Tuesday Office Hour

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[iPod in place and door mostly closed, she's singing softly the tunes of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. She's nearly Zen in her bluesy peace.]

Comments

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica walks in and sits down.

"I just wanted to apologize for not handing in a paper yesterday. I... wasn't exactly in a good frame of mind during Friday's class."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Yeah? You want to work it out, or take the hit? [She pulls her earbuds out and sets her player aside.]

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

She shrugs. "I can do a make up assignment if you want."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Well, it was the Maltese Falcon, and I wanted you to tell me how people use misleading body language. However... [She stands and walks around her desk and sits on it.] Can I ask what happened Friday? Something was going on and half of you didn't turn in the work. That's not like you. Any of you.

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica sighs.

"The topic in Ethics class hit a little close to home for me," she says softly. "I think some other people were upset too."


[afk for 20]

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Right...right. I heard about that. I was wondering how you were. I heard you went into a closet?

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica chuckles.

"It's a soundproofed room for people to use if they can't handle the discussion topic. I stayed there for the whole class. And I was still pretty upset when I got to your class."

She sighs.

"I'm okay now, though. But I wanted to tell you why I didn't do my work."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Why didn't you just leave, Veronica? I mean, Tara's generally pretyy good about understanding the students' comfort levels, right? She tackles some tough stuff.

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"She was very understanding about it. And... I guess I didn't leave because I didn't want to be alone. I wasn't the only person making use of the emo closet plus there was a whole room full of people right on the other side of the door, some of them my friends. I felt safe."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Do you want to talk about it? Now that you've had a few days? I know you've told me before, Veronica, but sometimes...[she huffs out a small laugh]...sometimes I should take my own advise. You know? Really. Do you want to talk?

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica smiles softly. "No, I think I'm okay. I talked to Piper that night. Told her the whole sordid story. And after that I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. But thanks."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's...helpful. To tell. [She reaches out and squeezes Veronica's arm softly] I'm glad you're better.