"Last week, we decided to embark on our communication test"
I fixed my eyes on the profile of Miss Garner, watching as she paced around the room, her presence bringing about the tensity into the area.
"And as we all know, the school agreed to permit an event we came to know as social night"
She took a pause coming to stand before my desk.
"Can someone tell me what was discussed in the last class"
Her eyes skimmed around the space, shifting from one figure to another, and just so happening to be stood in front of me, her gaze took mine.
"Anna?" My brows were only raised at her, questioning eyes onlooking her form.
"What was discussed last?" She clarified.
"You asked us to pen an essay, acting as witnesses to whatever took place in the party" I called out.
"Then would you be so kind as to stepping out and reading your essay for us? Let's begin with you"
I watched the number of eyes fixed on my form, all staring on as I got to my feet, making my way to the front of the classroom.
"Good morning, everyone"
Believe me, I tried my best to keep my grounds, but the lingering scrutinies of the figures before me, had my eyes faltering with every reason.
But, I never was one to develop such burning nerves, certainly not in front of a number of girls who I run into each passing day.
"Good morning, everyone" I called even better this time, fixing my gaze on the form of Miss Garner.
"A couple days ago, an event was held in the Bowers' social house.
An event that brought about a lot of relations and communications between both genders of the academy. One never as such before"
My eyes soon shifted off the figure of Miss Garner, coming to on the number of girls taking the front row.
Amidst them all, I made out the profile of Valerie. With eyes resting on me, ears perked up at each word that poured out my lips.
"I, as an eye-witness beheld a lot of things that night. But it does break my heart, Miss Garner. I didn't get along to do a lot of communication"
I saw the lady shift on her feet, eyes still fixed on me, those eyes which were filled with curiosity.
"In fact, there wasn't much communication, as all centered on the minds of students, was living the night.
At each corner one turned to, you were sure to find students, having debates on who could end up turning drunk, or who would go along completing every dare they put up"
"My own night saw a different ending"
I sure lost my diary, actually taken by that figure, which thoughts of him never took leave off my mind. He came to me the next day, in fact bearing my diary, and I ended up in his dorm, being introduced to such feeling I swear I haven't felt before.
A rush of warmth had taken to my heart as I recalled the occurrence which took begat me hours ago, and at the memory, I just couldn't resist the glee that filled my eyes.
I, in fact did communicate, but just not the way Miss Garner would approve.
"But one thing that sure came about, was me getting to socialize, or communicate as Miss Garner would say" I cleared my throat.
"We all had our different experiences, and that was mine. Thank you"
Silence.
I caught a few students pulling their hands together for an applause, but at the stern look of the literature teacher stood before them, they acted otherwise.
"Thank you, Miss Darcy for the not-so-much insight as to what the test was about" The face of Miss Garner remained blank, eyes dull at me.
"You get a D" I heard the collective murmur of students follow after her utterance, with eyes shifting to one another, the reality of this making up for our grades, dawned on us all.
I never got a D.
An A, definitely, and at least, a B, but never a D. I made certain of that. Laurie made certain of that. We would spend hours in each other's home, engaging in school materials, just for one of us to end up topping the class.
It could be her the previous grade, and me the next grade.
That position never was snatched from either of us.
But now stood right in my face was a grade that determined if I was to pass the course or fail it.
I cannot fail.
It wasn't my thing.
Bless papa's soul, for he would run mad if he was to catch sniff of what was going on down here.
"Now, Miss Darcy.... Would you do us the honors of picking our next eye-witness" Caller Miss Garner.
I caught the eyes of Audrey begging me not to call her out, mouth muttering something indecipherable.
Hannah Grace had turned the other way, acting like my figure wasn't stood before the class.
Of course, no one wanted a D. They all avoided it. But one way or the other, they were bound to get graded. And it was either now or never.
"Her"
The whole class turned to the figure my index finger was pointed at, all gazes directed her way.
"Valerie Sinclair" Miss Garner called.
"Do come out and begin your essay" Followed the voice.
A frown befell that pretty face at once. A frown which was meant for me.
She pushed forward, eyes lingering on my form for a while, and soon turning to the entire class, she began.
"My own experience was quite different from—gaze hinting at exasperation—Hers"
"I did enjoy the night, I must say"
"Now, in as much as it goes against the school rules, I was told by my teacher to live! To have a feel of little to what life encompasses"
"I was told to communicate. I was implored to explore my surroundings and give a befitting meaning to being a literature student. And you bet the moment I stepped foot in there, I was bound to get lost"
"I got to meet a number of people, all whom I never had come across before.
We talked, laughed, and they went as deep as confiding in me, telling me how much life had hit them. How Bowers' was slowly draining them. No offense to this great institution"
I caught a few chuckles emitted, with eyes soon fixed on the girl away.
"I even got back to communicating with my ex who I found things rocky with"
I pushed back the lump that formed in my throat, eyes staring at anywhere but her, still, that didn't stop the words from pouring into my ears.
"And by communicating, I don't mean talking"
And then came the oohs and aahs.
"We got together"
The image of his hands all over her body, while their lips remained together, was all that remained with me. And not to lie, it did disturb The
"And I even got to know what smoking feels like, for the first time, girls"
I expected Miss Garner to put her to a stop, ordering her to the principal's office, but, those words never came out.
The eyes of the lady were only focused on the profile of Valerie.
"And believe me, it isn't so much as exciting as people make it to be"
"Now, don't get me wrong, it does make some people seem extremely hot— a grin took to her lips, eyes lighting up—but there's nothing to be glamorized about killing ourselves slowly, especially since we've got a lot of experiences ahead of us. A lot of communication to do, and lots of living to do"
That was the icing on top. The applause rang out all around me, and to my surprise, Miss Garner partook in it.
Her eyes were filled with delight, a smile gracing those lips while she remained staring at Valerie who did all basking in the moment.
"That's it! You get an A!"
The jaw of Audrey dropped open the same time mine did.