Killing Time [radiohead fanfiction]

Thirteen: Inside-Out

     As autumn only grew colder, I found I was growing more fond of my friends, and only more disdainful for Abingdon. After just a few weeks, it became apparent why the school was nicknamed 'Alcatraz' by the majority of the student body. Homework was excessive, exams were lengthy, and teachers could and would get you in trouble for doing anything out of place. Within my first week, I had gotten humiliated by a ruler used to measure my skirt length, chastised for assisting Colin with his French, and received countless remarks from my male peers. However, I suppose anything would be better than what my most recent school experience was, even if it meant being the only female student.

With the intense amount of constriction Abingdon had around its students, it should come as no surprise that the six of us were prone to sneaking around. Late nights were spent traversing to and from each other's rooms between the attic crawlspace. Practically the only reason I had survived this long was due to my involvement with the pact.

So to summarize, everything was good, not perfect per se, but good enough that I was enjoying most, if not all days of school. Unfortunately, I had no idea as to why this streak of good days would end so abruptly, but it did. I truly miss when I was unaware of whatever chaotic mess was happening back at home, but they told me anyway. They had to.

     My camera clicks wildly as I photograph Thom, whose hair is still short because he'd asked me to maintain it. His long rockstar-esque hair days were seemingly over with the adoption of his new, more choppy style. Thom poses awkwardly in front of my camera, causing me to laugh and lose the shot. My loss of control only makes Thom laugh harder, and Jonny begins to giggle too, the three of us having a hard time keeping our cool as the teacher begins to approach us.

He must not find our laughing of much amusement, because his face sticks completely straight as he picks up his pace. We all manage to shut up and look down distractedly at our cameras when he reaches us.
"Miss Chapelle, you're needed outside, your father is here." He explains, unaware of the effective weight his words have on me. I look over at Jonny and Thom, the two of them gazing towards me in confusion as well.

"Okay. Thank you, sir." I respond robotically, leaving to find my father in the hallway. The sound of my friends' confused whispers behind me only makes me wish I was with them even more. Gingerly, I step outside, spotting my father almost immediately.

It's only now that I've seen him that I realize how much I've missed his company. My father wasn't around a lot, work kept him intensely occupied so he'd go missing for days- sometimes weeks at a time. I was far more fond of my father than of any other family members, he was the only one who I actually felt loved me unconditionally.

He smiles sincerely, opening his arms slightly as a means of welcoming a hug.
"Father!" my voice wavers as I rush towards him, engulfing him in a well-needed hug. My father embraces me, kissing my forehead as I stare up at him.
"Tu m'as manqué, ma chérie," He says softly, his voice bringing back such immense feelings of comfort, that I feel unprepared. I have to catch my breath in order to stop my tears from falling. God, I've missed him.

"How come you're here?" I question nervously, letting my arms slip off his back as they return to my side. His face falls quickly and he swallows, choosing his next words very carefully.
"Let's go for a walk, Mary." My father responds absently, adjusting his collar.
"Okay." I agree, wrapping my arm around his as I lead us both to the courtyard.

We walk in silence beside one another, my father pretending to be very interested in the foliage as a means of avoiding conversation. It only takes a few minutes before he folds completely and tells me what he's been holding back.
"Your mother and I are moving back to France." He states firmly, averting his eyes from mine. Of all the things I expected him to say, this was far from being one of them. My mouth goes completely dry and I struggle to find the correct words to respond.
"You may move with us, though that would mean switching schools yet again. Or you can stay with your Aunt and Uncle, they live a few hours from here and are willing to let you stay with them as long as you remain at this school." He continues, not bothering to make eye contact with me.