Mimitash gave me this prompt: Maybe a big prank of the kids (trying to get them together) where one of them get hurt and see their real feelings.

TW(just in case): mention of PTSD and shooting. Sorry for being angsty with this one.


"Are you crazy?" asks Travis.

Casey agrees. "Yeah, are you?"

Brandon challenges. "What? Don't you have any balls?"

Travis and Casey looks at each other before Travis explains. "It's not that. We don't see why we need to get in serious trouble. We can do other ways to get Ms. Stewart and Ms. Peck together."

Brandon scoffs. "Like lock them in the classroom? How lame. You need to spark the emotions!"

Casey rolls their eyes. "Spark? How original."

"Well, it fits!"

"Whatever."

Travis and Casey walk in Mr. Epstein's programming class, leaving Brandon alone in the hallway.

Brandon sneers, "Fine. I'll do it myself and I'll be the hero of the school for doing the impossible."

He head over to the hallway where Ms. Peck and Ms. Stewart's classrooms are. He knows Ms. Peck is teaching right now and Ms. Stewart doesn't have a class this period, so this is the perfect opportunity. He puts down his backpack and takes out a bunch of firecrackers. His dad tend to sell fireworks over the summer for extra cash, so he stores the leftovers in garage. Brandon sneaks in last night to steal the firecrackers. He figures his dad wouldn't notice a small firecracker missing out of huge lot includes Roman candles, sparklers, multi-shot cakes, and so on.

Brandon's heart begins to pound out of excitement. He knows he can easily get in serious trouble, but he's a nobody in school. He wants to be somebody and he knows the best way is to be the reason Ms. Peck and Ms. Stewart finally get together. All of the students in school has been trying unsuccessfully for almost two years now. Maybe he will finally be able to get a chick or a dude to have a crush on him.

The firecrackers are laid in a nice line in the middle of hallway, away from anything that could be flammable. He wants to make loud noises, not hurt anybody after all. He takes out a lighter and pauses to look around, searching for his best escape path. The door to outside is just down the hallway and he strongly believes he can make it. He's on the track team, so he's confident in his running ability.

An exhale escapes from Brandon's mouth as he lit the firecrackers on the floor. Once he sees a burst of flame eating the fuse, he gets up quickly and run. He imagines himself being a rogue agent like Ethan Hunt on personal mission. A series of cracking explosions blow behind him and he never looks back, keeping his eyes on the exit door to his salvation.

As soon as the crackling explosions are heard by Holly and she runs to the front door, listening for movement. All she can hear is the explosions and footsteps running away. She peeks through the small window and sees firecrackers about to fade away. She realizes it is probably a prank done by an idiotic student.

Gail.

Holly knows Gail's secret and how terrified she must be right now. She jogs to Gail's classroom and enters to see students all remain frozen and Gail nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Ms. Peck?"

A girl sitting up in the front, Holly recognizes her as Penny, points to the desk. "She went under the desk and refused to comes out."

"Okay, why don't all of you go in my classroom? I'll call Ms. Nash to come and be with you. Don't try anything though. She will take roll call."

All of the students rush out of the classroom as Holly dial Traci's number on her cellphone.

"Hey, I need you to come to my classroom and keep an eye on Gail's students. Some kid lit firecrackers in the hallway."

"Shit, alright. I'll be there as quick as I can."

"Thank you."

Holly hangs up and walk quietly toward Gail's desk. She could hear the desk vibrating from shaking Gail. She slowly kneels down and the display of Gail breaks her heart all over again. Gail is sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees and she keeps shaking like it's freezing in the room. A twin set of waterfalls pouring out of Gail's eyes and she's staring at an unseen ghost in front of her.

Holly knows it's bad idea to touch Gail right now because she might unintentionally lashes out. She simply sits next to Gail and let her cry her heart out. She recalls the tragedy that nearly take Gail away from her. It happened during Gail's first year as a rookie cop at the 15th division. Her training officer was Jerry Barber and they got a call to a shooting that happened in a crack house. Needless to say that it ended badly. A thirteen years old kid was shooting at them and Jerry got shot, while Gail had to shoot the kid.

The kid died on a gurney in the hospital.

Gail turned in her badge the very next day.

That day will forever haunt Gail for the rest of her life. And Holly's. Selfishly, she is grateful Gail wasn't the one shot. Immediately she feels awful for thinking that, but it is true. Holly also realizes her true feelings for Gail. When she thought she would lose Gail, she felt like there's a gaping hole in her heart. Never again would she ever want to feel that way.

"Holly?"

Gail interrupts Holly's inner struggles.

"Yes?"

"Can you take me home? I don't think I can stay here."

"Of course, honey."