A/N: I've used a few lines from the show here and there, so you'll see them dotted about.

Also, it might seem as though I've forgotten about the crash, but don't worry, I haven't ...

Thank you to everyone still reading and a massive thank you to Mrs Carmichael, FaeMelody, fayeftvanity, RachelMasonFan39, LittleH12, hannah5240 and Lynny for the reviews!

Please enjoy.

Burning under your control

Chapter fourteen.

Controlling someone is having the ability to influence and dominate a vulnerable human being.

Desperate.

An unforgiving atmosphere swarmed all three of them. Rachel had contemplated walking out the door there and then, but she knew it would be a continuous battle within herself. Melissa had a habit of showing up at the most unpredictable and inconvenient times; it was almost as if she had a sense when Rachel had finally found happiness. The realisation of how much damage she had done was hard-hitting and Rachel knew she'd have to bail her out, once more. Phil cleared his throat nervously and hoped that someone would say something to break the harsh silence. It had worked, and in true nature, Melissa was eager to get her sister to talk.

'Rach, say something .. please?', Melissa begged, as she was becoming painfully desperate.

'How?', Rachel's words were harsh and by no means did she feel guilt.

'I don't know', Mel answered. Rachel became infuriated with the lies and she pulled herself back from entering a screaming match. It wasn't her style, and truth be told, she had far more class than that.

'Mel, don't lie to me. How?', Rachel continued to interrogate as she took an authoritative stance. She'd switched to headteacher mode, and it was slightly frightening for Melissa. She'd felt her sister's wrath a handful of times and this would be no exception.

'She can't hold a job down, Rach', Phil intervened as he stepped away from the wall and looked between his aunt and his mother. He watched as Rachel shook her head and sighed before glaring at Melissa.

'Yeah alright love, you can go now', Melissa scolded. Rachel sensed his anger and panic, but she realised the only way to protect him would to be to remove him from the situation.

'Phil, look second room on the first floor, put your stuff in and I'll come and have a proper catch up in a bit.'

Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, and it caused Steph to abruptly stop midway through her sentence. Her year ten class cast their eyes towards the interruption. Eddie's fist hurled at the door creating three loud thumps before he swung it open.

'Miss Haydock, a word', Eddie demanded, his eyes burning onto hers. She knew exactly what this would be about. She instructed her class to quietly discuss amongst themselves the topic in question, and slipped out to the corridor, shutting the door tightly behind her.

'Am I under attack or something?', she joked as she laughed lightly.

'Look it might be music to your ears, but it's not funny Steph. Nothing has happened with me and Rachel, so your reliable source is-', Eddie rambled before Steph interrupted him.

'Rachel's sister actually', Steph corrected, crossing her arms and giving him a wry smile. Sniggers could be heard erupting from inside Steph's classroom, and the two teachers now fully noticed just how loud they were being. Eddie looked at though he were about to boil over and glared at the pupils before they took his cue to settle down.

'I'm aware', he whispered angrily. Pulling his hand from his pocket he pointed in her direction.

'You just wait until Rachel finds out!'

A quiet knock jolted Phillip from his thoughts, and he felt relief as his aunt walked in from the landing. She gave him a warm smile and slowly took a few steps into the room.

'Hey', she breathed as she perched a seat on the edge of his bed. He looked at her for a few moments, nodded, and then regained his focus on the floor.

'You okay?', she questioned. Her delicacy towards the question reassured him she would not push, but that she was there for him to confide in her. He pondered for a little while, unsure whether to talk or just to pretend that everything was okay.

'She's made a mess again, Rach', his words hit her like a ton of bricks, and she wanted to get angry. Melissa didn't deserve Phillip, and that was fact. He deserved someone with stability and someone who would give him the best life he could have and Melissa had shown nothing of the sort.

'I know love', she admitted defeated. She placed her hand on his back to provide the extra support he needed.

'It's bad this time. I .. I wish she could see how much of a bit-', Rachel cut him off just as he was about to release his anger and curse his mother.

'Hey, come on, I know you're angry and I'm bloody angry too but .. it's not going to make it better', Rachel said as she continued to control the situation. He nodded once more, and they finally took the opportunity for that catch up.

Upon reaching the kitchen, Rachel blanked Melissa, purposely. She rooted through the drawer and sighed in frustration before she found the item she had been hunting for. Grabbing a pen from the side and scribbling furiously at the page, she could feel the anger returning.

'Rach, wh ..what are doing?', Melissa stuttered as she briskly walked over to her.

'What does it look like I'm doing? I'm writing you a cheque. I want to see exactly where it's going and who to', her demands confirmed that she was in fact paying Melissa's debts. Rachel was unsure whether it was stupidity or the fact that Melissa knew Rachel wouldn't leave her struggle. Regardless of what it was, Rachel vowed never to be in this situation again.

'Rach, I really appreciate-', Melissa began, but not before Rachel halted her.

'You'll be paying it back', her tone was flat and her face motionless.

'Ah .. of course', Melissa muttered. Slightly shocked at her sister's clarification that she would repay her debts this time, it became apparent that Rachel would not be messing around this time.

'To Phillip', Rachel demanded as she slammed the cheque down in front of her. The underlying anger in Rachel caused Melissa to jump. She wondered why her debts would be repaid to Phil, and although she wanted to express her annoyance, she knew better than to battle against Rachel.

'Phil?', Melissa questioned.

'Starting Monday, you'll have a job in the canteen. Any extra money you have will be repaid into an account for Phillip. It's the least you can do, Melissa.'

Eddie had waited all of forty-five minutes before his fingertip hovered over her number. He was desperate to call her and put his mind at ease. The uncertainty of whether she was okay disturbed him a little. He understood there were boundaries, however her safety had bypassed that. The seconds ticked by, and just as he were about to find the confidence, her number flashed across the screen. He didn't even need to take the time to think, he'd answered her call with only one ring.

Eddie: Hey

Rachel: Hey

Eddie: How'd it go?

Rachel: Ah .. it's just .. she's going to be hanging around for a while.

Eddie: Really?

Rachel: Yes. Look Eddie, I've given her a job in the can't-

Eddie: Rachel!

Rachel: Please don't, Eddie ... Is there even a school to come back to?

Eddie: Ha-ha, very funny, Miss Mason. I can assure you it's still standing.

Rachel: Good.

Eddie: Look, um ..

Rachel: What is it?

Eddie: I- .. can I invite you round for dinner, tomorrow?

Rachel: Eddie, I can't-

Eddie: I need to be honest with you.