Tooth and Claw

Fine

Charlotte stared at the whiteboard the next day, trying to take in the information, but she just couldn't focus. Her history teacher, Mr Kent, droned on about foreign policies, but Charlotte couldn't concentrate.
She had a large bruise on her left cheek, and bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. She held the pen in her left hand, and stared down at her empty piece of paper.
The people around her were scribbling away, taking notes. But Charlotte's page remained blank.
At the end of the lesson, Mr Kent detained her, stopping her from going off to lunch.
"Are you feeling well Charlotte, you don't look too good?" He asked, once the classroom was empty.

"Yes sir. I didn't get much sleep last night. I just couldn't get comfy with the cast" answered Charlotte.
"Maybe you should go home, and get some rest" he suggested.
"No! I mean, there's not much point now sir. I've only got one more lesson after lunch, and then I can go home anyway"
"I see. You know, if you ever wanted to talk about anything, you could always come and find me".
Charlotte looked at the floor.
"I know sir. But I'm fine. Really, there's no need to worry about me".
"Well then, I won't keep you any longer. Off you go" insisted Mr Kent.
Charlotte nodded and left the room, making her way to the canteen.

She sat at a table with her friends, as they chatted away about trivial things like homework, and boys they fancied.
Charlotte had never had a boyfriend. After being humiliated by the boy she had a crush on, a few years before,  Charlotte has lost interest in boys all together.
"What did Mr Kent want Charlie?" Asked one of her friends.
"Nothing much Saffy. Just told me to get some sleep" replied Charlotte.
The girl called Saffy nodded.
"Well it's true. You look awful" commented Saffy.

"Well you try sleeping with a cast on, it's not easy" Charlotte snapped back.
"Alright, calm down drama queen" replied Saffy.
"Sorry Saf. I didn't mean to snap"
Saffy shrugged.
"Whatever, it doesn't matter. Just don't take your anger out on me O.K".
"Who says I'm angry?"
"Your always angry these days Charlie. Wish you would tell us why".
Charlotte looked down at the uneaten salad in front of her, and pushed it away.
Saffy turned to the girl on the next to her, named Kat.
"So, you naughty girl, did you and Callum, you know. Do it?" Asked Saffy.
"Saf! Mind your own business" exclaimed Kat.

"Oo. I'll take that as a yes. What was it like? Was it enjoyable, or like totally awkward?" Saffy quizzed.
Kat hit Saffy playfully on the arm.
"For your information it was very good. Now keep your nose out" answered Kat.
"Alright bosy boots. I'm just interested. You're the only one out of us three to do it. I want to know what it's like".
Charlotte began to feel sick in stomach, she didn't like where her friends conversation was headed.
"I'm not hungry. I'll see you later in Chem" said Charlotte as she stood up.
"Where you going?" Asked Saffy.
"Library"
"Can I come?"
"I'm fine Saf. Just eat your lunch".
Charlotte picked up her bag and walked away, heading for the toliet, rather than the library.

Once she got there she slammed the door shut, and locked the cubicle door. She leaned over the toliet and threw up. Most of what came up was bile, as all she had eaten that day was a piece of toast for breakfast. Once she had finished being sick she turned around and sat on the floor.
She reached inside her bag and pulled out a small hand mirror. Flipping it open, she stared back at her own hiddeous reflection. She forced it shut and threw it back into her bag in disgust.
Charlotte closed the toliet lid, pushed herself up off the floor, and sat down on the seat, holding her head in her hands.

She ran her fingers over the bruise on her cheek, wincing in pain, but not stopping.
She bit her lip to stop herself crying out in pain, causing it bleed. Charlotte reached into her pocket and pulled out a tissue, which she began to dab gently against her lip.
"I'm fine" she muttered to herself.
As she tried to convince herself that she was in control, and that everything was going to be O.K.
She sat in silence, as people came and left. Most the girls who came in were just checking their make-up, and didn't even need to pee. Charlotte listened to their mindless chatter, secretly wishing that she could be one of those girls. Whose biggest worry, was whether or not they would find a date for the school dance.

The school bell began to ring above her, signaling the end of lunch, and the beginning of period 5. Charlotte picked up her bag and walked out of the cubicle. As she passed the large mirror above the sinks, she stared back at herself.
Her hair was a mess, and her face looked terrible, she turned away in horror, and locked herself back in the toliet cubicle. She decided to skip chemistry, not wanting to turn up looking like a state. If she did, people would know that she had been crying, and they would know that something was wrong. She couldn't let that happen.

About 5 minutes later, Saffy walked into the toliets, looking for her friend.
"Charlotte, are you in here?" She asked.
Charlotte placed her hand over her mouth, to stop herself from making a sound.
Saffy walked over to the only occupied cubicle and tapped lightly on the door.
"Charlie I know you're in there. Please come out" pleaded Saffy.
Charlotte sighed, knowing that she had been caught.
"I'm fine Saf, just go back to class. Tell Mrs Blake that you couldn't find me" insisted Charlotte.
Saffy shook her head.
"I'm not going to do that Charlie. If you're sick, then I can go and get the school nurse. And she can ring your dad, then he can come and take you home".

"No! Please don't" shouted Charlotte.
"Charlie, please tell me what's wrong. I want to help" replied Saffy.
"You can't help me Saf. I'm just feeling a little under the weather, that's all. You can't help with that"
"I know it's more than that"
"Please Saf. Just go. I don't want you here".
Saffy turned and marched angrily out the door.
Charlotte waited a few seconds before picking up her bag and leaving the toliet.
Once she had checked that the coast was clear, she made her way down the corridor, and out of the school.