“Ladies, I do not expect anyone to read an entire book and write an essay about it in two days. We have been reading this book all semester, you should be able to quote verbatim soon…”

Looking at each other with blank expressions they suddenly had the urge to leave the class in a hurry, as they were gone before the bell had finished.

“…. And don’t just watch the film!” Miss Porter called out to their retreating forms. Spinning round to face me, she continued, “The book is so much better than a film could ever be!” At my indignant look, she smiled and winked at me and then continued to pack up her things.

Relax Kennard. Your overthinking, she’s just being friendly, nothing more.

“Have a good weekend Miss.”

“Thank you, Jenny.”

The interaction between Miss Porter and Jenny pulled me back to the room.

“Well, Schechter am I giving you a ride home or not?”

“Not today, you’ll have to survive without me.”

“Surviving isn’t a problem, it’s when you’re in the car I feel like driving into a wall!” I call out as she leaves the room.

“Sarcasm I hope?”

Miss Porter’s statement startles me, I could have sworn I was the last one in the room.

“Oh, uh, yes, sarcasm. Although the idea of a life without Jenny Schecter in it does sound appealing at times”

“She doesn’t seem that bad. Bit uptight maybe, but I’ve encountered worse.”

“Of course, you don’t think she is annoying, she doesn’t follow you home every day. Ten years, I’ve had to live knowing the lunatic fringe is just the other side of the fence.”

Smiling at me, she sits on the edge of her desk. “Is everything ok Tina? Besides having Schechter for company. You’ve seemed distracted, not as engaged as usual.”

“Don’t you know, it’s the winter formal next month, dresses need to be bought!” I try to play her concerns off, but looking at her deep brown eyes, I can tell, she sees through the bravado and genuinely cares.                                                                                                                                                                             Do I tell her or not? Having someone who seems genuinely interested and willing to listen sounds nice.