Thank you to all those who have read and reviewed. Sorry for taking a while to update and I can't guarantee updates will become any faster considering how busy I am at the moment.
I'm not a fan of Christine or Michael but I'm gonna have to include parts about them, as I need to put them together for future chapters and ideas. Also Nikki never had that run in with Kyle where he hit her. X
Nursing a luke-warm cup of coffee in her hands, Nikki slouched against the side as she socialised with some of her fellow colleagues. The coffee was just an extra kick, she managed to cope with mornings pretty well, they didn't bother her, but the caffeine boost would prepare her for a day full of teaching the rebel some kids opted for the Pupil Referral Unit.
Michael walked in, with just a few minutes to spare before the morning briefing was due to begin. A warm smile danced on his face as the arrival of the new term was upon them; there was no worry about LEA or others thoughts. The school could be run the way he wanted, Lorraine trusted his guidance.
Christine, a newly recruited head of English, observed the action in the staffroom, she didn't mingle much, she was quite happy in her own bubble, downing the strong coffee that she held; hers had a slightly different added boost to everyone else's, a shot of vodka made it go down a treat.
"Has anyone seen Lorraine?" Michael questioned, scanning the staffroom.
"It appears our miraculous leader fails to get out of bed in the morning." Grantly grunted, eyes not leaving the racing paper that had suctioned all of his attention.
Nikki couldn't help but chuckle lightly; it was likely to be true, everyone else had made it on time, except her.
"Well I guess she can do what she wants, I mean it is her school." Tom added his thoughts into the discussion.
The staffroom door flung open rapidly, as Lorraine came rushing in, balanced perfectly on her precarious salmon pink stilettoes, black leather skirt riding up her thighs, abandoning knee length, paired with an opaque white blouse, loosely fitted and obviously designer. Her glamorous curls bounced freely, sprawling down her back effortlessly yet still as gorgeous as ever. Her handbag was slung with little thought over her shoulder, stylish, folders tucked under one arm as she hurried into the kitchenette discarding the files onto the work surface as she gathered the items that contributed to making a hearty coffee, "Morning everyone." she beamed, pearly white teeth on show, surrounded by glossy lips.
"Better late then never I suppose." Nikki rolled her eyes, manoeuvring herself so she faced her bosses, showing some respect, rather than having her back to them. Her slender hands were tucked into the pockets of her navy tailored trousers resulting in her blue shirt and matching suit jacket becoming strained on her top half, beautifully toned muscles flaunted.
A sighed escaped Lorraine's shimmering lips as her smile upturned into a frown for a split second. "Sorry I'm late, I had a few other business related problems to deal with before I could come here." She didn't think she should have to feel the need to explain herself to the bunch of adults who she paid their wages too, "Anyway, I'd best let you get off to registration. I'd hate for any of you to be late." she shot a piercing glare at the brunette opposite her, "I'll be about today if any of you have any queries or wish to speak to me."
The staff began to sieve out of the staffroom, in a stream like formation, all raring to go for their first days teaching in the new school. "Nikki, can I have a word please?" Lorraine paused the queue awaiting to depart the staff's rest place.
Nikki sighed to herself, mumbling under her breath. She was never gonna make her lesson on time now and punctuality was one of her top criteria's. She rotated round and paced over out of the buzz of the rest of the teachers ready to speak to Lorraine, hands still tucked in her trouser pockets, totally disinterested.
Lorraine walked over to Nikki, muffled clicks from her heels colliding with the newly laid carpet still apparent despite the softer surface, "Do you have a problem with me running this place? You were like this when I put the proposition out there in Rochdale - full of sarcastic remarks that really there's no need for." The cockney accent was strong, lingering on every word, professional and confident.
Nikki was absolutely fine, a brilliant friend once you got to know her, and providing you could handle her powerful personality. Naturally, all her life she'd been taught to be feisty and to defend her opinions, you were fine as long as she respected you. Throughout her life, there had been many up and downs, she'd been through a lot of demanding things, suffered. She wasn't about to allow anyone walk all over her, especially someone younger than her who was happy to show off just how much money she had. Under the tough exterior, was a sensitive woman who had struggled a lot and didn't take much to break no matter how hard she tried to keep herself together.
Nikki's face travelled through a sequence of several facial expressions as she contemplated on all how to reply, "You really want to know?"
Lorraine nodded as she tilted her head to one side, an ocean of golden silk tumbling to one side in the process. She did look truly flawless, Nikki couldn't deny it as her eyes drifted all over the female in front of her, she could feel the palms of her hands which were gathered in a fist in the hidden safety of her pocket clamming up, all the invisible little hairs standing on end on her back causing her to shiver. Lorraine's eyes were diverting everywhere, avoiding Nikki's gaze, the dazzling blue orbs had been attracted to Nikki's chest which was pretty prominent due to the way she stood, buttons close to popping off as a result of the strain.
"I don't really see why someone like you is wanting to fund a school. From my point of view, it just seems like you've got a load of money and just want to show it. You own plenty of businesses, why invest into a school?" Nikki sighed rubbing her head gently trying to remove the painful ache.
"Look, I've always wanted to do this, it's been a big dream of mine and ambition. I want to help these kids, give them the education they deserve." Lorraine replied honestly, "I don't come to just want to flourish my money around and make people jealous but I can see where you are coming from."
Nikki nodded, glancing down at the floor which had suddenly become a brilliant distraction from Lorraine's preying eyes, "I'm sorry alright, punctuality is important to me and I mean just the way you dress and act in general, it's like you're too good for this place, looking down on us like you're so much better because you've got cash. I know I'm probably judging but..."
Lorraine interrupted her, "No, don't apologise." God did Nikki adore that accent, "I can see where you're coming from but the way you're observing me is not the way I want you too. As you get to know me, you'll see." she promised.
Nikki nodded again, refocusing on the blonde perpendicular to her, "Alright, you'll get used to me too." she glanced at her watch, she really was late for registration, "I'd best be going. I'm already late for my class, I'd hate for them to start causing mayhem." she stifled a chuckle at the end.
"I'll speak to you later, Nikki." Lorraine responded watching the northern female depart and going back to flicking through her emails.
Nikki's footsteps could be heard from a fair distance away, far enough to be like a warning distance that the no nonsense teachers presence was only just around the corner; brilliant for the schools latest trouble causer, Barry Barry. It gave him the time needed to wrap up his little business scheme that he was already selling to the new kids around school, resulting in him making some cash. That's all the Barry family were interested in; money. Waterloo Road really was a last chance for the problematic family.
"Right you lot, quiet down." Nikki's butch voice demanded as she arrived at the door entering the PRU which was locked with a pin.
"School started ten minutes ago miss." Barry smugly pointed out, bold Liverpool accent displayed, "It's our job to be late, not yours."
Nikki exhaled a deep sigh, today wasn't going to be anywhere near as simple as she had hoped, "I suggest you quit while you're ahead." she warned as she discreetly pushed the correct keys in the unique order needed to gain entry through the door, "Go in and sit down. Quietly." The quietly was strongly emphasised for a reason.
She watched as the students poured through the door with no logical system and chose their seats in their little already formed clangs of friendships before closely following them in and taking her queue at the front of the classroom, masses of obedient eyes watching her.
"My names Miss Boston, I'm in charge of this unit." Nikki was already stamping her authority, posing strong leadership as she began reeling through some rules and expectations she'd earlier developed.
"Why are we even in here Miss?" Scout questioned, fiddling with a biro that had been abandoned on the table creating an adequate distraction to the fact she was merely interested in what the teacher was saying considering the rumours she'd perceived whilst in Rochdale about how hard going the ex army captain was.
"It could be for one of many reasons; not reaching the required grades set as standard in mainstream school, we have better resources here better suited to your needs." Nikki responded feeling the question she'd been asked was reasonable and deserved explanation, however she was well aware of the talking and flinging of various items of stationary taking place behind her, "Or maybe it's because you're disruptive and plain rude!" she spun round, splitting eyes shooting a raw bite at those aimed, "Spit the gum out." she slammed a now slightly creased white tissue down on the plastic coated wooden desk in front of the rightful culprit; Kasey Barry.
"Nah, you don't have to if you don't wanna Kase." Barry instantly defended his youngest sisters case.
"Erm...excuse me. Who's in charge here?" Nikki bellowed, "Spit it out, now." she requested again, more of an order this time as she focused on Barry, "I'm presuming you're Barry Barry?"
"Yep, that would be me...hang on a minute, how do you know?" Barry smirked, rocking in his chair arrogantly.
"Barry Barry?" Rhiannon sniggered, "Does your Mum have a stutter or something?"
"I'm so good they named me twice." Barry grinned cockily, "Why? Got a problem with that?" His temped changed with in a flash, shielding.
Rhiannon shook her head, drawing her attention back to something she'd spotted in Scout's bag.
"Barry that's enough!" Nikki shouted, her patience thoroughly being tested to the limit, "Unfortunately your names as clear as ice, black and white. You've definitely built yourself quite a reputation - for the wrong reasons may I add, not something to be proud of." she sternly replied as she made her way back to the front of the classroom, ready to proceed with her next piece of speaking regarding how the days will run.
"Your days will start with circuit training." Nikki announced as groans returned in response, half of the students concentration drifting to other attentions, "Oh believe me, you'll benefit from a physical work out in the morning."
Many mutters and moans of displease where flying around the room, briefly disguising what Rhiannon and Scout were up to.
"Where do you get them?" Rhiannon gestured to the vodka shots in Scout's bag.
"Bought up, didn't I." Scout replied truthfully; she had purchased them earlier that morning from no other than Barry.
"Let's have 'em at break." Rhiannon grinned eagerly.
"Us? I bought 'em! You any idea how much they cost me." Scout retorted.
"And what's so interesting over here?" Nikki sighed for what must have been the five hundredth time already today as her pupils continued to infuriate her and she'd been in a relatively decent mood, turning her back yet again on the majority of her pupils, allowing the ideal time for Barry to sneak out one of her possessions out of her handbag that she would miss later when home time came.
"Nothing Miss." Scout quickly replied, hiding their discussion.
"Good. Now focus." Nikki said as she continued to talk to the whole group.
The first two periods contributing to the timetable were over, and they'd passed substantially quickly for Nikki; what with starting late and all the distractions she'd already encountered. She was glad to hear the clatters and bangs of chairs contacting with the metal table legs as the students left in a hurry. Peace was regained, and it was most welcome. She definitely had her work cut out with this lot.
Departing her classroom, ensuring the door was locked, she headed back to the staffroom, out of the way of the rowdy teenagers she dragged herself into work daily to teacher. Why, she had no idea what was so brilliant about this job. She was in desperate urge of a coffee, something to dim out the dull throb consuming her head.
She didn't feel like socialising with any of the other staff, she was far more content being left with her own thoughts, having some precious time to herself. The brunette was staring into thin air as she carelessly spooned tiny brown granulates into the cup, accompanied by some sugar, hot water and milk.
Satisfied the coffee had cured the craving she desired, she left the chattering staffroom, exchanging it for the corridors teaming with noisy students. Non were too pleasant or offered the quietness she longed but she wasn't going to savour on what she didn't have, she was more intent in tracking Mr Barry's where-abouts to discover what he was up to; a sixth sense, suspicion she felt.
Nikki strolled down towards the PRU figuring that was usually the place where the trouble causers would hang, after all it was slightly more cut off from the remaining school. She took the occasional sip of roasting liquid, allowing it to slide down her throat, careful not to loose the tiniest drop of the sloshing liquid forming it's own tidal wave in the mug as she walked.
She arrived at the destination she chose, navigating her way through the complex corridors. She hadn't found Barry but she'd found something as equally rewarding for spending her own time loitering about the corridors; Scout and Rhiannon, downing the highly dangerous shots.
Before they had time to run, Nikki snatched one of the half consumed plastic packaged shots off Scout, sniffing at the unknown substance and reading the top, scrunching her nose in disgust, "These are illegal! Not to mention highly dangerous. Where did you get them?" she snapped.
"They were nought to do with me." Rhiannon attempted to redeem herself out of trouble, "Scout forced me to have one."
"I did not. It were your idea!" Scout scoffed.
"Answer my question, where did you get them?" Nikki was determined to get the answer she seeked, discarding her mug of drink on the side, running her free hand through her thick bob.
Both girls remained quiet - if they admitted nothing everything was fine right?
"Don't wanna tell me hmm." Nikki sighed, "Come on, we're going to 's office." she guided the female teens in the direction of the heads office.
