This chapter is a bit of a filler so sorry if it's a little boring. Next chapter will be big for Jasia and will probably have some Berena cuteness. Opinions welcome as always. Thank you for the lovely reviews so far. Kat xx
Zosia had walked into school that Monday morning with her head down. Arthur had filled her in on everything that had happened Saturday night and she was beyond embarrassed. God knows what she'd said to Miss Naylor, she couldn't remember a thing. She'd thanked and apologised to Arthur over the phone on Sunday, next on her list was Oliver, and then the woman herself. The last one would be the most difficult and probably awkward. She'd told her friends not to wait for her outside as she had things to do. She was searching the school for Oliver when she saw a flash of ginger hair ahead of her. She was sure she'd recognise that anywhere. Maybe it was time to move the list around. She took a deep breath, trying to gather her nerves and approached her. "Miss Naylor." She called as she got closer.
She stopped upon hearing her name and span around to face her. "Zosia, hi. Are you alright?"
"Hi urm yeah, look about Saturday." She started but was interrupted.
"It's fine, just forget about it." She said with a friendly smile.
She shook her head. "No wait. I wanted to say thank you for getting me home safe. Who knows where I would have ended up if it wasn't for you three. Arthur says it was you that saved the day, so to speak. They didn't have a clue what they were doing."
"I wasn't going to just leave you there was I? Of course I was going to help. And he's definitely right about that."
"Because it's your job." She sighed. All she wanted was for there to be something more between them. That Jac wanted to look after her for reasons more than a teachers obligation. She didn't even mean romantically, ok yeah in an ideal world that'd be nice. But she just needed someone to care.
Jac was confused. Why did she look so upset about that. "Well yes and because I wanted to help you. That's what I've always wanted. Do you think I would have given up my time if I didn't want to."
"But why?" It was Zosia's turn to be confused.
"Now that I can't answer. I don't know why I just do. Sometimes I think it's because you remind of myself when I was your age. I see a lot of myself in you." She shrugged.
"Do you like spending time with me?" She asked abruptly. This was the one thing she needed to know.
She was taken aback. She knew the answer but didn't know whether she could, or should, be honest. "Yes, I do. Anyway on the topic of helping, do you want to talk about why that night happened." She quickly changed the subject, and Zosia noticed.
"No. I really don't want to talk about it, or think about it again. But I was wondering if you could check over my homework for the professor, I did it whilst hungover and I'm not convinced it's right. There's still fifteen minutes before school starts." She knew full well it was right but anything to spend a bit more time with this woman.
Jac nodded and led the way to their usual room, both unaware of the person stood just down the corridor, watching their every move, getting completely the wrong idea as they disappeared into the room together.
Bernie had just finished teaching a lesson and looked up to find Dom still in her classroom. This wasn't much of a surprise. Back when her affair with Alex had become common knowledge, he often stayed behind to talk to her. Giving her what he called his "friendly gay advice." However it had been a while. "Hello Dom." She smiled. "Is everything ok?"
"It's all good Miss W. I just thought I'd warn you of some rumours I've heard." He spoke quietly as the door was still open.
"Oh how interesting, do enlighten me." She smirked softly and moved to close the door.
"It's about you. You and Ms Campbell. Some people seem to think you two could be dating. There's bets going on and everything." He carefully watched her reaction.
"Oh." She dropped her head to look at the floor. She felt the smile on her face that always appeared when she spoke about Serena. "Well urm I…"
"Oh my god it's true!" He exclaimed with a grin.
She couldn't deny it. "Ok yes. Yes it is. You tell a single soul and I'll put you in detention for a week."
"What reason will you put on the detention slip. 'Outing my secret lesbian affair.'" He teased. "Don't worry your secrets safe with me."
"It's not like that. It's just until she tells her daughter. And it's still early days you know, we don't want to ruin it by having everyone talk about us. Although apparently that hasn't worked out. How does everyone know?"
"Raf and Fletch started the rumours. It was probably just random speculation at first but people have noticed how you're often seen together and the banter you have. Don't worry everyone will have moved on soon." He spoke with a shrug.
"Ok well thank you for letting me know." She was slightly concerned but it seemed no one really had any proof. Like Dom said, it was just rumours and speculation.
He face was fixed in a permanent grin. "Look at that smile. You really like her don't you?" He got a nod in response. "I'm happy for you Miss Wolfe, I really am."
They were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. They both turned to find Serena stood at the door.
"Oh hello Dom, sorry I didn't realise you were busy." She turned to walk out again.
"It's fine Ms Campbell I was just about to go." He passed her at the door. "Congratulations to you both." And with that he was gone.
Bernie groaned, knowing the boy had just got her into trouble.
"You told him?" She frowned.
"No I…" She sighed. She couldn't lie to her girlfriend. "Ok yes I did. Well he could kind of see it on my face. I can't help it Serena, I want to tell everyone about you, I want to show you off. I've never had… I mean I've never felt…" She trailed off.
She softened at this. "I know but Dominic really? The school gossip queen."
"It's alright he won't tell anyone, not unless he wants a week full of detentions."
She laughed a little. "What excuse are you going to use?"
"Nope sorry Dom's already made that joke. Anyway we kind of have an understanding. He actually came to tell me that there are rumours going around about us. He doesn't think it's anything to worry about though. No one has any proof." She held her arms out and the other woman stepped in for a hug.
"You know this really won't help said rumours." She mumbled into the taller woman's chest.
"Oh well I don't know about you but I'm often seen in this position with other teachers so no one will think this is strange. Guy Self is quite the hugger you know." The smirk was basically audible in her voice. They both descended into laughter.
Serena thought back to a conversation she'd had with Jason the night before. She had to ask Bernie something and thought she might as well get it out of the way. She looked up at her with a bright smile. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Anything." She flashed herthat winning smile that she'd fallen in love with the first time she saw it.
"It was Jason's idea really and feel free to say no, we won't be offended. It's just, well you know how you've said how you hate going back to your tiny flat after spending time at my big comfortable house. I know it's a bit early but…"
She silenced her by placing a finger on her lips. "Yes."
"What?"
"However adorable your ramblings are I thought I'd save you anymore pain. Yes I will move in with you. There's something you need to sort out first." She removed her finger from her lips and kissed her quickly.
She couldn't control the grin spreading across her face. "Yeah of course, what?"
"Well what's going to happen when your daughter gets home from university and finds me living in her house?" She asked softly. She didn't want to rush Serena into telling Eleanor but it was a valid question.
"Oh. I'll make sure I tell her as soon as she gets home. Or maybe when we next speak on the phone. I'll tell her I promise. I'm not going to let it turn into an awkward situation where she walks in and finds you there, ok?" Deep down she was terrified of how her daughter was going to react. She really wanted this to work out with Bernie and knew that, that would mean telling Eleanor.
"I know." She nodded. "I trust you. I'll talk to my landlord tonight, let him know I want to move out."
"Ok and then we'll sort a time to move your belongings to my house. Maybe next weekend?"
"Sounds perfect." She grinned.
Would anyone want be to write the actual Berena move in day or what that be too boring and fluffy? I don't know, let me know what you think.