A/N: enjoy :)
Also I still down own any of the characters
Chapter 2
Kelly was proud to say that she didn't think of the new girl at all. In between hockey practice, her last year at high school, her head girl duties and dealing with rogue C4, Kelly did not have the time or the luxury to think about the puzzle that was Annabelle Fritton. Not that she was a puzzle; Kelly had been too busy to even check up on how the new girl was doing. So it came as a surprise to her when Polly casually brought up the subject one evening when they were reviewing the CCTV.
"So, Kels, what do you think about Annabelle?"
"I don't" Kelly snapped back all to quickly
"You don't?" questioned Polly
"I mean I haven't really had that much time to think about her. I have more pressing things to deal with"
"Maybe you should make the time. It's been weeks and the girl hasn't slotted into any tribe and she's easy pickings. Honestly, Kelly, she doesn't put up much of a fight, pranking her isn't even sport anymore. It's just sad. " Polly paused for effect, "so I decided to do a little digging on her and apparently she was the resident victim at Cheltenham as well. And her relationship with her dad is a little strained" with that sentence Polly pulled up footage of Annabelle trying to escape in the middle of the night only to end up shooting her mobile straight into a bust, making Kelly laugh a little.
"So you think it's funny?"
"No" Kelly smiled "but I now know why she's in the hockey team" Kelly looked at Polly's thoughtful face and continued "look the new girl obviously has some long standing daddy issues; I saw the way he left her here. Eventually she will realise he is a prat then she will be able to find her place here. But she needs to realise that on her own. If we tell her she's not going to accept it"
"I knew it"
"Knew what"
"That you have put some thought into Annabelle" Polly retorted with a wide smirk.
"What a breakthrough Sherlock. It's getting late I need to get going"
After leaving Polly, Kelly made her way to the showers. One of the downsides of life at St Trinians was the communal showers. Miss Fritton rationalised them by stating that they were all women here and that the nude body should be celebrated. Kelly didn't mind, or rather she has no recollection of minding, at St Trinian's one lets go of their hang ups fairly quickly. One thing she was not expecting to see a familiar naked figure under cascades of water. Even under the steam Kelly could make out the features of the new kid, Annabelle. Straightening out and walking over Kelly took the showers right next to her. Why now, why does she have to be here now. Interrupting my me time. Kelly took the shower furthest away and tried not to glance Annabelle's way. Ignoring her was the better option. Kelly had put so much energy into not noticing Annabelle that Kelly genuinely didn't notice when her clothes went missing. After what seemed like an eternity Kelly turned off the taps and reached out for her clothes that she realised they weren't there. Panicking a little, Kelly's mask dropped for a second, until she saw Annabelle's smug silhouette with an armful of clothes. When Kelly started in her direction, Annabelle took off running making Kelly chase her for the clothes. Kelly yelled and ran after Annabelle who showed no intention of slowing down. Kelly almost caught her on the stairs as she was running up. But as Annabelle opened the door to the roof, Kelly lunged one final time, Annabelle grabbed hold of Kelly's arm and used her momentum to pull her on the roof and closed the door behind them.
Kelly was livid she slammed Annabelle into the door behind her, not noticing that her towel had dropped and snarled "what was that about Fritton? Give me my clothes now!"
"On one condition" Annabelle said staring back into her eyes with equal ferocity
"What?"
"That you listen to what I have to say"
"Deal, now give me my clothes before I get cold out here"
Annabelle wordlessly handed over the clothes which Kelly put on quickly. Annabelle just stood there not bothering to turn away. She's either deep in thought or she's too busy staring at me Kelly thought as she got dressed. The latter thought warmed her cheeks up. Gaining control and wanting to gain the upper hand Kelly snapped "it's rude to stare"
That seemed to startle Annabelle, hmm maybe she was just thinking. "You should tell yourself that Kelly." For once the head girl was speechless, sensing that this argument was going nowhere good for her; Kelly let an awkward silence break over them. She moved and repositioned herself across from Annabelle leaning on the slanted window panes. Annabelle moved towards her, looked her up and down, then took off her school cardigan and pushed it into Kelly's hand.
"You look cold"
"I can't take this from you" Kelly's eyes softened quite a bit at the gesture "you must be cold to"
Annabelle shock her head, her loose hair shaking with her "no, please take it. Think of it as a peace offering." Kelly shrugged on the cardigan with a small grateful nod to Annabelle.
"What did you want to tell me?"
" I… um… I" Annabelle started "I am sorry.. I think I lost my nerve. Just forget this ever happened. it was a stupid idea"
Kelly stepped up to Annabelle invading her personal space "no you tell me now. You and I went through all this trouble we might as well find out why"
" its nothing" Annabelle defended "its just… your ignoring me. You ignore my entire existence. And the rest of the school follows you. I don't have a single person to keep me company. I have been alone for weeks now. The only time any of the girls pay attention to me is when they think of new ways to torment me." Annabelle turned her head away from Kelly, but she could make out that tears were forming in her eyes. She couldn't have been that cold could she. Kelly cupped Annabelles chin drawing her back towards her " so you want me to notice you more so that the other students make a place for you" Annabelle wimpered slightly as a response. The girl looks like she is going to break down in tears any second. Was I really that bad? I didn't purposely try turn the girls against her. I just wanted to be away from her because she constantly makes my blood boil.
"ok Annabelle. I stop ignoring you. I'll help you find your place here. I am head girl after all"
Annabelle managed to sneer at her again and gave a muffled snort. Yep, that was why I ignored. Arrogant bitch. Why did I decide to be nice to her? I am helping her and she still finds a way to look down on me. I stayed away from you because you make me want to knock your teeth in every time we interact. "You really need to work on that snobbery. I am sure it might be a knee jerk reaction to you due to the small museum worth of antiques shoved up your ass. But if you want to make friends you have got to stop that"
Annabelle gave a cold stare right back. Kelly knew what was going on her mind she was contemplating whether to take the defeat or whether to fight back. Kelly could tell that she was just dying to make some snobby arrogant Cheltenham style comeback but the better part of her, the part that dragged Kelly up here in the first place wanted her to keep quiet.
Then it came out, a quivering voice "Sorry Kelly." Just the sheer sadness in Annabelle's voice made Kelly want to wrap her arms around her and keep her safe. But Kelly Jones was most definitely not a hugger, unless it was Tania and Tara, and she was not prepared to break that rule, especially not for the likes of Annabelle Fritton. Polly's making me soft Kelly thought as she left the roof for her private dorms. It's definitely Polly's doing. If she didn't pull on my heartstrings, I would have been able to react better to that situation. No one states conditions to Kelly Jones.
Hearing Annabelle follow her down, Kelly's breathing hitched slightly. She turned her head and whispered "it's ok. Annabelle. It's ok." For the rest of the lonely walk back to the head girl dorms and for most of the night Kelly's mind raced trying to analyse the reason for her out of character behaviour. Kelly kept violently pushing out the little voice in her head which told her that she knew the reason.
