Chapter 11

A/N: I hope everyone is well and staying safe. Here's the next chapter! I'm not too sure how this turned out, I think I might have rushed it a bit but we'll see! A trigger warning for sh applies at the end, I hope I am writing this authentically. Also happy new year and I hope you're all staying safe and well 3

A brief, yet very awkward silence filled the corridor as Miss McFall shut the classroom door and went to stand opposite a very nervous looking Chloe.

"What was that all about Chloe? I look up and there's you telling Carrie to put something back." Despite the direct questioning, Audrey spoke in a calm voice with composure as usual.

"It doesn't matter." Chloe replied, trying to move on and not make a big deal over it.

"Well it was clearly something. You seemed very upset."

"Honestly Miss, it's nothing." Chloe hated showing weakness. She was such a compassionate person with so many emotions, and she hated when she let them get the better of her. That's why when she noticed a stray tear rolling down her cheek, she wiped it away as soon as possible.

"Chloe dear, you're obviously upset about what Carrie was trying to see, or whatever happened. Am I right?" No reply. She didn't want to nod and admit, but she also didn't want to deny it. She didn't know why.

"Can I just get back to my work?" She didn't want to seem blunt, but that was honestly all she wanted.

"Okay." Audrey replied, somewhat skeptical and reluctant. "But if you do want to talk about it, then I'm here."

"Thanks Miss." Chloe finished as she opened the door again, going back into the classroom.

Unknowingly to Chloe, as she was out with Miss McFall, Carrie made sure no one was looking, before she unzipped the pencil case to reveal a razor. A metal shaving razor with a serrated edge and a hint of crimson on one of the blades. She couldn't believe what was in her hands (her hands which were hidden under the table of course). She really thought this was just Chloe being embarrassed about having periods. She didn't know whether to say anything or to keep quiet. She might not have even used it. She might just have it in case, and the blood could just be from where she'd cut her legs shaving or something. But even so, the fact that Chloe felt the need to have it worried Carrie tremendously. She knew Chloe was struggling with exam stress, but she was being open to her about it and getting help from her teachers. Whatever was wrong she was determined to protect her best friend, she just needed to know how.

Chloe gulped as every head in the room turned in her direction as she headed back to her seat. Why couldn't everyone just mind their own business?

"Back to your work now everyone." Audrey announced as Chloe took her seat. Despite her growing concern for her friend, Carrie decided that it was best not to mention what she'd found. Judging on what had just happened, telling her was bound to make her more annoyed.

"I've done the title, and I think we should start with the medieval times."

"Yeah sounds good." Chloe replied with practically no emotion. She was terrified that Carrie knew and would tell someone. If her mum found out she didn't know what she'd do. This was how she copes and she knew that others won't like it, but it keeps her… sane.

The hour long lesson dragged on for ages. Usually when Carrie and Chloe worked on a project together it would go well and the lesson would be done swiftly. Things weren't the same when both of them were too scared to talk to each other.

The bell went which signified the end of the lesson and the start of the 20 minute break before one more lesson and then lunch. Why was the day going so slowly? Chloe asked herself. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to talk to Carrie as normal, she was her closest friend, but she couldn't bear to have 'that' conversation. Chloe, Carrie and Lenny all met up again after leaving the computing lab, Miss McFall giving Chloe a reassuring smile on the way out.

"I just need to go see my brother. Mum needs me to tell him something. I'll meet back up with you guys before we go to the cafeteria." Carrie announced as she headed back down the corridor and along to Guy Braxton's classroom. Guy was a trainee teacher and Carrie's brother (although he didn't live with Carrie and their parents anymore). With Guy's obvious personal connection to Carrie, and professional connection to the school, she was really worried about what Carrie was actually going to talk to him about.

She's just going to Mr Braxton about personal stuff. Chloe, it's really none of your business what goes on in Carrie's family. Chloe tried to reassure herself. But if it is that, then why do I feel so scared? I haven't done anything wrong! I just got overwhelmed before school yesterday and it helped me relax. It helped me. This is none of anyone's business but mine. I'm not even 100% sure if Carrie knows, but if she does, not only has she invaded my privacy, but she can also hold this against me. Shut up Chloe! Stop overthinking…

"Chloe?" Lenny began as the pair continued to walk down the corridor. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah fine." Chloe said as she zoned back into reality.

"Just checking. You were like breathing fast and stuff."

"Oh um…" Chloe hadn't even realised. She couldn't have a repeat of last night, especially at school. She caught the bathroom sign in the corner of her eye, at last, an escape. "Sorry, I'm going to go to the bathroom quick."

"Okay. I'll be in the library, I have some revision to do."

Chloe paced across the corridor to the bathroom and went into the first cubicle. As she lent against the wall, she hoped she'd feel like she could breathe again. She hoped she'd get the feeling of when you finally stop to get your breath back after running or when you put down your pen after completing all of your work, but instead this feeling of pressure kept building up and wouldn't cease. She'd only done it once, and in her head she promised she wouldn't do it again, but she'd already broken that by bringing it in the first place. Before she knew it, she was unzipping her 'pencil case' and taking out the blade. Just as before, each glide provided release, and after about six repetitions of this to her left forearm, the pressure was gone.

Carrie took a left at the end of the corridor to the product design classroom where her brother taught. She couldn't believe she was going to betray her friend like this, but she wasn't really. This was in her best interest. And besides, she was only looking for advice from someone she trusts, not to tell on her. She wouldn't even mention her name.

"Hey Carrie! What's up?" Guy greeted as Carrie entered the classroom.

"Oh not much, just looking for your advice on something."

"Okay go for it."

Oh god. What was she going to say?

"Well there's something that I, like, suspect I guess. If I'm wrong then it's still not great but it's fine. But if I'm right, then I worry that I might lose a friendship over it if it doesn't get sorted." She didn't want to sound selfish in any way, even if that's how it came across. But she couldn't think of any other way of explaining this to her brother to get his advice without ratting out Chloe.

"Well I don't know the situation, but what I can say is that I always go with my hunches. I mean if I didn't then I wouldn't be teaching here." Carrie nodded. She understood that she had to protect her friend.

"Just don't stress about it, and make sure you do the most loving thing. That's situation ethics by the way!" Guy finished. He always found a way to try and showcase his knowledge.

"Thanks Guy." Carrie finished. She knew what she had to do.