Part 4

Standing at her office window Rachel was watching the swarms of people that were entering the school premises, her school premises; the one place that she knew she could rely on and be supported in. I love the way that I can see everything that is happening here and they don't even know that I'm standing here watching. It was then that Rachel saw the car that normally made her heart soar, had just driven through the gates and rather than feeling a surge of happiness, Rachel actually felt disappointed. I hate the way that I can't feel the happiness that I felt before, but our relationship has changed almost beyond recognition and I don't think there is anything I can do to sort it out.

Usually Rachel's heart sank when she saw Melissa wrapping her arm around Eddie's waist but today she was too happy. I never thought that I would be in another relationship with anyone and although it sounds strange to say it I always thought that I would be having a relationship with Eddie…I don't think that's ever going to happen. Despite trying to pretend that she didn't care about the show of affection she still felt the same sinking feeling in her stomach. Turning away from the sight of the happy couple Rachel decided that she was going to start the paperwork that she had pretended she was going to do last night. Although I can't help but question how long it is going to be until either Melissa or Eddie come to quiz me about Darren.

"Sorry Eddie I have to love you and leave you" Melissa said as soon as they walked through into the reception of the school. Steph and Matt who were walking through the reception looked excited and they were heard speaking excitedly to one another; "I knew that they weren't going to last but I thought that it was Eddie that was going to dump her". Melissa glared at the pair of them although Eddie was amused due to the way that they were very observant. If only they were as good at teaching as they are at gossiping. Eddie returned his interests to Melissa and started to look puzzled at her as he wasn't quite sure where she was going with her comments and he was trying to remember whether she had mentioned it yesterday, when he was preoccupied in his thoughts about Rachel.

"Why what are you going to do?" Eddie requested seeing the smiling expression from Melissa, knowing that what she had heard Matt and Steph saying was never going to happy. Why would he dump me when he knows that the relationship between the pair of us is strong…well it was until he was upset about the downwards spiral with his friendship with Rachel…I wonder how grateful Eddie would be if I could sort it out for him.

"I'm going to talk to my sister to try and find out what is wrong between you two because I know that has been playing on your mind…try to sort it out won't you and I'm also going to try and find out about yesterday" Melissa responded with a smile knowing that she wasn't going to leave Rachel's office until she had received some answers.

"Good luck" Eddie responded not agreeing that it was a good idea for Melissa to question Rachel on his behalf but also acknowledging he didn't have the confidence that was required to do such an action. I just hope that she doesn't make the situation worse than it already is but then she is her sister so she does know her better than I do, and I'm not sure if the situation could get much worse.

Rachel was starting her paperwork when her phone vibrated once more, I wonder who this could be because the only two people who text me are Eddie and Darren…well Eddie would probably come to talk to me, and Darren; I'd be surprised if he got in contact so soon.

Reading the display her heart soar; I have to admit it is the better of the two options. Hi Rach, just wanted 2 say I enjoyed last night, we should do it again soon. D xxx Rachel was interrupted by a knock on the door. Wonder who that is then?

"Come in" Rachel instructed with her enthusiasm dropping when she saw the long blonde hair of the woman that Rachel tried to avoid. Looks as though, I had better provide her with some answers then.

"Hi Rach...I came for a chat. It doesn't feel as if we have had one of those for ages" Melissa stated as she walked towards the office ignoring the bemused expression on Rachel's face. Typical that she wants to have a chat after seeing me on a date last night…more like trying to find out what happened.

Reluctantly Rachel walked to sit beside Melissa on the sofa knowing that sooner or later the conversation was going to move onto last night. "So then I bet you don't know but we saw you last night" Melissa responded with a smile and was surprised that Rachel didn't seem surprised. Rachel nodded "yes I know I saw you too". How could she think that I wouldn't see her, she was looking at our table for the entire evening and I didn't thinking that Eddie's company was that bad but then I guess that it could have deteriorated over the last few weeks as I won't know because we have barely said two words to one another.

Melissa seemed shocked to receive such an answer but tried continue the conversation to get more information from her. "So then what is his name?"

Rachel sighed knowing that she really didn't want to have this conversation but there wasn't much chance of her getting out of it.

"His name was Darren and I really don't know how serious it is but we're hoping to meet up again soon" Rachel responded pre-empting her questions knowing that she was going to get them anyway so she might as well answer them. I don't really want to go into too much detail because I know what she is like as she gets too attached but it will stop her pestering me about my love life and she will hopeful stop trying to match-make me.

Melissa smiled as she contemplated the future which involved both Rachel and herself being involved in happy relationships.

"Just think you could be catching my bouquet soon and it may start the ball rolling for you and Darren" Melissa responded and the brief smile that had flickered across Rachel's face with the sound of Darren's name was instantly lost. Her heart plummeted to the ground and she was shocked at what she heard and clung all her hopes to the unlikely possibility that she had misheard it Rachel replied, "excuse me what did you say?"

Melissa looked at her surprised; now I know why both her and Eddie were friends because neither of them listen to the answers given in conversations.

"I said that it may start the ball rolling for you and Darren; you can't stay single forever you know Rachel.." Rachel rolled her eyes having already heard this speech from Steph several times in the staff room last year but the twist of Rachel's stomach hadn't relaxed as she wanted to be told that she had heard it wrong.

"No before that, what did you say?" Rachel asked and the nervous anticipation was shown on Rachel's face.