Before My Eyes

Mrs Ratchfield's Office

'Are you sure you're okay? Not in any trouble?' I still haven't told Rizo or Lily about what happened with Mr Fitzpatrick. I just can't see myself ever telling them.

'Cos I can always come and bail you out. You know I know my way around Mrs Ratch.'

Mrs Ratchfield has called me to her office this lunch and Riz obviously thinks it's because she's busted me or something. She's walking beside me through the long corridors of the staff block.

We pass Mr Fitzpatrick's office and my heart starts racing. It's empty.

'So you don't know what this is about?' Riz frowns slightly, her curls falling over her temples.

'Probably about work and shit. They always call me in for this.' I try desperately to play it cool, but inside I'm dreading having to talk about what happened with Mrs Ratchfield, of all people.

As we arrive at her door, I turn to face Riz. 'Alright, wish me luck. Wait for me in the chapel.'

She nods and backs away, blowing me a kiss. 'Good luck, Mali-bug!' I'm gonna have to tell her to stop calling me that...

I peer into her office window. She's perched behind her desk, reaching into a filing cabinet for a notepad. Great, here comes the interrogation.

'Amalia! Come in, come in.' Her voice is muffled through the closed door, but I can clearly make out her beckoning me to open it.

'Amalia,' she starts as I sit down opposite her. 'How are you? I know you're going to find it difficult to talk about what happened yesterday, but it's important that I know all the details so that I can work out how to deal with Mr Fitzpatrick.'

Why does she always feel the need to speak to me like I'm four?

'Amalia?' She's sitting there with raised eyebrows and a faux sympathetic expression stuck onto her pasty face.

'Amalia, I need to-' So I tell her the basic details. It's easier than I thought it would be. A relief almost.

Who would've thought? Me confiding in Mrs Ratchfield. And she gives surprisingly good advice actually.

'And how did Raff find out where you were?'
'Ollie told him that he took me to his office, but not him. He said he thought it was weird. And because Raff's always been a bit suspicious about Mr Fitzpatrick, he came as soon as he found out.'

Mrs Ratchfield shakes her head. 'Well, that's a friend to keep. A true friend.' And I nod in agreement.

'You may've guessed that Mr Fitzpatrick will be leaving the school premises immediately. The question is, do we call the police?'

'Oh no. No.' I say this because know she won't object - it would be all over the papers otherwise. 'I just want this to end now. As long as I don't see him again, I'm okay.'

'And I've been meaning to ask you this for a while... How is your mother doing?'

I stop shifting in my chair. I manage to gulp, 'Fine.'

'You're very strong, Amalia.'
I look up and give her a slight smile. If I get one thing out of this, it's that I'm in her good books now.

I slide off the arm chair and walk to the door. 'Thank you, Miss.' And that's it. I never have to think of it all ever again. It's gone.

***

I spot the group hanging at the tables by the back door in the chapel. Riz sees me and runs over.

'How was she?'
'Alright. Actually pretty decent today.' I smile at her and she slopes her arm around shoulders as we walk over to where the rest are sitting.

I stand next to Levi's seat, but out of the corner of my eye I see Mazie siting on the table with Raff, leaning back into his chest. His chin is resting on top of her blonde head and they're both laughing at something Liam's said.

My gaze is shifted over to the doors after I hear them slam loudly. Ollie's swaggering through, a teacher at the backs of his heels. She seems to be talking to him, trying to get his attention, but he just ignores her.

Finally she gives up and I hear her sigh to herself. Ollie looks behind him, sees her walking away and smirks. His smile widens when he spots me and he jogs up to me and Levi.

'Hey.' He leans down, his hands on my waist and kisses my cheek. I absorb his warmth as I wrap my arms around his neck.

I talk with Levi and him until I hear Riz's voice. 'Guys, I've got news.' Everyone looks over. 'My house in Suffolk is free this weekend. And we're all going!'

All our faces light up and Lily squeals. Riz's family business makes millions, and although they're too busy to take any notice of her, they make sure she makes the most out of their dozens of huge houses.

So Lily, Rizo, Liam, Levi, Ollie, Raff, Mazie and I will be going to Suffolk this weekend. Sorted!