A little light escape from reality, this is just for fun. So apologies for spelling and grammar.

Caroline sighed why did it feel like she was the only one who was doing anything?, the only one that had to pay attention to everyone's needs and still do everything she had to do. It was exhausting ... usually she was very good at keeping herself together. A model of composure and professionalism but today she couldn't help admit at least to herself, that a dark room a bottle of red wine and a cry would be more fitting. She couldn't help feel like her grip on everything was slipping and that annoyed her to no end. It had always been a weakness of hers accepting she wasn't infalamable but not as hard as letting anyone else know that, so she soildered on it was at least nearly the weekend.

A sharp knock, "come in" she shouted poising her pen briefly as a flapping Beverly scurried through the door holding several files and a cup of tea. "Tea for you, and these you might need them to prepare for your meeting this afternoon. Oh and you've got Kate popping in shortly she said she desperately needed to speak with you". Caroline nodded "thanks" she nodded towards the cup of tea and Beverly slipped from the room.

The day couldn't have gone more painfully slowly, she would have had a drink right then if it didn't break every rule of conduct she had ever set herself. A knock once more drew her head from the paper work, she couldn't help a brief smile flicker across her lips at the refreshing sight of Kate Mckenzie. She fascinated her she always seemed so free from the stresses all the other staff had, the passion and enthusiasm she had reminded her when she used to teach. She loved her job and the responsibility that came with it, but she couldn't help pine for a simpler time.

"Caroline" Kate prompted the usually focused headmistress, "yes sorry Kate, so much to do" she nodded to the piles upon her desk. "You have my attention" she placed her pen down and squared her body to face Kate a little more. "It was just that I needed to speak to you about Lauren Turner she is in my upper sixth class, she's usually such a bright and focused student but she seems troubled lately. Her grades are dropping, she's late for class, often distracted and seems distant from her peers. It's just so out of character and I thought you have taught her and helped her out of hours for her additional coursework. Well I wondered if perhaps as she likes you, perhaps you could speak to her see if she will open up. I'm really concerned Caroline, I know it might be nothing but everything in me tells me I cannot ignore it. But she won't talk to me about it, I remember last year when her mother was ill she confided in you. She looks up to you and trusts you so Prehaps she would talk yo you.

She thought back to last year, it had been a very difficult time for Lauren her mum had been depressed and her step dad was often away. So as far as she had seen she had been very alone, focusing on her schooling. She had taken on extra English and chemistry coursework to take her exams early.

She had been so impressed she had offered to tutor her twice a week after school. They had got close she was a lovely girl, she had looked forward to her sessions. Lauren loved to learn and loved the science of Chemistry it was refreshing. They had become familiar in a professional student teacher kind of way. It was obvious she craved an adult to look up to and Caroline had helped as she could. Listening giving advice, making sure everything was ok at home. That was well over a year ago and she hadn't spoken to her for a while, they had finished the coursework and things at home for her had settled again.

Caroline sat thoughtfully watching Kate, she seemed so upset and concerned she couldn't help but take her seriously. "Yes of course I will, thank you Kate perhaps we could try and work out a plan of action. I don't think me hauling her in here will work it needs to be more subtle". "Yes I think your right Caroline what do you suggest?" Caroline sat back her legs crossed and picking up her pen twiddled it in her mouth, noticing the smile her behavior caused from her languages teacher.

"Prehaps I could sit in on your lesson, then I could see Lauren and see if there was a way to break the ice". Kate nodded "yeah sure, I'm due a review anyway" Kate faked squirming at the thought. "Hey you I'm not that bad am I?" Caroline mocked with her best stern face, which Kate had to admit only made her want to laugh.

"why doesn't it work on you?" Caroline laughed, "everyone else looks like they either want to throw up or run away". "Guess I'm just special" Kate smirked, "yes you are" Caroline smiled.

Shit why did you just say that, more to the point why did Kate have this way of making her feel so relaxed. She noticed the relaxed smile Kate gave her, "Kate did you fancy going for a drink at the weekend. I've been so busy I haven't been out in ages and well we haven't had a drink since the Christmas end of term".

"Um yes sure, sounds lovely Caroline", "that's great ok how about Saturday?" Kate nodded. "So when do you next have Lauren in your class? If your this concerned to come to me I don't think we ought to leave it too long". "Um I think this afternoon or Wednesday next week" Caroline opened her diary running her pen down the page. "This afternoon I think is best" she smiled pushing up her glasses. She buzzed her intercom "Beverly could you call Gavin and tell him I need to reschedule the meeting an issue with a student has come up". "Yes of course I'll ring him now", "sorted" she grinned.

Caroline sat and chatted to Kate though break she was the one member of staff who didn't treat her like an alien, it was refreshing she was interesting, intelligent and genuinely interested in what she had to say. The bell rang loudly through the halls, "oh Christ is it 3rd period already". "Oh sorry Caroline I've kept you chatting all break", "no don't apologize it's been nice having a grown up conversation that's not all about work". "Well I best get to my lessons and you to your fun task of clearing your desk" kate smiled making to stand. "Well yes, thanks for that Kate" she giggled "I'll see you at 12.20 in your classroom", "great thanks Caroline".

Caroline checked her watch and efficiently made her way down the hall to Kate's classroom, Kate smirked as the class fell silent at the sound of those infamous heels clip clamping down the hallway. "Afternoon everyone" Caroline spoke clearly "good afternoon Dr Elliot" they chorused back.

Kate stepped forward "As I was about to inform you Dr Elliot is assessing my class today, so I ask you all to behave so I don't get sacked". The class laughed as she smiled "ok ok settle down" Kate called as they fell quiet, Caroline noticed Lauren sitting at the back alone. She double thought being subtle and sitting else where, but decided it was a perfect opportunity. She made her way to the back and sat down next to Lauren. "Sorry Lauren, you don't mind do you" she smiled at the pale flecked faced girl with her shiny blonde hair scrunched up in a freestyle bun. She looked tired she noticed straight away the spark definitely not as bright as the last time they had seen each other. "No not at all Dr Elliot, how are you?", "very well thank you Lauren. You?" Caroline saw the loss of eye contact and the flicker or her smile disappear "yes good thank you" was the monotone response.

She left it at that and turned to face Kate, who was waiting to begin the class as everyone got out all the books the needed.

The class so far had been very well taught by Kate, she couldn't help be drawn in with every word Kate spoke, and she noticed she wasn't the only one. Almost the whole class were listening to Kate's every word, as she translated the book the class was reading.

Kate definitely had a way with words, and it suddenly occurred to her how beautiful Kate was, she had known before but seeing her passion for teaching only highlighted it. As Kate set the task Lauren began she made some half attempt before returning back to picking off her nail varnish. "Everything ok Lauren, you usually love Languages don't you?". The girl lifting her head looked distant the lights were on but no one was home. She looked like she may cry at any time, Caroline raised her hand to stroke her shoulder feeling her flinch and then relax as her eyes met her own.

"Come to my office with me when the bell goes" Caroline smiled rubbing her hand down her shoulder again, the tears ever more present in her eyes. She shook her head , "Lauren" she used her best head teacher tone whilst smiling reassuringly.

Lauren was mute the rest of the class and Caroline couldn't help heed Kate's concern, something was definitely wrong and it was more than a teenage drama.

As the class filed out Caroline expected Lauren to linger but she didn't, she bolted and was gone through the door. Caroline followed her through the corridors desperate to catch up with her, but also trying to avoid drawing attention to herself.

Lauren was through the gates and down the drive before she could catch her, Caroline rested against the front building. She felt the warmth of Kate's hand on her back, "no luck". "No but I'm not giving up, your right something is going on. Hopefully she will come back after lunch" she turned to Kate. She really was very pretty she couldnt help think, "I'm on lunch duty for the first half I better go" Kate spoke softly. Caroline nodded her acknowledgement "ill come and find you before the bell".