Thanks to those who are reading. Reviews are appreciated. Sorry once again for taking so long to update, been busy. Not sure when the next update will be, my birthdays this week and I'm not sure what else I'll be doing yet. It's not the longest update in the world, but I wanna keep some of my ideas back for future updates.
Also a warning, this chapter refers to rape - not graphical but some people may find it sensitive and wish not to read.
I've finally decided where I'm going with this fic :D just have to create a build up of things before I'll consider putting Lorikki together. ;)
Enjoy.
Ten days. That's how many days it had been since the incident with Barry at the school and since Nikki had last been at Waterloo Road. Each school day that passed, she'd phoned the office deceiving that she had a throbbing headache still, it had been accepted with no query, she'd suffered a minor head injury during the impact of the punch, it was believable.
That wasn't the true reason behind why Nikki remained off work, if she was honest she physically couldn't confront the pressure after Barry had turned up at her house, forcing entry. She could deal with the fact she'd been punched, that was one thing, Barry tormenting her in her own home and what it had lead to was a totally different matter.
Now she constantly felt vulnerable, weak, scared. She hadn't left the house in those ten days, most days she'd failed to even drag herself out of bed and to get dressed. The purple-black bruising marking her milky skin and the raw cut were noticeably vanishing and returning to normal. Instead dark black circles were outlining her eyes, a result of the lack of sleep. She'd have very little sleep since the second occurrence with Barry, spending the majority of her time bawling her eyes out, clutching the duvet cover. Sleep wasn't an option, every time she tried she went flying into frightening flashbacks, consuming nightmares freaking her out.
Her frail side was blossoming, far from the usual strong and confident person people knew her as. That person had shrunk into thin air, she'd forgotten who the Boston Bruiser was. Nothing faced her, but the consequences of that one night with Barry's actions had broken this untouchable woman, twisted any word associated with her into the complete opposite.
Today was no different to the past days, she was only becoming more fragile. Curled up on the bed, finger tips clasped around the duvet cover, loathing for any comfort she could source. Tears tumbled down her cheeks, staining the delicate skin that was heeling, sobs uncontrollably escaping her body.
Salmon pinks stilettoes clicked rhythmically as they collided with the solid surface of the lino floored school corridors, adding a splash of colour to her black business dress, riding up her thighs with every step due to the strain of the tight material that had little give in her stride. Black leather handbag was slung over her shoulder with small thought, still looking stylish, folders tucked under her arm, all work related and awaiting Michael's attention and her beloved iPhone securely in the grasp of her right hand, the subtle glow of the screen adding a dim shine to her unblemished face.
"Still no Nikki?" Lorraine pouted, dazzling blue orbs having already briefly scanned the room in search of the brunette who had been missing for longer than her liking. Her concern growing at the mystery absence.
"She phoned up not long ago - still won't be in, a persistent severe headache or something." Janeece replied, eyes diverting to the multi-millionaire for a short spell of time before concentrating on pouring the milk into her brewing mug of coffee she was in the process of making herself.
Lorraine simply nodded in response to the information she'd been fed before rotating round and departing the staffroom, ambling to somewhere more private and enclosed away from prying ears. She was cursing herself for backing down to Nikki's content of not taking her to the hospital, she obviously wasn't fine; the stubbornness she was granted with should have pursued and forced her to seek medical advice, even if it was pointless. Being safe was better than being sorry. Persistent severe headaches? That was never good, surely. Especially considering the situation.
Navigating through the contacts on her touchscreen phone with her perfectly manicured fingers, scrolling until she found Nikki's name. She'd perched herself on the edge of Janeece's wooden desk, this part of the office was private enough for the phone call she was about to make. Clicking call, she pressed her phone to her ear waiting for an answer.
Nikki's cries hadn't really subsided or calmed since she'd phoned in sick, she'd failed to hear her phone ring which had carelessly been tossed to the side. Her head was buried into the pillow, thoughts haunting her causing her traumatising reminders.
'Welcome to the o2 messaging service, we're sorry but the person you are trying to call is unable to take your call right now, please leave a message after the tone.'
That wasn't what Lorraine had hoped for, listening for the deafening bleep she left a voice mail, her tone was soft and gentle, clearly concerned for the woman's welfare who she had taken a strong disliking to until recent events, "Nikki, it's Lorraine. I'm just phoning to make sure you're alright. Janeece tells me you're suffering with headaches? Perhaps you should get checked out, it could be something serious...call me when you get this."
Lorraine had gathered that Nikki wasn't the type to return calls unless it was something very important or related to a job interview or close friend or family member. Grabbing her handbag, she discarded of the folders on the secretary's desk, scribbling a note to pass them onto Michael before departing the school to head to Nikki's house. She had to find out if Nikki was alright and what was going on to keep her absent from work; she'd always got the impression Nikki was a workaholic.
The harsh knock on Nikki's front door rumbled through the house, interrupting her from her trance - she quite appreciated that, feeling she'd been anguished enough. Dragging herself out from the bed, fear consumed her body, temporarily paralysing her to the spot, all limbs numb. She quickly snapped out of it as another knock penetrated through her house; planting her bare feet onto the wooden floor, mustering all the stammer she had to bare her weight on her two legs. Satisfied that she wasn't going to descend onto the hard floor, she wondered over to the window, panic filling her at who was at her door, hoping for some clue or indication to who the person was.
Her vision was still slightly blurred from all the crying, she was unable to focus properly. Her gaze was misty, but she managed to distinguish the outline of Lorraine's Ferrari in her gravel drive. That settled her nerves vaguely, gave her some security that it wasn't Barry back to cause her more damage. She wondered what Lorraine was after, she was more than aware she looked an utter mess and wasn't in the mood to socialise.
Nikki hurried downstairs, viscously rubbing her eyes trying to conceal the fact she'd been crying, although it didn't work, she couldn't hide the stabbing red pain lingering over her eyes.
Her bony fingers fumbled with the lock which she struggled to unlock as she was shaking. Lorraine was waiting patiently at the other side of the door, briefly been loosing hope that Nikki would answer until she heard shuffles and movement from the other side.
"Lorraine?" Her voice was no more than a murmur, waved with sadness and hurt, unsuccessful in composing herself to sound strong and confident.
Lorraine pushed the door a little, "Nik..let me in."
Nikki reluctantly let go, stepping back into her lounge, arms folded across her chest seeking for comfort.
Lorraine closed the door quietly behind her, walking through into the lounge. She'd never seen Nikki look so frail and vulnerable; she thought she'd been weak ten days ago but she was worse now. Distant, refusing to make eye contact. "I just came to see how you were...Janeece tells me you've got persistent headaches.."
Nikki simply nodded, head tilted away so Lorraine couldn't get a clear look at her face.
"Well don't you think we should take you to the hospital. Considering the circumstances, it's a bit of a coincidence. It could be something serious..." Lorraine was slowly pushing Nikki further away, all words the brunette didn't want to hear. She extended her slender arm, stroking Nikki's arm, attempting to prove that she was there for her.
Nikki flinched at the contact, jumping away, "No." she snapped swiftly, voice shaking, "I don't need to go to hospital."
Lorraine studied Nikki for a while, something was definitely bothering her and it wasn't Barry's assault at the school, "You haven't got headaches have you..."
Nikki froze, how had Lorraine worked that out? Shaking her head, she spoke softly, nerves kicking in, "I lied..."
Lorraine wasn't too impressed knowing that she'd lied but was willing to allow her to explain. There could be a reasonable answer, "Why? Why aren't you at work..."
"S-something else happened." It was only audible to Lorraine, "I just can't face work, not a classroom full of disruptive kids..."
"What's happened?" Lorraine endeavoured for an answer, tone tranquil, soft to her ears.
Nikki really wasn't sure how she was going to explain. She wanted to forget about it, not be reminded. Tears crystalized her eyes before bursting into streams cascading down her cheeks as she collapsed down onto her sofa, head buried in her hands.
Emotions weren't really Lorraine's strong point, she hated seeing Nikki so broke. The temptation to just hold Nikki was huge, her person feelings were becoming controlive. She didn't understand why she found herself attracted to Nikki, she'd spent god knows how long convincing herself that that teenage love crush with one of her best friends was nothing, just a phase. Her parents had disapproved of having a gay daughter and since then she'd only been out with men, proving to herself that she was not gay.
She slowly went and sat down next to Nikki, careful not to startle her, "Whatever it is, you can tell me." she reassured, "I just want to help you..."
"I can't." Nikki sobbed.
"You can." Lorraine encouraged.
"B-Barry came round that night after he was expelled." Nikki didn't make eye contact with the benefactress, staring bleakly at the floor, emotions overpowering her.
Lorraine gently rubbed Nikki's arm, this time she accepted the direct contact, not so patronised by it. Pulsations of tiny electric shocks whizzed between the pair, both feeling a new sensation, one they'd never felt before.
"He forced entry into my house, I found myself backed into a corner. The next thing I knew he was on top of me." Nikki mumbled, the mental pain prodding her as a constant reminder, a battle she was fighting twenty-four/seven.
Lorraine closed her eyes for a split second, pulling Nikki into a hug. It made sense why she continuously refusing to come into work, she wasn't in the right mind set. She would be feeling exposed, exhausted, delicate. "He raped you?" She understood it was a sensitive conversation for Nikki, but she needed to make sure this was definitely what Nikki was ebbing at.
A nod was a sufficient answer, confirming all of Lorraine's inquiries.
"Nikki, you could have told me." Lorraine whispered, Nikki happily crying into her embrace, just wanting to feel safe again.
"Please don't tell anyone." She murmured.
"Just between us." The blonde promised, "Are you okay? I mean physically...or do you need to seek medical attention?"
"I'm not going to the hospital." Nikki shook her head, "I'm too ashamed. I should have been able to stop him." she was forever punishing herself, blaming herself for what had happened, "I'm just sore, the bruising aches and I don't want to be prodded around."
Lorraine nodded, it was a very personal matter and she wasn't going to force Nikki into it, "It'll be okay..you're safe now. Although you should really inform the police. He's a danger."
"I'm not telling anyone else. I don't want to be judged. I just want to forget about it and get on with my life." Nikki whispered, the tears still flooding her face.
"Okay...just remember I'm always here if you wanna talk or just a shoulder to cry on." Lorraine smiled softly.
Nikki never thought she'd open up to Lorraine, she only confided in people she trusted and for some reason Lorraine seemed to have gained the trust needed. It was a relieve to finally tell someone, bottling everything up was just resulting in more destruction. Lorraine always seemed heartless at work, but she'd just unfolded another side to the wealthy woman. There was something there, a bond, a tight friendship forming and blooming.
