Nikki Boston has deserted Waterloo Road and her star pupil, Kacey, unexpectedly and without explanation. Kacey's raw emotion concerning the betrayal is evident in her most private moments as she trains alone, in an empty gym where she once spent hours in the company of her friend and teacher.
A short oneshot, set sometime before Kacey's trip to the USA. It is somewhat inspired by the loss of a maternal figure I suffered as a teenager, and the confusion and upset at the abandonment that broke me at the time and has haunted me throughout my later years of adolescence.
Strands of Kacey's blonde hair stuck to her forehead as she darted unwaveringly about the mental ring in which she danced. Her trainers squeaked upon the floor of the gym, shattering the quiet air silent but for her steady breathing. Her determined punches at an imagined foe beat the air, her defensive stance resumed in less than a moment. Her sightless gaze was fixed on the air before her, her blue eyes unblinking and narrowed in focus.
She didn't hear the door of the gym swing open behind her, or the clattering footsteps as they approached her back.
"You alright, Kace?" Dynasty Barry stopped feet from her little sister, who jumped at the sound of her voice. Shaking her head in annoyance and wearing her most insolent expression, Kacey turned.
"Yeah, you?" Kacey shrugged, lowering her fists.
"I'm good. You coming?" Dynasty raised her eyebrows, gesturing toward the door. "The bell went half an hour ago. Mum's ready."
Kacey's eyes darted to the clock over the door. "Ten more minutes? I'll follow." The girl's eyes softened and she offered Dynasty a small smile.
"Don't push it, alright? See you later." Dynasty rubbed her little sister's arm reassuringly, sweeping from the gym as only she could.
Kacey, her concentration compromised, dropped to the floor and shuffled over to sit with her back to the cold wall. Reaching for her water bottle, she took a few sips and, tilting her head backward, felt hot tears sting her eyes. Drawing her knees up to her chest, Kacey blinked furiously. Stop it. You're fine.
She missed Nikki. She missed Nikki's unwavering belief in her, the readiness with which she lent her support and encouragement. She missed the time she'd put into Kacey when everyone else was too busy for her. She missed her sticking up for her and being the voice of reason when she was acting out or being stubborn and she missed her unflinching honesty and wholehearted care.
Kacey swore.
She threw her water bottle across the room, watching as a puddle formed in the center of the gym and as tears made tracks down her cheeks.
She'd left her.
She had left her behind and stopped caring.
She'd stopped caring.
Strands of Kacey's hair stuck to her face as she lowered her blonde head, sobs shaking her small form and her blue eyes sightless in melancholic anger. The gym was still, silent but for the quiet crying of a teenager abandoned by her teacher. Her coach. Her hero.
She'd left her, and the feeling was all too familiar.
This time, the person she'd looked up to most in the world had not fallen off of the roof – she had pushed Kacey onto it.