davidson, who seemed very friendly; we spoke for several minutes while James stood quietly.

“I am so looking forward to having you in my class for the next two weeks, until then have a wonderful day my dear,” he said with a smile and then excused himself.

“I hope I didn’t embarrass you too much,” James quietly asked.

“That would be the second time you have done that to me. I hope it will be the last,” I joked.

His smile turned into a quiet laughter. “After you have finished from here, will you come by my office to fill out some paper work?”

“Yes of course.”

“Good. Can I get you something to drink?” he said as he casually grabbed my arm. My whole body shivered at his touch, I took a step back bewildered. I could tell by the look on his face that he also felt something strange.

“Excuse me, Catherine I am sorry to interrupt. But Miss Kent wanted me to ask you… if you would like some tea, I think it’s suppose to be a joke of some sort. I don’t get it,” Dr Simons said confused to why he had to perform that particular errand.

“Thank you, Dr Simons. I do… but I can help myself.” I smiled to him and James and left.

After everyone but a few left the hall I made my way to James’s office, I felt somewhat embarrassed seeing him after my reaction to his touch but I found courage in the thought that he may have also felt something.

When I arrived, his door was ajar. I fiddled with my hair and blouse and knocked on the door. I waited a few seconds before I knocked again. As I did, the door opened. James was on the phone. He gave me a smile and signalled for me to come in.

His office was so rich in culture. The fireplace was burning strongly and its smell filled the room. Beautiful artwork was all over the room. The furnishings were dark timber and traditional. One wall was dedicated to books, and his desk was neat and professional. To my relief there were no family pictures to signal a lady in his life. I went to the window that was the only form of light in this dark room and looked out. It had started raining again. I felt so at ease in his office, more than anywhere else I had been on the college grounds. The fireplace gave out welcoming warmth and the sound of the burning wood crackling was soothing.

“Are you enjoying the scenery?” he asked.

I hadn’t realised that he had finished his call. He was only inches away and he smelt delicious. His voice was deep, yet gentle. Surprisingly, and with some difficulty, I turned back to the window.

“Yes, yes I am. I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave this country.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I feel like I belong here,” I said as I let out a quiet giggle.

I wanted to add that I also felt that I belonged with him, but I thought that was better left unsaid. I turned back to him and smiled shyly. He took a few steps back and leaned against his desk with his arms crossed. I walked towards him, and waited for him to speak.

“When we first met in your room… I know you had just hurt yourself and you were in pain, but I couldn’t help feeling that you were surprised in some way when you looked at me.”

Oh my! He did notice my strange behaviour…

“I don’t know what to say!” I shook my head and looked down.

“Is there something to say?” he replied quickly.

“Maybe… I mean look… you have seen my clumsy, helpless and ridiculous side I don’t think I will add insane to that list just yet.”