Miss O'Connell | B.E

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Valeria's heart didn't just drop out of her chest when she heard her name being called to see Sister Agnes in the office; it kept going until it was a good sixteen feet beneath the creaky floorboard of the Blessed Mothers.

She took a sharp inhale, her eyes fluttering shut for a passing moment as she stood in front of the ancient slab of decorated oak Sister Agnes called a door, before she raised a closed fist, knocking three times.

"Who is it!" she heard the voice of the hag booming from the other side.

Valeria winced before responding between the tips of her tingling teeth, "it's Valeria, Sister Agnes, I was called over the loudspeakers."

She heard silence for a moment before Sister Agnes responded again, "Ohh," she sang, her voice painfully sweet, like a pleasant old woman who'd bake you cookies if she were your neighbor, something she was far from. "Valeria, dear, come inside."

Valeria twisted the knob, stepping inside awkwardly. Standing in the frame, she made eye contact with Sister Agnes for a flimsy second before looking down at her school shoes.

"Come in, have a seat, dear," she gestured with her bony, wrinkled hand to the leather chair opposite her desk.

Valeria walked over and sat, hyper-aware of the leather rubbing on her thighs beneath her school skirt.

"Morning, Sister Agnes," Valeria gave a fearful smile, "Is everything alright?"

Sister Agnes smiled, "Oh, quite alright, dear, you aren't in trouble."

Valeria felt her muscles relax, her shoulders slumping slightly as the next breath she let out was a little more exaggerated than the others, "Oh," she sighed, "Thank God." She was so focused on the fact she was in no trouble that she almost didn't notice how evil Sister Agnes' smile was. Almost.

Valeria felt her stomach twist into knots once more as she met the saggy eyes.

"Would you like a biscuit?" Sister Agnes offered a metal tin full of sugar cookies.

Valeria held back a cringe at the putrid smell that came from the box, holding her breath and shaking her head, "I'm alright, thank you, Sister Agnes."

The nun smiled once more, this time a toothy smile, her yellow and silver teeth in full view, along with her withering gums.

Holy fuck.

Valeria thought, shuddering at the sight.

"Now, Valeria," Sister Agnes beamed, "I've called you here to ask some questions..."

Valeria furrowed her brows, "About me?"

Sister Agnes' lips stretched so wide it looked like crinkled flesh was about to rip apart, "Oh no, dear," she grinned, her eyes wide.

"About Divine."

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"I'm going to miss you so much," Divine whined her throat tight with an uncomfortable lump as she nestled into Billie further, sinking the smaller woman deeper into the sheets.

Billie smiled softly, her fingers threading gently through Divine's tight curls, each strand coiling around her fingers like silk. "Christmas break's only two weeks, Divine. I promise you'll live."