Tegan slowly stirred from her sleep. Coming round gently after a good 10 hours sleep she felt quite contented. As she began to wiggle she heard the dawn chorus chuntering on and decided to get before she wasted a good day. Opening her eyes-
"CHRIST!" Tegan shouted once her hazel orbs fluttered open to see (from left to right) Poppy, Kate, Josie, Kiki and Drippy stood in a hunched circle around her as they loomed over.
"That's a scary sight to wake up to" the blonde and slightly unkept beauty in her sleeping added
"Do you know you sleep like a mummy?" Drippy asked nibbling on a Wagon Wheel
"What?"
"You cross your arms over your chest and rest your hands on your shoulders, like a mummy"
"Oh that kind of mummy"
"Did you think she meant the birth giving kind?" Josie asked and Tegan nodded in response as she yawned
"What were you all creeping on me in my sleep for anyway?" Tegan asked
"It's the 18th" Kate told her
"Shit!" Tegan sat up straight in one snap movement still in pouch like sleeping bag.
"Exactly! Come on Missy, get a shower! We are gonna make you look gorgeous!" Poppy squealed clapping her hands as Josie and Kiki undid the sleeping bag, pulled Tegan (who was only covered by panties and a massive red, blue and green checked shirt, that was baggy and huge) out of it and to her feet before thrusting her towel and toiletry bag at her and shoving out the door, slamming it closed behind her.
"Guys?!" Tegan sounded sleepy but still exasperated. After a moments contemplation she decided to not demand they let her in and trundled off the bathroom. Once there she turned on the shower, letting it warm up as she combed the lugs out of her hair and stripped.
Stepping under the warm stream off water, Tegan slowly felt herself wake up. Soon enough she'd shaven, washed and scrubbed her body with 2 new products from Soap & Glory's sweet lime range. Moving on, after that she used a tea tree and cucumber shampoo she deep conditioned her hair using a matching flavoured mask. Once Tegan washed that out she shut of the water and got out, wrapping herself in a fluffy bathrobe as she cleaned her face, brushed her teeth and teased a comb through her, now so much softer, hair. After that she moisturised with body butter from the same sweet lime set and let it soak in before plodding back to her room.
She opened the door to the dorm and saw Kate and Kiki now dressed, Josie having gone back to bed and fallen asleep and Poppy and Drippy awake and in their pyjamas.
"Oh there you are! Come on! I've picked the perfect outfit for you!" Poppy jumped off her bed and skipped towards Tegan as she entered
"Looks Pops, I appreciate what your trying to do but I'm going to do this my way" Tegan smiled a small smile, trying to soften the blow
"What why?"
"Because despite trusting you implicitly, you and I have different styles, hence a different idea of suitable date clothes"
"Ok" she sighed
"I'll run it by you before I leave to see if there are any glaring fashion no-no's and you can still help me with my hair"
"Fine"
"I'm sorry Poppy its just I like what I wear to look nice to me not just appealing to everyone else"
"Is that just restricted to just clothing or?" Kiki joined
"We already know the answer to that Kiki" Kate added
"Yeah we know baby Tee wants Harriet to become a sheep, reckons it'll look nicer" Drippy added
"Look anythings better than that horse face she's got" Tegan defended
"True" Josie mumbled, waking up again.
"I hate horses" Poppy came out with
"I mean they're not cute they have a face only a mother could love" she added
"Still got one up on Harriet then" Drippy chuckled and the others laughed too
"Drippy! Hush, we don't make 'mum' jokes, they're nasty" Tegan told her off lightly while laughing
"Horses pull it off better though" Kate mused aloud
"What mum jokes or a horse face?" Kiki asked and more giggles spread through out the room. After a few bad mum puns and jokes created off the top of their heads', Tegan began to got ready. Quickly applying her usual: concealer, BB cream, mascara, Tegan changed it up a but with winged eyeliner and a strawberry tinted lip crayon before pulling on the outfit she'd mentally planned during her shower.
Slipping on the high waisted, boyfriend jeans that were the very blue kind of denim, she rolled up the leg ends so they sat an inch or so above her ankles. She then put on a bralette top that was made out of a black fabric with a scarce and spread out floral print of pinky/orange and pale red roses and rose petals on it. It had a silky feel to it but had no other embellishments. Pulling on a pair of white trainer socks and low top, canvas, converse in white that were loosely laced up, Tegan had almost finished.
"Hey Poppy? Can you put my hair up in a bun please" she asked and her brunette copy bounded over, ushering her to sit. Poppy working for about 10 minutes. Combing Tegan's hair, pulling it up and shoving bobbles and pins in her hair before stepping back.
"There" Poppy smiled and Tegan went to examine her hair. The brunette had managed to secure in her hair in a immaculately neat bun that was deceiving small. Poppy having compressed Tegan's fine hair even more so it sat in bun no bigger than Tegan's clenched fist in her head. Finally Poppy had left her feathered fringe out the bun and parted on the side of Tegan's face so her it was softly framed by he silvery blonde waves.
"I'm going to go email Rubes, I'll see you later and I want all the deets!" Poppy gushed running out the room. Tegan smiled and pulled her oversized white/cream thin knitted cardigan on. It fell to her mid calves, the sleeves were rolled over in massive loops and it had massive square pockets. The knit pattern itself was fancy as it comprised of a variation of vertical knitting, right diagonal knitting, mesh knitting and horizontal knitting and left diagonal knitting in a repetitive cycle. Drippy then walked in (she and Kate had left a while ago, not long after Tegan'd started getting dressed).
"Where's Poppy?" Drippy asked quietly as the room, minus Drippy and Tegan was only occupied by sleeping Josie as Kiki had went to Biology to dissect something and photograph it to use it as proof in a Essay she was writing for a project.
"You just missed her, she's gone to the computer room" Tegan smiled, grabbing a dark brown, leather satchel from under Drippy's bed as she began looking for the stuff she needed to put in it.
"Oh, drat. Anyway it's nearly 11 - you've got to meet lover boy, soon. Hurry! I'm going to get my 11 O'clock Wagon Wheel, I'll get Poppy on my way back"
"Ok" Tegan affirmed. As Drippy had been speaking she'd packed her back with: Tissues, comb, hand sanitizer, small drawing pad, small tin of coloured pencils, a pencil, a rubber and her purse.
"You ready?" Drippy asked as Tegan fastened the bag and threw it over her shoulder.
"Yep" she slid her phone into her pocket. Once they were out the room, the door having clicked shut, Drippy threw her arms round Tegan, nuzzling her face into her arm because of the height difference.
"I can't believe it! My baby is growing up!" Drippy cried, still hugging her as they began to walk.
"I'll always be your baby, I promise" Tegan hugged her back
"And you promise to stay loyal to the Nunnery regardless of what bribery Mr Kingsley offers?"
"Jesus, Drippy! It's our first date! I'm not not going to go jump straight in to bed with him …"
"I would" Drippy confessed
"… yes, well you would. But don't worry I will stay true to the Convent and remain as pure as the Virgin Mary, I swear"
"A what vent?"
"A Convent. It's the proper word for a Nunnery"
"Oh"
"In fact I'm not even sure Nunnery's a real word"
"Oh shut up Miss Smarty-Pants" Drippy tsked and not a moment later they found themselves in reception.
"This is where I leave you" Drippy began dramatically, letting go of Tegan before moving to stand in front of her and grabbing her hands.
"Yep. Enjoy your 11 O'clock Wagon Wheel, Drippy"
"What? Knowing baby Tee is alone in the big wide world with some undeniably hot but still possible murdering Psycho. I won't be able to enjoy anything until you are back, safe and sound and if you're not, you'd better warn Freddie, he'll have me to answer to! If so much as one hair is misplaced on that pretty little head of yours I'll have his guts for garters, his brain for candle wax and his intestines for drapes, ok?"
"Ok, I'll warn him."
"Bye Tegan. Enjoy yourself, have fun" Drippy hugged her sincerely this time. Immediately Tegan reciprocated, humming an agreement. Once they pulled apart they smiled at each other. Drippy smiling like a mother would smile as she sent daughter to school for the first time and Tegan smiling the care free, you-worry-too-much smile of the daughter.
"Bye, Tee. You lucky so and so" Drippy said walking towards the kitchens
"See ya Drippy you cheeky varmint" Tegan retaliated with a giggle as she signed out and wandered towards the school's grand entrance doors.
Strolling along the gravel path at a leisurely pace, Tegan found herself approaching the little road where she could already see Freddie's car parked. She could saw he was perched on the bonnet from the distance she was. As she got further along the little exit road the exit road the gravel became pretty much none existent, just becoming a few stones and gravel dust.
"Ah, Freddie Kingsley nice to finally see you when I'm not delirious and half naked" Tegan greeted as she approached him, veering off little road and on to grass where he'd parked
"Don't speak to soon and is it wrong for me to say I'm just a teeny bit disappointed" Freddie teased, getting of the bonnet
"Well I'd personally say no but Drippy has told me to pass on the warning that if 'a hair is misplaced on that pretty little head of mine she'll have your guts for garters, brain as candle wax and intestines for drapes' and that I have to stay loyal to our Convent so the getting naked bit might have to wait" she raised her eyebrows and Freddie's eyes widened in mock horror at Drippy's threat
"Come on Tike lets hit the road. Call me old fashioned but I actually do quite like living and the death Drippy has planned sounds pretty grim" he said while opening the door and climbing in the driver's side while Tegan got in the passenger seat
"She was been serious too" Tegan let out a laugh and went to clip herself in. Just as she was about to buckle up, Freddie's hand caught her's stopping her from fastening her seatbelt
"For some one who 'quite likes living' you're really asking it for it. Remember it was just if a single hair was out of place" Tegan emphasised 'single hair'
"Do you want to drive?" He laughed before offering
"Drive? Freddie I. Am. Tegan. Not Poppy" she spoke slowly as if speaking to a child and Freddie looked amused
"That means, I can not drive - I'm still only 16. I've not had a single driving lesson in my life. Only Poppy, in our dorm, has her license"
"Your still 16? When's your birthday?"
"July 6th"
"Awe! Is that why they call you baby Tee?" He pinched her cheek
"Yes and remember a single hair. If that bruises your a dead man" Tegan playfully narrowed her eyes, referencing Freddie's pinching of her cheek. Freddie suddenly dropped her cheek as it was poisoned and pretending to heavy breath in fear as he leaned against his closed door, a hand over his chest evoking a giggle fit from Tegan. Her laughter caused chuckling from him as if it was contagious, moving to sit properly in his seat.
"Oh god, Tike … seriously though - you want to try driving?" He asked, regaining his composure
"I can't drive"
"I'll teach you"
"Then it won't be death by Drippy you'll have to worry about. It'll be me splatting us in to a tree"
"Come on" Freddie opened his door and got out. He walked round to her side where she still sat in the car. Freddie crouched down and rested his folded arms on the passenger side door, his head resting on his overlapped hands
"Not getting out?"
"No. I'll either kill one or both of us or completely wreck your car" Tegan protested and as soon as Freddie opened his mouth to speak she jumped in and continued with:
"And its a very pretty car. I'd hate to see it ruined and if we crashed they'd tell your mum and she'd know you were fraternising and … AHHH! FREDDIE! PUT ME DOWN!" Tegan started off slowly but upon seeing Freddie stand, a mischievous smirk on his face sped her talking up and when he reached into the car, grabbing her waist, lifting her right out of the car and throwing her over his shoulder she began to scream. He walked over to the driver's side and set her down.
"Rude, if Drippy had seen she-" Tegan began in mock anger and know-it-all fashion but Freddie laughing stopped her
"We'll I'm still alive that means Drippy hasn't seen so get in the car" he instructed lightly. Tegan reluctantly got in the drivers side and Freddie, hopped into the car - not even opening the door and took the seat she was sat in moments ago.
"Right assuming you know your left and right?" He asked and she raised an eyebrow as to say: 'Are you being serious?'
"Indictor here. Pedals, left to right go: clutch, brake and accelerator. I'll tell you how hard you need to press on them when the situation occurs. This is the hand brake and this is the gear stick."
"I'm not a total idiot I know what's what I just don't know how to actually use them - like all at once! How am I meant to multitask that well?!"
"Just go. I'll help you if you need it"
"I need it now!"
"And you said you wouldn't be getting naked" he smirked being purposefully dirty minded
"Shush up! I need help!"
"You'll need the keys" Freddie lifted the car keys up and Tegan rolled her eyes taking them.
-line break-
After a shaky start, Tegan was getting the hang out of it but the car was making a real unhealthy noise and Freddie was just laughing. His arm was draped over the back of her seat and his fingers were playing with the whisps of baby hair that were all curly and fluffy and too small to pull up into the bun. Tegan found very distracting but managed to keep her eyes on the road just about.
"What's wrong with it?" Tegan shouted over the wind
"It? It? It's not the car it's you!" He shouted back
"What?!"
"Have you ever thought about changing gear?"
"Oh, shi- Your supposed to be helping me!" She cried he merely laughed and told her to:
"Turn right here" as he changed the gear for her.
Surprisingly enough they arrived in one piece but Tegan refused to park the car for fear of scratching it so stood on the pavement as Freddie did it. Once he was done he jumped out the car, landing right by her.
"You like doing that don't you?" Tegan smiled
"It's the most macho thing I can do"
"Wow I'm thinking this is a bad idea already" she teased, turning and walking on as Freddie caught up, slinging an arm around her shoulders - holding her to his side.
"Yeah probably was. Hey, how about a race?"
"Race?"
"Yeah you know people go against in each other in an attempt to get to a specified location quickest?"
"I know what a race is but where to?"
"Er … hey where you going?" Freddie asked as dashed out from under his arm and ran down the street. Turning around while still running she shouted:
"I don't know! But it's a race!"
"Oh your on!" He smirked and sprinted after her. They ran down the Main Street dodging the few people that were out and about and zigzagging around benches and trees.
"Run! Run! As fast as you can! You'll never catch me, I'm the ginger bread man!" Tegan shouted still running
"You sure about that?" Freddie asked running backwards as he passed her before whipping round and taking off.
"HEY!" She giggle-yelled. She followed Freddie up a side street that had the steepest hill she'd ever seen. She saw Freddie stop at the far entrance on the peak of the hill, throwing his hands in the air shouting:
"WIN-NER!" Tegan laughed at the odd but undeniably attractive company she had before running up to him, purposely pushing him aside as she over took.
"Hey! That's unfair!" She heard Freddie cry but continued to run down the steep hill before coming to a stop and sitting on a bench that was nearly at a 90 degree angle because of the hill. The bench was actually two benches next to each other and she perched on the one that was furtherest away. Freddie jumped and sat on armrest of first bench. He and Tegan exchanged a small smile before he dropped down to sit on the bench and sliding down to end of it. An armrest now only separated them and he recreated her pose of the crossed legs. Tegan shook her head a giggle escaping before sliding down her bench to the other end. Freddie got up and quickly jumped to sit on the end of the other bench, Tegan at the far end. Freddie didn't grasp the armrest and allowed the angle of the bench to slide him slowly towards her. He turned to look at her to find her already looking at him. There was silence for a moment until their laughter broke the air.
"I won" Tegan teased as they both got off the bench and started walking down the street. She slung an arm over his shoulders
"If you say so" Freddie put an arm around her waist.
"I do"
"You're too cute Tike"
"I try" she shrugged stirring laughter up again.
After a short walk they ended up on the shingle beach. They exchanged sweet nothings and made idle, light hearted chat on the way and continued as they found a spot to sit. They say down next to each other, their knees drawn up as Tegan wrapped both her arms around the front and back of his waist - enveloping him. Freddie however put one arm around her shoulder, holding the blanket he'd brought over her to keep her warm and the other on rested on her knee closest to him whip holding the other end of the blanket, that swaddled them both.
"…so she's pretty much travels all over the world for a majority of the year. I mean the last time I spoke to her, which was about the a week ago, she's was in … Oslo? I think. And I was an IVF baby from a donor so I don't have a dad as such. I mean, of course I have one but I don't actually have one if you get what I mean and … I'm completely babbling on and speaking for the both of us. Feel free to shut me up" Tegan thought aloud after she and Freddie talked about their upbringings
"It's ok. I bet it was weird not having a dad to speak of at all" Freddie asked curiously
"Not weird but I'm not used to any different. I am like super protective of my mum though, like if you even dare …" Tegan let go of Freddie's front (something he whined at) and lifted her hand up, and used her pointer finger to imitate slitting throats while making a cutting noise with her tongue to symbolise she'd kill anyone who even thought about offending her mum.
"Well remind me never to get on your bad side" Freddie joked and the both let out small breathy laughs of agreement and then Freddie added:
"But the thing … I'm pretty sure you don't have one" at this Tegan looked down and blushed. A minute or two passed and she worked up the courage to peek at Freddie while he stared out to see. She did admiring his side profile until not a moment later when he looked back at her, their eyes meeting and Tegan blushed, suddenly becoming very interested in the sea. Freddie blushed a little too, not as much as she did but enough to be noticed.
After a while they got a little nippy and with lunch approaching they decided to get some food. Strolling back over the beach and though the two they had a quiet conversation about the things they passed that they liked, for example Tegan saw a Gnome decoration in someone's garden that she thought was cute. Simultaneously though they all so played the game of every-person-you-make-up-a-far-fetched-back-story-for-what-they-doing. They came out with some corkers, like Freddie saying a woman putting out her cat was actually a demon who was had a feline allergy and as soon as it smelt cat in sneezed a magical sneeze that revealed it's demonic reality. Or Tegan who claimed the post man who rode past with parcels in his basket was actually a serial goat killer who believed in the Renaissance cure of a Bezoar stone and now his Aunt had got a serious malady of gout she needed the stones (that were supposedly found in the stomach of 3 eyed goats) to even have a hope of recovery.
Once they reached the pub on the hill overlooking the water they quickly went in and grabbed a seat. The local place was quite busy. It was very quaint and possessed a great positive atmosphere.
"I'm just going to nip to the loo" Tegan smiled, getting up
"Ok I'll get us some drinks. Coke?" Freddie asked
"Yeah, Coke's fine" Tegan disappeared off to the toilet and Freddie the bar.
In the short time Tegan was gone Freddie had got the drinks and returned to the table. As she sat down she noticed that Freddie hadn't got himself or her straws.
"Where's the straw?" She asked, slipping off her bag and placing in between her feet.
"Straw? What are you 7?" He laughed, sipping his drink
"Hey! Your never to old to have straws"
"Ergh, I disagree" he shrugged and she gasped, placing a hand over her chest as she question in false horror:
"What even the reusable windy ones with all the loops and curves?!"
"Yep even those"
"Well I never. I never thought Mrs Kingsley would let her son drift and become such a, a … satanist!"
"Oh of cause because we all know old red horned Jin has a thing against straws."
"Cerberus does" Tegan took a sip as she referred to Matron and Freddie chortled
"I'm being serious! A first year bought one from of the shops down here the day of the social and when Matron found it she snapped in front of the kid's face and yelled at her for keeping 'plastic treachery' "
"Really?"
"Uh-huh. The kid cried" Tegan finished just as her stomach growled
"Hungry much?" Freddie asked
"I only had a slice of toast for breakfast"
"I'll go and get us something and get you a straw" Freddie stood up
"Ok. Here take this. You can't pay for it all" Tegan grabbed her bag from under the table and got out her purse, opening it as Freddie protested:
"It's a pub meal it's hardly going to brake the bank"
"But still I have to contribute in someway" she held a £10 out to him.
"You are contributing by been fabulous company" he smirked before walking off to get food
"I'll make sure you get this somehow!" She called after him
"Yeah yeah" was his only response
-line break-
About 15 minutes later Freddie returned with a plate of chips and buttered bread in hand and tomato ketchup and straw in the other.
"Here you go Tike" he set the plate down.
"You took your time. I thought they were making you cook whatever it was you'd ordered" Tegan smiled and plucked the straw from his grip.
"Thank you" she smiled and placed it in her drink.
"Chip butty?" Freddie asked and Tegan nodded
"Make it for though … I can't be bothered" she whined as she sipped her drink threw her straw
"Sea air taken it out of you, has it?" Freddie teased and began to make them a Chip Butty each. Tegan made a noise of agreement, propping her head in her hands with her elbows resting on the table.
"Here" he held the unhealthy yet delicious snack out to her.
"Thanks" she smiled taking it. They both bit into their Butty's carefully and chewed slowly. They swallowed before talking again.
"Oh that's a nice feeling. Food in your belly when your famished" Tegan over exaggerated evoking a chuckle from Freddie.
"Famished? … hang on" he said licking his thumb and wiping the side of her mouth to remove a little excess butter that had collected. His action caused a smile and a blush from Tegan before she began:
"You know this is one of the best days ev-" she didn't get to finish as Freddie leaned across and kissed her.
The kiss was sweet and chaste and only lasted a few seconds before they pulled away, grinning like Cheshire Cats.
"The best day I've ever had" she corrected herself
"There's something about you Tegan Wills. Every moment I'm with you I catch my breath" Freddie admitted looking deep into her eyes. Tegan looked back before glancing at his lips and then looking back up again. Then subconsciously she lifted her hands so they were around his neck and Freddie leaned in again, one hand finding her waist and the other her chin as they kissed again, with more passion and love this time. It was a lot less innocent than before.
-line break-
Tegan drove them home again. She wasn't convinced it was an entirely good idea though as she was currently so giddy she could hardly sit still. Freddie was messing with baby hair again and occasionally moving stray bits of fringe from her eyes as she drove. He simply say their and watched her, letting the image of her smiling with her hair whipping round her ingrain itself into his memory. He also dealt with gear changes as well - not to over power her on her first day driving and in quite an old car.
-line break-
"Guys! You'll never believe it! We ki-" Tegan squealed as she skipped in to the dorm. Much like the day when she burst in the apologise to Poppy, Tegan didn't read the situation before she spoke. Josie and Kate were sat on Kate's bed and Josie had her arm around her and held an A4 print out of some sort. Kiki and Drippy were on Josie's bed. They all looked sad and Kate even looked like she'd been crying. Poppy was no where to be seen.
"What's happened?" Tegan asked, putting her satchel down on her sleeping bag.
"Nothing" Drippy quickly answered
"Well that's obviously not true. What's going on?" Tegan asked standing in between the ends of the two bed
"How was your date?" Josie changed the subject
"Good. But what's go-"
"Did you kiss?" Drippy interrupted
"Er, twice. Guys what's happening?"
"We can't tell her" Drippy turned to the other 3 that were sat down. She spoke as if Tegan wasn't there
"Tell me what?"
"We're going to have to now" Kate pointed out, blanking Tegan too
"Guys, seriously" Tegan was starting to get irritated
"She's had a lovely day, they've kissed - this'll ruin it" Drippy reasoned
"What will?"
"She has a right to know" Kiki added
"It'll put a downer on her entire day though" Josie took Drippy's side
"No, she needs to know!" Kate finalised before turning back to a very confused Tegan.
"This is an email sent from Poppy, it was stuck to the door. Dear Ruby, you cannot imagine how retarded theses idiots are. They're a bunch of ugly losers who think a mani-pedi is some sort of Latin Greeting. I despise these village idiots but I have to pretend to like them so they will help me get out of this hell hole. I tried doing it on my own and it was impossible …" Kate choked up, handing the letter to Drippy while Josie comforted her again.
"Still they're so thick they'll never realise and I'll be out of this asylum by the end of term" Drippy finished folding the letter. Tegan'd eyes teared up but she didn't cry.
"That not all. There's one for you" Kiki held out a sealed envelope. Tegan took it hesitantly, examining the small cream envelope with her name printed on the front
"It was taped to the door too" Drippy added
"We haven't opened it. We figured it was best left to you" Josie explained
"We can go outside and leave you to read it in private if you'd like" Kate offered but Tegan smiled a sad, small smile shaking her head as she opened the envelope, pulled out the letter and opened it out.
"Then Rubes, there's Tegan. She's the one I told you about who has my face. She's so, just - ergh that she need's a whole paragraph to herself. She's a whiny little bitch who always sees the positives. She needs to wake up and smell the coffee, life isn't all rainbows and unicorns. Even worse is that I'm stuck with her. Apparently because we look the same it makes us the same - so no matter what I do we always end up sharing the blame. She's holding me down and making it even more difficult for me to leave. I'm trying to ditch the straggler though I promise, hopefully her prude whinging ass will be out my hair soon and I'll be back him to you and Roddy in Malibu" Tegan read aloud and the others say in silence, Kate having dissolved into tears again.
"Has Poppy been up?" Tegan asked after a moment
"Yeah she denied it, obviously" Drippy seethed. Tegan merely nodded before going to leave the room. She got to the door before Kate called her back:
"Where are you going?"
"To find Poppy" Tegan turned to her
"What so she can feed you more lies?" Kate asked spitefully
"No, so I can get her side of the story"
"You don't think she writ these, do you?" Kiki asked
"I don't know what to think"
"She admitted it! She said she writ them but weeks ago. I mean she's obviously lying because they're dated today. But even if she was telling the truth she still writ them - she confessed!" Kate sounded angry
"I just want to hear what she has to say for herself, that's all"
"You're so stupid Tegan. Like Poppy said 'wake up and smell the coffee, life isn't all rainbows and unicorns'. Poppy's guilty. Just let her be. She's been rumbled if you go and see her she'll cry and play on your conscious or are you nOT SMART ENOUGH TO SEE THAT?!" Kate's voice rose to a shout that made Tegan quiver and back up in to door.
"I'm not stupid Kate, nor am I not smart enough see that she may play me. But you forget Poppy is our friend and as her friends she deserves us to give her a chance. We have no proof Poppy actually sent those emails, she could have been hacked or anything. Either way I'm going to find Poppy and hopefully when I return you'll have found your sense of loyalty and morals" Tegan replied in a steely tone before flouncing out the room.
After searching the school thoroughly for a good 20 - 25 minutes to no avail, Tegan decided shed call to ask Freddie if he'd seen Poppy. Approaching his door, she went to knock but it flung open and a very angry and upset looking Freddie stood there.
"You've got some nerve" was all he said and went to shut the door on her. Tegan quickly placed her foot in the way.
"What? What are you on about?" Tegan asked
"The email" he spat out poisonously
"Email? What email?"
"Don't act like you don't know" he tried to shut the door again but Tegan pushed it so it stayed open, more than a little irritated:
"I'm acting like a don't know because I don't so stop bullshitting me and tell me, what email?!"
"Fine if your going to insist on keeping up your tangled web of deceit. An email from Poppy in reply to one you sent her, all about me"
"What? I've never emailed Poppy. Why would I? I see her every day!" Tegan cried in exasperation
"Really? Because although it's a separate reply and not attached to a previous message it gives a pretty clear indication what was said about me"
"What was said about you?"
"Like you don't know" Freddie scoffed
"I DON'T!"
"Fine then, if this is how you want to play it …" Freddie disappeared into the room, leaving Tegan to loiter at the doorway before returning with a A4 print out.
"Oh, let me guessed taped to the door?" Tegan rolled her eyes before continuing:
"Yeah we got one too and it's complete bollocks, I don't believe Poppy would say that stuff about us! Why would ours be fake and your's not?! It's not real Freddie! I swear"
"Well you would say that! Your in this together! Ever since you arrived, you were like a team. A double act. Conspiring against Kate, Drippy, Josie and Kiki. Against the school … against me"
"We. Are. Not. A. Team" a singular tear rolled down the curve of her cheek. Freddie knew she hated being seen as just another Poppy and now he'd used it against in a low blow
"And … how dare y-you … I didn't … we're not … they're fa-fake … I … not real" Tegan protested in short gasps as her breath caught in her throat and she began to cry but Freddie merely shook his head, reading out the email in his hands:
"Oh my god, Tegan! You are totally right! The headmistress' son'll be putty in your hands by the end of the week. He may be hot but like every English person here - very slow, no offence Tee. As soon as I'm out of here you can stop buttering him up to so he keeps Mrs Kingsley's sweet and you'll be free to find a real man. Come to Malibu and I'll find one for you. They are so fit back home not weedy, wanna-a-be surfers as you so eloquently put"
"Are you being serious? You can't actually believe that! It's all so convenient! Who, ever when replying to an email basically repeats everything the first person say? Hum? Who? It's a set up! I didn't email Poppy about you - HELL! I didn't even email Poppy at all! And this wasn't her response!"
"Go" he sighed
"It's all scripted very cleverly to show you what I apparently said! It's not-" Tegan continued but was cut off by Freddie slamming the door in her face.
Tegan gasped, the draft from the door blowing her loose hair away from her face in a puff. A fresh wave of tears hit her. As it was the weekend pupils were walking round the halls freely and all of them that passed her stopped and stared for a moment or two, some managing to be inconspicuous about it - others not so much. Some looked concerned while others sniggered. Tegan simply stood, staring at the door, tears streaming down her cheeks and her lips ajar as she sucked in quick, deep breaths. Blood pounded in Tegan's ears as she began to feel light headed from crying. A voice broke her out of her inconsolable trance.
"TEGAN!" She turned to see Poppy stood at the other end of the corridor. Poppy looked melancholy. Her eyes were classy and she wore a forlorn look.
"Tegan I didn't send those emails! I …" Poppy rushed her defence
"Poppy" Tegan said but the brunette carried on regardless:
" … Didn't swear! I'm sorry! I don't know …"
"Poppy" Tegan tried again but had no such luck
"… what your's said but whatever it was it wasn't true! I saw Freddie's when I came down to find you …"
"Poppy"
"… I didn't know what to do! Matron came before I could remove it and now you've split up and …"
"POPPY!" Tegan yelled and this time the American chatter box did fall to silence
"Yes?" She croaked, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. Poppy had never heard Tegan shout like that and was convinced she was going to get a mouthful like she did from Kate, Drippy, Kiki and Josie
"I believe you" Tegan smiled a watery smile as hot tears still danced down her face. Poppy at hearing this ran to Tegan and threw her arms around her.
The two embraced in the middle of the corridor both weeping.
"I'm so sorry! What I wrote in that email - if it's the one I think it was - it was horrible and it was from weeks ago. I don't think that about you now I swear!" Poppy wailed, her hands grappling and fisting at the part of Tegan's cardigan that covered her shoulder blade.
"It's ok" Tegan consoled while venting her own devastation which manifested itself in heart wrenching sobs.
"But what about the other they hate me?" Poppy pulled away, wiping her eyes before grabbing Tegan's hands
"They hate me too" Tegan shrugged just before she hiccuped
"What? Why?"
"I refused to believe you writ the email that led to a massive argument with Kate and I ended storming out and basically telling them to go, you-know-what-themselves, and their unfair judgements"
"Oh Tee! You shouldn't have done that!"
"Yes I bloody well should have! I'd rather be in the right minority as oppose to the wrong majority any day" Tegan explained and Poppy hugged her again.
"Come on let's go back to the dorm" Tegan suggested pulling away and taking Poppy's hand
"What are you crazy they'll skin me alive and probably just torture you but torture is still torture!" Poppy cried as Tegan pulled her along the halls, her tears having subsided
"That maybe so but its our room too and besides its late. They'll have probably gone to bed or be to tired to argue now" Tegan reasoned and Poppy gave in. Soon enough they were back at dorm.
Opening the door slowly, Tegan went in first. Kate and Josie appeared to be asleep and while Drippy and Kiki were both awake neither of them acknowledged their presence as they walked in. Drippy was silently staring at the ceiling and Kiki was reading some book but it was obvious her mind was some where else. Kiki's fingers drummed an angry fast beat on the hard back book but no one passed comment. Following the near silence theme both Poppy and Tegan got ready for bed at their own pace.
Tegan slipped into some fresh underwear and and a slim fit white vest top and short cotton shorts in dusty pink with elasticated waist and draw string tie fixed in a bow and small chocolate love hearts printed on them. She let her hair down, running a brush through it before leaving to wash and clean her teeth. When she returned to the room Poppy was still only just getting her pyjama bottoms on and hasn't washed either as was evident by her mascara tracks. Poppy looked up when Tegan re-entered and gave her a silent nod of 'goodnight' that Tegan returned.
Tegan slipped down into her sleeping bag, for once actually grateful that the little nylon sack she slept in did cocoon her and allowed to escape the outside world. She knew it didn't really do that but the feeling of enclosure comforted her at that moment. Zipping herself in and pulling the drawstring so it was tight around her face she drifted off to sleep.
-line break-
"… Jesus Poppy you're a proper psycho!" Was the first thing Tegan heard when she woke up and it came from a very tired sounding Kate
"Help me get everyone up before it spreads!" She then heard Poppy and then …
Boom.
Poppy was in front of her. Her face less than a few centimetres away. Tegan could hear Kate getting Kiki and Josie up as Poppy began:
"Tee! Tee you need to get up! I've messed up again! I didn't mean to but you have to get up!"
"Ok, ok! I'm up calm down Poppy what's hap - hang on what's burning?" Tegan asked, sitting up and as normal struggling to untangle herself from her sleeping bag.
"It was an accident I didn't mean to! I swear I thought I put it out!" Poppy rambled on as Josie started shouting at Kate about waking her up until Kate replied with:
"THERE'S A FIRE!"
"Fire?" Tegan turned to Poppy as she clambered out of the sleeping bag, her and Poppy both now stood
"I didn't mean to! Help me get everyone out!" She pleaded before dashing into the hall and waking everyone up.
"Ok, Drippy come on … drippy? DRIPPY?!" Tegan turned to Drippy's bed to find she wasn't there.
"Shit! Wagon Wheels and ice cream! Drippy!" She concluded in a rushed and jumbled sentence before sprinting out the room.
"HEY? WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" Poppy shouted at her as she passed
"DRIPPY!" Was Tegan's sole reply as she legged it bare foot through the school. Running down the steps and towards the kitchen entrance she saw smoke pluming out from under the door. Speeding up, Tegan heaved the door only to be slapped in the face by smoke. Choking she looked into the kitchens. They were a blaze - fire everywhere. 'Kind of looks like the climax of Bambi' Tegan's mind wandered as she brought a hand up to her face to cover her nose and mouth. She quickly snapped back to reality when she heard Drippy screaming.
"HELP ME! GET ME OUT! HELP!" Tegan heard her frizzy haired blonde friend plead from inside the freezer
"DRIPPY!" Tegan screamed and ran into the burning room. She managed to dodge most of the Flames, only occasionally nicking herself but the determination to save Drippy numbed the pain.
Five or so minutes later she reached the freezer door and despite not having run that far the heat of the room and caused Tegan to sweat like a pig. Her skin had a damp shine to it and she was already starting to get caked in ash. Her hair frizzed from the heat and her eyes raw from the smoke.
"DRIPPY!" She shouted through the door once she got there
"TEGAN?! OH MY GOD TEE HELP! I'M LOCKED IN!" She heard Drippy's reply through the door. Tegan went to unlock the freezer door but the metal latch was scolding.
"AAAHHH!" She screamed, letting go of the handle and jumping back with pain.
"Shit! DRIPPY THE HANDLE'S TOO HOT!" Tegan hollered before choking some
"WHAT? SHIT! HOW AM I GOING TO GET OUT?!" Drippy cried but instead of replying Tegan gritted her teeth and grasped the handle of the fridge, hearing the sizzling of her skin burning, and pushing. She managed to get the lock turned half way before dropping the handle, her hands in immense pain.
"AH, CRAP!" She let go shaking her hands
"TEE GO! DON'T HURT YOURSELF! THE SMOKE'S NOT THAT BAD IN HERE! GET HELP!"
"I'M NOT LEAVING YOU HERE, NOT HAPPENING! AND BESIDES POPPY'S GETTING HELP! SHE KNOWS WE ARE DOWN HERE" Tegan resorted to clawing at the door, her finger tips quickly brushing against the lock. The action didn't cause so much pain and turned the lock a little bit each time. She heard Drippy shout something back but didn't catch it. Her head began to spin with the heat intensity of the room and smoke was getting to her lungs caused her to brake into a painful coughing fit. Soon enough she fell forward on to the fridge door, unable to support her own weight. Panting between her coughs and splutters as she began to cry, her eyes irritated by the bad stuff in the air.
"TEE? TEGAN, YOU OK?" Drippy shouted but Tegan merely slid down the fridge door, still trying to scratch at the handle, mewling once a response before passing out in the middle of the centre of the blaze.
-line break-
Minutes earlier however when just as Tegan had sped past, Poppy was still waking everyone up, clearing the dorms and evacuating the building. Using a LaCrosse stick to smash the alarms cover she flung open all the doors, shouting variations of: 'THERE's A FIRE!' and 'COME ON! GET UP!'.
Once she was happy she'd woken up as many people as she could be ordering people in every room she found to leave, regardless of whether they'd already been told, Poppy ran out the brining building at a sprinters pace. Thankfully no fire had reached that area yet and she managed to regroup with everyone who were already outside on the the decorative lawn. The fire service soon arrived in a great quantity as the fire had now spread to the through out all the buildings.
The entire student body, the teachers, Mrs Kingsley and Freddie were stood on the lawn all clad in their night attire as Mrs Kingsley yelled the register over the sound of sirens, fire hoses and shouted orders of fire fighters. Holding a touch up to see the paper register, Mrs Kingsley bellowed:
"…Phoebe Faircluff?"
"Here" a girl raised her hand
"Susan Kasey?"
"Here" a hand raised
"Daisy Bevon?"
"Here" a small reply came, Poppy assumed the girl must've been towards the back of the crowd.
"Can't here you. Daisy?" Mrs Kingsley tried again
"Here" the girl, Daisy, replied louder this time
"Jennifer Logan? … Jennifer?" Mrs Kingsley scoured the mass of girls, her eyes taking over the tired faces trying to find the distinctive hair of Drippy.
"Has anyone seen Drippy?" Mrs Kingsley asked, gasps and murmurings were the only reply she got until a girl shouted up:
"I don't Miss, but Tegan's missing too"
"Thank you. Anyone seen Miss Logan or Miss Wills? Come girls, Drippy and Tegan" Mrs Kingsley asked but the worried whispering continued. At the mention of Tegan being missing Freddie tensed, something that didn't go a miss by Poppy and then the reality hit her like a tone of bricks
"Freezer. Drippy, Tee." She mumbled as the look of horrific realisation crossed over her face.
"DRIPPY'S IN THE FREEZER AND TEGAN'S TRYING TO RESCUE HER!" Poppy bellowed before taking off, running back in to the inferno. A police man tried to stop her but failed and shouted a fire fighter to try but he also did not succeed. Poppy ran in to the blazing school fire men chasing after her as everyone else looked on in horror.
"DRIPPY! TEE!" Poppy cried as she ran through the thick smoke, towards the kitchens and the freezer.
"TEGAN! DRIPPY!" She bellowed.
Meanwhile outside the teachers were trying to calm the girls.
"What's going on?" One asked
"Will they be ok?" Enquired another
"If Drippy and Tegan are in the kitchens then … oh my god!" Some else wailed. Freddie tried to keep a brave face. Of course everyone was concerned for the three girls safety but he for one particular girl's more than most. Despite his argument with Tegan he cared for her deeply and the thought of her perishing in a fire, believing he hated her was in incomprehensible.
There was silence for a good 5 or so minutes where everyone watched on in complete horror. The building no loner appeared to be a light but smoke still billowed out of it. Then out of one of the side doors came Drippy and Poppy. They were being escorted by two fire fighters, coughing and a little sooty. Although everyone was glad to see them safe and sound a collective gasp of petrification swept through the crowd. Where was Tegan?
"Oh my god! No!" Kiki raised her hands to her face. The crowd were on edge for the next few minutes. Quiet murmurings and prayers being uttered while Poppy and Drippy were treated in the back of an ambulance.
Suddenly a fire fighter burst out the main doors, in his arms an unconscious Tegan as he held her under knees and around her back. A united intake of breath from the crowd came as paramedics rushed over to them. Was she alive? Was the questing racing through their minds. Even Poppy and Drippy watched anxiously from there place sat in the back of the ambulance, it's doors open and heaped in foil blankets.
Tegan looked more than a little worse for wear. The burns she'd sustained getting to Drippy and then trying to free her, littered her legs, arms and hands and were red and swollen, some even coming to blister. Her skin had a sweat sheen from the heat and she was positively caked in soot. It stood out really badly on her white vest top that had been burned off on the right bottom side from the hem to her hip while she was passed out in the kitchens.
The fire man laid her down on the ground as a paramedic put a stethoscope over her scantily clad chest. The school looked on in the definition of terror, trying to gage the paramedics reaction. Freddie felt himself getting irritated by the suspense. He wanted to know if she was ok and he wanted to know now. After a minute of moving the stethoscope's head around on her barely covered bosom, the paramedic pulled back, turned to her counter part and said:
"27 beats per minute. I need 20 mls of Atropine and a ventilation mask ASAP" the other paramedic rushed off to get what was required and the school sighed in relief before clapping. Mrs Kingsley, who'd previously been comforting Poppy and Drippy went to Tegan side. Kate, Josie and Kiki were also gathered there, crouching by her and Freddie stood off a little but still close enough to see if she was ok. The paramedics lifted her on to a stretcher and lifted that on to a trolley. Tegan was coming in and out of consciousness as Mrs Kingsley approached, laying a hand on her head and stroking her silvery blonde and a little damp tendrils of hair.
"You are very brave Tegan. Very brave indeed" she smiled but only got an incomprehensible response in mumbles.
"Will she be ok?" Mrs Kingsley turned to ask the paramedics and Kate, Josie, Kiki and Freddie all turned to catch the answer too.
"She's inhaled a lot of smoke and has multiple 1st and 2nd degree burns. Also her heart rate is still quite low but she should be fine" the lady paramedic reassured, loading her into the back of the ambulance and the 5 smiled and sighed - happy she was ok.
"She'll probably be in over night and possibly some of tomorrow and will need medication for her burns but they shouldn't scar to bad or not at all" the other paramedic, a man this one, added as Mrs Kingsley climbed into the back of the ambulance with Tegan.
"Freddie dear can you tell Matron I'm going with Tee to the hospital and if she would be as kind as to bring us both some clothes it would be appreciated." Mrs Kingsley smiled at her son who nodded before the ambulance doors were closed and they set off to the hospital.
-line break-
Freddie having told Matron the message, was currently in the now burnt foyer area of the school. A majority of the girls were still outside their parents coming down to offer moral support. As the fire fighters finished off cleaning the mess, Freddie glanced around the wreckage.
"What do you think happened?" He asked one of the fire fighters.
"Oh, we don't know yet. But you're lucky it could've been a lot worse" was his sole response as he moved on, clearing more fire destroyed rubble away. Freddie stepped forward but a sudden 'clink' under his shoe stopped him. Retracting his foot he looked down to see an 'I heart LA' lighter. Reaching down quickly he scooped it up before setting off to find Miss Moore.
-line break-
Poppy was wandering through the area of the school that for the majority had been unscathed by the blaze.
"Well done Poppy" a girl said
"You saved us" her friend added
"You were brilliant" another added. Poppy smiled but as soon as she passed rolled her eyes. 'If only they knew' Poppy thought as she continued down the corridor only to be dragged into an alcove a moment later.
"Hey, I believe this is yours" Freddie said holding her lighter. Poppy's eyes widened
"How did you kn-" she began but he cut her off.
"Ti - Tegan mentioned you had a but of obsession with just lighting it. She's convinced you're going to be the next Guy Forks." He had to stop himself addressing her as Tike.
"Thank you" a groups of girls passed
"Do you realise you could've killed us?" He snapped but quieten bed down as another group of girls passed with a:
"Well done"
"You could have killed all of us. Including yourself and your only friend here at the minute" Freddie couldn't stop himself bringing up how selfish she'd been to Tegan, who he'd heard through the door had sided with Poppy and then she went off and nearly allowed Tegan to be killed.
"I didn't mean too. I thought I'd stopped it, I swear. I don't understand, ok? I heard footsteps and then I put it out. I was just so upset about everything. Everything I'd done with Kate and Josie and that lot and everything I'd caused between you and Tee and that fact Tee'd lost all her friends and … I wish I hadn't of done it" she rushed out
"I really wish you hadn't done it too" Freddie handed her lighter and walked away. Poppy watched him go but couldn't stop the small shout that left her.
"That email isn't real! Forgive Tee, please. She's crushed" Poppy called and at her words Freddie stopped and tensed before shaking his head and continuing. Poppy sighed in defeat before leaving the alcove herself and heading towards her dorm.
-line break-
Freddie arrived back to his and his mother's quarters only to find Matron there. She was stood looking threw a book that had been left on the side board of the dresser. He cleared his throat and the older woman jumped before composing herself and setting the book down.
"Ah, there you are. I need your help" she stated coldly
"Help? With what?" Freddie's face contorted in to one of dire confusion
"Well you know your mother better than anyone. What does she like to wear?" Matron stalked off and up the stairs to his mother's bedroom leaving Freddie to trail behind.
"Erm, clothes?" He suggested once they reached the door way to his mother's room
"Well obviously but what clothes?"
"Er"
"Come on, pick out something you think she'd like" matron ushered him in and towards one of the wardrobes. Freddie reluctantly pulled out one of his mother's magenta blouses and a pair of tapered black trousers. Matron had gone to find some shoes and underwear for his mum as well as toiletries.
"Come on, put it in here" Matron ordered returning with what she'd set out for and a large carry on bag. Freddie did as he was told and packed the stuff away and matron zipped up the bag before handing it to him.
"Carry this" she ordered and started out the room. Freddie stood their, bag in arms unsure of whether she wanted him to wait or follow.
"Are you going to stand there and gape or keep up?" He heard her question rhetorically. Freddie quickly caught up to her and she led them out of the private house and through the school. After tackling many singed corridors, foyers and stairs they came to the dorm area. After a few more turns and bends down halls and the like they came on to a corridor where Josie and Kate were just leaving, what Freddie assume to be, their dorm.
"Girls" matron regarded them
"Matron" they nodded politely
"Do you girls happen to know where Miss Wills keeps her clothes?" Matron asked
"Er, she shares Drippy's cupboards, matron" Kate told her
"Yeah they're on your left when you walk in. Tee's clothes are on the right" Josie added
"Thank you girls, dismissed" Matron told them and they scuttled off as Matron opened the door that Kate and Josie had just come out of and closed.
Stepping inside, Freddie felt more than a little out of place. He was forbidden from fraternising with the girls - a rule he'd already broken - but he'd never been in one of their rooms. It felt wrong. Freddie stood, tense in the very feminine room. The fact the Sun had begun to rose enlightened Freddie to the fact the girls room was a clean white but with posters, pictures and cut outs decorating the walls. It smelt weird too, in his opinion. He was used to the maximum of two girls in close enough range that he could smell them but in a room where 6 girls lived the smell of perfumes, fragrances and scents was over powering. 'So she really does sleep in a sleeping bag' Freddie mused seeing the bright blue sleeping back on the floor. He also peaked a quick glance at her art that was decorating the windowsill along with pillows, CD's, books … and a bottle of champagne? Freddie assumed the latter would belong to Poppy
Matron quickly started rifling through the clothes on the right side of the cupboards that were to the left of the door. Matron all but threw a pair of coral red, high waisted, skinny jeans at him. He caught them on top of the carry bag he was resting on his raised lower arms. He caught a small breeze of Tegan's scent as it the bag, the contact expelling it from the fabric. Her smell a mixture of vanilla and brown sugar from her Soap & Glory product obsession and the other undefinable sweet smell of her hair product.
A loose grey crop top made out of a opaque but light material was thrown down on to the jeans next. It had short sleeves and a scoop neck. Freddie glanced around the room, it was like stepping into a stock photo of a girl's room. As the stereotypes suggested their were clothes strewn everywhere, make up of all different kinds scattered on every available surface. Hair electricals, like straighteners and curling wands, were diluting the floor space and they'd been unplugged and not put away. Freddie carried on surveying the room until Matron placed a baby blue wired balcony bra that's edges were decorated with a generous strips of lace and matching panties on the pile of clothes he was holding. Freddie flushed, looking away.
"Erm, Matron?" He asked and the older woman turned back to him a pair of white Decathlon pumps in her hand.
"What?" She asked until she saw the reason for his sudden protest. Rolling her eyes she simply said:
"Mr Kingsley you've just spent half the night stood outside with girls in not much more than that and you've been to the school social which is well - an opportunity to cop more than an eyeful, shall we say. Besides they're Miss Wills, I thought that would make you very happy" she emphasised the 'you'
"Er, what?" Was the only response he could muster trying to look as confused as possible
"Don't 'what' me! It's my job to know exactly what's going on with my girls. And I know very well that yesterday you and Miss Wills went on a date but upon your return something arose with Poppy Moore and you haven't spoken since aside from the slagging match in the hallway yesterday evening" Matron snapped before continuing while Freddie gaped like a fish.
"Now I didn't tell your mother because I know Miss Wills quite likes you but rest assured if I discover you've been unfaithful to her and promiscuous with Poppy Moore or anyone else I won't hesitate to turn you over, understand?" Matron finished as she grabbed Tegan's toiletry bag.
"Understood" he gulped
"Good now hold these while I find a bag" she all but glared handing Freddie the shoes and toiletry bag.
