The Park - Tuesday afternoon

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

With her legs curled under her, Annette sat on a park bench, her handouts from Conflict Management on her lap. There was a lot of reading and studying to do before the test next week, and she admited if only to herself, that she didn't read War of the Tulips in class yesterday. She took notes, and these combined with the handouts, would have her reading and studying most of the day. If not the rest of the week.

It was a warm day, if not cloudy, so she took pleasure in sitting outside. Alone and content to do her work.

(It's a park, so it's open.)

Comments

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"I thought he was over this already," Rose said, frowning, "I haven't swanned off in years I only travel when I have time to travel and the only reason why I'm even on sabbatical is because they forced me to take it. But now, he's afraid I'll be going off again. It's not like I don't take my responsibilities seriously now."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Annette listened intentively then quietly asked her, "Do you Rose? Have any plans to go off again, anytime soon?" She wanted to know why she was forced on sabbatical too, but would ask that in a moment or two.

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"I'm not going to be asked to go away this time," It wasn't an answer and she's looked away, watching the trees.

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She watched her, knowing her thoughts were her own. Annette didn't want to interfere so kept quiet for now, just content to enjoy the peacefullness of outdoors.

But after a moment, she did ask softly, "Rose? Are you okay?"

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Roused from her thoughts, Rose suddenly grinned, it was clearly a facade. "Yeah! I'm fine!" She said in a too cheerful tone, "Nothing to it, shouldn't even burdened you with this."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Annette wasn't fooled; she was after all a sneaky sort. "You're not burdening me, Rose. And that happy go lucky tone is not working. If you need to vent? Well, I'm sitting right here beside you. I'm a pretty good listener though I might tell you what to do." She teased, grinning a tiny bit.

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Her grin faded into a line, "It's not right, you're younger than me."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She looked down at that, "I know. I'm not very mature in these sorts of things. Lacking little experience and stuff. I'm sorry Rose." She offered quietly, some because it was true about her experience, more because Rose was right. Annette was young.

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"Oh, no not that!" Rose said quickly, "I just meant... I mean, I really don't like burdening people with my problems I don't want to seem to be..." Rose made a vague gesture, "Emo about it."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She smiled over at her, "When the students are emo? We sort of flock upon the dorm roof. Teachers go where? I figure I'm here for you, either way, Rose. Even if I just sit and don't offer anything. I just want you to know that, okay? I admire and respect you..."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Rose flushed. "That means a lot, Annette and thanks."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome, Rose." She said simply, feeling good that at least she let her know that.

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"How about this boy of yours, Annette, is he a good guy?"

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She smiled and blushed and looked down for a second, "He is great, really. I like him a lot, Rose."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"Good, you deserve the best, Annette," she smiled, patting Annette on the arm.

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"You give me too much credit, Rose. Honestly. I can be such a stinker it isn't even funny." She grinned. "I've been lying to my parents since I got here."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"Oh, please, who hasn't at one point in time or other?" She said dismissively. "If I tell my mum half the things I do she'd have me locked-up in the house and never leave."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Annette nodded, "Yes, I agree there. And it wasn't too good when she called the other morning and Dick answered the phone for me." Yes, that had been a time of flailing indeed.

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Rose grinned, "It's a rite of passage for us-- er, I mean you kids." Blimey, she wasn't part of that age group now, that still boggles her mind.

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She caught that and laughed, "Rose, you are not that old yet. Still young enough to have fun, like us. That morning though was not fun. It was scary. Okay, maybe I can laugh a little at it now."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I would like to think I'd remain a kid forever, y'know," Rose said rueful. "I know what you mean, though, it's always scary as the situation happens but after that? I always find I can laugh at it afterwards."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"And I still have another year of high school." She said with a heavy sigh.

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"Enjoy it while you can," Rose advised, "In fact, stay in school as long as you can, it's fun!"

Says she-who-dropped-out-of-school-for-a-boy.

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Annette gave her a look, "You know I don't believe a word of that? Right?"

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Rose chuckled. "Alright, but as a teacher I felt it was my duty to at least give it a go. But, honestly, do I wished now I've finished school."