Out of School Suspension - Part 01

The college was silent, light streaming through doorway windows casting deep black shadows along the hallway like the teeth of a saw. Gliding between the pools of light, Aubrey relished the sound of her sandals clicking against the marble floors.

The comforting weight of her parcel gently bumping into her thighs prodding her along, she climbed a practical set of concrete stairs. Rounding a corner, she found herself facing the door to the faculty offices.

Like the rest of the building, the space was dark.  She could see a few errant monitors still shimmering in their cubicles, and a bright light in the faculty conference room. 

Slipping into the office, rolling her feet from blade to arch to stay silent, she crept towards the wide space. A shadow swept across the floor, moving away from her towards the far side of the conference room. Approaching a glass door she saw her quarry.  Professor Iva Djuric was sweeping something into the rubbish, organizing a large desk at the far end of a narrow long table. Nearing the conference room, a bright light flipped on. A bead of sweat dripped along her temple, stepping back from the door watching as the older woman continued her work. 

The taller woman seemed oblivious to her, grinning, Aubrey set her parcel down on a nearby desk. It was Prof. Djuric’s, the name plate mounted at the edge of the cube glinting in the harsh fluorescent light. Aubrey grinned, running her fingers along a pink stuffed animal resting under the monitor. Opening her bag she found her prize, wrapped in a ball of blue cotton she plucked up her secret project. The prototype emitter was slightly larger than her cell phone, and three times as heavy. 

Inching towards the door, she watched Prof. Djuric walk the length of the table. The only thing she could make out was a sign in sheet Iva carried back to the head of the table, listing all of the club members. Aubrey’s brown eyes locking in on two familiar names, the whole point of her late-night excursion. Kate and Maggie’s names were at the top, scratched out with a laughing smiley face between the two. Tasting copper, Aubrey felt a shock radiate down her jaw, her tongue ached as she watched her advisor work.

Sighing, she narrowed her gaze. “Focus. Just ten minutes, and you’ll be through this.”

Pressing through the door, Aubrey kept her emitter behind her back. Prof. Djuric glanced up, smiling warmly. “Aubrey! Hello, you’re here late.”

“Yeah!” Chuckling, Aubrey stepped forward. With her free hand, she tugged at the hem of her shorts. 

“Daring outfit.” Prof. Djuric said, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t tell me you’re going down the same path as Kate and Maggie.” 

Wincing, Aubrey shook her head. “N-no.” She said, pausing at the far end of the conference table. “But I was hoping to talk to you—about them?”

Rolling her eyes, Prof. Djuric tapped her fingertips together, her hands forming a loose cage. “I won’t be changing my mind. Aubrey, they’re not a good fit for this organization.”

“Of course!” Glancing at the sign in sheet once again, Prof. Djuric slapping the cover of her leather portfolio closed. Aubrey nodded.  “I—uh—can see your point of view. Just… don’t you think censuring them went a little far? They may lose their scholarships, and—”

Prof. Djuric held out her hand. “I appreciate you’re looking out for your little friends. The fact remains they were lazy, without getting in the weeds, I’m not even sure their work is, actually, their work. Believe me, I’ve seen their type before. It’s hard enough for us in STEM without Princesses’ confirming every stereotype about people like you and I.”

“That’s unfair!” Aubrey chimed, inching forward. “And aren’t you doing exactly what you’re complaining about.” 

Ivana turned, squaring her shoulders. The woman was extremely tall, even in her flats. The hem of her dress swung gently about her thighs. “Aubrey Zimski, you’re dangerously close to the line. Standing up for your friends is admirable but insulting me won’t help your case.” Smirking, she stared down her nose, a chill washed over Aubrey’s spine. “In fact, you may end up following them off the career track.”

The tall woman shifted back, resting all her weight onto one leg. Aubrey’s face flushed, the taller woman’s very presence affecting her. Grinning, Aubrey stepped forward. Slipping her project from behind her back, Aubrey felt a weight falling from her shoulders. Iva’s cold demeanour burning away any reservations she had. “I’m sorry.” Aubrey said softly. “Can we change the subject?”