Lilith walked to her classroom for the first time. The classroom was designed in gentle tiers, with each row of seats ascending slightly higher than the last, resembling an old amphitheater. From the lecturer's podium below, every seat offered a clear, commanding view of the blackboard and digital screen. The room was filled with students, chatting animatedly.
As Lilith approached the lecturer's podium, she organized her laptop, books, and notes on the table. Gradually, the lively atmosphere shifted to a pin-drop silence.
Lilith then moved to the teacher's table and addressed the class with confidence and authority. "Good morning, everyone. Professor Moore has resigned to focus on her research, and I will be your new mathematics professor, Lilith Blackthorne. This is my first class at Mountainridge, so let's begin with Lagrange's Theorem," she announced.
Lilith strolled across the podium, explaining the theorem in a way that would be easier for the students to understand. She leaned against the table with her arms crossed, scanning the classroom as the students took notes.
"Please feel free to ask if you have any questions or doubts," Lilith said before continuing with her lecture. As she spoke, she noticed a girl sleeping in the back row. Lilith walked over to her seat, and the classroom fell silent, all eyes on her as her footsteps echoed softly. She stood beside the girl's desk and tapped her fingers lightly on the table near the girl's head.
"Miss," Lilith called gently.
The girl slowly lifted her head, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She glanced at Lilith and replied, "It's Hazel Ashford, Professor."
Lilith's breath caught in her throat when Hazel looked at her. The girl's brown eyes, flecked with amber around the iris, held her gaze, and for a moment, Lilith found it difficult to look away. The silence lingered for a few moments until Lilith blinked and cleared her throat twice before saying, "Ms. Ashford, I don't think this class is the best place for you to sleep."
With that, Lilith returned to the podium and continued her lecture. She found it challenging to focus on the material while also thinking about Hazel. For another 45 minutes, she explained the complex mathematical equations before the class finally came to an end.
As the classroom emptied, Lilith gathered her belongings and headed to her office.