𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗼 Shorts

♔ BSK - D x OC - 8

I didn't have to go find Head; Head pushed past me and tapped Teacher's shoulder. I noticed the man was missing the usual bright red bow tie and his black silk waistcoat that he had been wearing earlier - both items had looked expensive.

"Quickly," Head said in a low voice. "Let's go!"

"What? Why? I was just winning!" Teacher complained. "And where's your waistcoat? And your tie?"

Head pulled Teacher towards a door and into the quiet corridor. I hurried after them as casually as I could and wedged my toe in the gap before the door closed behind the two, pressing my ear to the crack.

"That little man I was playing with is some sort of tiddlywink gangster!" Head said in a hushed voice.

I held back a frustrated yell as I realised I had been right all along.

Teacher gasped. "But you're a champion tiddlywinker!"

"I know," Head agreed solemnly. "Somehow he tiddled all over my winks! First he made me think I was really good, letting me win every time. Then I started losing and the bets got bigger and bigger..." His voice shook. "Oh, I'm so ashamed!"

A bad feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. I wasn't sure if it was Head's implication or my sickness.

"How much did you lose?" Teacher asked. "Ten? Twenty? A hundred?"

"The school!" Head wailed.

The unpleasant feeling in my stomach escalated rapidly. The school?! He lost a bet on the school?!

"Break it to the pupils gently," Head begged.

"I-I'll do my best," Teacher promised shakily.

I backed away from the door, almost bumping into a stall. It was Daisy and Ernest's, and Ernest stopped talking when Daisy asked if I was alright.

"Uh... yeah. Fine, thanks," I said. My voice trembled a little but I just about managed to hold it together.

"My radiant Daisy, how thoughtful you are to ask!" Earnest beamed at her.

She hit him over the head. "Stop trying to woo me, you turkey! We've been married three years!"

I retreated from the couple and stood still to regain my bearings. In the middle of such a bustling room I almost felt like everything was spinning around me.

The school. I wouldn't get my grade.

"Erica?"

I didn't even realise I'd closed my eyes until I opened them. I came face to face with Danny - why was it always him that found me with my eyes shut? - and he studied me with a concerned expression.

"We need to talk," I blurted.

He frowned. "But I thought-"

"Now."

He nodded and his hand reached out for mine. Before I even had time to mentally recite 'palm to palm is holy palmers'-, he had drawn me through the sea of people towards the exit. I barely registered the odd glances and the chill of the cold night air as we left - all I could feel was his hand and the curling of my stomach. I felt like I was about to be sick.

Outside he stopped, and he gently pulled me towards him.

"What happened?" He asked softly, his eyes flitting over my face.

"I was right. Head, he- He said-" I faltered, and broke eye contact. "He said he bet the school."

Danny was silent. Then: "And he lost the bet?"