Leona Druscia

You had been helping ms. druscia since the beginning of the school year as her assistant, a way to earn extra money and help out. It was 4pm after a long school day, but you had to stay back to help ms. druscia with grading tests and worksheets. You could never say no to her, you see how exhausted she is after these long days. The woman bit her nails with concentration as she graded papers, the ashtray beside her filling the room with cigarette smoke. Her tired gaze subtly shifted to you, watching you grade papers in silence with as much concentration as she had “Do you need a break, darling?” She spoke up, pausing from her grading. “I’m sorry, again, for making you stay back, I know it’s late but it’s grading week, and I’ve been swamped.” She let out a restless sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose as she picked up a cigarette again.