“The Bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn”

A dozen of students in casual clothings gathered around the rectangular desk as Sandra Freeman poured a test tube of colorless solution into another which contained green powdery substances. As she completed the act, bubbles of air came rushing onto the surface of the mixture, which had now turned into a clear liquid with dark brown sediment.

“And, my dear boys and girls, as hydrogen peroxide gets reduced, the iron gets oxidised. The change in color indicates the oxidation process, so is the evolving of the gas – shown by the eager bubbles by the surface.” She narrated the explanation with enthusiasm. “Alright now, please get back to your seats while I write down the equations on the board.” Sandra was the “Best Teacher of the Year” since she started working in Treopolis Private High School.

As the students retreated back to their seats, three boys were whispering to each other behind the majority.

“It’s the red halter top again, I recognize it under her cardigan.”

“Haha … Ms Sandra is definitely the hottest female teacher in school!!”

“Not to forget that she’s extremely patient and gentle with us, even when we are not as obedient and hardworking.”

A girl wearing khaki tank top and black bermudas walked past them, overheard their exchange and peered in their direction.

“How low can guys be …” she made sure it was loud enough for the three of them to hear. The boys were about to defend themselves when her friend came up to her and hauled her along.

“Let’s get back to our seats, Ms Sandra started writing the equation a few moments ago.”

Both of them were back at their seats, leaving the three boys to continue their forum about their favourite teacher. The girl picked her black pen from her pencil case, a plain metal one and copied the equation, which was written neatly on the board.

“I agree that Ms Sandra is a nice teacher, but that’s not the point at all. Sometimes, I feel that she’s just too nice. Don’t you think so?” She asked her friend in a whisper. By then, the class had settled down to copy the increasing amount of information on the board.

“You think too much, Mellor. I think she’s perfect. How many of them are that dedicated?” The girl shrugged her shoulders. “Oh, is Dril joining us for the supplementary lessons? It’s so quiet without her.” She hesitated before she continued to voice her real question, “Also, will she be asking …. err … you know who – along.” Mellor’s friend, Bridget, blushed a deep red.

“I’ve mentioned to her during lunch break today. She got to ask for her father’s permission. And if she’s coming, Ray should be coming along too.” Mellor replied.

“That’ll be great! At least, there will be something to look forward to.” Bridget lost control and spoke a little too loud.

“What’s going on behind ?” Sandra questioned the class.

“I’m sorry Ms Sandra.” Mellor apologized on behalf and proceeded writing.

“It’s all your fault,” she mumbled. “Don’t get your hopes too high, I doubt they can because …” Mellor’s sentence was interrupted by the beginning of Ms Sandra’s detailed explanation on oxidation.

“As you can see from my demonstration … “

Two hours had gone by and the sky was completely dark. From Mellor’s seat, she could hear the croaking of toads since they were using a first storey classroom. Looking at her analog watch, it read 20:08.

She was starting to drift away in her thoughts, when Sandra announced, “Okay! That’s all for today. If you have any questions, please feel free to stay behind. I’m more than willing to help since the next chemistry test is around the corner.”

The uproar of dragging chairs, rustling of bags and biding of farewells filled the entire classroom. Mellor stood up to pack her bag, and she commented, “the people who are staying behind must be mad, it’s so late!”

Not very surprisingly, the three boys decided to hang around Ms Sandra’s desk.

“Ms Sandra, can you teach us about the hydrolysis of water again? I didn’t catch that when you went through during lesson in the day.” One of them with a leather jacket asked Ms Sandra in the most sickening tone you can imagine.

Throwing them a dirty look, Mellor and Bridget left the classroom together.

“It’s just them, Lee, Francis and Yen. Don’t be bothered by it!” Bridget tried to calm Mellor down when she witnessed her face, fuming with anger.

Both girls parted at the next junction, leaving in two different directions for their respective homes.

Mellor stared down at her watch.
“20:15″ – it read.
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Published on: Dec 2004
Rating: Teens
Author: Orangeline (ICC)
Orangeline says:

“Still as bad…”