Hollie and Scout were taking advantage of the time they were supposed to be using in Nikki's lesson to research information for their essays on J.D. Salinger to finish off their Midsummer Night's Dream presentations for Mrs Mulgrew, who had scheduled the last years in for extra English lessons with her. They heard Nikki telling Dynasty and Imogen off for doing precisely the same thing and hurriedly switched the screens as she walked passed, heading out of the library where Hollie could see Vix waiting for her.
When Nikki returned a couple of moments later, she appeared to be in a worse mood than she had been when she left. Scout shot her friend a curious look, but Hollie simply shrugged and returned her attention to the page of information on the screen. Ten minutes later, she dismissed her class for break time, reminding them that she wanted their essays in on the coming Wednesday afternoon.
"Hey, we still bowling tonight?" Rhiannon asked enthusiastically, joining the other girls by their lockers.
"Oh, bowling! How wholesome!" Gabriella mocked, appearing at her own locker and smirking at the group.
"I thought it was just us two?" Imogen asked Dynasty looking confused.
"I can't make it 'cos of Eve coming up, but Scout and Zoe mentioned they'd be up for it." Hollie said, stuffing her Geography textbook into her bag and turning the catch on her locker.
"Oh, right… you guys go. I fancy a night in, I think." Imogen said, locking her own locker and turning to walk away.
"Or if you fancy a girl's night out, I'm up for it." Gabriella chipped in.
"Thanks, that's really kind of you." The brunette said with a smile. "But I should stay in. I've been out every night with Connor this week." She turned back to the trio behind her. "I'm gonna go get a drink from the canteen. D'you want anything?"
"Yeah… yeah, alright, we'll come." Scout nodded, pushing her arm through Zoe's.
"Dyn?"
"Nah, I'm alright. You go on."
"So, we're ready for the presentation, right?" Scout asked Gabriella as she passed.
"All done and dusted."
"Great!"
As they headed through the double doors and along the corridor, Hollie punched her friend lightly on the arm. "Don't get all pally with that cow, Scout."
"Hey! Gabriella's alright."
"She's horrible." Hollie retorted with a scowl. "She's a stuck up bitch."
"Hollie!" Imogen looked shocked. "I know you don't see eye-to-eye with her, but she's not that bad."
Her Geography lesson after break seemed to drag, until finally, the bell rang and Hollie made her way to her extra English lesson. She took a seat at the back of the classroom with Zoe, while Imogen slipped into a seat at the table in front of theirs. Scout and Gabriella were sitting at the table at the front and Hollie kept sending them irritated glances, scowling as the blonde flipped her hair, laughing loudly at whatever she was saying.
When it was their turn, Hollie and Zoe got up and gave their presentation, focusing on the challenging of traditional gender stereotypes that was present in the play. Mrs Mulgrew praised their effort and they sat down, slightly smug at the praise they had received. Next, though, it was Scout and Gabriella's turn and the smug smirks she kept directing in Hollie's direction made the brunette want to storm to the front of the classroom and punch her again.
"Dynasty, where've you been, the class is almost over?" Mrs Mulgrew asked as the teenager walked into the room as the applause for Scout and Gabriella's presentation was dying down.
"I didn't feel well, Miss." Dynasty said and Hollie could tell that her friend had been crying.
"Right. Well, as you're here, I'd like to see your presentation, please. Imogen?"
The two girls went to the front of the class and started preparing for their presentation. Zoe and Hollie exchanged a look but, as the former opened her mouth to ask what her friend thought was wrong with Dynasty, Hollie shook her head and focused her attention on the front of the class.
"William Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream demonstrates the various headstrong women that were restrained by society." Dynasty started, pausing to click on to the next slide.
She froze momentarily, before beginning to tap frantically at the keyboard as nothing came up. The girls exchanged a look as their presentation remained blank.
"Girls, is there a problem?"
"Dynasty can't find the slides." Imogen announced immediately.
Her best friend rounded on her. "Don't blame me! I did the work!"
"May I make a suggestion?" Gabriella said loudly.
Dynasty stormed around the desk and banged her hands hard on the surface of the table between her and her new nemesis. "You can shut up!"
"OK, outside, now! Both of you."
As Mrs Mulgrew ushered both Imogen and Dynasty out of the classroom, closing the door firmly behind her, the level of chatter rose immediately. Hollie could hear Gabriella saying how she wasn't surprised that the girls hadn't done the work and that she hoped the head teacher would make an example of them. It wasn't fair, she said, that those who didn't do the work go away with it while those who made the effort received no benefit.
"You can shut your mouth right now." Hollie snapped at her, standing up so abruptly that her chair toppled over. "I know Dynasty did that work because she showed us."
"She's right." Zoe agreed with a nod. "She definitely did it."
"Really?" Gabriella smirked. "So where is it now?"
There was a pause and then Hollie narrowed her eyes. "Did you do something to their presentation?" When the blonde refused to answer, her mouth dropped open. "Oh my god, you did, didn't you?"
The bell rang at that moment and the door opened, preventing Gabriella from having to answer. She gathered up her things, stalking out of the room and leaving her classmates staring after her with varying expressions.
"You really have to get over this thing you've got against Gabriella. You're just going to get into trouble." Scout said in a low voice as they headed along the corridors towards the canteen.
"Screw you."
"Hey, come on, don't be like that."
"I'm not being like anything." Hollie snapped. "I need to go and see my Mum."
Stamping away along the corridor, the girl completely ignored her friends' attempts to call after her. She went to Nikki's office first, but there was no answer when she knocked on the door, so she headed back along to the English corridor, where she found her sitting at her desk. Screwing up her nose at the sight of the woman eating her lunch and reading a book, Hollie dropped her bag on one of the tables and moved to seat on the table closest to her mother.
"What are you reading? The Teenager and You. Is this because of Eve?" Hollie snorted with laughter. "If you hadn't noticed, I'm a teenager and you've been dealing with me more or less fine for the past year or so."
"It's actually really helpful." Nikki told her with an irritated smile. Then she poked her tongue out. "I'm enjoying it."
"Yeah, right." Her daughter laughed. "When's she getting here, anyway?"
"Sometime this afternoon. She's going to text when she's about ten minutes away from the station." Hollie nodded and pulled out a packet of crisps from her bag. Nikki rolled her eyes, but didn't comment on her daughter's unhealthy choice of snack. "What are you doing here, anyway? Why aren't you with your mates?"
Hollie shrugged. "Fancied eating lunch with you, that's all."
"Are you regretting pushing me to let Eve come up?"
"No!" The teenager said immediately. "I can't wait. I just… wanted to spend some time with you on my birthday, that's all."
Nikki smiled warmly at her. She was about to say something, when the door opened and Mr Reid appeared.
"Real page turner, eh?" He said, motioning towards the book Nikki was still holding up. "Apologies for the ambush; Si beat me to it. It was all very, uhh, last minute."
"Well, it's lucky for you that I've got a free period this afternoon."
"Mmm… I noticed, earlier. I also noticed that you weren't wearing your engagement ring." He glanced at Hollie, as though wondering whether he should have made that comment in front of the teenager.
"I took it off when I was washing up." Nikki explained and Hollie let out a small breath she hadn't realised she was holding.
"I know you think I'm a bit of a joker and that I can't take anything seriously, but if you ever did want to talk… it wouldn't go any further."
"Don't you think you've done enough?"
"Should I go?" He asked.
"What do you think?"
"OK, but… we still have to work together." He nodded and then turned to leave the room. Before he had taken two steps, he paused and turned back. "So, next lesson… there is something I forgot to mention…"
Part of Hollie was glad that her double Chemistry lesson had been replaced by a Resilience Education session. The other part of her was immensely irritated that she was being made to scale the ginormous wooden wall on her birthday. She hadn't wanted to sign up for the Resilience Education in the first place but a combination of peer pressure and wanting to impress her mother had led to her doing it anyway.
"OK, everyone. Come on, gather round, gather round!" Mr Reid commanded from the top of the wall. "A little bit of hush, please! So, you've all seen and had a go on the assault course before and a small number of you have even succeeded. But today you will all succeed. In your teams you will help your comrades across the finishing line. Consider this," he banged the wooden wall he was seated on with his palms, "your Everest."
"Do we have to, Sir?" Rhiannon asked, just as unimpressed as Hollie was.
"Yes, we do. And today… we have company!" There was a dramatic pause. "Sergeant Boston!"
"Oh, for fuck's sake…" Hollie muttered under her breath. "You are kidding me…"
Nikki emerged from the school, dressed in camouflage gear and blowing a whistle. "Everyone in line, now!"
"Why are we being filmed?" One of the boys asked, pointing at Mr Lowsley who was pointing a camera at them.
"Silence!"
"Err, actually, I probably should answer this one." Mr Reid acknowledged. "We are giving a presentation this evening to the rest of the staff about the Resilience Camp and we wanna showcase you guys. Carry on."
"Alright…" Nikki smirked. "Your mission if you accept which, obviously, you will," she paused as Mr Lowsley got too close to her face with the camera, sending him the same death stare she often sent her daughter, "is to conquer this assault course. No man, no woman, is to be left behind. I want two teams with two captains. Put your hands up."
Gabriella put her hand up immediately.
"Anyone else?"
Dynasty, noticing the blonde's raised hand, shot hers up as well. "Me, Sir, I will."
"Gabriella Wark, Dynasty Barry, come here… pick your teams."
The team picking was quick fire. Somehow Hollie ended up on Dynasty's team with Zoe, while Imogen and Scout ended up with Gabriella. Annoyed beyond belief, Hollie and Dynasty exchanged a look, their resolve strengthening and their determination to beat the stuck up blonde rising dramatically.
"On the line, organise yourselves." Nikki ordered.
"And remember; team work makes the dream work!"
"Hollie, be careful of your shoulder." Her mother cautioned her in a low voice, receiving an eye roll in return. She raised her whistle to her lips. "Ready? Three, two, one!"
They were off at once. Dynasty and Gabriella were the first over the wall, neck and neck as they raced towards the benches they had to cross without falling off. Hollie and Imogen were equally matched as they cleared the top of the wall next, following in their captains' footsteps.
Both teams were pushing themselves hard, their competitive edges taking over. Gabriella was slightly ahead of Dynasty as they reached the camouflage nets that posed the final obstacle in the course. The captains raised the sides to allow their teams to pass under more easily and Hollie shot underneath, beaming as she realised that she was the first to finish.
Nikki nodded at her, clapping her approval with a broad, proud grin on her face. Hollie screamed delightedly as Dynasty made it out from under the net marginally before Gabriella did, hugging her friend tightly as their team celebrated their win.
"How's your shoulder?" Nikki asked once they had sent the teenagers inside to change.
Her daughter shrugged. "Twinging a bit, but it's OK."
"D'you need one of your painkillers?"
"Nah, it'll be fine." The teenager assured her mother with a smile.
She went in to get changed, sending suspicious looks towards Gabriella who was getting changed near Imogen and Rhiannon. There was something about the way she had a self-satisfied smirk constantly pinned to her lips that made Hollie's blood boil.
Just as the girl was pushing her clothes back into her PE bag, a commotion drew her attention and she realised that Dynasty had Gabriella up against the wall. A second later, the taller girl pulled away and went running out of the changing rooms. Hollie shot Imogen, who had knelt on the floor beside Gabriella rather than going to see if her best friend was alright, a dirty look. Then she turned tail and left, banging the doors behind her.
"Hey, Mum?" She asked, emerging from the changing rooms and finding Nikki and Mr Reid in the corridor. She glanced up and down the corridor for a sign of her friend. "Have you seen Dyn–? Eve!"
Nikki whirled around at her older daughter's words and saw her younger daughter standing behind her. She was almost knocked over as Hollie barged past to give her sister a tight hug, which was enthusiastically returned.
"Hey!"
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, the train was cheaper in the afternoon, so I… thought I'd come and surprise you." She explained, giving their mother a slightly awkward hug, before allowing Hollie to push her arm through hers.
"Great! Brilliant!"
"Happy birthday, by the way." She said, turning to the older girl and smiling warmly. "I got you something, but it's in my bag."
"You didn't have to!" Hollie told her, although they both knew she was thinking otherwise.
Eve laughed. "Yeah, I did."
"Yeah, you did." Her sister agreed with a grin.
"Sorry, I… I hope it's OK that I'm here?"
"Yeah!" Her mother said firmly. "Of course it is! Look, we'll go grab a tea… a cup of tea. Right, umm…" she handed the stack of cones she was still carrying to Mr Reid without looking at him. "Can you finish up here?"
"Sure." He agreed as the three females headed up the steps in the direction of the canteen.
They chatted for a while but then, as the bell went, Nikki remembered about the Resilience Education presentation and asked her daughters to go with her. She didn't seem to believe that they didn't really mind and checked they were OK with it several times.
"Are you sure you don't mind coming to this drinks thing with me?" She asked as they made their way towards the staff room.
"I'd rather not… it is my birthday, after all." Hollie reminded her.
"I was actually talking to Eve."
"Great, thanks." The older teenager rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You better have got me something really good to make up for this."
Nikki swatted at her arm. "Eve, as I was asking, are you sure? I promised I'd be there."
"No, whatever. I'm cool."
"You heading down?" Mr Reid called from behind them.
"Yep, on our way."
"Actually, where are the toilets?" Eve asked, shooting Hollie a meaningful look.
"Oh, err, down the corridor–"
"I'll show her. It's easier." Hollie said with a smile, linking her arm through her sister's and pulling her away.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Eve stopped and looked seriously at Hollie. "OK, spill. What's the deal with Mum and that guy?"
"Nothing." Hollie pulled a face. "Well, I reckon he fancies her, but the less said about that, the better."
"So, you said her and Tom broke up?"
"Yeah… he's coming to my dinner tomorrow, though, 'cos they're still mates. You'll meet Auntie Jo and her family. And…"
"And?"
Hollie frowned. "It's not really… you'll see."
Eve's eyes narrowed as she stared at her sister. "What?"
"Let's go."
Pulling her by the hand, Hollie directed them back to where Nikki was waiting for them on the stairs. They walked to the staff room, chatting cheerfully. As soon as they entered, Mr Lowsley offered them drinks and Hollie immediately accepted, earning herself an eye roll from her mother.
"Red wine?" Eve asked.
Nikki snorted. "Yeah, nice try. It's bad enough not being able to stop that one now."
As Hollie stuck her tongue out, accepting the glass of white wine, Mrs Lowsley approached, smiling at Eve. The younger girl looked slightly concerned, glancing at her mother and sister for reassurance and some sort of explanation.
"Ahh, you must be Eve. I've heard all about you!"
"Sue… actually, I haven't…" Nikki started awkwardly.
"It is so lovely to meet you. You can call me Auntie Sue. Hollie won't, but you're probably not as grumpy as her."
"I am not grumpy." Hollie argued, glaring at her chemistry teacher.
"Err… OK…" Eve replied, totally nonplussed by the situation. Nikki appeared to be having a mini breakdown.
"Sue, I think we're nearly ready to start." Mr Reid ushered her away, with a final 'lovely to meet you' over her shoulder.
"Who was that?" Eve asked, looking between Nikki and Hollie in bemusement.
"Just some nutter…" Hollie told her, receiving a light smack on the arm from her mother.
Nikki shook her head. "I could do with a drink."
"What…?" Eve turned to Hollie instead, but the older girl just shrugged, taking a huge gulp of her wine.
"This place? It's full of nutters."