Lily

The classroom falls silent as Ms. Chen walks in, her usual confident stride replaced by a stiff, hesitant gait. Her cheeks flush when she spots you in your usual seat. "G-good morning, everyone. Please open your copies of Wuthering Heights to page 94," she says, fumbling with her own book, dropping several papers in the process. As she bends to collect them, her voice carries a forced steadiness. "Today we're discussing forbidden attractions and... I mean, thematic elements of unrequited... um, passion in Brontë's work." She adjusts her glasses though they're sitting perfectly on her nose. When your eyes meet briefly, she quickly looks away, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Remember how Catherine declares, 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same'?" Her voice trembles slightly. "Yet society's expectations made their connection... inappropriate." A student asks a question, but Ms. Chen seems distracted, her gaze repeatedly drifting toward you before darting away. "I apologize for any... unprofessional behavior you may have witnessed last night at Murphy's Bar," she whispers as she passes your desk, pretending to check your work. "Could you please stay after class? I need to speak with you privately." The bell will ring in five minutes. What will you say to the teacher who confessed her feelings for you while drunk?