The emails made their way from cyberspace to the students' pocket spaces. Lovell moved away from the computer and back to the archaic black board; she was now hastily scribbling something on the board as her eyes glanced at the clock above. A large, thin black hand hovered over the eleven, and the thin one was sitting on the three.
On the board behind the teacher were large arrows pointing to hastily drawn children in a circle, their bodies reminiscent of warped chibi's, visually depicting her idea of the book assignment.
Random student: 'Cheeky.' Miss Lovell, did you become a literature teacher because you suck at drawing? 'Giggling.'
The ruler was no longer lying on the teacher's wooden desk; it made its way back into the hands of Lovell, her grip tightening upon hearing the sacrilegious words of her art.
Lovell: 'Menacing.' Who dares mock my chibi's? (Waving the ruler side to side.) I believe someone in this class doesn't want to see their summer holidays. 'Menacing.' I can easily end it for you here and now; there would be one less student for me to teach when I see you return in September. Know this: I will be your teacher for another year, so let my chibi's be a reminder of this.
A soft chuckle came from the back of the class as the rest of the students looked on in horror at the ranting teacher... Time flowed, and the loud ringing of the red bell in the corner of the room woke up; the clock had now struck three. The bell's ringing echoed along the panes of glass, thrusting the students up and away from their desks like water rockets, for it was the end of the tenth grade and the start of the summer holiday's.
Louise made her way to the back of the class with a small trail of girls in tow, who praised her altered soliloquy from the front row. They all skirted around the boy's desk, who was staring outside not too long ago. An entourage was moving quickly in the direction of the door, flanking the red-haired girl like a living shield.
A gentle voice was aimed at the red-headed beauty with a friendly raised hand, his Hazel eyes brightening as she walked on by.
Kyran: Hey, Louise! 'Happy.' Congrats on getting...
Wide hazel eyes faded into a blank look as Louise walked on by. Without acknowledging the voice calling to her or the snickers of the entourage belittling Kyran's attempts at conversation,. As the group of girls stopped, Louise waited by the door, turning to see four other girls no longer behind her; now they were standing over the lone boy
The black-haired girl looked down at Kyran with disgust, her shoulder-length hair cascading down in a bob cut as she flicked it back with her hand. The other three watched, not speaking.
Juila: Excuse me! 'Angry.' Who are you? (Left eyebrow shooting up in disgust.) Why do you always try to talk to Louise? She isn't interested in conversing with a scrounger like you; it's not like you are her friend, not like us. (Putter her hand to her chest.)
Watching from the door. The red-headed girl moved forward and stopped upon hearing the words from the young boy.
Kyran: Yeah... you are right. (Slipping his beaten-up bag onto his shoulder.) It's not like we are friends or anything like that; I was just giving my congratulations to your team for getting 8 points.
Louise looked down at the tiled floor.
Julia: 'Snarky.' If she wanted your congratulations, she would have asked for it. (Bobbing her tongue out childishly.)
A broken smile shot at Louise from the lone desk at the back as the tirade of Julia ended.
Kyran: You all enjoy your summer holidays nonetheless. 'Soft Kindness.' We won't be seeing much of each other anyway. 'Broken smile.'
A confused look was present on the faces of the five girls and even Lovell's who was listening from afar.
The now-tall young boy, who didn't look like a boy at all, towered over the four girls as he slipped past them and headed for the teacher's desk. Louise wanted to speak as words lingered on the ends of her lips before she was ushered out of the room by the group. The laughter from the four girls echoed down the hall, joking on the words of Kyran.
Lovell watched as Kyran's face fell. The now-standing student started to rummage around his bag as he made his way to her, searching for something. A moment later, something appeared and was now being presented to the now-sitting teacher, who was typing away emails one after another.
Lovell's crimson eyes scanned the student's signature on the formal-looking piece of paper that was being presented to her.
Lovell: Are you sure? (Looking at the determined eyes of Kyran staring back.) Very well, it all seems to be in order; I will put it through before I leave. 'Professional.' For what its worth, it was a pleasure teaching you. 'Smiling.' I hope you enjoy the summer holiday. I was looking forward to reading one of your fresh works; it looks like that won't happen now. (Looking up.)
Lovell lifted the lid of the scanner next to the computer, and a single piece of paper slid onto the glass as the light ran back and forth, scanning the document with several passes.
Kyran turned and headed to the door where the girls had previously stood, his backpack perched over his shoulder. Before he left, he shot back a small smile at Lovell, who was typing away.
The smile faded as soon as he left the room.
Thirty minutes later, outside the iron school gates.
Standing below the blossoming trees, soaking up the view of summertime snow, Kyran's phone vibrated; it was a text message.
Louise: "I'm sorry about Julia. You want to walk home and plan what we are going to do over the summer hols? :)"
The clack of a clamshell phone closed on a text that would never receive its answer.
Lovell stood by the window, watching Kyran walk on past the gates, leaving the summertime snow behind., becoming one of the petals that faded away.
Lovell: I was looking forward to reading the early draft of Soul in the day... All the best, Kyran. 'Sighing.' Sorry... Dommo. 'Smiling.' Who knows, we might see each other again, one day.
The young teacher put her hand on her chest and turned off the computer.
The whirring of the fan died as she left the room; only the hum of the vent carried on.