School Days: Anthology

Mathilda watched as the students twirled each other around on the dance floor. She, for the third time in a row, once again came alone to the Halloween dance. She stood around doing nothing until she felt she stayed long enough. It's something she quickly grew use to at every event the school holds. There were quite a number of people who she could've came to the dance with, spend time with, but she on her own accord chose to come alone. It's her fault why she spends these nights alone, it's a silly reason which she wishes not to think about lest her night starts to feel depressing.

She's been standing... waiting for nearly an hour.

She should return to her home soon, but she could stay a little longer.

She began to play with her pony tail as she began to lose herself in her thoughts, ones that were hopefully less disheartening. She remembered being in the kids' spots not too long when she had attended Crystal Prep. Back before her grandfather gave her the position of Administrator of Hassian, she always dreamed of becoming a dancer. It's silly, but back at high school she just loved watching the dancers back at Crystal Prep Academy, they moved with such grace, ease and finesse that she only wished she had, what she wished she could do. But she quickly found out she isn't a great dancer when she tried to join Dance Class, it was a very embarrassing day for her. It still is to this very day, since then she rarely danced, but that doesn't mean she's unable to perform simple actions whenever she-

She jumped a bit when a hand tapped her shoulder, and she turned to see Mr Popescu holding a hand out to her. He caught her off guard, she should've scold him, but a calmness soon came over her when he gave her a warm smile. "May I have this dance?" Without a word she took his hand. A small smile graced her face briefly before she quickly felt hesitant, even apprehensive as he took her closer to the center of the dance floor.  Alexer gave her bold smirk as they danced amongst the students. Mathilda remained silent throughout the whole affair, and as they continued to move together the feeling of diffidence slowly, and eventually left her. Her left hand was clasped comfortably in his as they twirled. She felt an air of excitement that brought chills to her bones...

But then he looked elsewhere for a moment, she was quick to follow his line of sight. She was given a bitter reminder as she spotted Miss Tanaka, standing at the edge of the dance floor looking as through she's waiting for someone. She quickly averted her eyes back to Alexer before he turned his attention back to her, that grin was still on his face as he uttered three short words to her, words that should've made her feel flattered, but instead she felt cheated. "You look lovely."

A warm hand pressed against her waist, it shifted a fraction of an inch lower. Mathilda quickly reacted and yanked his arm up again, frowning at him. "Mr Popescu..."

"Did I say anything wrong?" For once, he seemed sincerely concerned. In fact, he seemed to be more disheartened by her actions.

"This doesn't feel right." She murmured, so low that Alexer almost didn't hear it. But surprisingly despite the loud music he did. She wished for a time when she could be dancing with him, in that intimate position. She seemed to be so caught up in her own self loathing that she didn't notice the distance between them was slowly dwindling as Alexer brought himself closer to her, and they continued to dance among the sea of students. No matter how much she told herself to pull away she couldn't, but when Mathilda's chest brushed up against him she tensed and glanced at him. He seemed just as tense as her, as they seem not to be sure of themselves, but Alexer looks to be determined to make this dance work for the both of them.

"What about Miss Tanaka?.." She suddenly whispered her thoughts. The two had stopped dancing. Thankfully, Alexer seemed to have become aware of her weariness, and moved them away from the edge of the crowd of dancers, they were unnoticed by the students.

Once he was sure no one was eavesdropping on them, he quickly questioned her. “What about her?”

"I’m sorry," She said softly, he gave her a confused look, she continued. "but this isn’t appropriate. I’m sure your partner is waiting for you. I'm sorry." She was quick, and straight to the point to get her message out how wrong this was, she should've felt wrong being so intimate with a man already with another. But oddly enough she didn't, her morals on the other hand told her to cease this before the situation starts hurting others.

The man looked so lost and confused. Alexer seems to be having some trouble trying to find his voice, but paused.  He then slowly brought the hand that was sitting on her waist up to her face. She tried to fight it, but she couldn't stop herself from closing her eyes at his caress, and she hated herself for leaning into it. Alexer unclasped his other hand from hers and brought it to rest on the other side of her face. She couldn't stop herself from enjoying the warmth emitting from his large hands. She opened her eyes and stared into his. He tentatively leaned his head in towards her. Hesitantly she met him halfway, and before she knew it, their lips were pressed against each others.

Everything felt so unfamiliar, but inviting. His warmth. The closeness. The taste and smell. He pulled away with a smile. A cocky grin, to be exact. One that reminded her of the times when he wasn’t so tired before he took it upon himself to teach class 031. He was so active back before she became the Administrator of the school, she missed the days when he would come seek her out whenever lunch occurred. He bowed his head towards hers again, but this time she placed a hand up to stop him.

Mathilda shook her head. "I... I can't, Alexer. I can't do this. I can't... I can't fall in love with you, and then watch you walk away to her like it meant nothing."

"Hilda, I don’t understand-"

"Yes, you do," Mathilda interrupted. She took a step away from him and straightened herself out. She hardened her facial features, a mask. "From now on, our interactions will be only be from a professional standpoint. All personal matters will be-"

"Hilda-"

"Mr Popescu." Her abrupt curt tone caught him off guard, he never heard her sound so dulled, and wounded.

Not wanting to cause her more grief, Alexer simply nodded. "If that's what you want, Miss Danaan." He gave a short nod.

She watched sadly as he slowly walked away, heading towards Miss Tanaka at the edge of the dance floor. The taller, dark haired woman looked delighted when she caught sight of him, then became overjoyed when Alexer asked her to dance with him. He didn't look back. She turned away, she felt the tears start to form, but forced them back; she would not cry over this. She wasn't a careless, emotional student anymore. She is... the Administrator. She had a duty to do, she had an appearance to uphold, and she wasn't going to let her fondness of a teacher interfere with her job.

No matter how much she longed to have him stand beside her.