Okay, another ridiculously long chapter, and anyone who read the original should know what's coming here. I have played around with it a little, but ultimately, it's one of the few parts I was quite proud of back in the day, so the broad strokes remain the same. I hope you all enjoy reading, and I will catch you at the end - J


Chapter 14: Jones

Over the next few days, Soph was winding up like a spring. Kelly's birthday was running headfirst at her like a charging bull and quite frankly she was panicking; the punching bags in the gym were taking the brunt of her anxiety. She'd managed to get the gift sorted ages ago but she felt like some kind of celebration was probably called for. Why on earth did she have to go ahead and get into a relationship, of all things? And with someone like Kelly? She was just so…

Oh for god's sake, what the hell was wrong with her these days? She was useless.

Her frustration translated to energy as she swung hard enough to knock the bag clean off the hook, snapping herself out of her thoughts as her hand radiated pain and the bag hit the floor with a loud thump. She followed after it, dropping onto her ass and leaning back against the heavy lump. Her hand had never quite recovered from all the wall-punching she'd done when she arrived here, she'd need to put a heat pack on it before bed.

When did this become her life?

She couldn't say she missed the past, where she couldn't muster an emotion stronger than disdain for everyone and everything she came into contact with; but she did kind of wish everything was still simple. Who was she now? A seventeen year old with a soon-to-be nineteen girlfriend, who she had met and grown close to with the express intention of getting her arrested and ruining her entire life. Honestly, it was all quite dramatic. To make matters worse, her newly resurfaced emotions were repeatedly kicking her in the gut over the heist situation. Every time she thought about it, she struggled to breathe. She dreaded to think how bad that feeling was going to get if she and Jones continued to stay together.

"Problem, girly?" Her aunt chose this moment to appear and Soph glanced up.
"I'm bad at being a girlfriend." She whined like a child and her aunt chuckled as she perched beside her, atop the bag.
"I am sure it's not all that bad." She patted her on the head and Soph managed half a smile, but it faded quickly.
"It's her birthday in a couple of days. I don't know what to do for it." She shot her aunt a pleading look and the woman giggled, offering no sympathy. Soph sighed, running a hand through her hair. Fortunately, she took pity on her.
"Do you know how many people know about her birthday?" Camilla stood and Soph frowned as she joined her, heaving the bag upright by its chain.
"No?" She tipped her head in confusion and her aunt smirked.
"Three." She joined her as Soph dragged the bag over to the storage cupboard. She felt her brows raise at the news, she would have thought this place would mark the birthday of Kelly Jones as a school holiday.
"Miss Jones is quite secretive, even for a St. Trinian. Keep it small, and memorable, go with your instincts. She'll appreciate the effort you've put in more than the celebration itself." She patted her on the shoulder and Soph managed half a smile.
"Thanks." She turned to look up at her aunt, who gave her a surprisingly soft smile.
"I'm sure you'll do fine, girly. We Fritton women are known for our ingenious ideas." With that she winked and vanished, leaving Soph to stare after her in sheer bemusement.

It took a bit more planning, but she eventually came up with something she didn't entirely hate, and that night, while Kelly was in a budget meeting with Camilla, she put her plan into action.

It took several of her favours, a small stack of cash, and a strange offering left outside of the cook's quarters (apparently it was all part of the ritual required to have a meal made by the mythical creature), but she managed to get everything arranged. Hell, even Annabelle had made her jump through hoops to do her a favour; honestly, she wasn't sure if she was more annoyed or proud of her. Still, everything was ready, and with any luck, Kelly would like it.

She got a slightly suspicious glance as she came into their room that night, but apart from that, amazingly, Jones hadn't said a word. Of course, Soph was under no illusions that the woman knew something was going on, she was the Infamous Head Girl of St Trinian's, she wouldn't exactly miss half of the key figures of the school running around doing 'secret' errands. Soph appreciated that she hadn't dug into it too much, that she trusted her not to be up to something nefarious…

Fucking hell, she'd dug her own grave with this one…

Jones woke first, her body clock was a lot more attuned than Soph's ever would be, but as she began to stir, Sophie slowly joined her.
"'Morning." She mumbled into the woman's shoulder and repressed a smile as she felt lips against her temple.
"Sleep okay?" Quiet words drifted by her ear and Soph shrugged, giving a non-committal hum.
"You?" She curled in tighter against the woman's side as Kelly nodded against her hair.
"Yeah, what time is it?" She could hear the frown in the woman's voice, clearly she could already tell something was up. Soph sighed, rolling away from the warmth and comfort to pick up her phone. They were an hour later waking up than usual, which was, quite frankly, better than she'd hoped.
"Eight." She rolled back, wrapping herself around the woman like an octopus to stop her running away immediately at the news she was 'late'. Late for what? Soph wasn't sure, they didn't have classes until the New Year, but she supposed Jones liked to stay in a routine.

Sophie did too, but her routine started much later in the day.

"What?" Jones, sure enough, made a strong attempt to sit bolt upright, but was hindered by Soph weighing her down, who chuckled.
"Nuh-uh. You have the day off today, Camilla's orders." She smirked up at her and Kelly scowled, but it didn't reach her eyes. Once she was sure she wouldn't jet off, Soph unwound from around her and sat up, leaning in to press a lingering kiss that the woman, despite her annoyance, returned.
"Happy Birthday, you workaholic." She smirked against her lips and Jones let out a long breath.
"You're such a little shit." She grumbled back and Soph chuckled, sitting back to flash a grin.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Her grin earned her poke to the middle of her forehead, which she allowed to knock her over while she scooped up her phone, shooting a quick text to her first contact of the day.
"What are you up to?" Eyes narrowed, Jones scowled down at her and Soph dropped her phone with a Cheshire cat level grin.
"Things." She taunted, tucking her hands behind her head, and Jones leaned forward, a hand landing either side of her head to keep Soph under her. Fortunately, a knock at the door caught both of their attentions. Soph grinned.
"I need to get that." She slipped out from under the other woman, catching Kelly's hoodie (entirely repurposed as her 'dressing gown' since Christmas) off of the end of the bed and tugging it on before she reached the door. Sure enough, there was Polly with the requested tray. Soph grinned as she took it and handed the Geek the other half of the money she'd promised. Most expensive breakfast in bed she'd ever heard of, but such was life around here. With one last wink, she vanished back inside, turning to find Kelly watching her with an odd expression.
"Breakfast?" She smirked and held up the tray in her hand as she locked the door with the other. Kelly's smile was… blinding.
"Come here." It wasn't a question, her tone was insistent but oddly soft, a look Sophie couldn't identify in her eyes. She set the tray down on the end of the bed and took a seat on her side, confusion clouding her thoughts, there was an odd tension in the air, not one she knew very well.
"What's up?" She frowned but as Kelly reached for her she moved forward instinctively, letting the woman pull her into a kiss. It was gentle, but deathly intense, a combination that immediately set Soph on edge, but as long fingers wound into her hair, tugging her ever closer, Kelly's teeth closed around her lip and the tension in her shoulders melted faster than ice in boiling water.

She shifted to settle in the other woman's lap, her knees either side of Kelly's waist as she let her take exactly what she wanted. Of all days, today was certainly about what Kelly Jones wanted, though, quite frankly, Soph wouldn't be inclined to deny her this on any day.

Her hoodie was unzipped and a quiet alarm sounded in the back of her head but she forced herself to ignore it as Kelly's hands slipped underneath, resting low of her waist, just where the tank top she'd slept in was riding up, but no further. She was careful, so careful, Soph winced at the twist in her stomach and repressed the urge to pull back. Of course, Kelly noticed, breaking the kiss but not really moving away.
"You good?" It was a quiet murmur, barely there against her lips. For half a moment… Soph wanted to tell her the truth.

She didn't.

"Yeah… But your breakfast's going cold." She grinned but shivered as Kelly's nails trailed across her stomach. The older girl's head dipped to her neck and she felt her smirk against her skin.
"Do I care?" A sharp nip at her neck had her hands flying to Kelly's shoulders. She bit her lip to try and focus.
"You might not, but that shit cost me a fortune." She repressed as groan as lips travelled down, nails digging into her hips.
"Do you care?" She felt, more than heard, Jones' voice as her breath ghosted across her skin, followed by a graze of teeth. A shiver rolled down her spine and the quiet noise that left her throat was purely involuntary, as was the roll of her hips.
"Fuck no." She groaned, one hand relinquishing its grip on Kelly's shoulder to slide through her hair, torn between pulling her away to kiss her and letting her keep going. Jones' dark chuckle rumbled against her neck and Soph's mind pretty much gave up.

It was brutally slow, Kelly's hands ghosting up her thighs, gripping her hips, which continued to roll without her minds consent. She used to have such control, a few months with this woman and she could barely formulate a thought that wasn't how much she wanted- needed her.

Long fingers slid under her waistline, gripping her hips and pull her impossibly closer. Soph heard her own whine and her head fell forward to bury her face in the other woman's shoulder, embarrassment rushing forward to cloud her already foggy mind. A sharp nip to her neck was almost startling and lips brushed across her ear.
"I got you." Gentle words, barely above a whisper, rolled like a shiver down her spine. Her eyes shut tight and she wrapped her arms around Kelly's neck, nodding into her shoulder.
"I know." She muttered against her skin and rolled her hips, trying to get the woman to grasp the urgency of the situation. When her hands didn't move, Soph released a shuddering breath.
"Kelly." It wasn't a word so much as a whimper, and as embarrassing as it was, it seemed to finally clear things up for the other woman, who brought a hand up to her head to coax her back, to meet her gaze. The hand on her face was warm, gentle, the other wrapping tight around her waist as if afraid she'd make a run for it. Slowly, she opened her eyes, forcing herself not to flinch at the concern, care and affection in the deep brown gaze.
"Oh, baby." It was a quiet sigh, her thumb brushed across Soph's cheekbone and lips pressed to hers. Everything up until now had been gentle, this was not. It was slow, it was deliberate, and it was all consuming. Fingers tangled in the back of her hair to keep her in place as Kelly's lips moved against hers, chasing away the embarrassment and guilt that buzzed in her mind. The arm around her waist unwound and her hips tipped of their own accord, offering a better angle as Kelly's hand slid into the barely there space between them, finally applying pressure where Soph needed it. She broke the kiss for a quiet gasp but Kelly didn't let her go far, pulling her back to rest their foreheads together as long fingers slipped under her shorts, pressing in. A shudder rolled down her spine and her eyes clamped shut, unable to hold eye contact and deal with the onslaught of heat building in her stomach.
"Fuck." She cursed under her breath and Kelly's grip on her hair loosened, carding through it.
"I got you." The words repeated into the space between them, quiet, soothing, even as Soph's hips began to roll in time with Kelly's hand.

It was intense, too intense, she couldn't focus on anything or even stop the quiet sounds the tumbled freely from her parted lips. Nothing outside of this room mattered, not even the room mattered. All she could feel was Kelly, all she wanted to feel was Kelly. She couldn't even ease her grip on the other woman's shoulders, gripping the thin material of her shirt like it was a lifeline.

It was embarrassingly fast, and when she fell over the edge it was with a keening moan that vaguely resembled Kelly's name. The older girl eased her through, slowing her pace to a gentle stop before enveloping her in a secure embrace.

It wasn't until Kelly's thumb brushed a tear from her cheek that Soph even realised it was there.

When she did, she leaned in, preventing any incoming words with a kiss gentler than any she'd instigated in her life. She hoped it was enough… Whether or not it was, Kelly understood, relaxing back against the pillows and coaxing Soph's head to rest on her shoulder, pressing a kiss into her hair.
"Thank you, for breakfast." She muttered and Soph managed a weak chuckle.
"You're welcome." She murmured back and turned her face to bury it in the older girl's neck, her body tired and her mind too hazy to even panic about whatever just happened.

She must have fallen asleep, as she woke in the same position about an hour later, Kelly's fingers still gently carding through her hair and her steady heartbeat oddly soothing in her ears.
"You okay?" Kelly's voice was quiet, like she was only half sure Soph was even awake. Still, she let out a long breath.
"No… But yes." She pushed herself to sit up until she was sat comfortably in the other woman's lap, meeting her gaze evenly.
"I'll be fine. Sorry I-" She glanced away at the idea she'd made anything awkward but Kelly cut her off with a hand over her mouth. She snapped her gaze back to her face in search of the reason.
"You've got nothing to be sorry for." She leaned down as if trying to imprint some kind of truth before she continued.
"You're beautiful, this morning was amazing. Best birthday present ever." She smirked but the genuine care in her gaze twisted something in Soph's stomach and sent warmth through her chest. She could feel her ears turning red even as she scrambled for a response.

She took the woman's hand away from her mouth and manged to find a grin.
"So I guess you don't want your actual gift?" She tipped her head and Kelly chuckled.
"Can't hurt to take a look." She took her hands away and Soph leaned back to the tray that still sat at the end of the bed, scooping up the small package that sat there and turning back to hold it out.
"It's not much, but er…" She ruffled the back of her hair as Kelly took the parcel but stopped as lips pressed to hers.
"Thank you." Kelly smiled against her lips before settling back against the pillows to open it.

Soph waited with her hands in her lap while Kelly opened the parcel and the box within, tipping the flask out into her hand. She watched the older girl's face as she looked it over, initial surprise, a smile that softened as she read the engraving on the back. She wasn't aggressively sentimental, but the flask alone hadn't seemed like enough.

Someone like you.

She wasn't sure why she'd chosen it… it was the first thing that had crossed her mind as she stood staring at the blank paper.

"What do you think I want?" She pointedly glanced down to Jones' lips and back up, both of them remembering the 'incident' after the hockey match. Jones' frown deepened, but she didn't back away.
"Why?" It was quiet, tired, confused. Soph opened her mouth to speak, but nothing happened.

Her scheming mind had abandoned her, and the way Jones was staring at her, waiting for her to say something, anything, to explain what the fuck was happening here.
"I've never met someone like you." It was brutal honesty, the truth of her words startling even her. It was true though, wasn't it? Jones was… one of a kind. She was impossible to predict, cunning, smart, dedicated beyond belief... and right now, more than anything else, Sophie wanted to kiss her.

She watched as clearly Kelly remembered that day too. It was all she knew with any certainty; Kelly Jones was one of a kind. Sophie didn't know what that meant, or why she cared, but she knew she wanted to be with her, and really… She couldn't find anything else that mattered more.

She was dragged from her thoughts by lips pressing to her forehead.
"Thank you." It was a whisper against her skin, she tipped her head up to meet the woman's gaze.
"Happy Birthday." She offered a hesitant smile and Jones grinned as she leaned in, claiming her lips once more.

They stayed in bed for most of the morning, eating cold toast and trading terrible jokes and idle chat. When they were done, Kelly rolled onto her side to face her.
"So, what's the plan?" She reached over to brush a stray lock of hair from Soph's forehead.
"We have the day off, we can do whatever you want." She smirked back, catching the hand and tangling their fingers together. It was sentimental as hell, but she couldn't help it.
"I am at your disposal, as long as we're back in the school by seven tonight." She smirked at Kelly's curious gaze, but was immediately thrown onto the back foot as a mischievous shine reached her eyes.
"I know where I want to go. Get dressed." She leaned over and dropped a kiss to her head before she was gone, vanishing into the bathroom and leaving Soph to stare after her in surprise and, honestly, a little fear. Where the hell were they going?

Twenty minutes later they were in Kelly's car. Honestly, most of the time Soph kind of forgot the woman even had one, they didn't really ever leave the school together, so the only time she'd seen it had been when the woman had taken Flash to trick Carnaby… and she may have been focusing a little too much on Flash sitting beside her, rather than on the car.

"Where did you get this thing, anyway?" She ran her hand over the leather seat beneath her and Kelly glanced over.
"Won it, game of cards with our old spiv; Blackjack never was his game." She smirked and Soph chuckled.
"I have good money says you cheated." She grinned and Kelly laughed.
"Of course I did, but if he couldn't catch something like that he's not observant enough to be driving anyway." She shrugged, resting her elbow on the open window. She looked so relaxed.

Soph tipped her head as she watched her drive. She'd been fairly relaxed all winter break, but now, out of uniform and away from her jurisdiction… She almost seemed like another person entirely. She lounged in her seat, one hand on the wheel, the other supporting her head as she sped them, just a little fast, toward their destination. She was dressed pretty casually, black leggings, dark grey converse and an old band t-shirt under a leather bomber jacket. How was she so hot? Soph couldn't help but smile, how in the hell was she this lucky? Of course, that thought dragged in a highly unwanted stab at her gut.

She wasn't lucky, she was a liar.

"What are you looking at?" Kelly glanced over with a smug smirk and Soph snapped out of her spiral with a grin.
"You." She twisted in her seat to lean against the door behind her and stare more openly, Kelly arched a brow.
"Hm, if I'd known taking you for a drive would get this reaction I'd have done it weeks back." Her tone was teasing and Soph chuckled.
"I am so glad you said 'drive' not 'ride'." She scooted back into the seat properly as Kelly laughed. Idly, Soph reached over to rest a hand on the other woman's thigh, tracing light patters on the soft material.
"Wouldn't have been able to help myself." She leaned over, bringing her head to rest on the woman's shoulder and smiling as Kelly swapped hands, freeing up her left to wrap about her shoulders. It was a temporary position at best, with the gear stick sitting between them, but it was oddly comforting for now.
"Well, you'd better get a grip on that, I don't think my Mum will like you so much if you keep making terrible innuendos all afternoon… Well, actually, maybe she will." She shrugged but Soph's head snapped up and she shifted back, unable to help the comical way her eyes widened in panic as she registered what the other girl was saying.
"We're going to… See your mum?" She glanced at the door as though jumping out on the motorway might be a good idea but Kelly's laugh snapped her attention back.
"I try to swing by on my birthday, and hers." She continued to smile but there was a concerned edge to it as she reached out to take her hand again, Soph allowed it, squeezing gently. The tension in Kelly's shoulders eased just a little. After a beat of silence, she sighed, her smile fading.
"I should have told you this is where we were going, shouldn't I?" She glanced over and Soph repressed the urge to be sarcastic.
"Yes. Safe to say I nearly just had a heart attack." She spoke to her lap, but didn't let go of the woman's hand. Swallowing hard, she continued.
"But it's okay. I'll deal, your birthday, your call." She managed a slight smile and the older girl mirrored her.
"Thanks."

Frankly, she was now terrified. Kelly's mum was a St. Trinian's alumni and the woman who raised Kelly Jones. It was a formidable resume, and Soph was pretty damn sure she didn't want to be the subject of such a woman's scrutiny.

About an hour's drive away from the school, they parked in the underground garage of a rather expensive looking block of flats, taking the space next to a sleek black Audi that was cleaner than clean. What was it with the Jones family and swanky cars? As Jones jumped out, Soph let out a long breath, gathering herself. She could do this. With another hour's journey back, at minimum, they only had three hours tops before they had to leave. Three hours in a room with OG Jones; God save her.

Still, as she got out, she found Kelly leaning against the side of the car, a reassuring smile on her face as she took both of her hands.
"It'll be fine. Of all the shit she's seen me do, bringing a girl home isn't going to be the worst of it." She pulled her closer and Soph sighed.
"That hadn't even crossed my mind." She winced and Kelly laughed, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.
"She'll be fine. Well, she won't, she'll be a pain in the ass, but I'll protect you." She smirked and Soph managed a weak chuckle as hands released hers to wrap around her waist, pulling her closer. She let her face tuck into the material of Jones' shirt, and breathed deep, trying not to focus on how much her perfume, the leather of her jacket, and that scent that was just straight up Kelly, relaxed her.
"Let's get this over with." She mumbled into her shoulder and Jones laughed leaning back to steal a kiss before taking her hand.
"Over before you know it, I promise." She entwined their fingers and tugged her toward the lift. Soph went willingly, cursing internally at her own lack of capacity to say no to the woman.

A long way up in a lift brought them to a clean and nicely decorated floor with maybe four apartments on it, and given the size of the building, that was fairly impressive. It occurred to her that she had no idea what Kelly's mother did for a living, but she imagined it would make for useful small talk if they were left alone, so she didn't ask as they aimed for a door and Kelly knocked.

Within moments, the dark wood door swung open to reveal… Pretty much exactly what she'd been expecting.

The woman behind the door was tall and pale, long dark hair parted to the left, tied back in a neat pony tail and allowing a few locks to sit tidily to one side of her face while not interfering with the sharp, pointed gaze of deep green eyes. She was dressed fairly formally, a black turtleneck sweater under a black blazer paired with similarly coloured formal trousers and heeled boots, like she worked in an office. It was obvious Kelly took more from her than she did her dad, but there were small differences; her jaw was a little softer, her nose a little bigger, but neither of these made much of a difference. She was a beautiful and formidable woman. Sophie swallowed hard.

"Kelly!" The woman's face split into a seemingly genuine smile and she swept forward to pull her daughter into a hug.
"There's my birthday girl." They were close in height, the heels giving Jones Sr. the advantage, but Soph was willing to bet Kelly had maybe a fraction of an inch on her otherwise.
"Hey mum." Kelly hugged back, but as the two broke apart, green eyes found Sophie.
"Who've you brought to see me?" She seemed curious, but cheerful enough. Unsure, she glanced at Kelly to see if she should introduce herself or not, but the other girl stepped over.
"This is Sophie." She reached down to take her hand and Soph cleared her throat with an awkward smile.
"Sophie Daniels, it's nice to meet you." She offered her free hand and the older Jones arched a brow, her gaze shooting down to their joined hands as a sly smirk that was far too familiar curved one corner of her lips.
"Alice Jones, call me Alice." She took the offered hand with a firm grip, shaking once. Sophie returned the pressure and waited until the other woman let go to retrieve her hand.
"Well come on in, both of you." She ushered them both in, leading the way to, what Soph assumed, would be somewhere to sit. She exchanged a quick glance with Kelly, the older girl smiled reassuringly.

They followed Alice through to a fairly open apartment layout. The vast majority of the place seemed to be contained within this one room; which looked to be informally divided into kitchen, dining area and living room. It was modern, lightly decorated and very clean. The far wall was almost entirely glass, curtains tied back here and there clearly intended for privacy should the resident feel the need. Alice strode through with purpose, moving to a very expensive looking drinks cabinet beside a packed bookcase.
"Drink?" She glanced over her shoulder and Kelly nodded as she led Soph over to a moderately uncomfortable looking black leather sofa.
"Whiskey." The head girl smirked and Soph shot her a grin.
"You too, Sophie? How do you take it?" Alice tipped her head as she poured.
"Neat, please." She smiled and nodded once as she sat.

To distract herself, she glanced around. It was a nice place, but there wasn't a lot of personal items; no pictures on the walls or the mantel above the obviously-for-show, fireplace. There were flowers here and there, orchids, but nothing that looked like it had been sat there for long... Even the books looked untouched. The place could have been a hotel.

Still, she was pulled from her thoughts as Alice passed them drinks and took a seat in the armchair across from them.
"So, how is the old place?" She smirked and raised her glass, Kelly and Soph mirrored her before the older girl started speaking.
"Still standing, had some trouble with funding, but we took care of it." She sounded smug, understandably, Soph chuckled to herself even as Alice grinned.
"I heard about that, excellent thinking using Camilla's brother." She winked and Kelly grinned.
"That was actually thanks to Soph, and her cousin." She shot her a proud smile and Sophie managed to shrug somewhat modestly.
"It was Annabelle more than me, I just gave her the vague idea." She took a pointed drink, shooting Kelly a grateful look, but at Alice's arched brow, she turned back.
"Annabelle? As in Camilla's niece? You're related to the Frittons?" She tipped her head and Soph nodded.
"My mother is a Fritton, Aunt Camilla's sister. She took my Dad's name when they married." She explained with an idle gesture and the woman nodded her understanding.
"How long have you been at the school?" Her gaze narrowed and Soph found herself sitting very still, like a rabbit in view of a fox.
"Only this last year." She answered directly.
"Why so late?" The question came just as fast.
"My mother hates the place, it was a last resort." Her drink sat in her hand, ignored.
"I take it there was a reason you weren't welcome elsewhere, what was it?" Her tone wasn't even pretending to be cheerful and she hadn't blinked once. Soph repressed the urge to swallow hard.
"Bad behaviour." She was almost tempted to explain, but pointedly didn't, the woman's brow raised further, silence falling.

Seconds ticked by as she stared back at the woman across the low glass coffee table. Alice crossed her legs at the knee, taking a long drink.
"Stop it, Mum." Kelly's eye roll was audible and Soph blinked, snapping herself out of whatever that had just been and taking a drink herself, Alice chuckled.
"Just getting to know her, but if you insist." She smirked, holding up a hand as if in surrender. She lowered it before directing her gaze back to Soph.
"Sorry, Sophie, I can be fairly direct." She sounded anything but sorry, Soph chuckled.
"It's fine, I'm used to it." She pointedly gave Kelly a nudge with her shoulder and received a bat to the leg in return, but the Jones' laughed.
"And I'm sure you just want to look out for your daughter." She finished her drink and set the glass down on the table before relaxing back against the sofa. As much as anyone could, that was; it was as uncomfortable as it looked. Alice smirked.
"Of course. Can't have her snagged by the first bad girl to drop themselves into her lap." Her tone was taunting but the serious edge to it made Soph raise her chin, before she could retaliate, however, she was beaten to it.
"Mum." Kelly's warning tone would have called Soph off, had it been directed at her, but the older Jones seemed to have no such problem.
"Just joking, Kelly, don't be so serious." Her eyes never left Soph, who stared right back. She didn't smile, instead she scrambled around in the back of her mind, searching out that stubborn arrogance she'd put away and dragging it forward. Just as she managed to right herself, Alice spoke again.
"Your birthday present is in my bedroom closet, why don't you go get it?" She still didn't take her eyes from her, and Sophie could feel Kelly hesitate. For a moment, Soph considered letting her linger, but she knew this searching stare, the feeling of an x-ray gaze passing through her and uncovering every one of her secrets.

It was more terrifying when Kelly did it.

Glancing away from the older woman, she met the Head Girl's gaze for a moment of offered half a smile.
"Go see, I'll wait here." She covered the older girl's hand with her own and squeezed lightly. After half a second of searching her face, Kelly returned the smile and stood.
"Play nice." She winked before turning to her mother with, what would inevitably be, a stern expression, and standing.

Her footsteps echoed in the silence and Soph watched her go before returning her gaze to the older Jones.
"The idea that someone could drop themselves into your daughter's lap is, frankly, ridiculous." She settled back against the sofa once more, bringing her ankle up to rest on her knee, her arm extended across the back of the damn uncomfortable chair. It was an arrogant pose, but Alice had taken the calculated 'power' position when she'd leaned onto her arm rest, glass of whiskey still in hand, and copying was just a cop out.
"Oh?" She tipped her head, her eyes narrow, Soph managed a ghost of a smirk.
"The fact that you have to ask shows how little you know her." It was a jab, an obvious one, but Alice had pulled a cheap shot already, turnabout was fair game. To her credit, the woman didn't even blink.
"But that's actually an excellent example of my point. Digging around in Kelly's head is next to impossible, even for her mother. How on earth could your run-of-the-mill bad girl even hope to manipulate her?" She arched a brow, a little smug, even more so as the woman's brows rose fractionally. Most people wouldn't notice, but Soph had been fighting to read the younger Jones for half a year, she'd had practice. Still, Alice smirked.
"So you're worse than run-of-the-mill?" She tipped her head, almost teasing at this point, Sophie deadpanned.
"By miles." Her honesty was clear, the other woman seemed almost surprised. She took a long drink.
"Then why should I allow you to continue to see her?" The older woman leaned forward to set her glass down before sitting back and resting both arms on her armrests. She was the judge above the courtroom, clearly ready to offer a death sentence, Sophie huffed with a humourless smirk.
"You shouldn't." She paused and waved a hand at nothing before setting her elbow on the arm of the sofa, resting her head on it.
"But what in the hell makes you think Kelly will listen to a word you say?" She arched a brow and, for once, the woman seemed stuck.
"Kelly Jones cannot be ordered or persuaded, and frankly, I think we both know that trying to do either of those things tends to end quite badly." She arched a brow while the woman seemed to consider this.
"Neither can she be ignored or resisted, apparently, which is why I'm here." She took her head from her hand to gesture to herself, Alice's expression turned curious.
"I tried. I tried very, very hard not to be remotely interested in your daughter. I failed. So as long as she wants me here, I'm stuck, and there is nothing you nor I can do about it." She shrugged and the woman actually looked mildly impressed.
"You're an interesting one, Sophie Daniels." She folded her arms as if that settled something and Soph flashed a grin.
"Thank you. Congratulations on raising Kelly, she's incredible." She managed to get the words out just before the bedroom door reopened, allowing Kelly back into the room.
"Ah, you're both still alive. I won't have to use my new toy." She waved the medium-sized package as she strode back in and clearly found them both smirking across the room at each other.
"Do you like it?" Alice arched a brow, looking almost excited; Kelly grinned as she made her way back to the sofa.
"I'm pretty sure it ranks in the top three laws I've broken so far." She dropped down onto the sofa where Soph's arm still lay across the back. She glanced over to get a look in the box but it proved unnecessary as Kelly picked up the object an gave it a wave.
"Possession of an unlicensed firearm." She was holding it by the hand grip with her finger away from the trigger, the safety was on, and the magazine was still in the box. She wasn't nervous or holding the gun gingerly; Kelly had experience with firearms, and good sense. Sophie smiled.

"Well, I was going to give it to you next year, but since you're joining the workforce soon, I didn't see the harm in a little personal protection." She gestured to the box and Kelly chuckled as she set the gun back down within it.
"Thanks mum." Kelly's smile was genuine as she put the lid back onto the box and set it to one side.
"Glad you like it, honey. Now come on, tell me all about that heist of yours. I only know what Camilla told me." She stood and collected up their glasses, moving to the drinks cabinet to refill. Soph relaxed her pose and crossed her legs at the ankles, removing her arm from the back of the sofa to offer a reassuring squeeze to Kelly's leg while her mother's back was turned. She was almost entirely sure the woman had been listening at the door, but she wanted to let her know she was okay. The gentle smile Kelly offered in return was enough to say she knew, and appreciated Sophie not just walking out.

They spent the next few hours regaling the woman with tales of St. Trinian's, but when it got close to six, Soph was surprised that Kelly was the one to remember their schedule.
"Anyway, we've got to get back, this one has a surprise planned." She nudged Soph with her knee and Alice arched a brow.
"Oh? Care to share?" She smirked and Soph chuckled, following Kelly's lead as she stood.
"Afraid not, top secret." She winked and the Jones' both laughed, Alice got to her feet, still chuckling.
"Well fair enough." She raised her arms and Kelly stepped over for a hug.
"Happy birthday, honey, I hope you have a good day." She hugged her tightly for a moment before the older woman turned to Soph.
"And it was good to meet you, Sophie. I hope to see you again." Her tone was light but her words carried an odd weight that made Soph's expression just that little more solemn as she shook her hand.
"You too, Alice." They stared each other down for a moment before they shared a nod and parted.

Alice was an odd woman, and honestly, Sophie dreaded to think what she would do to her if something bad happened between her and Kelly… Assuming Kelly didn't get to her first.

They made their way out into the hall and stepped into the lift, as the doors shut and they began to descend, Sophie only had one thing to say.
"Now I see where you get it from." She smirked at her fuzzy reflection in the metal doors and felt, more than saw, Kelly's confused glance.
"Get what?" The frown was evident in her voice and Soph couldn't help but smile slightly as she turned to face her.
"Everything." She grinned and Kelly laughed, leaning down to kiss her as the doors slid open.

The ride home was quiet, music filling the comfortable silence between them as they sped back to the school. There was a little spare time, so she left Kelly at their room with instructions to dress however she wanted to and head up to the roof in half an hour. Then she was off; still having a few things to get ready before it was time.

At half past seven, Soph was stood on the roof, slightly nervously shifting from foot to foot as Annabelle and Chelsea added the finishing touches around the area.
"It'll be fine, Soph." Her cousin placed a hand on her shoulder and she turned to the girl with a grimace.
"Is it too much?" She winced at the idea she'd gone too far and Annabelle smiled gently.
"No, she'll love it. Try to relax." With one last squeeze of her shoulder, the girl backed up and she and Chelsea departed, the latter shooting a far too condescending smile over her shoulder as she left. If Soph hadn't just paid them both just to do all this, she'd kill them. Sadly, that was the case, so now she'd have to put up with the taunting. Honestly, she wasn't sure which price was steeper.

She shuffled again, brushing imaginary creases out of her shirt. She'd dressed up, sort of. A black shirt under a black blazer with matching trousers and a pair of ankle high boots that pointed at the toes. It was about as formal as she ever got, and honestly she wondered if she should have cautioned Jones that she was planning this sort of thing, but in the end, if Kelly turned up in her uniform, jeans and a t-shirt or even her PJs, she'd be comfortable and Soph would still think she was beautiful, so really, did it matter?

She turned to the table she'd had brought up; it was fairly small, big enough for the pair of them, but not so big that they'd be miles away from each other. The area was lit with the various strings of fairy lights that always adorned the roof, but her 'decorators' had added candles, probably thinking them 'romantic'. There was also an empty whiskey bottle on the table, with two roses in it. It had been a wine bottle, but Soph had made the adjustment in an act of sentimentality. Neither of them drank wine. Light music filled the air that she honestly couldn't name, having left that to her 'decorators' too, but it was only there to make the silence less empty, so it didn't really matter to her what it was, she wasn't exactly going to be listening to it.

The creak of a door behind her was followed by the familiar snap of heels on the stone slabs and she turned, nervously running a hand through her hair, until her gaze landed on the woman before her.

Well… Fuck.

Soph had to swallow hard before she remembered how to breathe.

The door shut behind the woman as she made her way forward and Soph took her in. Her heels were high, a good few inches, but not the ones she wore day to day, they were open at the toes, probably very uncomfortable. Above that flowed a dress, it was black, but seemingly made of layers of Gaussian fabric meaning that depending on how it flowed as she walked, Soph got glimpses of her legs through it. Of course, she got a much clearer view every time the two long slashes up the sides flared open but there was something about the almost visible silhouette beneath the material that made Soph's mouth turn dry. It was held tight at the waist by a belt and sat high at the front, in something Soph vaguely recalled from her various proms as a bateau neckline. It fit her flawlessly, leaving her arms bare but for the tattoo gracing her left arm. Above the neckline sat the choker Soph had bought, sitting nicely in the hollow of her throat, a little out of theme, but the sentimentality was appreciated. She'd curled her hair just a little, pinning it all to one side. Honestly, Soph had no idea what had happened to her normal straight fringe, but she wasn't going to have the presence of mind to ask about it for… The rest of her life, as far as she could tell. Gone was the dark red lipstick that struck her dumb every other day of the week, in its place was something a little subtler, but no less enchanting, though Soph would guess it was to avoid drawing focus from the smoky look she'd gone for around her eyes.

Damn…

What was she doing again?

"I guessed right." Apparently a lot closer than she had realised, Kelly smirked and Soph cleared her throat, wetting her lips and stepping forward to meet her.
"You could have dressed however you wanted, it's your birthday." She slid a hands up over the woman's arms, almost confirming to herself that she was real as they reached each other. Kelly chuckled.
"I knew you'd have done something dramatic." She smirked down at her and Sophie shook her head with a long sigh, leaning up and capturing her lips, honestly amazed that she was even allowed to be near such a person.
"You look incredible." She almost whispered against her lips and couldn't help but smile as Kelly's hands slipped under her jacket, arms winding around her waist.
"So do you. How attached are you to this plan of yours?" The older girl's lips brushed hers as she spoke and Soph gave a quiet groan as she let herself indulge in another kiss, when they broke apart she sighed.
"About as much as I cared about the breakfast at this point." She grumbled, letting her hands rest on either side of the woman's face to pull her back down again. Kelly chuckled and pulled her closer but gave a mischievous hum that let Soph know she was doomed to a night of restlessness thanks to her own planning.
"It's a shame I'm hungry." She stepped back, forcing Soph to release her or fall over and she let go very reluctantly.
"I hate you, so much." She grumbled but moved around to one side of the table, pulling out a chair with a slightly bitter smile.
"I'm sure." Kelly strutted forward and gracefully put herself in the offered seat, letting Soph tuck it in for her before pouring them both a drink. It was beer, since they both hated wine and whiskey wasn't really a dinner drink, but Kelly smiled as though she'd done something right so when she took her seat, she raised her glass.
"Happy Birthday, love." She smiled a little awkwardly and Kelly tapped their glasses together.

As they set them down, Jones' grin returned.
"Well, I know you didn't decorate this yourself." She glanced around and Soph chuckled, running a hand over the back of her neck.
"Annabelle and Chelsea are better at this stuff." She gave a sheepish grin and the other woman chuckled.
"Delegating, a good skill." She smirked and it was Sophie's turn to laugh.
"I learned from the best." A wink had them both grinning as the door opened and a series of first years came in carrying trays. Dinner was served.

Dinner was nothing special, really, it was pretty much what everyone else would be having, just plated in a nicer way, but it was hardly the point. They laughed and talked over it, first years bringing dessert when they were done and Soph playing waiter for their drinks. After the food was gone, they remained sat and switched the whiskey, talking the hours away as the blessedly clear night rolled on.

Eventually, the jacket Soph had given up to keep her from getting too cold wasn't enough and Kelly began to shiver again.
"Cold?" She tipped her head, taking a sip from her glass, and Kelly shook hers.
"Not enough to want this to end." She smiled and Sophie laughed, getting to her feet and checking the time.
"It's not over yet, but I can help with the cold." She moved around and offered the woman her hand. Kelly took it with a chuckle, letting Soph help her to her feet. Her hands were always just that little bit cool, but now they were cold, guilt briefly flashed through Soph's stomach at the idea that she'd been holding out on mentioning it. Gently, she led them both over to the low wall beside the chimney stack, where a blanket and a lot of pillows had been laid out. She smirked as she gestured to it.
"Have a seat, I'll be right back." She gave a secretive smile as Kelly's questioning head tilt but the woman seemed to accept the further shenanigans and elegantly took a seat. For a moment, Soph moved about the roof, shutting off the fairy lights be leaving the candles for a little light before retrieving their drinks and the bottle. She returned and set them down on the blanket before dropping down beside Kelly, pulling a spare blanket around her shoulders before leaning back against the wall and opening her arms.
"Come here, then." She smiled and Jones chuckled as she moved to lean back against her shoulder. Unable to keep the grin from her face, Soph enveloped them both in the blanket, wrapping an arm about the other woman's waist to keep her close. Damn, she was cold, but at her contented sigh, Soph's guilt eased a little.
"Better?" She turned her head to press her lips into the woman's hair and smiled as she nodded.
"Much." She nuzzled closer and Sophie almost shivered as warm breath ghosted across her collarbone, choosing instead to squeeze the woman tighter for half a moment.
"I'm glad." The honesty in her own voice twisted her gut.

She was happy, happy that the woman was so comfortable curled up against her… Happy to have done anything to make her day even remotely better… Fucking hell… She was happy just to be near her. Her eyes burned as she pressed her lips into the top of the woman's head once more and Kelly must have sensed some change in her demeanour as she tipped her head up to meet her gaze.
"What's wrong?" She frowned slightly and Soph brought her free hand up to the side of the woman's face, shaking her head.
"You're so beautiful." It wasn't a lie, Kelly was beautiful, inside and out, and Sophie did not deserve her.

Instead of letting the woman answer, she leaned down, bringing their lips together in a kiss she hoped said more than she ever could. She was shit at words, but she hoped against hope that Kelly could understand this.

They broke apart as a high pitched whistle split the silence of the night, followed by a loud bang and a flash of colour.
"Christ!" Kelly's hiss and flinch made Soph chuckle as they watched the golden sparks rain down in the sky. She had one last surprise for her, and damn, if she wasn't one for a grand finale.
"Happy Birthday, Kelly Jones." She grinned to herself as she leaned down to mutter the words in her ear and couldn't help but beam with pride as Kelly settled back into her arms, warm and comfortable, as the firework display began.

It was fairly short, and dramatic as all hell, but as the final sparks rained from above them, Kelly turned to face her.
"What did I do to deserve you?" Her tone was almost awed and it struck Soph like a knife to the heart. She shook her head.
"That's not the question to ask." She frowned but the other woman scowled, catching her by the cheek.
"No, you're amazing. Today has been amazing… You did all this, you help me so much and I-" She was struggling to find the right words, but each one was another blade, Soph cut her off.
"No. Believe me, Kelly. I'm far from amazing." She shook her head, suddenly tired, so tired, even as outrage passed onto the head girl's face.
"Don't say that about yourself." She was angry, Sophie wished it was for the right reason.
"Someone has to, if you-…" She cut herself off, sliding out from behind her to stalk across the roof, unsure if she could even look at her.
"If you knew…" She muttered to herself, rubbing her hands over her face as though it would clear the pain settling into her gut.
"If I knew what?" Closer than she expected, Kelly's voice came from behind her.

She'd followed her? Well fuck.

She turned, her eyes on the floor.

Two paths lay before her. She could lie, it would be so easy to lie. Hell, she wouldn't even need to, she could just fish out some other great misdeed and feign guilt at that.

Or…

She could tell her.

Be rid of the guilt, the twisting pain in her gut. Kelly didn't deserve to be deceived, not by anyone, and certainly not by her. She couldn't keep this up, not anymore.

She raised her head to meet her gaze and the deep concern she found there only drove the final nail into her coffin. She was too good, too good for Soph to keep lying to her. Swallowing hard, she shut her eyes, letting out a long breath before opening them once more.

"I'm not a good person, Kel'." She began, her voice coming out almost exhausted, months of keeping this buried were more tiring than she'd even noticed. The woman frowned in confusion, moving to take a step forward. Sophie backed up a step and she stopped.
"When I came here… God, when I came here…" She muttered the second to herself, running a hand through her hair at the memory. It wasn't even that long ago, but so much had changed… Who even was she anymore?
"I came to get revenge, for Annabelle." She gestured to the roof door as if her cousin stood behind it.
"I wanted to punish whoever put her on the internet, pay them back, then leave. That was the plan." She cast her gaze to the floor, unable to raise her head.

"That plan never changed. Not during the drinking contest, not the hockey match, or after it." They both knew she was talking about their kiss.
"Not when I was sleeping with Chelsea, not when we planned the heist. Not even when we slept together." She dragged her fingers through her hair, gripping it tightly as she fought against her disgust at herself. She raised her head and found Kelly staring at her with a disturbingly emotionless mask.
"You have to know that wasn't a part of it. I didn't plan it, but you were…" She felt her eyes begin to burn.
"You were beyond anything I could have imagined. I couldn't ignore the way I felt no matter how much I wanted to." She dared herself to move half a step closer.
"I almost sabotaged myself, I told you not to trust me." Beyond burning now, she felt a tear pass over her cheek.
"Everything I did, it was like there were two of you. The head girl I was trying to destroy and… you." She lowered her gaze once more like a scolded dog, unable to keep looking at that cold expression.
"When it came to the heist… I weakened the rope, made a cut in it that I knew would snap eventually, and leave one or more of you stuck, stranded, to be caught and thrown in prison. It worked, I won. No matter what my feelings became over the time I've been here, that was my goal from the very beginning. Everything I did was to lead you there." Her legs were numb beneath her as she stared at the stone, aware of hot tears on own face as she admitted to Kelly, admitted to herself, everything she'd done.

As real as her feelings had become, there was a time when she'd have done anything to see the woman hang. She was a terrible person, and Kelly didn't deserve to be stuck thinking she was anything other than that.

Silence filled the air around them.

The music had stopped when the fireworks began, and now there was just the wind rustling the distant trees.
"Look at me." It was an order, not a question. No hint of the soft voice Kelly often used to talk to her, only the cold, commanding tone of the Head Girl. Slowly, Soph raised her head.

Immediately, she stepped back, unprepared for the sheer fury in the other woman's eyes even as her face remained expressionless.
"You lied to me." The statement was a punch to the gut; Sophie almost doubled over. Still, she nodded, aware it wasn't a question, but too ashamed to do anything but agree.
"You manipulated me." Her voice was low and deadly, like poison in the air. Sophie nodded again, barely daring to breathe.

"You bastard." Her voice cracked and for the briefest moment Soph caught a glimpse of the pain beneath the stony façade. Something inside her snapped like a twig and her legs gave out, sending her to her knees on the hard stone slabs with a dull thud.
"Kelly…" It was barely a whisper, broken and choked as the woman towered over her, fury embodied as she stared down at her.
"No." She cut her off with a sharp command and Soph's mouth snapped shut as if someone was forcing it so. Her jacket was thrown to one side, before Jones' hands found the clasp of her choker. She fumbled with it a moment before her shaking hands and uncontrollable anger pushed her too far and she straight up yanked it off, the clasp breaking with a sickening snap that felt like a sword to the gut even as the choker itself was thrown at her head.
"Fuck you." It was a hissed curse, spat with all the menace a single person could muster, and like that, the older girl turned on her heel and stormed away, leaving Sophie to stare at the space where she had been, empty but for the despair that stormed in her mind as the door to the roof slammed shut behind the only woman she'd ever wanted.

The woman she'd betrayed.


The End.

Well, I hope you all enjoyed reading, but I think I'm going to cut it here.

Nah, even I'm not that mean.

Okay, I may have grown up, but the teenage angst is still strong in my soul. My sincerest apologies, I can't just leave people to be happy, but let's face it, no-one could live with that guilt forever. I guess we'll see what happens now next week. I hope you all enjoyed reading, I certainly had fun writing, and I hope to see you next week - J.