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Look Alive, Sunshine
eight
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Almost three hours have passed since Natasha snuck Johnny into her room. It took one hour to fully explain her situation at home, from the car crash she felt guilty for, Matt in Happy Volts to her irresponsible extended family. The talk about the car crash and Matt alone already took a lot out of her and she apologised profusely for lying to him about the entire Happy Volts situation, thankfully Johnny was more concerned for her anxiety and was sympathetic to her loss. Next she had to tell him all about what happened earlier in the cafeteria, about Mr. Burton which then led to her revealing her rather colourful history regarding Bif.
The conversation did end up with her in tears and she hated to think that it was the reason he remained amiable with everything she disclosed, some which were lies and other things she knew he would usually not take kindly to. She voiced her doubts but he insisted it was nothing of the sort and that he was only genuinely concerned for her at the moment.
"But I can understand why you were bothered," Johnny sighed as he pulled his jacket off and placed it by his side, he leaned back against her pillows again and folded his arms. "Happy Volts is a bad place to be… especially being a patient there."
"Well the block Matt's in isn't so bad," she shifted to her side, eyes trailing away from him knowing that this was a sensitive topic. "It's more like a hospital wing… far from a cell… but I do worry they'll throw him into a real one."
"Right… and you think your aunt's been meddling."
"I think it's very likely."
"… Want me to bust him out?"
"Oh please," she cracked a smile. "You can't even talk about the place without going pale, I'd love to see you try."
"I would try if it would make you happy."
There were times when he said things like this to her, sometimes it would be giving her lifts, or buying her things or even beating people up on her behalf. Although it may seem like a joke she knew that he was quite serious and if she asked he probably would do these things for her sake. Johnny really was too sweet for his own good, she could see how he could have been taken advantage of by someone he was infatuated with.
"I appreciate your offer but it'll probably do more harm than good," she nudged his leg with a smile. "… Come on then, shall we grab some food?"
"Sounds good… oh wait," he called out to her when she climbed off the bed. "You've got panda eyes."
"Oh no, really?" she instantly hid behind her fingers as she fumbled around her dresser for her little bag containing her toiletries. "Okay I'm just going to freshen up a bit."
"Go for it."
Natasha shut the door behind her and hurried into the bathroom. A gasp escaped her when she saw her reflection, panda eyes was definitely far from exaggeration, she had mascara running down her eyes which made her look dreadful if not quite terrifying with her pale skin; she was surprised Johnny didn't say anything sooner.
After washing her face and ridding her eyes of black smudges Natasha pulled out her eyeliner and began to reapply some light makeup. When she was finished with the left eye she went to do the next, and that was when she heard a strange noise from the toilet stalls. It sounded like gargling followed by some quiet coughing… it was a sound Natasha had grown familiar with over the times where she found Mandy being sick, it was severe when they first met and it was never pleasant when she found her then friend hiding in a stall, and she hated the thought that someone else was unwell as well.
The noises still hadn't stopped when Natasha was done with her bag packed up again. She knew it was probably better to mind her own business but she was undeniably concerned for whoever was behind the door, it could be any of the girls, hopefully not one of the little ones… or even Pinky who has been staying in their dorm.
"… Hey…" Natasha knocked on the locked door gently. "Are you alright in there?"
The coughing ceased immediately and a prominent gasp could be heard behind the door. Natasha knocked again when she heard the toilet seat close and the sound of flushing, again she asked but no response came.
"…Take care then."
Unsure of what else she could do or say Natasha simply left.
She found Johnny lounging on her bed with one of her notebooks open in hand, he glanced to her as she came in but made no movements to hide the fact that he was snooping through her things.
"What are you doing?"
"I was hoping to find something interesting," he waved the notebook. "Thought maybe I would come across a secret diary or something."
"Such a thing doesn't exist," she laughed plucking the book out of his hand. "Despite all the rumours I'm afraid I'm rather boring. I'm surprised you haven't already figured that out going through my lab notes."
"Don't say that," he grinned. "I'm sure you have something saucy hidden away somewhere."
"Doesn't exist," she tapped his head with the book. "Let's go, I'm in the mood for something unhealthy."
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They ended up at the pizzeria in town, she has been before a few times as it was a usual hangout for the football team after practice but she only just realised that it was not far from where Johnny lived. He mentioned that he used to come a lot when his parents were still around, there was a hollow ring to his words and Natasha knew not to pry further; it was rare for him to bring up anything about his past at all by himself and she wondered if him bringing her here was an effort to share a little of his world with her.
The food was delicious and indeed unhealthy like she requested. It came as a surprise to her when she first found out that apparently Johnny did not eat much so they settled for sharing a pizza between them, from her experience most of the guys she's been around ate obscene amounts; but then again these were guys bulking up on coach's orders.
"Oh no," Natasha whispered under her breath when she noticed the group that just walked in. It was a small group of jocks, she had been worried that Ted may be with them but once they all appeared she was thankful to see that he wasn't around, but the group being led by Damon wasn't far off. Oh why, oh why was her brother never around when she actually needed him?
"… Ignore em'," Johnny glanced over as the jocks walked by, giving them a look that looked neither hostile nor friendly, in fact Johnny looked almost unaffected by their presence which was odd. "Shall we head out?"
"Sure," she reached for her wallet as Johnny paged for their bill while reaching into his inner pocket.
"I've got it," Johnny waved her hand away when she tried to hand him her portion, and when the waiter came along with the bill the poor guy struggled between handing it over when both Johnny and Natasha grabbed for it. "I got you covered, doll. Let me."
"Then pay first by all means but take my money after…-" she frowned when she felt the phone in her pocket vibrate, and taking advantage of the moment she was distracted Johnny placed his money on the tray and sent the waiter away. Natasha groaned as she watched the waiter walk off and she gave Johnny a look before turning back to her phone. "I've got to take this… find me outside?"
"Yeah go for it," Johnny scooted his chair over to give her more room and watched as she made her way to the doors, he paid particular attention when she walked close to Damon and Juri who were by the soda machines. Natasha paid them no mind and it seemed they weren't interested in picking a fight with her either and simply let her pass. Once she was safely outside Johnny relaxed and waited for the waiter to return with his change.
Then that was when Damon decided he would stop by Johnny's table.
"Well wasn't that a cute sight?" he jibed. "Johnny Vincent and little Natasha having a lovers spat over the dinner money. You her bitch, Vincent?"
Johnny turned his head away. He had no interest in humouring the jock and if possible he wanted to keep the rest of this night clean wanting to only spend it with his girl.
"You know I never saw the appeal in that girl every other guy would whip their dicks out for…" Damon continued when he realised it wasn't going to be so easy to rile up Johnny this time around. "But Lola… now there's a girl that's worth all the trouble… someone you were right to be crazy about… and how does it feel knowing she's been warming my bed-."
That did it. Damn, that always did it.
Johnny jumped out of his chair abruptly and grabbed the jock by the collar, shoving him backwards a few paces before Damon retaliated and did the same.
"Go on, hit me then. You can join Taylor in suspension," Damon grinned as he landed a punch, Johnny groaned when he felt another blow against his ribs; say what you will about Damon but the jock's large frame was not just for sure, his strength was real and Johnny knew he was at a serious disadvantage if he wanted to end this fight without throwing a punch back and risk suspension. It was known that the jock lieutenant was third behind only Russell and Bif, and speaking of the prep, Johnny wouldn't actually mind if the one already in suspension came around and decided to help finish the war he practically started. "Not so tough without your little leather pricks-?"
"That's enough," an arm came between them and Johnny was shocked to see that it was Luis, but perhaps it should not have been that much of a surprise considering he had stayed quiet during the cafeteria fight. "Damon, hit him anymore and they will suspend you."
"Why do you think I've been avoiding his face?" Damon growled back, not appreciating his own lackeys getting in the way. "Stay out of this."
"If you really thought this through then you wouldn't have started a fight in public with witnesses," Luis waved his arm around the pizzeria. It suddenly hit Damon and he glanced around and saw that everyone in the restaurant had their eyes on him, the few odd students and the adults who some looked horrified. "He hasn't hit you back once and we're in the middle of town, you'll be lucky if they don't get the police involved-."
"Oh, fuck it! I get it!"
Damon released Johnny, quite literally almost throwing him aside as he shoved past Luis and headed back to their table. Johnny got back up to his feet with an exasperated sigh and straightened his jacket out before turning to Luis, not really sure what to make of the jock who had just certainly rescued him from a bad beating.
"I didn't do it for you, Johnny Vincent," Luis said as if he read the greaser's mind. "Just know that not all of us are blind to Ted's rule. Natasha's a good girl, her brothers are decent guys. It's not right, how they're treating her… treating them."
Johnny did not reply. Luis and he exchanged a silent look before the jock returned back to his group leaving Johnny behind to contemplate on their exchange and to assess the damage done to his ribs.
Then the waiter finally arrived with the damned change.
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Natasha adored Johnny and his friends but what she couldn't stand was standing around in the auto-shop for hours. At first it was rather exciting learning her way around and watching the boys at work, she was all smiles when Ricky introduced his 'baby', a shiny bicycle, to her and she was happy to listen to him ramble on about components and fine-tuning… but two hours of it may be too much for her to handle.
It wasn't exactly the ideal environment for her to study or read either, and when she told Johnny that she needed to get back to the dorm and get some work done he appeared to have no qualms and said that he would contact her later.
As she reached the fountain she saw that a group of preps were heading out of Harrington House just opposite her, and of course it was none other than Derby at the head sparing her not a glance as he walked right by and his lieutenant was following not far behind.
Natasha froze on the spot, she's been meaning to speak to Bif about the incident with Ted but she hasn't had the opportunity to; in fact, she has hardly seen him around since his suspension. The crowd was intimidating but she knew if she didn't speak to him now she may not have the chance to any time soon.
"… Hey, um- Bif!"
The group instantly stopped moving and Bif glanced backwards at her, his expression unchanged and waiting for her to continue. Natasha took a step forward as she opened her mouth to speak but then from the corner of her eye she noticed the blond boy standing behind Bif, the look on Derby's face forced her to come to a halt and she began to think maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. With every thought to pull back and maybe try again some another time, Natasha retracted her step and was about to apologise for taking up his time when Bif turned around and stepped past Justin and Gord.
"What is it?"
"… Could I have a word with you, please?" she said quietly, hopefully enough so that perhaps Derby would not hear. "Alone."
His stare was hard but thankfully after a moment he nodded and sent his friends ahead, he then asked where would be appropriate and she confessed she didn't know a single place on campus where they wouldn't be seen and become a topic of gossip.
"… What about Harrington House then?" he asked, tucking a hand into his pocket and turning back to the building he just came out of. "It just so happens to be empty at the moment."
"… Yeah sure," she nodded and began following him. They walked in silence, he hardly looked at her when he held the door open for her and proceeded on inside where he led her up the stairs and then through a maze of corridors into what she assumed was the common room. A room filled with plush velvet chairs and a burnt out hearth that she wouldn't think abided with regulations.
"… Thanks for agreeing to speak to me…" she said quietly as she sat on a sofa. "I… heard."
"What did you hear?" he asked as he sat opposite her on an armchair.
"About your suspension…" she was finding it excruciatingly difficult to maintain eye contact with his striking green gaze. "How long is it?"
"One week plus the dance," he shrugged. "Not that it really matters to me."
"That's terrible, they've let people off for worse before-."
"Beating the star quarterback a week before the big game has its consequences," Bif sighed as he finally looked away, his composure breaking slightly as he rubbed the bridge of his sharp nose. "… Even my family couldn't do anything."
For a while he looked like the Bif Taylor she knew as a child, perhaps a little worn on the edges and certainly a lot beefier, but the same boyish frailty was there.
The suspension was probably met with harsh response from his friends and especially his family, she knew better than to ask as he probably regretted his actions the moment he caught a hold of himself. Like all the Old Bullworth families the Taylor family had money but they weren't particularly affluent in the way the other families were, what his family had his father worked for every bit of it and there were expectations for their only son. Suspension and scrutiny by their peers was not something that would be tolerated.
They sat in silence for a few moments, it was quiet as neither really knew what to say to another but despite so it didn't feel particularly awkward or unsettling. Natasha had her own thoughts racing through her mind, questions that she knew may upset him so she pushed to the back of her mind and some questions that she felt would wound up hurting herself but they needed to be answered.
"… Bif, can you tell me what happened…?" Natasha asked and her question obviously discomfited him as he sat up and cleared his throat. "What did Ted say to you?"
"You don't need to know," he looked her in the eye again. "You don't want to know, trust me."
"Please, I'd like to know. Ted has been… difficult these past weeks with his lies and slander," she paused. "But nonetheless I want to know what he's been saying… and I feel I am past the point where any of his words would affect me."
"… They were having a chat while I was walking by, I didn't hear a lot of it but it was about you… you and Johnny Vincent," Bif looked away. "Right after I walked by their table Thompson called after me, he called you a desperate slut and asked if I was glad I didn't become your next victim."
"… Then you hit him."
"No, I then asked him if he felt pathetic being the one cast aside by the slut."
A jab tore at her chest.
It hurt for sure, to hear those words come from anyone's mouth much less Bif's. He had been speaking so gently that she had forgotten that she has fallen far from his graces and that his opinion of her was probably low-lying.
"And then?"
"… Something along the lines of at least he managed to get my precious little slut to fuck him. I don't remember the rest well," Bif cocked his head to one side as he soaked up her dark expression, she looked absolutely crushed and somewhere deep down inside he was glad that he kept to himself the colourful language Ted had used … and what he had said about being able to fuck the one girl he's always wanted. Saying such things will only make things confusing between them and the last thing Bif wanted was to complicate their relationship further. "… You sure know how to pick them."
"… A mistake clearly."
"And how's your current mistake going?"
"Bif," she frowned. "I'm not here to talk about that."
"As long as you're still dating imbeciles I will speak about it," he offered her a short look of disdain before glancing away again. "Is that all?"
"I…" she got up as he stood, her resolve looked to waver for a second before she looked him directly, her blue eyes bored into his green ones as she seemed to be deciding on which words to use. "I suppose I wanted to thank you as well. For getting angry on my behalf… and attempting to protect me from Crabblesnitch… so, thank you Bif."
"I didn't get angry on your behalf," he corrected her. "I had my own reasons."
"… Right," she forced a tight-lipped smile. "I'll show myself out."
"Do you remember the way?"
"… Yes, I'll be fine."
Bif was doubtful but he let her go anyway. Over the years he's known her he's figured out how to tell the differences between the slight changes in her expressions or even in the tone of her voice, and sure enough in about five minutes she returned to the common room asking if he would be as kind as to show her the way.
"I don't understand, it doesn't look this big from the outside," Natasha murmured as they walked along the hallway. "All Harrington buildings are the same…"
"Well you know what they say about the Harringtons, the secret behind their fortune is more likely dark magic than adherence."
"… Yes, that's right," Natasha smiled slightly, those were hardly the words she expected to hear from him. "… You won't be going home?"
"Excuse me?" he slowed his pace as he turned to face her.
"For your suspension, I mean…"
"No, I've been given permission to stay living on campus," he looked ahead again. "But no classes and I've been warned to stay away from the gym and fields."
"… That is unspeakably unfair… I am sorry…" Natasha held her breath when he stopped walking, it began to get startling when he turned around and walked her up against a wall. "U-Um, Bif?"
"Why does it matter to you?"
"I was only curious," Natasha peered up at him, afraid of what she might have done to upset him. "I'm sorry if I said something I wasn't supposed to-."
"For your sake, don't be so kind to me if you don't mean it. Like I said I had my own reasons," his expression was dark but she could hear the hesitation in his voice. "Come on, let's go."
Natasha followed him, this time holding back on her steps so that she remained two paces behind him. The moment she thought she was getting through to him and perhaps they may be able to start being friendly with each other again he had to say something to break that small glimmer of hope. She was curious and asked out of genuine concern, she wasn't expecting anything back from him and despite what he may say he did get upset and protect her with Ted and in Crabblesnitch's office. The enigma that is Bif Taylor continued to baffle her.
Once they reached the stairs she thought Bif would just leave her but it turned out he was heading out to find his friends. The now uncomfortable silence resumed as they made their way out of Harrington House and through the archway.
Natasha followed Bif's gaze across the fountain towards the auto shop and her jaw tightened when she saw Lola and in her arm who appeared to be Johnny, the brunette had Johnny's arm in her clutch as she looked to be stepping towards him while inching her face up to his. Natasha hadn't even realised she stopped breathing until Johnny shoved the girl off and Natasha finally exhaled heavily, the tension left her body entirely and without a hint of doubt she marched over.
"… Natasha, wait-."
"I can handle this on my own, Bif," she was surprised to see him following her. "I'll be fine-."
"Just wait a moment-!" he took her by the wrist and pulled her to a stop. It didn't hurt… much, but she was pissed off; she has had it with guys who had no business touching her grabbing her as if she was a ragdoll. "Let Johnny handle it, don't get yourself involved unnecessarily."
"And you shouldn't involve yourself unnecessarily," she spat, the thought of amiability quickly forgotten. "Let go of me… I said let go!"
"Natasha?" Johnny's voice came. "Taylor?!"
In no time was Johnny by her side yanking Bif's hand away, for how anxious he seemed to be only moments ago Bif back down surprisingly easily but his face was pale as a sheet. Johnny began to goad the prep but Bif looked as if the words weren't even registering him as he looked beyond the greaser… at Lola who had the widest smirk plastered on her face.
"Well, hello there handsome," Lola called to him. "How have you been holding up since we last saw each other?"
That self-satisfaction in her voice and Bif's pale face, Natasha didn't want to consider it but when Johnny glanced back at his ex, his expression dark and knowing, and turned back to the prep Natasha knew there was no denying the unsaid truth. Johnny stepped aside realising there was something much larger going on than their usual squabbles, he eyed Natasha as Lola walked towards them, his expression was unreadable but he looked keen to let this situation unfold on its own.
"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" Lola reached her hand out to his face. "You were far more vocal that time-."
"Don't touch me, whore," Bif took a step back and avoided her hand.
"Well is that anyway to speak to me?" Lola huffed. "Don't forget that I'm the nice girl who took care of you when you were hung up over this bitch."
Bif did not respond.
Johnny watched.
Natasha's fists were shaking.
And Lola laughed.
"You act like such a good girl but I know you hate me," Lola's sneer was near feral when she turned to Natasha and placed a hand on the smaller redhead's shoulder and leaned down to her ear. "Feels bad right? Having one of your little toys taken by me…? Poor Bif, you won't give him the time of day but love keeping him stringed along, huh?"
"… You are…" Natasha knocked her hand away and took a deep breath, her knuckles going numb she was gripping so hard. "A horrible person."
"A horrible person?" Lola repeated, her laughter bubbling. "And how does it feel finding out you're just as bad?"
"I'm not like you, I don't take pleasure in hurting or using people," Natasha was slowly beginning to lose her temper. "I didn't ask for any of this to happen-."
"Yeah, we're nothing alike! So why didn't you just stick with your football players…? Or your rich boys? And left things as they were when they still made sense!"
"… You still want Johnny," Natasha stated, her anger waning when she realised that the reason Lola did any of this was because she still believed that Johnny would have taken her back if Natasha hadn't come into the picture.
"What?"
"You still want him, you hurt Bif to hurt me but you did all this-."
Natasha felt the air get knocked out of her and she barely managed a scream when Lola tackled her to the ground, she hit her head and she swore the backside of it may have cracked. There was ringing in her ears and her vision were mostly blurs, as she tried to get a hold of herself she made out someone hauling Lola off her and another help sit her up. The movement disorientated her and she cradled her head as she rested against the person by her side.
"You shouldn't have moved her," Johnny shouted. "Keep her steady!"
"And you should keep that ex of yours under control-."
"Oh fuck off Taylor," Lola hissed as she tried to writhe out of Johnny's strong clutches. "Fuck that bitch too! What is wrong with you idiots?!"
"Speak to her, is she conscious?"
"Nat?" Bif's voice came by her ear. "Nat, are you okay? Can you hear me?"
"My head…" she slowly reached behind and felt the back of her head. "It's still there… not open?"
"What…? No, your head looks fine, does it hurt?"
"It's pounding," Natasha winced as she tried to push herself up. "… Johnny?"
"Here, doll."
Natasha turned her attention to his voice.
"You alright?"
She nodded and with Bif's help she managed to get back on her feet. It took another moment to get her bearings and when she did she quietly thanked Bif. Through all that Lola was still shouting insults and attempting to shake off Johnny's hold, it was obvious he was concerned for Natasha but there wasn't anyone else that could keep Lola in place.
"Would you please calm yourself?" Johnny roared, shaking the girl in his arms. "Haven't you done enough?!"
"Far from enough," Lola hissed back.
"You crazy slut-."
Johnny's eyes widened as he watched the little redhead stomp over and throw a punch at Lola, she hit so hard that even he felt it having to take a step back. Then she hit again and again.
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"Now a cat fight?"
Doctor Crabblesnitch was not pleased.
When Natasha came to her senses her and Lola were being carted off to Crabblesnitch's office. The prefects only took them leaving Johnny and Bif following attempting to dissuade them but their words were met by uninterested ears and they could only wait when the girls were brought inside.
"Interesting how all problems seem to always stem back to you Miss Evans."
Lola snorted with a cross of her arms.
"Do you find this funny Miss Lombardi? Do realise how serious your actions were?" Crabblesnitch turned to her furiously. "This is no laughing matter. If Miss Evans lost conscious she would be hospitalised… if she were not to wake, you would be arrested… you could have killed her!"
"…I-I'm sorry," Lola eyed the redhead. "Look I wasn't trying to kill you or anything."
"Luckily you didn't," he then turned to Natasha. "And then you retaliated violently…"
"She deserved it."
"Yes but you've still broken rules," he sighed. "It will be suspension for Miss Evans and expulsion for Miss Lombardi."
"Expulsion?!" Lola cried. "You're expelling me? She hit me more than I hit her!"
"Yes well, perhaps you should have reconsidered attacking Miss Evans whose losses have been unparalleled-."
"So her parents die and she gets a free card?"
"Watch your mouth, girl," Doctor Crabblesnitch stood up. "Show some respect for the dead."
"… You and her dead family can kiss my ass."
"Get out! Your expulsion is effective immediately and you have the rest of the day to move your belongings."
"Gladly."
The brunette slammed the doors behind her.
"… What are my suspension terms?"
"One week and the homecoming dance."
"Right…" Natasha nodded. "I understand, and again I want to apologise for my behaviour. I was provoked and it was very unlike me."
"Indeed it was quite out of character for you, Miss Evans…" Crabblesnitch looked thoughtful. "Perhaps… the decision was made too hastily and suspension is a heavy sentence… after all you simply defended yourself from Miss Lombardi… it's not unheard of for a girl of her background to lash out and involve innocents."
"… A girl of her background, sir?"
"I only meant someone like her had no business picking fights with a child from a Vale family," he cleared his throat. "I tried doing all I can for Mr. Taylor but my hands were tied right before the big game…"
"… Sir."
"Yes?"
"So you're saying you would overlook my actions and drop the suspension?"
"That is exactly what I'm saying."
"… No that won't be necessary. I'll take the suspension."
"And you are certain?"
"Yes, thank you sir."
The look on Crabblesnitch's face was enough for her to know that she made the right choice on this matter. She bowed her head politely and left. It sickened to learn of the obvious favouritism rumours were actually true, she felt embarrassed all the times she told Johnny that she wasn't treated any different, that she wasn't a part of the preps and it made no sense for them to give her special treatment.
Outside Johnny and Bif were sat by the row of chairs by reception, they were talking up until Natasha came out and they looked to be cordial. Johnny stood up first when she stood before them, he hugged her and asked what happened, she explained the situation and told him about the suspension.
"I'm sorry… I know we had plans for the dance but it didn't feel right."
"Don't worry about me… you're alright? Does it still hurt?" he gently held her head, his thumb brushing over her cheek as his hand slid back to feel the bump. She winced at his touch and he pulled away immediately. "I'm sorry… do you need to go to the hospital?"
"… No I think I'll be okay," she shook her head with a smile and he kissed her cheek before stepping aside.
"I think you two should talk. I'll wait for you by the car."
She was speechless as she watched Johnny walk back to Bif, they said a few quiet words to each other before Johnny patted his shoulder in a strange comradely sort of way and left them. Bif did not immediately turn his attention to her, he seemed to be contemplating for a few moments before he finally looked at her.
"… I was just telling Johnny about how we knew each other," Bif stood up and led them out of the reception where Miss Danvers was still sat close by watching them. They paused on top of the stairs where Bif struggled to decide which way to go. "… I was surprised you've spoken to him about me."
"Well just the one time after the… incident on the beach."
"Right, of course," he began down the stairs. "I am sorry about that."
"Bit late," she meant no ill will she simply stated the obvious. "… I was surprised to find you two speaking."
"He asked about… Lola."
"And?"
"He too has suffered at the hands of that girl, he asked out of concern," he said slowly. "… I didn't expect that from him."
"… You've been fighting Johnny all this time under Derby's orders but you didn't even know him," Natasha sighed. "… So? What happened between you and her?"
"…"
"Did you… sleep with her?"
"No, never," he replied firmly. "You're aware she's been living at Harrington House with Gord, yes?"
"I've heard all sorts of things," she shrugged back as they left the building doors. "I can't decide myself what's the truth."
"Well she'd made herself quite at home there… one day she barged into my room while I was… indisposed," he said quietly. "She'd been sneaking around in the middle night, who knows what she had been up to… but then she caught me at a vulnerable moment and I let her... well you know. But as soon as it was over I knew it was a terrible mistake and I made it quite clear to her it meant nothing and that she'd better keep it to herself. I was surprised she did but I supposed Gord finding out was the last thing she wanted…"
"What did you mean by vulnerable moment?"
"Don't worry about that."
They came to a stop near the dorms.
"Guess she had her own reasons for keeping quiet until now…" Bif sighed. "Anyway you should get going, he's waiting for you."
"... I'll see you around then."
"Yeah… I guess so."
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I live for drama
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