The road was long, very long. I had Sonia's singing in my ears for the whole journey, she convinced me to put Grease The Soundtrack on. I regretted it, the moment the first song played.
"Can you please keep it down" I felt bad, but her singing was awful. If I wanted to listen to her, I would have asked.
"Alright, who twisted your knickers" Sonia's face screwed up and turned a little red. We had gotten to Yarmouth safe and (too much) sound. I had booked us into the Sunnyside Bed And Breakfast, yes the name was a little too optimistic for me, I know. We arrived in the lobby to get the keys to our room, I had gotten a room to share, I couldn't handle being on my own. Room 6, there weren't many rooms in this place, I wasn't used to such a small building. I liked to stay in five star hotels, but I wanted to stay low key.
The room was a decent size, two beds with nice bedding. There was a nice smell of vanilla in the room and complimentary chocolates on both the pillows.
"Oh chockies!" Sonia beamed, she'd had a whole bag of Revels on the way here and still got excited at the sight of chocolate. I couldn't eat anything on the way here, I felt sick to the stomach knowing I was seeing Brooklyn. I was excited and scared someone would find out. I needed food, I could smell fish and chips from our bedroom. The smell wafted in through the open window, Sonia too hot for some odd reason; it wasn't exactly hot weather. I left Sonia in the room telling her I'd get tea in. I left the BnB and walked up towards the chip shop. I was about to go in, when I noticed the beach. I decided to walk over, the sea a dark grey and sand a mustard yellow. The air was fresher down here, it made a change from being in a busy city. I watched the seagulls flying past looking for tit bits people had left behind. I didn't want to keep Sonia any longer, she was probably wondering where I'd gotten to. I got the chips and got back to the BnB.
"Must have been a right riot in there" that voice popping up as I entered.
"Yeah, a lot of people. I had to wait for your fish to cook too" excuses, excuses. Even though I had people around me, even having Brooklyn; I still seemed to sit in solitude most of the time.
"Here. I made sure they put loads of vinegar on" she loved vinegar
"Thanks sis" I loved Sonia and all of her little ways, although I moaned a lot about them. I needed Brooklyn to at least call me, I had no idea where she was and she doesn't have a phone. The chips were nice, it made a change from always eating healthily, yet I can't remember the last time I ate properly. I have always preferred brown sauce to ketchup, it's tangy and a little spicy. I guess the sauce was a little like me, me and my spiciness. I sat there laughing at what I had just thought, whilst Sonia stared at me with a chip in her hand and mouth wide open.
"What's so funny?" Thinking I was laughing at her, which wasn't the case.
"Nothing, I just remembered something" I smiled and scrunched up the paper that had, had my chips in. The bin was small in our room, so our remains filled it.
"So what are we gonna do tomorrow?" To be honest I had no idea, so had no idea what to say to Sonia. I had told her why we were here and she understood completely. She'd tell me if I was in the wrong, if I didn't agree, but never got in the way of love. That's all Sonia really wanted, was to be loved. She's such a gem, yet all she seemed to bag were bastards and nobody hurts my sis.
"We should go and explore or something. I've never been here and neither have you. It'd be nice to hang out again" it actually would be really nice to hang out with my sister again. When we were younger, we were attached by the hip.
"Sounds great sis" her cheeky smile beaming, her dimples made me grin.

I had gotten a shower and was now cleansing my face. I always cleansed it, Clinique was my favourite. It was the only thing that kept me from breaking out. I had even gotten Sonia into it, she swore by it; that's what sisters are for. I had finished and let Sonia at the sink, I didn't know whether I'd sleep, as I liked own bed too much, but anyone would be the same. The bed was actually quite comfortable, Sonia was snoring in the background, loud and irritating. I was drifting off when my phone rang, I answered and guess who, Brooklyn; God must have heard me.
"Hey, are you ok to talk?" Her voice didn't sound like usual, it was like the life had been drained out of her.
"Yeah it's fine, what's wrong. Bik?" I had now perched myself up and was sitting. Trying not to wake Sonia, I got out of bed and sat on the toilet.
"Nothing is, I miss you" she was lying, I knew when she was lying.
"No, what's wrong?" I was now firm with my tone, I didn't want any secrets between us.
"It's; I nee to see you. I'd rather tell you in person" the sound in the background was nearly cutting off the sound of her voice.
"Yeah, anything. You want to meet at the beach?" I hadn't even told her I was in the same town as her, I hadn't even gotten a chance. Things would be easier if she had a phone.
"Beach? What?" I heard change clang as she hung on to the phone hoping it wouldn't hang up.
"I'm here Bik, in Yarmouth. I couldn't tell you though. I just took a chance and came here" I was starting to get excited at the fact I'd get to see her again.
"You're kidding right? I'm near yours. Your fucking house Lo, what the?!" My face dropped, I felt as though someone had hit me with a sledge hammer, twice.
"What?! You're telling me I came all this way, for nothing!" I started to weep, tears filling my eyes. Shake it off you wet flower!
"I knew it, nothing goes right. Everything I touch turns to shit, so why fucking bother" I couldn't have been more angry at myself if I tried.
"I was missing you too much, yeah it's only been a week, but I couldn't stay there. The place was a dive and I knew no one" I wish I could hold her, my anger turned to sadness. In the pit of my stomach I could feel a darkness, a hole. I was missing too many pieces to actually be able to think straight.
"Ok, so I will come back. It's not like I've just paid for a weeks stay in this place" I saw red, I was angry again. I couldn't help it, it's the way I am.
"Fine Lo, if that's what I am, a disappointment" before I could say anything else, she hung up and I threw my phone across the room. Screaming into the pillow doesn't do shit, maybe drowning myself in the bath would make me feel a little less. I had enough of this stupid thing, that was supposedly called a fucking relationship.

I woke Sonia up and explained what had happened, we hadn't even had a night in this place and I was already wanting to go. I couldn't leave it till tomorrow, tomorrow I would change my mind and not want to leave here. I wouldn't want to face the misery of home. We were in the car, Sonia had fallen asleep and I was listening to sad music to cry to. The road blurry as my tears hit my bare legs. I needed to keep focus, I didn't want to end up killing Sonia in the process of being upset. I pulled all the loose strings together and tied them. I sat up straight, put some Gaga on and sang along. It was now my turn to sound bad all the way through this journey. It was more than a two hour drive from Yarmouth to London. I was wide awake, the thoughts of Brooklyn keeping me up. It was a good and bad thing; me being able to keep up, but the reason for it, being her. I pulled up at Sonia's, I didn't want to go home. It's the obvious place of where I'd be. It was early hours in the morning when we got back, I put Sonia to bed, yes I made sure she got tucked in too. I made a coffee, the strong kind that hit the nostrils from 50 yards away. I sat and watched the hands of the clock move to the rhythm of the second hand. It was calming, soothing and made me concentrate on something other than the shit.

The rain was hitting the widows hard, I woke to another rainy day. It was 9am, I hadn't had a lot of sleep, I didn't feel tired which was surprising considering the circumstances. Sonia was gone, I had no idea where to. I also didn't even know what day it was, I'd lost track. I think it's Monday, I'm really not sure. I wasn't in work, my short holiday turned into sick leave. It was partly true, I did suffer with depression and anxiety, yet I ignored the doctors advice of taking medication. I couldn't care less about my mental welfare, I knew I needed them; I didn't want them. I was still dressed in my clothes from the night before. I had pyjamas on, but changed when we left the BnB. I smelt rough, not exactly lady like. I need to run myself a bath, why is it, I seem to have a lot of baths. I probably had nothing else to do with my time, so a soak in the bath would kill some time. My phone rang, an unknown number; Brooklyn. I answered.
"Hey, I'm sorry about the other night" why was she apologising to me? I was the one who was out of order and angry towards her.
"No, don't say sorry. Where are you?" I still sounded stern even though I didn't mean to.
"I'm at mine, I just went home"
I couldn't believe what she was telling me, my blood boiled as we'd gone through all this shit for nothing. Her mother would never let her out of the house again.
"So that's the end of us then" I was pissed and I wasn't going to let her mess with my already fucked up head.
"Lo. It's not the end for fuck sake. We can still see each other"
"Oh yeah, when your mum had the police out after me. What you think she's gonna let you see me, or even let you leave the house?" She must think that her mum is a complete idiot, she sounded like an idiot. I was fed up with all the shit she was giving me, I was only thinking about me.
"Just ring me when you're free" I didn't know what else to say, I couldn't say anything else.
"Yeah, ok, well this is my new number"
Ugh her mum had even bought her a new phone, Brooklyn had probably told her mum she hated my guts and I was a waste of space. I couldn't give a shit, I'm going to go for a nice long walk to nowhere. Walks were the only thing I had to do, my friends would all be at work. I felt as if I had no life; I didn't, come to think of it.

Lorraine's flash back had finished, the sweat nearly dripping off of her palm. The door handle was wet, but Nikki didn't seem to notice.
"Well come on then, what are you waiting for" Nikki's voice interrupted Lorraine's thoughts.
Lorraine opened the door without responding to Nikki and left towards her car. The two women took their own cars into work, it was as if they'd be taking separate paths, yet they'd end up in the same destination; like they were separating themselves from each other. The engine was loud, Lorraine pulled into the road before Nikki and sped off. Lorraine left Nikki quite stunned, Nikki knew something was niggling at Lorraine's brain. Nikki didn't know whether to ask Lorraine what was up, because normally Lorraine would say she's fine even when she's not. They both arrived at Waterloo Road just minutes apart, it wasn't obvious they had spent the night together. Lorraine got out of her car and Nikki did the same.
"Well lets hope today will bring happiness and sunshine" Nikki beamed, jokingly.
"You're kidding right? This place brings dread and anger, there's nothing peaceful about it" Lorraine walked off leaving Nikki standing alone. Something was up with Lorraine, she was always as blunt as a knife from the cutlery pack, but something wasn't right. Her face seemed cold and distant, like she was hiding something. Nikki was at a loss, she didn't like seeing Lorraine like this and knew Lorraine was a hard shell to crack.
Nikki looked across the car park and saw Brooklyn. She walked over to ask her why she'd left Lorraine's.
"Hello stranger, why didn't you greet us with your presence this morning. You disappeared on us" Nikki was a caring person, even if Brooklyn was a handful the night before. Nikki was the type of woman who would support anyone whatever their problem, she really did care about the pupils of Waterloo Road.
"Sorry. Didn't think you two would want me there" Brooklyn stared and the ground, both hands holding each other. The girl looked terrified, her eyes looked tearful.
"Brooklyn are you ok? Anytime you need a chat, I'm here" A soothing voice left Nikki's mouth.
"Look I'm fine, I'm just sorry I got in your way last night" Brooklyn left Nikki standing alone, just like Lorraine had.
Nikki wanted to get behind those eyes and see Brooklyn's soul, it was obviously a broken one. Sometimes the best thing anyone can do, is talk to another human. Nikki left it, she only wanted to know what Brooklyn meant by pills, as Lorraine had told her Brooklyn was on medication.

Lorraine entered her office, the smell of sweet coffee filled the air, it's a wonder the smell didn't reach the whole school out through the vents, it was that pungent. Lorraine enjoyed the smell, it calmed her nerves and soothed her mind. She sat in her chair only to have Tom walk in.
"Oh hey Lorraine. You ok? You look a bit peaky" Tom was a lovely fellow, he was caring like Nikki, probably why they got on so well; minds alike.
"Yeah I'm fine thanks Tom. How was your night?" Lorraine put on a brave face, fooling the world.
"It was good thanks, I made a meal for four"
"Oooh look at you, you'll have to make me something some time" Lorraine inviting herself to a home cooked meal, Tom didn't have a choice, but to agree.
"Of course" Tom laughed
"Well I better get off to teach my lot" Tom left the room and Lorraine was alone, it gave her a chance to catchup on the heavy work load she had. She had a meeting coming up in London, but right now she had papers to go through, projects to overlook.
Lunch time had come around and the teachers had crowded themselves in the staff room. Lorraine walking down the halls to find Nikki to ask her to lunch. She finally found Nikki who had been looking for Lorraine. Nikki looked like she'd been running around for about twenty minutes straight.
"Have you seen this?!" Nikki passed a piece of paper to Lorraine.
"Shit!" Lorraine burst out.
The paper had a picture of Nikki and Lorraine kissing. Lorraine had a picture of them in one of her draws, she didn't display it, it was one she had taken on her iPhone and printed. It was from a time they had spent together out with both of their friends. Lorraine had a few in her draw. The paper had written on it 'the secret life of a teacher called dyke'
"That little bitch!" Lorraine screamed down the hall way.
"What? It's not her Lorraine. It's probably whoever we saw leaving your property last night" Nikki being the voice of reason.
"What? You think we wouldn't have heard whoever that was creeping around?! We caught them before they came in! That's why she left early, to print these out" Lorraine's furious lines etched in her skin.
"Lorraine how could she have gotten the picture if we were in your bedroom?" Nikki really didn't believe it was Brooklyn, if it was anyone it was the behaviour of Barry Barry.
"Whoever got this picture, obviously went in before we were even in bed. Don't you have a brain?" Lorraine was now taking it out on Nikki who was just as upset about the picture as Lorraine.
"Fine, sort this shit out on your own. It's not me who's ashamed to be gay. Yeah Lorraine I said it, we're both gay aren't we? You're only bothered about your reputation, I'm bothered about catching whoever done this. You need to get your priorities straight" Nikki didn't bother to claim the paper back as there were more from where the paper came from. The halls near the entrance were covered, whoever it was, wasn't alone. How could one person stick more than 100 posters around, without getting caught?
Lorraine stormed, heels clicking vigorously, the sound echoed. She found Brooklyn, her face scared the kids talking to Brooklyn, so they scattered.
"You!" Lorraine grabbed Brooklyn tightly around the arm, pulling her to one side where there weren't any witnesses to see what she was about to do.
"What, Lorraine you're hurting me!" Brooklyn's face white with fear.
"Good! I don't care, I know it was you Brooklyn. Cut the innocent and lost child crap!" Lorraine shoved the piece of paper hard into Brooklyn's chest.
Brooklyn looked down at the picture of Nikki and Lorraine sharing an intimate moment.
"So you got it then. I honestly think it's a nice picture of you two" Brooklyn smirked, she was the one behind all of it.
Lorraine sniggered and suddenly smacked Brooklyn. The slap boomed across, Brooklyn shocked whilst holding her burning face.
"I can get you done y'know" Lorraine had never seen Brooklyn like this, it was as if she had a completely different personality.
"Oh yeah? I'm not even your teacher, I keep this school running. You think they're going to believe you? Even if they did, what would they rather have.. An up and running school or a closed one?" Lorraine smiling, because she knew that she was right. Lorraine also had the money to bail herself out of murder if she wanted to.
"Look, I get it. You wanted to get back at me for being with Nikki, but seriously Brooklyn this is low, even for you" Brooklyn looked down, Lorraine yet again being exactly right about everything.
"Don't think I won't be telling Michael about this, because believe me, I will have you cleaning graffiti off of the loos for a month. Listen to me, you're going to spend tonightwith Nikki and you're going to tell her who it was outside mine last night. Do you think I'm stupid?! I'm far from it. I know you weren't alone in this, you're also going to tell her about your medication, even though that's probably a stupid lie just to get my attention" Lorraine's voice calm with anger lining it.
Brooklyn stood there watching Lorraine make her way to the staff room, she was going to have to explain herself to everyone. The teachers must be laughing at her, at the fact her relationship was now out to everyone at school, the fact she was in love with a woman.
She entered, everyone went silent as soon as she did.
"Oh please, don't stop on my account" Lorraine didn't want her fear showing, so the best thing to do was act as if she was confident.
"So it is true then. You and Nikki are the hot new couple. To think you slated me for my relationship with Michael and now look at you; a hypocrite" Christine's Scottish accent bugging Lorraine to the bone, but she was right.
"Well I think it's marvellous, after all love is love" Audrey the sweet innocent lady who wouldn't kill a fly, spoke up.
"Thank you Audrey" Lorraine smiled
Nikki was in the room too, but it wasn't Nikki who felt the consequences of having an 'out' relationship. It was probably due to the fact nobody really liked Lorraine. Lorraine wasn't the type to get on with people, she was the type to get on with it. No one could get close, she even held some of her friends at arms length, you'd have to be pretty special to get under her stone thick layers.
"Look everyone I want a word" Lorraine breathed in and let out
"Me and Nikki are in a relationship, as you've probably guessed already, or seen. This won't cloud my professional judgement in any way and when I'm here at work, it is purely a professional relationship that me and Nikki have. I wouldn't expect you all to understand me being.." Lorraine trailed off and paused for a moment, then carried on
"Me being gay, but it's who I am and I'm happy with Nikki. I'm happy at being with a woman, even though my personal life has nothing to do with any of you, but I needed to set things straight and explain this awkward situation" Lorraine stopped and Tom butted in
"It's not us you have to worry about. You do know, some students are going to give you both a hard time"
"Well then we should have an assembly on equality, that this school doesn't tolerate discrimination" Lorraine beamed with fake excitement.
"Well it's up to you, but wouldn't you be fuelling the fire?" Tom looked confused as to why an assembly was the best thing.
"No, I think it wouldn't give the pupils a chance to act out. Act out with homophobic comments or actions. As there has to be at least one gay pupil in this school, look at Josh for instance" Lorraine hit a small nerve with Tom and he didn't say anymore. Lorraine looked over at Nikki expecting Nikki to back her up, but Nikki sat in silence.
"So Lorraine, isn't Nikki a bit out of your league. Well I mean isn't she the total opposite to you?" Christine piped up again
"As in?" Lorraine replied
"As in, she's not a total stuck up, money grabbing bitch" everyone was taken aback with Christine's words.
"Excuse me? She pays your wage doesn't she? If that's money grabbing, then I'm a Teletubby. A bitch? i believe it's called, being strong, most women confuse the two. Maybe instead of attacking Lorraine like a 'bitch', you should look up how to be a business woman in the local library and become your own boss, because that's what she is isn't she? Your boss" Nikki hit with a great comeback, whilst Christine looked defeated.
Lorraine looked over at Nikki and smiled widely, the fact Nikki stood in Lorraine's corner made Lorraine feel warm.
Lorraine had announced the news of her and Nikki being serious, because she had to. No one could avoid 100 posters on the walls, the anger had dropped from her shoulders and she felt relieved. A weight had been lifted, knowing Nikki and her could be themselves and not have to hide was something she found to be a great asset.

Lorraine walked over to the kitchen in the staff room, making tea for everyone seemed the least she could do, she even made Christine one. Nikki came over to where Lorraine was, waiting for the kettle to boil.
"Hey you were great up there" Nikki smiled at Lorraine
"Well it's a case of I had to be, if I had of freaked, who knows what could have happened. Christine would have had my head on a platter. Thank you by the way, your come back was better than the Spicegirls and was more entertaining" Lorraine smirked knowing what she had just said was an intelligent comparison.
"No matter what, I have your back. Remember that. So did you find out if it 'wasn't' Brooklyn" Nikki laughed thinking she knew all too well.
"Actually about that, it was her. She wasn't alone I'm sure of it. She admitted she had done it to get back at me for being with you, I also told her she would spend tonight with you"
"Tonight with me?!" Nikki shocked
"I said you'd be able to crack the information out of her and she wouldn't leave until she's revealed all" Lorraine stirring and talking at the same time.
"Here" Lorraine passed Nikki a strong tea, she made Nikki's first; Nikki now came first before anything.
"So you've just told her she's spending the night with a hard nut army gal, so she better speak up, otherwise I might take a gun to her head" Nikki laughing whilst the teachers stared at her and Lorraine sharing a comedic moment.
"Well when you put it like that, she'd better speak up" Lorraine smiled, her dimples showing on only one side of her face. Nikki loved that, Lorraine's dimples when she spoke and smiled; beauty.
"Well I won't go easy on her, trust me. I honestly thought she was just a little depressed and lonely, more fool me" Nikki picked up her tea and sat down again, her seat now cold. Lorraine watched Nikki walk over, her body was amazing Lorraine thought. The toned, tall and slender woman really hit all the right buttons.
Lorraine looked away and made the rest if the teachers drinks, there was a list on the wall of what people preferred and how they liked it. Audrey had soya instead of semi-skimmed, Tom had three sugars and Christine was plain and simple with nothing but coffee and hot water. Lorraine left the drinks on the kitchen side for people to get, they each had a certain mug they always used. She liked Nikki's the best, of course she did, it's the only one she took note of.
Lorraine then left the staff room to go and see how Sonia was sitting at her secretary desk.
"Hey Son, any news?"
"No, not really" Sonia sinking into her chair a little.
"What does not really mean" Lorraine concerned.
"Well. Some of the kids have told their mums about you and Miss Boston. A lot of them want to see you and Mrs Barry is going nuts at me, she's called nearly ten times" the news wasn't good, Lorraine expected this kind of reaction, but didn't think it was going to affect the parents as much.
"Ok, well tell her I'm free if she wants to come in and talk to me in person" Lorraine didn't want to deal with the problem, but she had to do something. Mrs Barry wasn't someone you wanted to cross, but Lorraine being Lorraine thought she could take on the world.