Dissent and Daffodils

Lilith was awake last night, her mind replaying the almost-kiss over and over. Throughout the day, she tried to avoid Hazel and successfully managed to do so, but Hazel still occupied a significant part of her thoughts. She had seen Hazel in class, but as usual, they exchanged very few words.

Lilith was in her office, with empty coffee glasses lined up on the windowsill. It was almost nighttime, classes were over, and she was reviewing the projects she had assigned. Outside, it was raining.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by a rapid knock at her office door. She invited the person in. It was Adam, the boy from the basketball court, with Hazel. "Yes?" she asked.

"Professor Blackthorne, Hazel is missing," Adam replied. Lilith was taken aback; she had no idea that three simple words could create such anxiety within her. For a moment, her thoughts went blank as her mind raced. She focused on an empty spot behind Adam, trying to calm herself, then asked, "Where did Ms. Ashford go?"

Adam explained, "Hazel went to a photoshoot for a wedding. She started working as an assistant to a photographer last summer. She isn't back yet, and I'm worried. She never leaves the university campus this late."

Without hesitating, Lilith grabbed her coat and drove to the address Adam had given her. When she arrived, the shop was closed. She checked for the nearest bus stations and attempted to call Hazel, but her phone was switched off. Lilith drove around the area searching for Hazel, praying for her safety.

Soon, she spotted a girl sitting on a park bench. Lilith stopped the car nearby and squinted to see better. It was Hazel, hunched over on the bench, shivering slightly, with her eyes closed.

Lilith got out of the car, taking her coat and umbrella with her, and walked over to Hazel. Hazel looked up as Lilith held the umbrella over her. Lilith handed her the umbrella and draped her coat over Hazel's shivering shoulders. She then sat down next to her.

"What are you doing here?" Hazel asked.

"Adam came to my office. He said you were missing, your phone was dead, and you never stay off campus this long. He was worried, so I came to look for you," Lilith explained.

"I wasn't lost. I booked a cab, but my damn phone died, and I had to wait here. The cab still hasn't arrived," Hazel complained. Lilith smiled and said, "It's fine. I'll drive you back. Come on."

She stood up and offered her hand to Hazel. But Hazel just stared at Lilith's outstretched hand. "Why don't you just say it?" Hazel asked, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"Say what?" Lilith asked, her hand dropping.

"You like me. Just say it. Why else would anyone come out here in the pouring rain looking for a student?" Hazel said.

"Maybe I was just the only professor available in the office," Lilith replied.

"Lies. No one drives out in this downpour to find a missing student. And don't pretend that you weren't going to kiss me last night," Hazel said desperately.

Lilith sighed and knelt in front of Hazel, placing a hand on her thigh. "Hazel, I do like you." Hazel's lips parted in surprise, but she remained silent, waiting for Lilith to continue.

"But this relationship won't work. You are a student, and I am a professor. The university doesn't approve of it. Even if we made it work, you don't know me. Why would you want to risk a great future for what could just be a fleeting infatuation?" Lilith explained. It pained her to say it, but she wanted to make sure Hazel understood the risks. "You know that if the news got out, it could impact your chances of getting a master's from a good university. I don't want that for you," Lilith pleaded.

"I get that, but can't we at least give it a try?" Hazel asked, her eyes filled with tears. "How can I know you if you don't tell me about yourself? We can keep it a secret until I graduate. Just one chance."

Lilith felt powerless; Hazel made a compelling point. "Let me drop you back," she said, standing up. "We can talk about this in the car."