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Eugenia sighed, she turned to the student who replied for her “It’s a nice thing to help a partner, but with due respect you’re not going to do her exams. Don’t steal her chance to learn. It’s important.”she moved back to her desk to pick her marker, but stopped in her way for a few words to the class “There’s no such thing as hiding to avoid participation here, or low profile, we all are doing exercises here, because you got to demonstrate to me whether or not you’ve learned, so I can help you or tell you how to improve.”

She got close to Mia and handed her the marker, “To the whiteboard, please.” Once Mia reached the board she ordered “Please, miss. Write in English ‘I like red apples’ and mark the structure, as in subject, verb, adjective and noun. You can do it.”

Mia felt guilty, so she turned her head to see who the student was, then mouthed a “thank you” to her. Somehow, Mia had her inner self talking to her - or more like, making snarky remarks such as how she doesn’t need to learn the language or the culture or whatever it is that’s related to the place because of her limited stay. She’s been known as the rebel kid at home, or at least been termed as one by professors.

When Eugenia gave the talk about participation avoidance, Mia sighed, then thought that maybe the teacher has handled a lot more complicated cases than her.

Mia took the marker from Eugenia, careful enough not to touch her hand, then did what was ordered of her. Sometimes, all Mia needs is a bit of a push. Who knew that this lady --- this tough lady --- would do the work for her?

After a few more discussions, finally, it was class dismissal. “Ah, shit, I’m starving,” she managed to say -- considering the fact that she skipped breakfast. However, she wanted to talk to Eugenia for a while that she allowed herself to be left behind. “H-hey,” she called on, as she stood on her chair. “I.. I figured I haven’t thanked you for accompanying me the past few weeks.. Will it be a bother if I ask you out for coffee?”

Even though Frankie’s face was plain straight, she was battling to hold laughter until that very last line that made her blush and look down as her girlfriend got the other bottle to the fridge. But such color wouldn’t last on her cheeks when the alcoholic term was mentioned along with some past experiences, her face went serious and she felt her chest heavy. She does accept that fact, but it definitely doesn’t make her feel well whenever it’s out.

The good thing was, that such expression and feel were temporary as well, taking Frankie’s hand, she stood up and a big smile was on her face when she suggested to open the bottle together.

She was somehow glad when she was turned around, because it was incredible how red her cheeks could go with Frankie. On 3, they opened the bottle, spilling the liquid over their hands, the whole thing got Leela really cheerful, until she felt Frankie’s tongue against her fingers, and she got the urge to hide her face. She actually made an effort to look at her girlfriend’s eyes without feeling shy, then raised her glass and clinked it against Frankie’s and giggled, the approached and kissed her lips softly, before looking away trying to hide a big smile.

As their glasses clinked, Frankie couldn’t help but be mentally thankful for everything the year has given her --- well, mostly second chances at life. To Frankie, it was overwhelmingly good how Leela hasn’t changed somehow. She was still the adorable, shy lady Frankie got to know the moment they started building the foundation of friendship.

Once Mia sat, she found it proper to remind everyone about the class status “For those who came after I explained the class structure, Professor Fernández and I have an agreement, that I shall teach here every 15 days. Unfortunately, she went thorugh a delicate operation so she won’t be here until next month.” she explained with in a kind tone, somehow hating how rough she first behaved towards Mia, as if she hasn’t behaved like that enough.

She went thorugh the basic structures of the sentences, with many examples, some readings, and exercises for each case, she was pretty active whenever it came to teaching. Now, when she got to be reviewing she wanted to make sure Mia understood, it was important that everyone would understand. “Would you please tell me what’s the basic structure of a sentence in Spanish that holds an adjective?”

Upon hearing the announcement/ reminder, Mia sighed. I could still drop the subject... She thought. But dropping the subject would mean extending a few more months. Maybe she could get her professor to allow her to drop the subject? What would be the relevance of learning Spanish when she’s only got less than 2 months of stay left? “I’ll deal with him once I get home,” she whispered to herself.

Leela looked at Frankie’s face with a mix of emotion, that was about to make her really worried, when her girlfriend finally laugh, she slapped her arm. “Don’t judge me.” At the remark on getting caught she said “I don’t even know how I did that, and guess what? Please, don’t kill me… I might have taken another?” she said putting on a cheesy smile and lending the bag to Frankie, with a small bottle in it. “I’m not sure what it is, but it might be vodka or one of those things, you know I have little knowledge on liquor.” 

When Frankie announced the table preparations, Leela was about to stand up when the girl basically read her intentions, she sat again and laughed. She observed how the cie bucket and the glasses came along and couldn’t help but to smile at such gesture. “I don’t mind pizza if that’s what you want. I would be overwhelmed as well” Leela herad Frankie’s story about the play and the semester, then when the ‘popping the champagne’ line came, she gulped, her clumsy self would always make her sweat with fragile things like that, even if it seemed easier for everyone. She turned her attention to the bottle, so much, that barely heard Frankie asking about her day. About to try opening the bottle, she handed it back to her girl “I don’t want to ruin it” she said, feeling shy. 

“I’m going to be real honest here and say that I already know that you have a talent for stealing...” Frankie said, straight-faced. “I mean, you pretty much stole my heart... So...” Frankie took the bag with a giggle then brought the other bottle inside the fridge. “Let’s keep that knowledge that way. You’re not going to turn into some.. Alcoholic shit like me...” Feeling that the statement may not sit well with Leela, Frankie then took it back, “I mean, I was once, right? And that isn’t a good thing, so.. Yeah, that’s what I meant.”

It was funny how Leela suddenly became shy and mentioned something about ruining it. Frankie stood up, walked towards Leela’s place on the table, offered her hand for her girlfriend to take, then pulled her up. “Let’s do it together, shall we?” She asked, before planting a soft kiss on Leela’s soft lips.

Eugenia got up early as usual, taking the enough time to review the things she was going to teach during the day, have breakfast, wear her clothes porperly and do her makeup. Morning were usually beautiful in Argentina with its clear skies, she would retrieve her warm coffee from the shop where her closest classmate worked at, even if she wasn’t there, her order would be always  punctual at 7:30 when she dropped by.

She would be at uni by 8, 30 minutes before her class started. Sitting by her usual chair, she would read once more her notes and do some warm-up exercises, a correct pronunciation was important even if she was in a country with a heavy accent, where words with y or ll, would sound sh, instead of its actual sound, so she would always point the differences to her students.

Punctuality would be always a big thing for her, starting her class at 9, whether there was a full class or just 2 students. It was with the purpose to teach everyone to be punctual, as well as finding out who was truly interested and who wasn’t.

“Roll you r’s! It’s very important for you to do so, if you want to handle all the letters, always remember that the structure is different, English uses an adjective before the noun, we go with the contrary. What did we—?” she suddenly stopped when the door opened and revealed a very familiar figure. Mia? What even—?

Even if she wanted to give her a warm welcome, she had a settled behaviour she wanted to stand for, and that meant no preferences. Wearing a serious face and clearing her throat to get rid of the sudden nervous state, she said “Welcome, miss. Please, take a seat. Let me remind you that the class is at 9, it would be wise if you came at 8:30, in case you get lost” she waited for her to sit to continue with the class.

She had to check if she was in the right room. The class schedule stated a different professor’s name. Is this how Eugenia is spelled in Spanish, or something? “I think I’m in the wrong room. I--” However, upon checking the room and Eugenia’s confirmation that the class started exactly 9am, she figured she was indeed in the right one. Defeated, she kept her head low, and looked for a vacant seat.

“Fuck, fuck...” She whispered, seeing as the only vacant seat was in the front row. Since she’s been a pretty much big distraction already, for the class, that is, she decided to sit --- right in front of Eugenia... Or should she say, her teacher for today.

Back at home, she’s used to being the center of attraction; but things here work differently. Oh how she misses home. Of course, what was expected? She’s way behind on lessons, but she can’t drop the class, even if it’s the best decision she can come up with.

Grabbing her notebook and a pen, she took notes of everything; participated well enough, as well, but tried so hard to maintain a low profile.

However, as crazy as it may seem, she found herself checking Eugenia out. No, not the physical aspect, but the gestures. Her ways inside the classroom. Everyone seems so fond of her -- despite the whole strict thing.

“I’m heeere!” Leela said in a cheerful tone when she got to Frankie’s place. She ran happily to where her girlfriend was and hugged her tight. “We are celebrating today, right? I mean, if my work has showed me something is to not let success go without a celebration.” Leela kissed Frankie and added “I took the bother to steal this…” she pulled the bottle from the plastic bag she had in hand, and read what was the content “this… new champagne I’ve never tried.” She took it out of the studio’s fridge so fast, that she wasn’t even sure if she got it right, after all, she was more worried about not getting caught.  

Frankie was going over the script that was handed to her yesterday; it was only now that it had sinked in to her that she finished the semester with flying colors and a bonus --- having the lead role for a big university musical. As she was so caught up in reading, she jumped when she heard Leela’s voice. “Hi, sweetcheeks,” she greeted back with a giggle. Frankie listened to Leela go on about celebrating, and it will be considered lying if she says she doesn’t like the idea. However, at the mention of stealing, the look of horror, amusement, and pride, on Frankie’s face was evident. “You stole a bottle? A fucking bottle!” She exclaimed. She took the bottle from Leela then shook her head laughing. “This one seems good. I’m amazed you didn’t get caught,” she teased. “Sit down, I’ll prepare the table for us. And nope, you’re not going to insist that you will do it. I will do it.” Frankie has been too lazy to cook something, that she ended up ordering three boxes of pizza a few minutes ago --- all of which she hadn’t even touched yet. After removing the pile of paper on the table, Frankie then set the bottle in the middle of the table, and in an ice bucket , then placed two champagne glasses on both their sides of the table. “I hope you don’t mind pizza, my love,” she said shyly. “I was too overwhelmed to even eat or cook,” she admitted, then placed the boxes on the table as well, before she sat down. “I seriously wasn’t expecting this... This whole play thing. I just wanted the semester to be over. I.. God.. Anyway,” Frankie motioned her head toward the bottle. “Will you please, my dear princess, do the honor of popping the champagne?” She asked, as she kept her gaze focused on Leela’s, a smile on her face evident. “Also, tell me about your day and your admirers at work,” she teased.