It was that time of year again; the summer holidays, six whole weeks of bliss, and no more early mornings. The staff of Waterloo Road had been at least as excited as the students when the bell had rung at the end of the school day and everyone had dashed outside to the glorious freedom, the seemingly endless stretch of summer that lay before them. Inside the building, members of staff were clearing out desks and packing away their things, chattering excitedly to one another about the end of term do that evening. Steph had arranged the party as usual, and the plan was simple, just a meal in the local pub and then on into town. Everyone was attending, a final night altogether before going off on various holidays.
In the maths department, Eddie had just finished getting ready and was bending down to pick up the boxes of things he had accumulated over the year when he heard a voice near the door. Rachel stood there looking, in his opinion, as stunning as usual, and he blushed at the thought. She looked relaxed and in the mood for summer already. "You look ready for the holidays" she joked to Eddie. "Funny that, I was thinking just the same about you" he replied with a grin. "You looking forward to the party tonight then?" "Are you kidding" she replied, "I can't wait. I need to let my hair down after the stress of the final few weeks, as I'm sure we all do. See you down the pub, first round's on me". "Brilliant" said Eddie, smiling to himself at how much more relaxed and self confident she had become around him this year as their friendship had deepened. "I'll see you there then". As she turned and strode back down the corridor, a face appeared at the other end, also carrying a huge cardboard box. "You ready to head off then Eddie?" Asked Melissa. "Just coming now" he replied. "What did Rachel want with you? It's the holidays now, she can leave you alone for a few weeks" said Melissa. "Give her a break" said Eddie, "she was just wishing us a happy holiday, and reminding me that the first round is on her tonight. Come on, let's get this stuff home and get ready, I'm looking forward to a good night out". "Yeah, me too" replied Melissa, "come on then".
Three hours later, Rachel was preparing to leave the house. She glanced at her appearance in the mirror for what felt like the millionth time, smoothing down her hair and checking her skirt wasn't too short. She looked stunning in her high-waisted pencil skirt teamed with a sheer sleeveless blouse and knee-high boots, her sexy slim figure accentuated to perfection by the belt she had fastened around her waist. With a final slick of lipstick she left the house and got into the waiting taxi, giving the name of the pub and settling down in the back seat wondering just what the evening would bring.
On the other side of town, Eddie was stood at the bottom of the stairs, keys in hand. "Come on Melissa, honestly, why do you girls always take so long to get ready?" "Because we have more hair than you and need to worry about important things like getting our makeup right." She retorted. "Well I suppose it's worth it in the end, you look lovely" he complimented her, taking in her short floral dress and cardigan with her fab new chunky wedges he had been hearing about for weeks. "Lets go then, don't want to be the last ones there". And they headed out the door for the short walk to the local pub.
As Rachel entered the pub, she saw that her colleagues had taken over a large booth on the opposite side. Everyone was already here. Trust her to get a taxi driver who had no idea where he was going! "Oi Rachel, what happened to you getting the first round in" yelled Melissa from her seat in the corner, sitting way to close to Eddie for Rachel's liking "We're all dying of thirst over here!" "Very funny" she shouted back heading for the bar "A large white wine please, and the same again for that lot over there" she instructed the barman. Rachel was invited to sit next to Steph, much to her delight, which resulted in her being directly opposite Eddie throughout their meal. "Sorry!" they exclaimed togeher as they reached for the salt at the same time and their fingers brushed together. They pulled apart after as electric shock shot up their arms, causing Rachel to blush furiously and Melissa to glare at her.
Melissa wasn't stupid. She knew that Rachel had feelings for Eddie. It was obvious from the way they looked at each other across the staff room, and whispered quietly together in the corner. She also suspected that Eddie may have feelings for Rachel. Still, she remained quietly confident that she could keep her man. After all, it was her Eddie had chosen, her who he was marrying and her who he was living with. Surely he couldn't have gone through all of that if he was in love with Rachel? No, definitely not. Rachel would just have to learn to live with the fact that Melissa was with Eddie now and it was going to remain that way.