Intertwined

Riots and Romance (part 2)

A/N: Hi gorgeous readers. Hope you're all well.

Big trigger warning: descriptions of torture using sharp objects. Please don't read the section in between: 'When Antonella walked into the cool room' to 'Antonella's father paid for'... if you think it might be too much. It's not the most graphic it could have been, but it could be triggering for some.

There's some secrets revealed in this chapter, some love and romance, some violence and some exciting hints for the future...

Also, I didn't like the Mialotte end of last chapter so I turned it into a day dream.

Brief mention of the movie Labyrinth. Great 80's film if anyone hasn't seen it. Was a childhood favourite of mine, although it's probably a little scary for some young kids if I think about it, but it was the 80's. 🤷‍♀️

'Mia,' Carly asked walking over to the redhead whose eyes were glazed over and a dopey grin on her face. Carly saw Charlotte's handwriting on a love note Mia had sitting on top of her lunch container.

'Awww. That's so sweet. You two are so adorable,' Carly sat down with her lunch opposite Mia who snapped back to reality.

'Oh Carly, Hi,' Mia quickly typed and sent her sweetheart a message. Her little fantasy of rushing home to her needy girlfriend would have to wait until later.

'What were you thinking about? Or WHO were you thinking about?' Carly said with a cheeky smile
Mia narrowed her eyes at Carly, but then smiled, 'When you're older I'll explain it to you Carly,' Mia said with a small laugh, mimicking Reecey's interactions with Carly.
'Hey, you know I'm nearly...'
'Thirteen?' Mia interrupted and raised her eyebrows at Carly who rolled her eyes.
'Well, I can tell you and Reece are friends,' Carly said with a small laugh. 'You, Char and the girls are coming to my 18th, right?' Carly's 18th birthday was in just under two weeks.

Mia hadn't been very nice to Carly at all when they first met. She still regretted her actions, but Carly had forgiven her and Mia had done her best to make it up to her.

'Of course we will be there. We wouldn't miss it,' Mia smiled at Carly who beamed back at her. Carly's bubbly, positive personality was hard not to like. The reason it got to Mia at first was because that's how Mia had been when she was younger, before Roger had twisted and turned her life upside down. She resented the freedom Carly had to be herself and the ease with which she chose to stand up for the things and people she loved and believed in.

Since freeing herself from Roger's hold, Mia could see how unfair and harsh she had been on the young apprentice and getting to know Carly had given her hope for a brighter future rather than reminding her of her dark past.

Unbeknownst to Carly, whose parents were throwing her 18th party at their home, the nursery staff, including Mia, had donated items for them to use for decorations, tables and chairs, lights and a voucher from Antonio's to supply most of the food. Charlotte, Reece and Marjorie knew that Carly's family wouldn't accept outright charity so they made it seem like these were spares and things they didn't need anymore, or that Carly's family could borrow, and the food voucher was 'won' by Carly for being the Knight Nurseries apprentice of the year. An award they would have given her anyway, had there been one.

Mia's phone made a familiar ping.

'Ooo is that from Char?' Carly asked with a cheeky smile.

Mia opened the message.

Have been thinking about you all day baby. Hope parents haven't been too annoying. Have had a wonderful day with your dad. Just on our way to pick the girls up from school. Love you xx