Jemma's footsteps echoed in the empty hallways. There were rarely students in the halls during the middle of lunch, they were all in the cafeteria. She watched the reflections of the rectangular lights above her on the ceiling below her, unable to look up. Her legs carried her to the counseling office, but not under her control. She was feeling quite hollow inside, all she could think about was the betrayed look on Skye's face. Whatever they had was definitely ruined now.
Despite the fact that Skye probably hated her, Jemma didn't find herself regret telling Fitz about Skye and she was glad he had the courage to tell someone when she didn't. Skye was going to get out of that house, those people couldn't hurt her anymore. She was going to get away from those sick people who made her think that she deserved what they did to her, made her believe that what she and Jemma did was wrong.
When she reached the door to the office, she stopped. Through the tiny window, she could see a hooded figure slumped in one of the two seats on the opposite side of the desk from counselor Weaver. Mr. Coulson was also inside, sitting in an added chair on beside the counselor. The only empty seat was the one next to Skye, intended for Jemma.
Coulson spotted Jemma through the window and waved her in. Jemma froze for a moment, but managed to open the door and slip inside. With light footsteps, she walked over to the empty chair and sat down, flinching under Skye's annoyed stare.
"It has come to our attention that there is a problem here we must discuss." Ms. Weaver started. When both girls were silent, she nodded to Coulson.
"Your friend Fitz has explained your injuries to us." He said calmly, motioning towards Skye's hands, which she had attempted to keep stuffed in her pockets to hide them from view. Skye muttered something incomprehensible and shifted in her seat.
"We'd like to hear from the two of you what exactly is going on so that we can decide what further action needs to take place." Ms. Weaver told them. Jemma stared down at her sneakers on the carpet. She didn't really want to be the one to start this conversation, but it was necessary. If Skye was going to get help, she needed a responsible adult to be aware of the situation.
"Skye's foster parents hurt her because they caught us-" Jemma began to explain, but she didn't want to expose Skye when she clearly wasn't comfortable with what had happened between them. "They burned her hands." She said simply. They probably already knew this from whatever Fitz had told them, but she didn't really know what else to say.
"Skye, is this true?" Ms. Weaver asked. Jemma risked a glance over at the younger girl and was startled. She expected her to still look like a simmering pot of boiling water, but her face had softened and her eyes were watering. It was like the truth of her own living situation was just now sinking in and she was just now feeling its effects. Skye nodded slightly, just enough to confirm to everyone in the room that what Jemma said was true.
"We're going to give your social worker a call, you two can wait out in the hall." Ms. Weaver told them. Jemma and Skye stood at exactly the same time and shuffled out into the hallway as they were instructed. Neither of them were ready to talk to each other without an adult to mediate the conversation. When the door to the office closed behind them, Skye leaned against the lockers and slowly slid down until she was sitting on the tile. She wrapped her arms around her knees and laid her forehead against her arms.
Hesitantly, Jemma sat down next to the girl and crossed her legs. Everything was going to be ok soon, even if Skye had to switch schools to go back to the orphanage. At least she'd be safe there.
"I'm not sorry." Jemma spoke up to break the very awkward silence. When Skye didn't respond, however, it only got worse. "Well, I'm sorry this is happening to you, but I'm not sorry that Mr. Coulson found out." She clarified. Skye was silent. "I'm sorry." Jemma finally said, just trying to get Skye to talk to her. Skye let out a short lived laugh and turned to face Jemma.
"You're babbling." She said with a small smile. Jemma let some of her worries cease as well, just seeing Skye not completely angry with her was a relief. She knew she still had a while to go, though. Jemma sighed and they sat in the silent hallway. A student passed them occasionally and looked at them with curiosity, but it was better than being in the cafeteria.
Eventually, the door to the office opened and Coulson's head stuck out, asking them to come back inside. Once they were all situated, Ms. Weaver updated them on what had happened.
"Unfortunately, Skye, your social worker is very busy working on another case and won't be able to officially take you back to the orphanage for another day or two." Ms. Weaver informed them. Jemma swallowed a lump in her throat. She didn't want Skye going back to that house, not even for one night.
"We don't want you to go back home after school today, though." Mr. Coulson started. He made eye contact with the counselor before he continued.
"This will be off record. Is there anywhere you can stay until your social worker can get you? We don't believe you should return to that household without an authority." Coulson said. They knew that Skye technically was supposed to stay with her foster parents, but Coulson obviously cared too much to send her back there.
"She can stay with me." Jemma piped up, not even considering the thought that her parents wouldn't allow it. Her mother loved Skye and was always asking when Jemma would invite her over again. Skye looked at her in surprise and without thinking, Jemma placed her hand on the other girl's arm.
"It's settled, then." Ms. Weaver said. Coulson had a small smile on his face and he gave Skye an affectionate pat on the shoulder as he stood and walked out of the office. He had to get back to the classroom before his class appeared for fifth period. "Skye, you will be going home with Ms. Simmons."
"Are you okay with this?" Jemma asked when they stepped out into the hallway. She wrung her hands out in front of her and anxiously played with a strap of her backpack.
"If I'm going back to St. Agnes anyway, I'm glad I get to spend another night or two with you first." Skye smiled sadly. Jemma's stomach flipped. She was glad that the brunette wasn't going to be staying with her foster parents, but she was also sad and upset that she wouldn't see her first period every morning or study with her after school anymore.
"Are you mad at me?" Jemma asked. She had to know if this was Skye starting to forgive her or Skye trying to make the best of a bad situation.
"I was, but not so much anymore." Skye answered flatly. She understood that Jemma was trying to protect her and it would be cruel to be mad at her for doing that.
Relief flooded through Jemma's veins when she got her answer, and she let out an audible sigh. She had been so scared that her friendship with Skye got shredded to pieces and was hopelessly irreparable, so to hear that she still had a chance was the best thing she'd heard in over a week.
"I'm glad." She answered calmly. She wasn't going to push the other girl, not yet. For now, she was just going to take her home and keep her safe.
