As expected, everyone at the middle school was swept up in the chaos that was the final examination once the brand new week began. Even the guards and the janitors were aware of the pressure.

The exam ran from Tuesday to Friday as scheduled.

For Lariette and her colleagues, the week had become a blur of invigilation, the quiet hum of students scribbling their answers and their frantic glances at clocks.

Tension also hovered in the teachers' lounge. They brought back boxes of printed exam papers every time an exam ended, each one marked with student names.

For safety measures, the papers were sorted and kept inside a locked room before the grading began. The teachers wouldn't touch them until the end of the exam.

Like the others, Lariette was under a state of pressure. Even though she didn't lack food and care thanks to Ruediger, she barely had an appetite and couldn't rest much these days.

The tree was delivered on Monday as promised. Now, it stood proud by the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, but still bare of any ornaments aside from its top.

Ruediger brought up a ladder and let Lariette put the pouty angel topper herself. He did stay nearby to catch her if she accidentally fell.

Well, she didn't tumble. But he sneakily took the chance to hug her when she climbed down the ladder.

From Monday evening, the adorable pouty angel stood proudly on top of the Christmas tree. The pair decided to decorate it this weekend, including the entire apartment.

"RINGGGG!"

The last bell rang on Friday. Lariette almost let out a huge sigh of relief. Her colleagues were also the same. As for the students, most of them cheered because their torment had just ended.

Of course, they still needed to brace their results, but for now, it was celebration time!

"Miss Elsher, goodbye! See you next week!"

"Teacher, we'll decorate our class next week, right?"

"Can I bring my own baubles?"

Before Lariette left the classroom with a box of answer sheets, her students eagerly asked about the Christmas decorating activity. Principal Smith had announced it publicly to keep the children's spirits up.

Lariette chuckled, pleased to see the students' beaming looks. She couldn't help but think of her own bare Christmas tree. Tomorrow was a good time to begin.

"Yes, we'll decorate our class next week. But wait for the instructions, okay? Maybe next Monday."

The students cheered upon hearing Lariette's words. A few of them did a little dance, driven by how free they felt after the final exam ended.

Then, Lariette walked out of the classroom, heading to the teachers' lounge. More work was waiting to be completed, but the pressure was eased slightly following the exam completion.

After grading the papers, the teachers needed to set aside some time to complete year-end evaluations. They only had less than three weeks before winter break started.

'I'm so tired and hungry.'

For the rest of the day, Lariette just wanted to relax. Ruediger had told her that he would prepare some soup for dinner. She especially liked drinking the broth when she had less of an appetite.

When Lariette arrived at the teachers' lounge, a few had been inside. The place was thick with the tired and gloomy energies of the teachers.

Most of them wouldn't clock out yet. Even though they didn't need to grade papers immediately, they still had other work to do.

Lariette herself estimated to return home at five. As always, Ruediger would come to pick her up. The temperature had dropped further as the early days of winter began.

After putting the box inside the locked room, Lariette joined Nora and Phoebe at the seating area. They offered her a cup of tea, which she gladly accepted.

Aside from a huge pot of tea, jars of cookies and other snacks were opened on the coffee table. Some of them were the ones Lariette brought this week, thanks to Ruediger's baking.

Sighing heavily, Phoebe rubbed her temple, "My eyes... feel like they're spinning tops."

Nora chuckled, "Your eyes will spin more once you start grading."

A yawning Howard chimed in, "I need a month's worth of coffee. My grading pen needs coffee too."

While the teachers were either chatting or relaxing quietly, Principal Smith appeared. The elderly man chuckled once he saw how exhausted they were.

"Tsk tsk," he clicked his tongue, but his countenance had a funny look, "Are you a bunch of students in the exam week? Oh, wait, you guys are the teachers."

A few laughed awkwardly at Principal Smith's dry humor. The older man shrugged, not caring what his subordinates thought.

"Well, well, you've done great this week. Now, how about a big meal at five? A proper Italian feast. This old man's treat."

Some teachers perked up, while the others were in disbelief. A few quickly murmured in agreement.

"Let's go! I could use some pasta and wine!"

"The Italian restaurant near the computer shop? That place's great."

"Count me in!"

A few shook their heads, regrettably having to decline because they had prior engagements. But most of them accepted, ready for a night out after a tiring week.

Principal Smith joked, saying he might need to wash dishes if they went beyond the limit. Then, he left, not before saying he would meet them in the restaurant at five.

"Lari, you'll go, right?" Nora grabbed Lariette's arm, deliberately fluttering her eyelashes.

"Yes, yes, I'll go," Lariette laughed before pushing Nora away, "Get off me. I still have work to be done."

Actually, Lariette felt like declining. But she was aware she didn't really spend time outside with her colleagues. Considering it happened very rarely, she agreed.

'I need to tell him.'

After sitting in her office chair, Lariette took out her phone. She typed quickly.

[Lariette: The principal wanna treat us at Bella Pasta tonight. Sorry, I'll go home late😟]

[Lariette: The place's nearby. I think only fifteen minutes on foot from our apartment]

His replies came in a few minutes.

[Ruediger: Go and have fun, you deserve it😘]

[Ruediger: Text me. I'll go and pick you up]

[Ruediger: Be careful if you drink]

She grinned, then sent another reply, brimming with confidence.

[Lariette: I'm a good drinker! Don't worry🍷Won't get drunk!]

Little did she expect, reality was against her.