A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing :) not entirely sure where this is going as I have a few ideas but can't link them to save my life haha. So yeah, we'll see. I may even bring back an old character ;) also, for the purpose of some of my upcoming ideas, I'm changing it so Nikki's currently 12 weeks pregnant - I know it doesn't really fit but please go with it. I'd love to know what you think. xx
~Mini Peacelet~
Born To Fly - Part 14
'I know that you're pregnant.'
Nikki froze; impermanently paralysed. Restricted by the brawny hands of fear and apprehension. Her breath was accumulating in the back of her throat, starving her lungs of oxygen. Heart beating with a rapid, pulsating thud against her chest. The coloured drained from her face at a frightening rate, leaving her naturally pale complexion a ghostly white.
"Wha...how?" She finally, with reluctance, exhaled the cumulated breath with a stutter, faltering over the most simplest words.
Her mumble was a feebly whisper, scarcely audible. Piercing azure orbs glared ominously; yet the anxieties and perplexity burned through with rage.
The affluent blonde's repulsive smirk remained, refined upon her features. With a slight jerk of her shoulders, she elaborated, "Last night. At the hospital. I was in the next cubicle to you and over heard everything."
The teacher could feel her legs becoming heavy, the muscles threatening to buckle beneath her as she allowed her desk to support the weight of her body. Her jumble of thoughts spiralled around her head, fuzzy and hazy. She couldn't think straight. The prospect of all the students knowing was daunting. She wasn't ready.
Shaking her head, the brunette hastily composed herself and rediscovered her professionalism, "Come on, to Mrs Mulgrew's office now. We'll let her decide your fate regarding those illegal shorts your selling." Despite her best efforts, her voice was squeakily quiet and slurred with vulnerability.
All that was really on her mind was Gabriella's confession.
The adolescent stalked to the door briskly, "No. There is no need for her to know about my little enterprise." She stated matter-of-factly, "Unless, of course, you are not bothered about you or your baby being hurt?"
"Are you threatening me?" Nikki retorted, her voice suddenly louder than before as she narrowed her gaze scrutinisingly, vaulting to her feet sharply.
"No, it's a promise." She spat sincerely, "Now listen to me. And listen carefully. I'm going to tell you exactly how this is going to work. You don't say anything about the shots and yourself and your unborn child will remain safe, however if you do choose to say something - which is obviously the wrong decision - then you know the consequences." The wealthy teen enlightened tactfully, studying her teacher intently.
The former army captain sighed bitterly, desperately racking her brains for a rational solution. And failing. She gave a frail nod and ran her tongue roughly over her suddenly dry lips, "I understand." She confirmed, "But, Gabriella, I can't let you continue selling those. They're dangerous! And I have a duty of care to every student at this school. Providing you stop selling them right now, then I won't breathe a word." She compromised tentatively hesitantly.
"I'm the one dictating the rules in this, not you." Gabriella abruptly reminded, eyes bubbling with scorn, "So where exactly am I going to get the money from that I will earn selling these, then?"
Nikki suppressed a humourless laugh with a scoff, "Why do you even need the money? You're the wealthiest kid in this school!"
The teenager pursed her lips together, "Who said the money was for me? Maybe I'm bored. Maybe there's something better than money in it for me. Maybe Kacey was right; maybe I am working for someone else. Gosh, if that daft bimbo can figure it out, than it should be easier for someone with your intelligence!"
The brunette thought for a moment; she did recall Kacey muttering something about Barry. Everything fitted together. "How much did you intend to earn from selling them all?" The nerves were shaking prominently in her Northern accent, tone low and raspy as her trembling fingers delved into her handbag.
"How much? How much is the stock worth? The profits?" She repeated, manner still jittery and lacking confidence, as she implored for a precise answer. Her fingers fumbled until they located her purse, grasping into a tight clench around the leather item.
"Fifty pounds."
Nikki flicked unsteadily through the notes in her purse, reluctantly handing over the full amount in three crisp notes, "There. You have the money, now give me the vodka shots, I won't say anything, and everyones happy." She murmured.
This method was wrong, and she knew it. It made her stomach churn violently.
Gabriella removed the stock from her bag and deposited them on her teacher's desk, stuffing the money into her bag. She gave a stern nod when asked if that was all the dodgy shots - although, it most probably wasn't.
They basked the muted atmosphere for a while. Until the brunette's wobbly voice reverberated the classroom, "A-are you going to tell everyone?" She faltered with a murmur, azure orbs flickering desperately around her surroundings in panic.
"Only if you do a little something for me." Her reply was instant, lips curving into another unnerving smirk.
Nikki dipped her head, staring at the floor and whispered, "What? What do you want?" She inquired, raking her slender fingers through her hair. She was impatiently fretful.
"A date with Mr Reid. Hector." The blonde smiled instantly, observing as the female's lips dropped into a forlorn scowl that was laced with fury and disbelief, "What? That isn't a problem is it, Nikki?" She was irritatingly patronising, "Unless you want everyone to know." She words danced off her tongue with spite.
"Fine." The brunette hissed, "I'll try." She mumbled as she paced over to the door and flung it open with her bottled resentment, gesturing for Gabriella to leave. She slammed the door shut and twisted the lock, then bundled the shots into the store cupboard and locked them away ready to dispose of later.
Elbows propped on the desk and her head buried in her hands, Nikki thought deeply about her reckless actions. Regret fill the pit of her stomach. She was stupid. Incredibly idiotic. But then she remembered about the threat - the blackmail - of hers and her baby's safety. Maybe she had done the correct thing. Given the circumstances, obviously.