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“I did this thing
Towards the end
Where I put my head
Right against your head”
—Now You Know by Tom Rosenthal
The small corridors bothered Serena.
Compared to the rest of Academia's corridors, of which have walls and pillars towering her many times over, these were tiny in comparison.
It didn't help that it was dim, too—and quiet. A carpet that stretched along the center of the hallway kept her steps mute.
But she knew that though that was the case, she had to make them even lighter.
After all, this hallway was the most guarded in Academia—next to hers, anyway.
She stopped behind two grand doors white in color and outlined with gold.
Then, she inserted a key, turning it and entering the Professor's bed chamber.
She thanked the gods that the door had no creak even as she closed it.
Afterward, she slowly approached Him from his back.
When she finally arrived, she hesitantly placed a hand on His hip, and felt the slow rise and fall of His breathing.
She then went to his other side, and saw some of the dim light from His curtained window blocked by her body.
She then kneeled on the floor, observing His sleeping face and features.
Him seeing her face right now—hooded and hidden—would end all her plans. If ever His eyes open, she would not be able to go to Standard. She would not be able to card for Him. She would not be able to make Him proud.
She knew He would never want her to leave this island. And yet here she risked that chance. It was a miracle Barrett was able to call the two guards by His door away.
Still, she felt it wrong to leave without first saying good bye. She felt it wrong to leave without seeing Him face to face, affirming to herself that this was for Him.
She closed her eyes, and leaned forward, touching her forehead to His.
This was the first she's touched His bare skin.
It disheartened her.
She felt her love pour out toward Him—but she did not feel it reciprocated. It was to be expected, but knowing is different from realizing.
‘If only you knew just how much I look up to You,’ she thought, ‘how much I… I Love You.’
She knew Leo would never see her out Himself.
‘I will be back soon, and when I return,
she breathed,
You will be proud.’
Slowly, she retracted her head and left.