Hey everyone! Long time no see, I know I know, I'm sorry! I just go kinda stuck and then I got really busy ... and then it was my BIRTHDAY!
Thank you all so much for sticking it out and for all the follows and favorites! but anyway here is the next chapter! Parent's night ... uh oh ... Lena blew up that potion. Let's see how her parents take it ...
Same disclaimers as before! I only own our clumsy Lena Winters.
Please let me know what you think of the new chapter!
Thanks to the silent readers and the readers who do comment! They both mean a lot to me! I love haring from you all! ENJOY!
...
For the second time this term Hecate transferred herself into Lena's dorm in an instant, looking around feverishly as she appeared only to find Lena sitting up quickly up spotting the woman.
"Miss Hardbroom?" Lena asks confused as she sits up, holding Morgana tight to her chest, the cat meowing at her mistress.
"Morgana," Hecate says with a groan when she spots the cat, putting together what happened., "So you're alright, then?" she asks as she clears her throat, watching the girl.
Lena sets Morgana down on the bed, the cat walking to curl up next to Artemis. The fact that the cat liked Artemis let alone Lena always baffled Hecate, her familiar didn't care for anyone except her until the girl arrived.
"I'm fine," Lena says softly as she looks back up at the woman, taking in the long hair cascading down around her and the black sleeping gown under her leather looking robe, "Just had a late night visitor is all,"
Lena chuckles, leaning forward to pet the black cat as Hecate's stiff posture softens. Silence falls between them as neither one knows what to say next. Lena's outburst still leaving Hecate speechless as the woman watches the girl, walking over to sit on the edge of the bed.
"I thought you might have been having another nightmare," Hecate says softly as she looks to the girl.
"No," Lena says softly as she finally looks over to her teacher, waiting for her to say something. Anything at this point.
"Lena, none of this has ever been my strong suit," Miss Hardbroom says hesitantly, not wanting to admit failure in any way, "Feeling this way, about a student no less, is new territory for me. I've never cared for someone like I do for you …"
Lena beams, Hecate's tone was hesitant but she said it. She admitted to caring for Lena more than anyone else and Lena felt like she was just handed the moon and the stars on a golden platter.
"It's not like I know what I'm doing either," Lena replies softly, the comment making it painfully obvious how young the girl still is.
Hecate watches as Lena moves to sit next to her on the side of the bed, not stopping herself as she reaches over and places a hand on her student's thigh. Her black clad fingernails squeezing lightly when she feels Lena's head laying on her shoulder. Her mind can't help but wander back to the nightmare, the horrible images terrorizing her thoughts as of late, she wonders how the girl has done so well after going through so much. Lena shifts nervously next to her, Hecate can feel it radiating from the girl, neither of them knowing what to do. Both so nervous and unsure about what they feel and what's been going on between them that they both sit there stiff and awkward even though completely comfortable with one another.
"Lena," The woman whispers as she starts to pull away, "I have to go," she murmurs hesitantly.
The girl looking to her now with wide eyes that begged her not to leave, Hecate's heart aching as it leaves the unfamiliar feeling in her chest.
"Please stay," Lena whispers as she holds onto the woman's hand tightly, "Just for awhile," she says softly, her voice cracking with want and longing as she watches the woman closely.
Their eyes never leaving the others as Hecate lifts her hand and gently cups the girl's cheek, sighing as Lena leans into the touch, covering her own hand over the woman's slender one.
"What are you doing to me you sweet girl," Hecate whispers as she closes her own eyes and revels in the contact.
Lena doesn't answer as she opens her eyes to see the brown ones in front of her closed, taking the moment to let her eyes wander the woman's face and take it all in, So beautiful, she thinks to herself as she continues to stare. Finally Hecate opens her eyes, feeling the green eyes on her relentlessly.
"You're going to put holes into my face if you stare any harder," she says with a light chuckle, stroking the girl's cheek with her thumb, "I really need to go. It will be morning soon …"
Lena sighs but she nods her head, knowing that if they were to ever get caught here in her dorm together they would be toast.
"I know, I just …" Lena hesitates, unable to get the words out.
"I know, me either," Hecate says as she can't help but bring the girl in closer to her and hold her in an embrace.
…
The morning came too soon, the sun flooding in through the dorm window, as Lena lay there restless and tired. She hadn't slept much after Hecate had left and truthfully she was dreading what the day would bring … parents night. Her parents would be here, they came every year, and every year they were never impressed with the good reports she received. Always comparing her to her younger brother and his accomplishments, and this year she was sure to disappoint once again, especially after receiving her very first detention. Lena groaned as she got up and dressed for classes, making her way to the dining hall to try and eat breakfast. She rubbed her eyes tiredly as she walked through the halls, jumping when she hears a voice close behind her.
"Maybe I shouldn't have kept you up," Hecate says ever so softly as she walks beside the girl, their hands brushing dangerously close.
"I'd take a night like that over anything …" Lena says with a smirk as she looks up to her teacher.
Hecate isn't sure how to respond though she felt quite similar; she cleared her throat awkwardly as she looked back ahead.
"So will your parents be here tonight?" Hecate asks to change the subject.
"They're here every year," Lena says with a chuckle, "I'll never live down the detention with them though," she says with a sigh.
"Yes, that is unfortunate they will have to learn that," Hecate adds as her posture goes rigid.
She had met with the girl's parents every parent's night since she began attending Cackle's Academy. They were like any other parent concerned about their child's education, but there was something else about them that was different. They always found some way to criticize Lena, to make her feel less even though she was excelling far beyond her peers in all her classes. Hecate held her tongue, but seeing the way she arrived this summer and didn't want to leave left the woman with an uneasy feeling something happened.
"Maybe you could, you know, not tell them?" Lena asks, her voice cracking slightly.
Hecate merely looks over to the girl, a sculpted eyebrow arching in an unamused way that indicated she would in fact not cover for the girl, no matter how much she wanted to.
"Well, it was worth a shot," Lena says with a shrug as she cracks a small smile.
"Go and eat," Hecate says as she shakes her head at the girl, a smirk playing on her lips.
Lena walks ahead and into the dining hall where Esme is already seated and having some breakfast, hunched over the book they had checked out from the library.
"Anything?" Lena asks as she sits down, grabbing some toast.
"Not yet, but I think we might be onto something," Esme says as she looks ups, catching a glimpse of Hecate from behind Lena. Watching as the woman stares at the girl while passing.
"So I gather you two talked?" Esme asks in a whisper as she leans towards her friend.
"Sort of," Lena says sheepishly as she looks down to her food, "I yelled at her…"
"And you're still alive?!" Esmeralda exclaims with wide eyes, "Wow, she must really like you then …"
"Keep your voice down!" Lena hisses, "Then she showed up in my dorm."
"Wait like dream dorm or real dorm?" her friend asks curiously.
"Real dorm," Lena whispers as Esme's eyes widen in shock, "We need to find out what's happening because its starting to become more than I can handle."
Esme nods with a look of determination in her eyes as she pulls the book closer to the two of them.
"We're getting close I can feel it," she says lowly, taking Lena's hand in her own, "We will figure it out. She doesn't have any idea about it?"
"Not that she's let on," Lena says as she shakes her head, taking another bite of toast.
The girls chat for a bit more before having to head off to class, a ball of nerves and dread growing in the pit of Lena's stomach as she hopes the day goes by slowly. It doesn't.
…
Time had gone too fast, slipped through her fingers as she tried to grasp onto any spare minute she could. Lena paced her dorm nervously, her parents would be here soon and she was dreading it. She hoped they would just meet with the teachers and leave without making a huge show. She looked at the clock on her nightstand and saw that it was time, taking a deep breath she left her dorm and made her way to the front halls to greet her parents. Lena saw them on an instant, standing in the corner talking to some other parents, dressed impeccably as usual.
"Hi mom, dad," she says with a small smile as she greets and hugs each one.
"Lena!" her mother greets, hugging her tightly, "You look tired, are you getting enough sleep? Drinking enough water?"
Lena shifted awkwardly when her mother asked about sleep, she was technically sleeping right?
"Yeah mom, I'm fine. Just a long day," she says with a shrug.
"Well nothing to complain about then, your brother is managing at Pentangle's just fine while doing extracurricular activates," her father dead pans from beside her.
"Glad he's doing well then," Lena says through gritted teeth, "Shall we go then? We have to see Miss Drill first."
Bother her parents nod as the follow her around to speak to the teachers. All had gone well so far, good reports even if her parents didn't care, but they nodded and smiled and acted like they were proud. Always room for improvement, they'd say after the teacher's would praise Lena for her exceptional work.
"I still don't know why you had to quit," her mother says suddenly as they sit and wait to speak with Miss Hardbroom.
"Can we not talk about this now," Lena says with a sigh as she closes her eyes, a headache building around her temples.
"Your mother is right, you had so many offers and you just through them away! You're not that stupid Lena," her father says with a low tone.
But before her mother can say anything else they are silenced by the sound of heels against stone as the figure stalks into the halls.
"Mister and Mistress Winters … you may enter …" Hecate says as she looks to the two, her gaze lingering on Lena as she stands with her parents.
Her parents don't notice, sighing as they follow the deputy Headmistress into her office as Lena trails behind. They all take their seats, Hecate behind her desk, and the Winters family sitting in the three seats provided in front of the desk.
"Lena is doing very well in class, exceeding the pace of her peers in fact," Hecate starts noticing the girl's parents looking unimpressed at the news, "Although we did have an incident early this month with potions …"
Hecate watches as Lena tries to shrink into her seat, her father looking over and giving her a disapproving glare.
"What has she done?" he asks lowly as he continues to stare at Lena harshly.
He looks back at Hecate now, waiting for her to answer but her gaze lingers on Lena and actually considers not telling them. She has a duty as Deputy Headmistress that she cannot put into jeopardy.
"She exploded a potion during class, she wasn't paying attention …" the woman says lowly as she watches the two.
Her mother instantly sighing and shaking her head as her father turns to face Lena fully.
"Honestly, Lena?! How could you be that careless!" He says sternly, his voice rising with every word.
"Dad it was an accident!" Lena exclaims to defend herself.
"I told you, I told you not to throw it all away! One summer without the structure and discipline and you're falling apart!" he shouts, "You threw your future away! Even the Russian Ballet reached out with an offer!"
"Silas …" her mother says lowly, trying to urge him to stop. She is all about appearances.
Hecate sits there watching, anger building up as she watches him yell at Lena. But then she looks confused, Ballet? It didn't make sense, Lena … dancing? She's so clumsy!
"No, Ivy she needs to hear this!" he shouts as he stands up, Lena covering her face in embarrassment, "She had offers from all over the world and she was stupid enough to just … Quit" he says lowly, his voice more stern now as he stops shouting.
Lena isn't sure what's worse, the shouting or the utter and clear disappointment in his tone.
"Your father has a point, dear," her mother agrees, "Your brother has been excelling and he knows better than to throw away a good thing."
Hecate can't take it any longer, listening to them berate her like that over one simple mistake.
"Your daughter has done nothing but excel since she started here at the academy," she says suddenly, both parents looking at her shocked at the interruption, "She made one simple mistake, I don't pretend to know what goes on when the students go home but I assure you she has done nothing but beyond excellent school work," she says firmly.
She snaps open her pocket watch before looking back up at Lena and her parents.
"Now if you'll excuse me I have many other families to see tonight, and I have nothing more to report on your extraordinary daughter. You're all dismissed," She says firmly as she stands up behind her desk to walk them out.
Silas and Ivy sit there with shocked looks on their faces at being spoken to like that, they slowly get up and exit the room not even caring if Lena is following. Lena sits there shocked in a different way, she had defended her, come to her rescue in a way, she was in awe of the woman.
"Go on," Hecate whispers, "We'll talk later …"
The woman nudges her head towards the door so that the girl leaves, reluctantly it seems but she does. When Lena walks out into the hall she sees her parents bickering.
"We can't force her to dance Silas, don't be foolish," her mom says as she crosses her arms over her chest.
"We will pick an offer and she will go," her says firmly, "Even if I have to take her there myself!"
"I'm not taking any offers," Lena says as she approaches the two hesitantly, "I told you both I'm taking a break, it was getting to be too much."
"That's what quitters say …" her dad says lowly.
"We will discuss it later dear," her mother says as she moves forward to hug her daughter, "We will be going … enjoy the rest of term."
Her mother says softly, kissing the girls cheek before going back to stand by her husband who doesn't even make a move to say goodbye to his daughter. They both transfer home on the spot.
Lena lets out breath of relief once they are gone, running her hand through her hair as she tries to collect her thoughts. She felt exhausted; she turned and began heading straight for her dorm.
…
Parent's night was finally finished. After a disastrous closing speech from Maud Spellbody, which resulted in another potion explosion, the woman was finally able to begin her rounds in the dormitory corridors. She relished in the fact that once that was done she would be able to sleep, which meant … Lena.
Everything seemed to be going well, most the girls already had lights out so she rarely saw any light leaking from underneath the doors, that is until she reached Lena's dorm. Light radiating under the door told the woman that the girl was still awake. Hecate looked up and down the hall, making sure no one was around as she lifted her hand and knocked lightly on the door. After a second the door was answered, Lena standing there with red eyes as she looked up at the woman, she had been crying.
The girl doesn't say anything as she walks back into the room, leaving the door open and knowing Hecate will follow. When the woman enters she sees a pair of ballet shoes on the bed, which still baffles the woman.
"So, ballet, hm?" The woman asks as she leans herself against the girl's desk, almost sitting on it.
"Surprising right?" the girl asks with a light laugh, "My best kept secret … I even practiced here during term."
"You did?" Hecate asks lightly as her eyes go to the girl, happy to hear the laugh even if it was sad.
"I had to, to keep up," Lena explains, "And then I'd spend my summers in rehearsals and classes when I wasn't taking care of my brother and sister. I just wanted a life … so I quit …" she says sadly as she picks up the shoes, pulling a ribbon through her fingers.
"So, I take it seeing you dance is out of the question?" Hecate asks with a smirk as she pushes herself off the desk and walks towards the girl, "I admit I am rather intrigued."
Lena looks at Miss Hardbroom, surprised at the request.
"You … you want to see me dance?" she asks hesitantly, earning a nod from the woman.
Lena looks down at the shoes once more before looking back up at the woman, Hecate giving her a reassuring smile as she moves to sit on the bed so Lena can use the open floor. The girl can't help but chuckle as she sits down on the floor, putting some toe pads and such over her feet before sliding the shoes on and tying them. Hecate can't help but stare at the girl's hands, watching them tie up the ribbons with such precision and dexterity she had rarely seen in the girl.
Finally she stood up, looking nervous in a way Hecate hadn't seen before, so insecure and unsure of herself. But she waited, giving the girl a raised eyebrow to spur her on, which worked, for now the girl looked determined. As she started dancing Hecate sat there in awe, Lena looking so elegant and poised. The woman couldn't help but take in the long extended legs, the graceful hands, the way she looked so in her element. Hecate couldn't help but almost feel a bit disappointed in the girl for giving such a beautiful thing up. She was so entranced that Miss Hardbroom didn't even realize Lena was speaking to her.
"What?" she asked as she finally turned her attention away from the movements and to the question.
"I said I need help with this next move … it's a partner move, I can't perform it adequately on my own," she says cautionsly.
Hecate frowns and shakes her head, waving her hands.
"No. No … I don't dance," she says firmly, scowling when Lena chuckles.
"I just need you to stand her with me," she says softly, walking over and grabbing Hecate's hands to pull her over to the middle of the floor.
The dark woman stands there rigidly, her whole body tense as she waits for instructions.
"Okay, I need you to hold your hand out, but you need to brace yourself so that you can brace me …" Lena explains as she pulls Hecate's arm out towards her, "I'm going to go up on pointe, but I need you to stabilize me so I can hold the pose longer, okay?"
And this time Hecate looks nervous, nodding her head as she holds her hand out to the girl, tensing up again when she feels the smaller hand in her own, grasping it tightly. Hecate was taller than Lena but when the girl went up on the shoe they were almost at eye level. Reluctantly Hecate pulled her eyes from the pale green ones to see that Lena was doing, balancing on one shoe as she leg extended out straight behind her. She looked back to the girl's face when she felt her move more, lifting the leg higher as her head and body dipped a little lower, almost like she was going to rest her head on her arm.
Hecate's breath was caught in her throat, not able to move around the lump forming as she held the girl's arm and hand, but as Lena came back up Hecate faltered a bit and Lena began losing her balance. In an instant she was grabbing the wobbling girl by the waist and pulling her close against herself to keep her from falling. Still on pointe and pressed flush against her teacher she looked up nervously to those enticing dark chocolate eyes, her own eyes flickering briefly to the lips in front of her.
"Mistress?" Lena whispers cautiously, looking back up so their eyes meet.
In this moment Hecate's breath hitches, her chest rising and falling quicker as she feels the close proximity, their bodies pressing together, their faces inches away from one another. Though neither one of them making an attempt to move as they continue to stand there.
"Beautiful …" Hecate whispers as she grip around Lena's waist tightens, her face leaning in closer now.
Lena can feel the woman's hot breath mingling with her own as she braces herself against the woman's shoulders, Hecate being the only thing keeping her up on pointe now. Lena looks into those intense eyes again, trying so hard to read them as she watches Hecate move closer, mimicking her and moving a bit closer as well.
"Hecate," Lena whispers, but before she can say anything else she's silenced.
Lena gasps at first when she feels the soft lips against her own, Hecate having closed the distance between them, pulling Lena as close as she can against her as she places her lips against Lena's. Both of them sink into the kiss, Hecate moaning softly when she feels the girl practically melt into her. But then she snaps, her brain rapid firing as alarms go off, she pulls back and stares at the girl with wide eyes, equally wide eyes staring back at her.
Hecate quickly lets go of the girl, Lena going off pointe and catching her balance as she watches the woman take a few steps backwards. She looks up at Hecate, biting her lip in confusion and shock, did that really just happpen?!
"I … I have to go …" Hecate says lowly, her voice shaking a bit before instantly transferring from the room.
Lena stares at the spot where she stood, her hand coming up to brush against her still tingling lips.
Hecate on the other hand starts pacing her room frantically, her thoughts running wild at what just happened. Berating herself at being so careless, what they had between them already being so fragile and complicated.
Neither one slept that night.