Spring Term
The beginning of the January term found St. Trinian's unaffected by the colder weather. The girls bundled up into heavier clothing and raced with glee back into the halls of their school - all elated to be away from the torture of their families (none of whom seemed to understand their daughters' constant need to pick the pockets of drunken relatives).
Camilla Fritton strolled the corridors, surveying her returning students much like a proud army general. The familiar sound of the metal detector pinging like a Vegas slot room proved that the girls hadn't lost their impish spirits in the least. One in five had to be strip searched. The Headmistress paused, watching as Polly's team dragged a Fourth Form Emo off to the booth for more careful search.
"Don't forget girls, if it takes more than five minutes to find the contraband, she's allowed to keep it." Camilla reminded the inspectors. She believed in rewarding creativity.
"We have a record of 18 minutes going so far. The Twins are harder to disarm than Germany." Polly nodded to the massive crate of projectiles, explosives, bludgeons, cudgels, shivs and shanks that had apparently been taken off the tiny girls. The mischievous duo waited with patient, playful smirks as the Geeks tried to find everything concealed in their luggage. They'd been stripped to their underwear but couldn't care less, pleased with how much of their arsenal would be returned to them.
"Small surprise." Fritton murmured with affection.
Once each girl passed inspection and deadlier items were removed to the communal weapons locker, they were rearmed with a hockey stick (still quite lethal in its own right) and raced to the pitch.
"Did you have a nice holiday, Miss?" Polly inquired, pointing out that Andrea's spell wand needed to be confiscated - she'd inserted a rather deadly 6 inch blade into the tip.
"Smashing. Matey and I took a weekend in Monte Carlo. We broke the casino and bar before they managed to chase us off." Camilla smiled. No one ever suspected the mature school marms, it was better than being invisible!
"I notice Annabelle's things aren't in the dorm any longer." the red headed Geek commented almost in passing, nodding that the Twins should be rearmed and let loose.
"I think, perhaps, we should watch those two in their first game? I imagine they have quite a bit of energy to release." Camilla gestured Polly to walk alongside her as they followed TnT out to the hockey field. Miss Cleaver was running the girls through some scrimmaging while the others practiced their tackles.
Fritton had seen how every ear in the room had perked up for news of Trinian's favorite romance and decided her niece deserved a bit more privacy than that. Not that she'd have it long, but it was the least any good aunt could do. She took a seat on the benches by the pitch, inviting Polly to join her.
"Has Annabelle gone somewhere, Miss?" Polly was genuinely worried now. She'd heard very little from Kelly during the holiday and had assumed the Head Girl was simply absorbed in her romance. Now she began to wonder if perhaps something had gone wrong. Surely Kelly would've called if there had been trouble. If anything had happened to Belle . . .Christ, Kelly would be a mess. The Headmistress saw worry etching the red head's forehead and laughed.
"Yes but not like you're thinking, girlie. My niece leave St. Trinian's? When the devil's knickers freeze! No, no. She's simply moved her things into the Head Girl's room."
Tania and Tara had just rushed the field and Miss Cleaver caught each of them by an arm. She patted them both down, finding the weapons they'd intended to use during the first match.
"Hornet's Nests, girls? Well, did you bring enough for everyone?" the athletics instructor demanded.
"Oh, yes, Miss!" the twins chimed happily, retrieving their satchels and dumping out dozens of the sting grenades.
"Right then." Cleaver nodded and whistled for both teams to come arm themselves.
"Moved in with Kelly," Polly pondered the development and slowly smiled, "Clever minx."
"I imagine it happened progressively over the holiday. A shirt here, some toiletries there - it's rather a nuisance, having to fetch fresh laundry from another room when yours have been torn. I'm sure it just became more convenient." Camilla snorted, remembering the morning she'd bumped into a virtually naked Annabelle because all the buttons on her blouse had been ripped off and she hadn't taken a change with her. It was quite shortly afterwards that she noticed the majority of Belle's laundry and belongings being rerouted to the privacy of Kelly's quarters.
"Bollocks!" Polly laughed, then immediately felt she might've sounded disrespectful, "Sorry, Miss."
There was a momentary pause in the game as two of the grenades were simultaneously launched from either side. Fritton and Polly both covered their heads as everyone on the field threw themselves to the ground, the small balls shooting every which way over head.
"You have a different theory?" Camilla straightened up once the danger passed. She had great admiration for the young geek's mind. She had guessed some time ago that Polly knew more about Kelly and Annabelle than most people. You couldn't make over 650£ in wagers on the two without having some kind of insider's information.
"Those two couldn't stand being apart more than an hour even before the holiday, Miss. They're completely batty for each other. It's just neither is going to admit it. Getting Belle to move in 'for convenience' is just one more way for Kelly to have her as close as she wants without having to tell her how she feels. I'd lay even money she made a point of destroying Belle's clothes so she had to bring the rest over."
"Somehow I doubt my niece was terribly resistant to the idea." Camilla agreed. She'd wondered for some time just what might be going on in the young lovers' heads.
"No, but she's just as stubborn as Kelly. No ways is she going to admit she's in love before Jones does." Polly sighed and shook her head. Camilla frowned. She knew her niece had sense enough. Maybe she was just lacking in the necessary courage to confront her feelings.
Play was disrupted yet again. This time by loud cursing and laughter.
"Damn it, Fritton, get back here with my skirt!" Kelly's familiar voice broke over the sound of the game. Everyone turned to watch Annabelle race from the changing room across the pitch - waving Kelly's favorite black skirt overhead like a banner and laughing. The Head Girl was hot on her heels, blouse still undone and barefoot, knickers only. She was shouting threats but even at this distance the spectators could make out the red curve of her smile. The two vanished into the school, the faint sound of something crashing and breaking signaling Kelly had finally caught up.
The hockey teams resumed play as though nothing had happened. They'd grown used to such displays ages ago. Well, scratch that thought about courage. Camilla had never seen either girl so carefree or happy.
"Are they really foolish enough to think that isn't love?" she wondered.
"I don't know. Isn't stupidity part of being in love?" Polly shrugged.
"It's the bloody hallmark if they're any indication." Camilla shook her head. She and Polly closed their conversation with a few more relaxed comments and anecdotes of Belle and Kelly's indiscretions. The game ended with a very encouraging final score. Seven bloody noses, five black eyes, four sprains, two concussions and a broken bone. Very promising for the coming weekend match,
Polly and the Headmistress parted on a friendly wager - a bottle of good scotch to the winner whose girl grew a pair and confessed first. Polly would push Kelly, Camilla would push Annabelle. Whoever won the scotch, they both knew they wanted the lovers to be the ultimate winners.
That night was the return party, as good an excuse for loud music and drinking as any other. Annabelle and Kelly mingled and celebrated with everyone, for all intents completely oblivious to each other's presence. They'd had a quiet evening the night before, commemorating the last of the time they'd have without distractions or demands. (the memory of Kelly's shining eyes as she murmured "you're so beautiful" would keep Belle smiling for days to come.)
So, now they could throw themselves back into the absorptive student body, welcoming back every person they'd been so glad to have absent for the last two weeks. Chelsea hugged Kelly, immediately launching into a long monologue about all the boys she'd met over the break. Celia regaled Belle with her adventures volunteering with a water conservation project. Then there was Peaches trip to France, Taylor's concerts, Andrea's new tattoo . . .stories and drinks spilled in every direction as St. Trinian's rocked to the chaos of resuming school.
Dancing on opposite sides of the room, Belle occasionally looked up to find Kelly watching her from the corner of her eye, always when no one else would see. She smiled shyly, tossing over a wink before anyone could catch on. The news had already spread about Belle moving out of the dorm and she felt the audience watching them with a whole new level of intensity. She'd seen almost every single girl surreptitiously or blatantly scope her ring finger for any hints of an engagement.
Thinking of moving her things reminded Belle that she'd left her hockey stick under her bed. She'd meant to grab it earlier today. Best to go fetch it while everyone was distracted, make less of a scene than marching into the occupied dorm. She slipped from the party and up to the dorm.
The sounds from beyond the door indicated she hadn't been completely right about the dorm being empty. Of course most of the Geeks skipped the parties. There were also a few in recovery who didn't care to be around alcohol, plus the First Years who were busy planning mischief and pranks for the next four months. None of them should give her much trouble. Belle walked in and smiled to Polly, who looked suddenly worried.
There was a moment of silent panic in the room and then a flurry of activity in the First Year crib. Belle felt the hairs on the back of her neck tickle. The bookies were trying to swap their board. She marched over, swatting away the knee high heads around the black board and ignoring their protests. Even Polly had risen and was trying to warn her. The current side of the board was the open books for tonight's party, the weekend football match and all the regular wagers for St. Trinian's. It was as she spun to the reverse side that Belle heard everyone hold their breath.
She couldn't make complete sense of the symbols and numbers at first. Even the headings looked like some sort of code.
2 months 3 - 1
3 months 7 - 1
Full term 15 - 1
Summer term 30 -1
There were other odds as well, 1 month had been scratched out. 'Snog' had paid out at 15 to 1, 'Shag' at 25 to 1. Belle felt her head throbbing with a dull ache. She barely noticed Polly come stand beside her.
"Me and Kelly?" she nodded to the odds. She knew what they meant. Thirty to 1 against them staying together all the way through summer. Hell, there'd even been odds of 10 to 1 that the girls would break up during the holiday.
"I'm sorry, Belle. Chels and I tried to stop them." Polly apologized sadly. Belle blinked back tears, staring at the numbers that revealed what the students really thought of their chances. She couldn't let on how much it hurt. A wounded animal makes easy prey.
"Why? It's only natural. Life's a gamble, right?" she forced her voice to stay casual and easy going, "But I don't get this column."
Polly cringed as Fritton pointed to the far right side of the board. NEC and EXP were obviously abbreviations, but FUN and LUV underneath didn't offer any context. Polly didn't answer. Belle looked askance at the Geek, eyes just hard enough to demand honesty.
"Why you're together." Polly mumbled, eyes downcast.
"What?" Belle forgot about being hurt now. The spike of anger shooting up her throat had swallowed any sadness.
"Hardly anyone's taking the bets, Belle. No one's taking it serious. Just a few jealous types posting wagers cause they can't handle anyone being happy." Polly quickly explained, hoping to calm the fury she could see rising in the brunette's face. Belle's hand shot out and grabbed Esme (the bookie) by the collar. The First Year squeaked in fear as she was dragged closer to the board.
"What. Do. These. Mean." she demanded, pointing to the words. Esme squirmed and looked helplessly up at Polly.
"I don't invent these, Belle! I just chart the proposed wagers! I don't like them!" she cried, suddenly more terrified of Fritton than she'd ever thought possible. Usually it was only the Head Girl that could inspire such fear but at this moment the whole Dorm was paralyzed, caught in the thrall of Annabelle's anger.
"Tell me." Belle ground out the words, her tone leaving no question of argument. Esme raised a trembling finger towards the board, pointing first to LUV.
"That's you and Kelly being in love." she mumbled, not wanting to look at the atrocious 40-1 odds scrawled alongside.
"The next?" Belle shook her collar a little when no further explanation was volunteered. Esme whimpered and moved her finger to FUN. 15 to 1.
"It's just for fun." her voice faded out towards the end of the sentence, expecting the hand on her collar to tighten. Belle didn't react, just arched her eyebrow down at the girl, ordering her to continue.
"This one," Esme winced at EXP, "means maybe it's just, you know, experimenting. Like a phase."
The tiny girl could feel the shudder of fury that swept over her captor as her every muscle tightened for a second. Experimenting had the insulting odds of 10 to 1.
"And the last one?" Belle's voice was nothing but a choking whisper.
Esme went silent, refusing to explain the last code, tears streaming down her face. She knew the odds hurt the older girl and no First Year wanted to hurt Annabelle. Polly finally interceded, catching Fritton's wrist to free the small girl.
"Necessity, Belle." the Geek nodded to NEC 5 - 1.
"Necessity?" she demanded in confusion. The hurt, the anger and disgust were all rolling in her head, making it too hard to think.
"A few girls might," Polly emphasized the last word, "Think that you're with Kelly for safety. To have the Head Girl's protection. A few think it's like being in prison, hooking up because there's no one else."
"So Kelly's either bored or being bribed. Either way I'm a whore." Belle spat, staring at the insult carved in white chalk. Polly gripped the taller girl's shoulders in both hands, forcing her eyes away from the board.
"Belle, it's a couple dumb slags. Let them lose their money - we know they're wrong."
"Really? Are you really so sure? Because the school seems to think we won't make it to July." Belle pointed at the bets.
"Bugger what anyone else thinks!" Polly shouted, trying to puncture the fog in Belle's head, "It only matters what you think."
Annabelle's eyes stayed on Polly's for a brief moment. Just long enough for the Geek to see the fear that flashed behind the hazel green. Belle broke away before Polly could catch her. She grabbed the hockey stick she'd come for and strode furiously from the room, slamming the door behind her so hard that the chandelier dropped crystals.
She stormed into Kelly's room, the Head Girl already in bed reading a magazine. Belle couldn't even speak. She'd seen her every doubt and fear crystallized into a set of numbers for people to play games. The emotions hammering in her head were so loud she couldn't form words.
"Hey, where'd you get to? I had to pry Peaches off Taylor when the Chav claimed she was going to shag Flash this term." Kelly's smile vanished the moment she looked up, seeing Belle's face.
"What happened? Belle?" she tossed the magazine aside and started to rise but found herself tackled back onto the pillows. Annabelle's anger and pain found tangible expression, transforming the emotions into raw need. She kissed Kelly until her lips hurt, until neither of them could breath. Maybe they were only together for fun. Maybe they wouldn't make it through the summer term. If this was all Belle would get she was going to make it bloody unforgettable.
It was a damn good thing the room had been soundproofed, otherwise Kelly's cries would've waked not just the school but the nearby town as well. No matter how many times the Head Girl tried to reverse their positions, to take charge, she couldn't get an advantage. Belle was not relinquishing dominance tonight. By 4 am she was sure she hadn't a single bone left in her body. Every muscle had liquefied under Belle's relentless assault. Jones couldn't even get her breath back before the attacks resumed. Annabelle hadn't spoken for hours but her every touch was searing words into Kelly's skin. Maybe she couldn't have her forever. But she could have all of her now.
The next day found Kelly striding into the dorm room in the late afternoon. It took careful concentration and a lot of practice to walk normally after the previous night. Everything ached. She'd passed out sometime around 6 am and woke to find Belle staring at her. Had the girl slept at all? Her eyes were still radiating some primal pain that the Head Girl found frightening. With a few careful questions Kelly found out about what had happened. Belle was very clinical, describing the books open on them. Only her anger bled through, insulted and violated by the ridiculous assumptions.
Kelly didn't let her reaction show in her face. She had far more practice at concealing her emotions. She just nodded, setting her mouth in a firm line. She rose (unsteadily) from the bed and got cleaned up and dressed. Her own irritation with the bets was nothing compared to her fury that Belle had been hurt. She'd expected better of the girls. Time to put them in their place. Again.
The dorm went silent as Jones sauntered in. She crossed her arms, eyes sweeping across their guilty expressions. The ones that weren't crippled with hangovers all knew what had happened last night - Polly and Esme had been quick to fill everyone in. Most had the decency to look ashamed but a few had their faces set hard, ready for a fight. Kelly made a quick mental list of the unrepentant - she'd deal with them later. She walked casually to the First Year crib and regarded the board. They didn't even bother trying to hide it from her. Some of the odds had actually changed just since last night. Kelly swept her eyes over the numbers, scrutinizing them carefully and running the math in her head.
She picked up a piece of chalk. There were sounds of protest from the dorm, some bitter slappers convinced she was going to change the set odds. They needn't have worried. Kelly's neat script fit in an extra line on the book for the relationship's timeline.
For Life 45 to 1.
She set the chalk down and turned to leave, a small smile in the corner of her lips. Belle stood in the doorway, having watched the entire scene. She could read the written words, even at this distance. Her overwhelming reaction was complete admiration. Kelly had once again proven why she was Head Girl - answering a challenge without giving herself away at all. Kelly wrapped an arm around Annabelle's waist and escorted her from the room, ignoring the chaos of arguments and fresh bets being placed in their wake.
"Don't you have to be downstairs?" Belle asked curiously as Kelly tapped away at her computer.
She was sprawled across Kelly's bed, her vest tossed over the desk chair and her tie and stockings flung across the room. Friday night was the weekly meeting with Flash and while Belle occasionally came just to watch the girls work, she found she could just as easily stay curled up with a book. Particularly since when she was around Flash tended to lose his thought process more. She'd just got a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies she intended to start.
"Not tonight," Kelly smiled at her over her shoulder, "Beginning of the term is negotiations. All the tribes meet with Flash to review product demand and trade values. Don't usually need me unless they hit a stalemate."
"Really?" Belle looked up, excited. Screw the zombies. Kelly laughed at the obvious thrill in Annabelle's voice.
"I have to be available if they do need me though. No being 'indisposed' tonight." she pointed out, smiling at the adorable pout on Belle's face.
"No fair." the younger brunette grumbled.
"But Polly did manage to hack some new movies. Want to pick one?" Kelly pulled up a folder on her laptop and settled onto the bed, Belle rolling to one side so they could both scan the titles.
"I love this one!" Belle pointed to CloverField. Which she'd seen a few dozen times already.
"Can't you ever just want to watch a romantic comedy?" Kelly sighed, smirking down at her. Belle invariably chose action suspense movies of the Armageddon genre, the more cities destroyed in cataclysmic explosions the better.
"There's romance in these! It's just while other people are dying," Belle pointed out, "Besides, if it wasn't scary you wouldn't hold me as tight."
Kelly just smiled, laying back against the headboard and wrapping an arm around Belle as she settled in beside her. The opening credits had barely begun to roll up the screen when two fists hit the door. Kelly gave Belle an apologetic look - two knockers could only be the twins. After a brief conversation with Tania and Tara she turned to Belle, her trademark wicked smirk back in place.
"C'mon, we're going down to the depot. Looks like Flash is being a bit stubborn." Kelly summoned her with an extended hand.
"Why do you need me?" Belle rose and slid her hand into Kelly's obediently.
"Distraction." the twins chimed happily.
They moved quickly across the campus. At the door to the converted garage Kelly paused, stopping them short. She looked Belle over contemplatively, then reached out and mussed her hair.
"Kel, what the -?" Belle was silenced by a sudden hard kiss that was sure to smear her lipstick. Jones also planted a few kisses on her cheek and neck and Belle might've thought she'd changed her mind about being 'indisposed' for the night except it was so methodical.
"Have to look the part, don't we?" Kelly's eyes sparkled as she undid a few extra buttons on her own blouse and untucked it from her skirt. Belle suddenly realized what the Head Girl was planning and mirrored her actions, tugging her shirt loose for that fresh from-the-mattress chic. Once Kelly was satisfied they both looked like they'd just rolled (unwillingly) out of bed she led her into the depot.
"Problems, Flash?" she demanded, settling into an empty chair near the counter where Flash Harry was currently arguing with the Emos.
"Just some creative differences." he scowled, not even looking up.
"I'd hate to think you brought me down here for nothing." Kelly deliberately hit a lower tone, somewhere between warning and threat. Flash looked up at that but couldn't respond at once because his mouth just dropped. Belle had slid sideways into Kelly's lap. Fritton easily put on her 'disappointed lover' pout and topped it with an irritated glare at the fence. Flash's eyes blinked a few times, computing the sight of Annabelle draped around Kelly, the Head Girl holding her with an arm around her back and the other resting on her over-exposed leg.
"No, no. Not at all. Sure we c-can work some, some, something out." Flash stammered, trying to not watch Kelly's fingernails tracing an idle design on Belle's thigh.
"We're not doing anymore meth, Flash. The First Years keep stealing it. Have you seen a 10 year old Tweaker? Do you know how much noise they make at night?" Andrea dragged his attention back to the discussion at hand.
"Last time you lot did E, it caused hallucinations." Flash argued, but unconvincingly. His eyes kept straying back to Belle and Kelly.
"Thought the ravers might like something more fun." Andrea shrugged.
"That bloke attacked the DJ cause he thought he was a six foot pigeon!"
"Ok, so we won't mix mescaline with it this time. Straight up. Promise."
"Right, that'll be fine then." Flash nodded, licking his lips to alleviate the sudden dryness in his mouth.
The rest of the tribes smiled as the show Kelly and Belle put on kept Flash so unbalanced he agreed to almost all their demands. Only when it came to Tania and Tara negotiating prices for Trinski did he start to rally. He wasn't going to go up. Tania was starting to look angry and Tara threw a pleading glance to Kelly. Jones nodded imperceptibly, leaning close to Belle's ear to give her instructions.
The small gasp and shriek of laughter from Belle startled Flash. He looked over, seeing Kelly whispering to her and the hand on her thigh starting to glide higher. Fingers were sliding up her hip, the skirt rising inch by inch.
"Fifteen pounds, Flash. It's not even a 10% mark up and the extra will cover the cost of a new filtration system." the twins were saying but Flash wasn't listening at all now. Belle's garters were visible now, as was the first hint of lace underwear. The two girls weren't even watching him or the negotiations, completely involved in each other.
"Flash. Fifteen?" they tried again. The lace was red, perfectly contrasting the pale fingers starting to trace the edge.
"Flash?" the twins slammed their hands on the counter, making the man jump. Belle and Kelly both looked up at the noise.
"Yes! What? Yes! Anything!" Flash blinked rapidly, jerking his eyes back so neither girl would catch him staring.
"That's a deal." the twins grinned, each bumping his fist before jumping down from their stools. They both winked to Kelly and Belle. The older girls nodded back and Annabelle was startled by a sudden realization as the Twins smiled and scampered away. They were both inheriting Kelly's smirk.