Sundew
1256 Words
© 2021 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved.
Following the signs, I approached a lady with a perfect afro anyone would be proud of. Her bronzed skin complimented the gold specs that outlined her eyes. She greeted me with a polite smile.
"Hello. My name is Olivia. How may I help you?"
"My name is Adanni Kingsbury and I have an appointment with the dean?"
She paused to type my name on the computer after a few awkward seconds she finally broke away.
"Yes Adanni I see you right here and it looks like you'll be joining our faculty soon! Welcome to North SVA I hope you find everything well."
I appreciated her genuine tone knowing there are some people here who are nice enough. That eased my slight unease.
"Thank you. I'm excited to be here."
"You will meet with Dean Wright in his office. Is office is across the hall."
I thanked her again and walked towards the double doors. 'Dean Wright was inscribed on the plaque next to it. I took a breath and knocked twice. A few moments later the door opened revealing a nice-looking man. He was light-skinned with a small curly fro. His curl definition was immaculate, he should be proud. He looked like he was in his mid-thirties.
He greeted me with a warm smile.
"Hello, you must be Adanni? I'm Dean Wright but everybody around here calls me Mr. Wright."
I shook his hand firmly. After introducing myself he welcomed me in. I walked into a pretty big office. With his desk towards the back, he had many shelves that you would expect in an office. The walls were felt with School Spirit and faculty pictures.
It was decorated pretty nicely. Matching accented chairs were surrounding each other in the front of the office towards the back I walked towards the chair in front of his desk taking a seat.
"Dr. Cosby had a lot of good things to say about you. I looked you up you record is impeccable."
I cracked a smile at her name, I can't help it that was my favorite show. He chuckled in return. " Yeah, I laugh by myself about it too."
We chuckled mutually, allowing the air to relax around it.
" You had a 4.0 GPA? Please let me know how the hell that was possible?"
I laughed at his bluntness. Admiring his nature. You could tell he was a down-to-earth teacher. The students and faculty here must like him a lot. He was very handsome but his rectangle glasses toned it down a few notches.
"Sometimes when I couldn't sleep I painted and listened to the class recordings." I shrugged casually.
I left out the part that I would have anxiety attacks over it. 4.0 of pure hell and overwork. It wasn't worth it.
"I have to ask of course. Why did you leave school before? You went for nursing?"
I debated on giving him an answer I wouldn't mind people knowing or the real answer.
"Well, nursing was never my passion and I'd rather put my all into something I love instead of something just to get by. Even though nursing is an extraordinary career."
He nodded in understanding listening intently. One of the things I was lowkey nervous about going back to school was being judged. Sometimes in school systems, they may think you don't finish anything and that isn't who I am.
"Speaking of your art we could use you to help in one of our beginner's classes. In return, you can take as many classes as you please."
I raised my eyebrows at the simpleness of his direction.
"Wait. That's it?"
He raised his eyebrows questionably.
"What do you mean? Do you have a question?"
I fought against pursing my lips at him suggesting a question. It gave me major teacher vibes.
"I mean. No interviewing process? Is that all you would like to ask me?"
I stared at him inquiringly raising my eyebrow back. He stared at me amusingly.
Being so focused on his face, I could see light freckles decorating under his eyes across his nose which I found pretty cool. I noticed his eyes flash looking me up and down. I honestly would have missed it if I had blinked. I felt my chest warm thanking myself that I thought about my appearance today.
"Well, Dr. Lionette is a very trusted person. She's very known in her professional trust her judgment 100%."
She has already given me the rundown on what you need and what works best for you, and in detail of all your benefits. You are eligible to receive financial age of course. Working extra hours than your normal ones would make you eligible for a salary of 10.50 an hour."
"Oh wow, that's great."
I smiled. I definitely would be using some of those hours. Saving up for a new place and new car would be worth it.
" I can say that she said many things but she didn't say how sharp your presence was."
I decided to take it as close to a compliment as a professional relationship would allow. But the silence spoke for itself.
"Alright let's go speak with Ms. Olivia and get all of your papers signed. Then she'll take you to Ms. Peonies Class and she'll explain all she would need from you."
Getting up we exited the office. On the way out I noticed the door wasn't closed all the way. It was a huge gap in between it and the frame. Which made me feel more comfortable knowing he thought about my comfort.
I made a mental note to have lunch with Dr. Lionette she did above and beyond. She's always been a sweet person to me and those types of people in my life I try to make sure I give my respects to.
Walking back into the office I now understood why Olivia was so Chirpy about the dean. The smile she gave me wasn't even real compared to the one she gave Mr. Wright. You could tell she was very excited to do anything this man asks.
As fast as she was getting the papers together as he read out all the documents I needed to sign. Her occasional "Of course, Yes sir." broke through on occasion.
The only thing that was honestly missing from this duo was a 'yes daddy' but we were not about to go there. Looking towards the dean. I looked at his demeanor to see if he was interested or not.
Which I came up with nothing. His whole stature is the type of man that his natural persona could seem like he's interested in you.
After he finished and she stacked the last copy his eye went from the papers straight to mine.
"Do you think you'll be okay? Or should I stay?"
I shuffled slightly angsty. Confused by his comforting tone. Even Olivia paused slightly glancing over at me, narrowing her eyes. I was analyzing the question way too much trying to understand how I should be taking his tone.
In the middle of my brain going off on how this ni*ga was flirting with me, I interrupted it quickly.
"No it's okay I 'm fine." He nodded in response. Briefly saying goodbye to Olivia and walked away answering his phone on his way out.
After a few beats, Olivia recovered, turning back to me with a polite smile.
"Let's get started."
© 2021 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved.
- Writer
