So Wrong, But So Right (girlxgirl) (studentxteacher)

Ch. 29

"So that explains why I have such a shiny big house on a measly sixth form teacher's wage. It's all inheritance form my parents."

"Well you spent it wisely. Your house is beautiful. Just like you," Danni replied.

Nicky blushed at the unexpected compliment.

"I'm looking forward to Saturday," Nicky said.

"Yes, my party! I'm going to be eighteen! I'm so excited I can't even explain it to you Nicky."

"I imagine. What time should I meet you at Haze?"

"Around seven? The earlier we meet, the more time we get to spend together!"

"I like the sound of that! Seven it is!"

"So, I've only been at your house for like half an hour, I still have time."

"Right," Nicky indicated for Danni to go on.

"What else do I need to know to get a fully comprehensive background of you?"

"I don't know. You tell me."

"Well how about you explain why Linda is staying at your house? You said she had a boyfriend, who was then her husband, and that was a completely different story altogether, but you've never mentioned her husband before tonight, even though you mention Linda quite a lot."

"Ok. That sounds like a good idea. I'll explain, but then promise me you'll get home, I want you to stay, but I don't want your parents being worried either. Trying to explain why you were hanging at my house could be quite tricky."

"I'll say I was at Lily's."

"Fair enough, but don't go lying to your folks too often for me ok? I don't want to get into their bad books."

"Oh trust me, you're not, they love you."

"I'm sure they do! Everyone does."

"Oh shut up," Danni playfully slapped Nicky around the arm, and when the pair had recovered from their giggling fit, Danni continued, "tell me about Linda."

"So she met James in her first year at work, she's five years older than me, so at this point I was just finishing up sixth form. He was perfect. Charming, handsome, and totally in love with Linda. They were the perfect couple. Honestly, everyone was jealous of them, but in a good way. They were so in love with each other, you almost wanted to look away when they were together, because you felt like you were interrupting them by just simply being there, their looks at each other were that intense. Don't get me wrong, they never excluded anyone, they were quite happy to have me third wheeling a couple of times, but I always felt a bit awkward if I was alone with them. Anyway. They got married. I was still with Jenny, but we were coming to an end. It was during that awkward phase where I was starting to realise she had been distant. It was crap for me, because I was engaged to someone who I never saw, but anyway-"

"You never told me how you proposed."

"I didn't she did. But anyway, I'll tell you that some other time. Right now we're on Linda, one thing at a time," Nicky laughed, "we went to her wedding as a couple, that was probably the last time that we were at a social event together really. Linda and James lasted about a year in their loved up phase, then he lost his job. He was a salesman, perfect for him really, he was charismatic enough to sell ice to an Eskimo, but his firm was going bankrupt and they cut their losses. He was really motivated at the start, constantly out looking for work, doing odd jobs for money, always on the go. After about three months or so, Linda told me his enthusiasm wavered and he started drinking. When I say drinking I don't mean a binge at the weekend, I mean waking up and gin being the first thing he tasted in the morning, and the last thing he tasted before he went to sleep. Soon enough, he was a mess. He didn't leave the house for weeks, and he'd started to get mad. We all knew it was the drink talking, but some of the stuff he'd say, particularly to Linda, were just awful. She stuck with him though, and his apologies were always sincere, but after every apology came another insult. I knew she was losing her mind, but didn't know what to do about him. She still loved him, but with the drink, he wasn't the man he used to be. He was a depressive drunk, and he was a shadow of his former self. She left him after he hit her for the first time. One thing that Mum always used to say, was that if a man laid his hands on us, we should leave immediately, and that's what she did. He was in a rage about his unemployment, and Linda made a remark about how he might have a job if he actually tried to find one, and he lost it. He punched her square in the face, then backed off, apologising and crying. Linda didn't even pack a bag, she just left. She arrived on my doorstep with a car and a black eye to her name but that was it. And that's where we're at now. She still teaches at the same school as when she was with James, even though he's called round there a few times begging to see her. She said that she would only make contact with him if he had proof he'd been sober for four months, and he never had that, so she never spoke to him. I know she still loves him, and they haven't divorced yet, but I think if he makes a scene anytime or keeps her hanging on too long, she will leave him for good. Don't get me wrong, he was lovely without the drink, and if he sobers up, and gets back to the way he was I would be ok with them getting back together, but right now, I think he's dangerous. Luckily, he doesn't know where I live, so he's never been round to see Linda, but I think that if he did, I'd kick the shit out of him for what he did to Linda."

"Did she report him to the police?"

"No, she said she knew that the real James wouldn't have done it, so didn't deserve to be punished for an alcohol induced rage. She's mad if you ask me. Get that dickhead behind bars where he belongs."

"But I can kind of understand it if she loves him."

"That she does. Very much indeed. She still carries a picture of them together in her purse."

"That's sweet."

"It would be if they weren't separated."

"I guess so."

They sat in silence for a moment before Danni saw the time.

"I better be getting back. I've really enjoyed spending time with you."

"Next time you can do all the talking," Nicky said as they walked down the stairs.

"Deal. So you're definitely coming on Saturday?"

"Are you joking? I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"I'm glad about that," Danni said, grinning over her shoulder as he walked towards her car and got in.

"Bye, drive safe."

"I will."

Danni reversed out of the drive and drove down the road, leaving Nicky behind, standing in her doorway. Danni didn't hear the quietly spoken sentiment that Nicky said as she started to drive away.

"I love you."