The Not So Perfect School For Perfect Children (#Wattys2016)

Some Necessities Are Luxuries

Mallaurie's POV

"Please understand I don't mean to sound girly or that I don't care about the bigger problems we're facing but I would really like to have a shower and I seriously need the bathroom. I have been thinking that I'm dead for so long, I can't even remember the last time I had a shower, or even eaten something." I try not to sound petty or needy, I just feel this aching pain to have the touch of water on my skin and time to myself to process what's happened. I feel so dirty, Helena's death is hanging over me and I want to scrub her off.

It wasn't your fault love.

It doesn't matter, I feel like her blood was poured all over me and I just want to be clean.

"You know that sounds like a great plan." I look at Jack, she tries to seem strong but I know she's exhausted, her marks will take so much energy from her. I'm actually surprised she is standing up after how much she's been through in the last couple of days.

Suddenly, dust starts falling from the ceiling, then larger clumps. "RUN!!" Dillon commands as he grabs my hand, pulling me with him. We all run, back where we came, huge rocks, mud and dirt falls behind us. My heart races as we just manage to just scrape through the gap that leads to the surface. I quickly turn around to make sure Jack is safe, I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for her. I scan the surroundings but I can't see her. "JACK!" I shout desperately. Running back to the where the hole used to be I run my hands over the rubble. I start to panic when that familiar feeling makes the hairs on the back on neck stand up.

The guardian angel. He should have kept her safe.

"You know, I thought I was meant to be worrying about you." Behind me I hear Jack's voice and I can't help but smile. I turn to her and wrap my arms around her, she hugs me back and sighs, looking down at her shirt. "This was my favourite shirt." Her shirt is filthy and has many holes in it, she has mud all over her and I have no doubt that I do too. 

"I think we're due for a nice long shower and some food." Jack seems to smile at the thought of food and I'm actually quite excited to eat something myself. 

We go to the canteen and everyone is staring at us, we are all filthy, none of us have been to class and we're all eating like t's our last meal. Especially me, but technically this is my first meal.

And my gosh, does everything taste good.

Samantha's POV

Understanding that you're not dead is rather a cruel realization for me, if I was dead, I wouldn't be lying on the ground clasping my arms as blood pours from them. If I was dead, tears wouldn't be falling down my face as pain takes over my senses. If I was dead, Alice wouldn't have been able to ask me questions after she found me. 

I heard him leave, I heard his threats and I know he'll be back to torture me some more but for now I have Alice to deal with. 

She's trying to heal me with magic but I pull away. "Just use bandages."  

As she looks at the wounds, she isn't questioning me and that's the most comforting thing to happen to me all day. 

Having her here is something I don't deserve but I know by the look on her face that she wants to ask me how I got into such a mess.

"It was Nicola, that's how I got messed up into this." I say softly, I'm defeated and sore.

"Where is she now? How could she treat you like this? After all you did for her?" She talk so fast I almost don't catch it. I like that she still cares for me even though I've been so cruel to her. Her hands form tight fists and her head fills with wrinkles as her eyebrows begin to frown.