Advanced Studies
By CB Potts
"Gwen." Rini looked up from her computer and smiled. "How nice of you to stop by."
I smiled at the courtesy, although we both knew full well that I never would have dreamed of declining Rini's invitation. One does not say no to the department head, particularly when one has yet to secure tenure.
"It was nice of you to invite me," I replied, each word careful. "I always enjoy spending time with you."
That was true enough, although I was pretty sure we weren't about to have a pleasant conversation. Rini was smart and articulate, and when she let her reserve drop, funny as hell. If I let myself think about it--and I didn't usually, because it made going to work way too strange--she was also pretty damn hot. Tall and broad, she gave off a sense of power and control that just got to me. But I wasn't going to let myself think about that--not now, when I was about to get called on the carpet. We weren't going to be joking around this time.
Not after this morning.
"The same can't be said of my colleagues, can it?" Rini asked, raising a silvery eyebrow. "You don't care for their company." Her eyes, icy blue and steel-steady, locked with mine. "At least that's the impression I came away with, after today's meeting."
I sighed, stifling the urge to roll my eyes. The morning's department meeting, supposedly to discuss recruiting more students to the chemistry department, had turned into a sniping, backbiting meltdown with me squarely in the center.
"They're a great bunch of guys," I lied, the words I wanted to say pushing hard on the backside of my teeth. "But they're..."
Dozens of words suggested themselves, none of which I could use and walk out of here with my job. They weren't particularly politic, and my lack of tact had already gotten me into enough trouble for the day.
But I had to say something, standing there with Rini's gaze heavy on me.
"So complacent," I finally said, settling on the least offensive term to come to mind. "They're very content with the world the way it is."
Rini surprised me with a laugh. "Of course they are. The world the way it is works rather well for them."
"Hooray for them," I said, the words sliding out of my mouth before I could stop them.
"Yes, Gwen," Rini echoed. "Hooray for them. But it's important to remember that they make up the vast majority of this department." Her eyes met mine. "The department, and the tenure committee. It makes it," and here she paused, eyes scanning the ceiling as she searched for the proper word, "prudent to consider their concerns. They're very interested in maintaining the status quo."
"But I wasn't talking about that. I don't want to shake up their comfy position." I snorted, not, admittedly, my most attractive trait. "Like I could anyway."
I can't stand still when I'm angry, and I've still yet to master the trick of hiding my feelings. A handful of steps brought me across the width of Rini's office. It left me eye to eye with Rini's bookcase, crammed to overflowing with chemistry journals and administration binders bristling with florescent Post-It notes. "I was talking about attracting the best and the brightest to the department. Bringing in some high profile students."
I realized I was directing my words to the bookcase and pivoted on my heels. Turning your back on the boss was surely not good form.
Plus, I liked looking at Rini.
)
Learning Curves is all about the girls in school, and how they look at other girls. This Taste Test features three stories about teachers and students, grad school ladies and naughty lesson plans. CB Potts' Advanced Studies has Gwen bucking the old boy system at a university, and getting to know her pretty department head Rini a lot better. Jodi Payne's Hot for Teacher has graduate assistant going over a lot more than lesson plans with Professor Lisa. Elisa Viperas give us Do it With Class, about third grade teacher Audrey who finds a way to tell gym teacher Reese what she wants. Who knew school could be so hot?
