Echoes Down The Corridor

Lunchtime Chats and Panic

A/N: I feel the need to begin with this: (nearly!) 500 READS PEOPLE!!! Thank you - ilysm all of you! Feeling very proud right now...anyway, on with the chapter :D

At lunchtimes, we all gather outside to eat, chill and take a break from the confines of school. One afternoon, sitting on the bench outside the Geography Block, Beth's rant about how 'perfect' Mr Hale and various other male teachers are, in her opinion, is interrupted by an unexpected visitor.

"Abby, can I borrow you for a moment?" Sarah says, standing behind me and tapping my shoulder. Rolling my eyes at the quizzical expression this request earns me from my friends, I stand up and pick up my school bag to walk with her.

Beth, realising that her English teacher just heard a good proportion of the previous conversation, cringes: "Hey Miss - you heard that, didn't you?" she says, face reddening in embarrassment.

"Yeah, Beth, I did, and between you and me, I agree with you - Mr Hale is rather nice to look at." My girlfriend says with a wink, causing horror to flood the group as we walk away.

"Anyway," she starts again, her tone turning serious, breaking the moment. "This is important, okay? Who knows about us: our relationship? Have you told anyone?" she says, wringing her hands with trepidation, nervousness evident in her demeanour.

"I'm really sorry," I begin slowly, awkwardness falling between us. "Only Beth and Georgie - no-one else, I swear. I'm fully aware of the risk to you, and I only told them because I couldn't keep something this big and life changing to myself, and they had kinda guessed..." I say, sincerity and conviction in my voice.

I had expected her to blow up, and chide me about trust. I even imagined, worriedly, that she'd say that I was untrustworthy, and that we couldn't carry on if she couldn't have a certain amount of trust in me. At this, tears threaten to fall from my glassy eyes.

"Is this the part where you break up with me?" I ask quietly, holding back the heaving sobs ready to escape. A look of complete compassion and care crosses her face as she rubs my arm gently; the closest amount of affection and comforting she can offer me in the middle of the school grounds, surrounded by pupils.

"Of course not, sweetie!" she exclaims hurriedly. "I'm not cross with you at all; I'm surprised, and very pleased, you've only told 2 people, and I love you, Abby - I'm never gonna let you forget that, baby girl." she says, as relief floods my being.

"No, and I haven't told anyone - my sister-in-law knows that I'm dating a woman, but apart from that, no-one else. The problem is, sweetheart, we haven't exactly always been discrete in our...interactions...in school." She continues, unsure how to relay the next part to me. "Look, I think Caroline, sorry, Mrs Parris knows. I haven't told her, but I think she's guessed. This could spell trouble - I know she does care about me, but she may feel morally obligated to report us if she gets solid evidence that I'm breaching my position of trust; with everything that's gone on down South recently*, I probably would do the same, in her position." she finishes, a deep sigh escaping her lips.

"Yeah, I agree - I think she saw us in the corridor on my birthday, you know, when you gave me my present?" I say cautiously. "When you nearly kissed me? I think she may assumed the worst then. But why didn't she say anything?" I wonder out loud.

"I wondered the same thing," Sarah continues. "If she does know, then why hasn't she done anything? Or at least confronted me about it? Oh well, all I know is we need to be a lot more careful when we're in school, okay? If you can, don't tell anyone else about us, and I'll just have to make sure I'm not seen alone with you too often, and avert my gaze from your gorgeous, sexy body whilst conversing with my colleagues. Deal?" she finishes, looking at me with a hopeful expression.

"Deal - no more snogging in the store cupboard then?" I say cheekily, a wicked grin plastered across my face.

"Shut it, Madam. That was one time, and it ain't happening again - not with your attitude anyway!" She scolds, playfully swatting my arm, as we start to head back towards the Geography Block.

"Anyway, what's this about you and Cameron Lloyd? Should I be worried?" Sarah says teasingly. I glare back, disgust filling me in memory of the event.

"Don't. Even. Go. There..." I hiss.

"Hahaha, I just think it's funny! Awww, he's crushing on my girlfriend. I would say that you'd be cute together, but you really wouldn't - he's a complete a**hole, and you're way out of is league. You're beautiful, intelligent, amazing and all mine baby girl!" she finishes, laughing.

"In other news, Mr Hale?" I say, changing the subject, suddenly remembering what she had said to Beth before. "Really?"

"Yeah," she says. "He's young, good looking, nice physique..." she trails off as I roll my eyes in disgust.

"Of course, he can't hold a candle to you, baby girl - you needn't be so worried!" she says, laughing and looking directly into the liquid pools of my eyes. "I'm not that type of woman; remember, you're the only one for me." she finishes, resisting the urge to lean down and plant a gentle, loving kiss on my lips.

"I know, Princess, and I love you too." I respond, as we reach the others. "Catch you later?" I finish, and sit back down on my seat, on the bench.

Smiling, she walks away slowly, a small wave her response and goodbye. I turn to my friends, who are all eager to know why my English teacher interrupted my break time.

"What? Oh, just coursework stuff, apparently my Mock grade means I have to re-do some of it or something - I knew I shouldn't have put so much effort in!" I say nonchalantly. They all just shrug their shoulders, and return to their previous conversation.

The bell rings, and we all head off to the next lesson. Beth, Georgie and I all head to General Studies together, when they both turn and say: "What really happened with you and Mrs Proctor?"

I sigh deeply, before opening the door of the classroom, and saying bluntly: "Mrs Parris knows about us. Basically, we're screwed..."

Beth and Georgie look at me in fear and horror, as they try to process what's just been said. "I know it wasn't you!" I say reassuringly. "She guessed, just like you Georgie! It's Mrs Proctor's fault for staring at my arse too much! Anyway, Sarah doesn't think she'll tell, but we can only hope I suppose..." I trail off when I see who's taking the lesson.

"Good afternoon class, settle down, I'll be covering your General Studies lesson today. Open the textbooks at page..." Mrs Parris says, as she throws a knowing smile in my direction. I cringe inside, but manage to keep some level of composure as I search for an empty desk.

Oh, dear Lord, this is going to be an interesting lesson...

A/N: Oh look...she updates within 48 hours! Nah, this just came to me at 1:30am last night, and finished it this afternoon, after Church (when I thoroughly embarrased myself by charging through the village in my flowing red choir robes, because I was late for the procession - could barely sing I was so out of puff!!!). 1 week to Easter, very excited - not in the least because Lent will be over, and I can swear again! Anyway, will try and be prompt on updating again...1 thing - do you want to see the General Studies lesson, or would you rather I just move on? Comment and/or Kik please!!! Lots of love, hugs and cookies, Amiee xxx