Part 1
Upon glancing at the clock Rachel realised that soon it would be the official end to the school day and despite her initially belief that it was unprofessional for the head teacher to be as eager as the pupils to leave the school, it was an emotion that she couldn't control. I know that Grantly and Steph would have a field day, but after everything that I have done to help them I don't think they are particularly in a position to comment. Rachel was disturbed by the sound of someone knocking on her door; great just when I thought that I had managed to finish all my work for the day. Better get this over and done with then, because hopefully I will be able to go out tonight after all. I never know I might find someone because at least it will stop the speculation about my love life, especially from Melissa.
"Come in" Rachel commanded but her heart was hoping that the person had changed their mind and they decided to leave her in peace. The sight of the door opening confirmed that it wasn't a figment of her imagination and she wasn't going to be able to escape as soon as the bell rang.
Even the sight of the person in front of her did nothing to raise a smile, "Hi Eddie what can I do to help you?" Rachel asked with a strange tone to her voice something that Eddie didn't quite understand. She has been like this to me all day; I wonder what the problem is…when I asked Mel she didn't say that there was a problem with her so it looks as though there is a problem between the pair of us. That's surprising because I thought that our relationship was always stronger than this but obviously not.
Rachel who had her head ducked while she piled some paperwork into her bag failed to notice the confused expression on Eddie's face. I had better make it look as though I am leaving to do some work; because there is no way that I'm going to tell either Eddie or Mel the true extent of the reasoning behind me leaving this early.
After momentarily standing in the doorway to the inner sanctum Eddie took strides towards Rachel.
"Rachel is everything ok, have I done anything to upset you?" Eddie asked with concern etched on his face, immediately Rachel lifted her head to register his presence within her office. The guilt seemed to twist Rachel's stomach as she knew that it was due to her reaction.
Rachel tried to smile at Eddie but even when she was doing the action; taking into account the fact that they had drifted apart ever since Melissa's arrival. Something that seemed a lot longer than the three weeks that it was in reality, she knew that Eddie would recognise it was the false smile so trying to add some sincerity into the gesture Rachel replied, "no of course you haven't, I'm fine". The beaming boyish grin that she received from Eddie on his recognition of those words worried Rachel more than she had previously been. I guess that shows how much we have drifted apart then. Well I'm not going to grieve the lost relationship as I seem to be the only one who has noticed it's downwards spiral.
Rachel pulled the zips across on her bag trying to avoid eye-contact with Eddie wishing that somebody would interrupt the pair of them to relieve the awkward tension in the room. On hearing the door open Rachel knew that somebody was going to fulfil her wish. I hope that it isn't the person that I need to see the most because I will feel even more awkward and I don't want to have to explain anything to Eddie yet because he appears to be happy with Mel and that left me to pick up the pieces of my life so I'm in no hurry to include him in my thoughts again.
The long blonde haired woman was not quite the person that Rachel was hoping would come to relieve the tension between the pair of them in the room. Looks as though I'm not leaving any time soon, as I have to witness the pair of them lavishing affection on one another before she manages to explain her reasons for visiting; because I know that it isn't to have a sisterly conversation…to be honest I don't think that we have had one of those for years. Melissa wrapped her arm around Eddie's waist as she stood by his side presenting the image as the 'new Mr and Mrs of Waterloo Road' as Steph had dubbed them a few weeks ago.
"Hi Eddie, are you ready to go?" Melissa asked as she turned to face him having not even looked in Rachel's direction despite them being in her company.
Eddie turned his attention to the woman who had clung to his side like a limpet, "yeah sure I think that we had finished the conversation hadn't we Rachel?" Eddie asked an amazed looking Rachel. I can't believe the hold that she seems to have over him he is like a complete different person…or insensitive without her and even more insensitive when she is near. Rachel just nodded almost as if she couldn't be bothered to grant the statement more thought.
"Oh hi Rach…I didn't see you there" Melissa exclaimed as she averted her attention to Rachel for the first time in the exchange of words between the three people in the office. Despite her promise the previous night that she wouldn't let their words and public show of affections get to her, she retaliated by saying rather sarcastically, "I know it's only my office…why would I be here".
Once more there was silence in the office as no one wanted to be the person to end the silence despite it requiring somebody to do it. "I'm sorry but I have to go" Rachel exclaimed almost trying to excuse her presence rather than offering her apologies to the two people in front of her.
The pair of them who were still clung to one another looked at Rachel confused, "Are you going anywhere nice" Eddie asked wishing that he was able to prevent the divide in their relationship and they could go back to the time where she would talk to him about what was happening in her life.
Melissa smiled, "she is meeting someone for a date" she exclaimed almost as if she had managed to find out the vital piece of information somehow, but the stony expression from Rachel signalled that she wasn't going to confirm or deny the speculation.
"See you tomorrow" Rachel stated as she picked her bags up and retreated out of the room relieved that she had escaped from the awkward environment.
