Dynasty waited outside, she could hear Maggie battling with both Byrne and Mrs Mulgrew, Christine seemed to be on her side while Byrne wanted her to remain in class. She scowled at the floor, wondering why all her decisions were being made for her. Yes she was a student, but she was seventeen years old, and knew her own mind. She could feel eyes on her and she looked up to see Sonya looking at her.
"What you starin' at?" Dynasty asked, her Scouse accent thick with the tone of annoyance.
Sonya pretended to shake herself from a thought and she smiled at the girl. "Nothing, just off in me own world. " Sonya told her. "'ere, I don't wanna be nosy, but are you okay?"
Dynasty shook her head slightly, she knew it wouldn't be long before the ditzy woman started fishing for the latest gossip. "Nothin' to do wi'you." She answered and went back to listening to the conversation between the two adults that was clearly about her.
Suddenly the door flew open and Mr Byrne leaned out and looked straight at Dynasty. "Dynasty could you come in here please?"
Dynasty looked up, nodded silently before standing and walking into the Head's office.
"Dynasty are you being threatened?" Christine asked before Michael could form a suitable question.
Dynasty visibly flinched at the question, not because of the tone of concern, but at the words.
Christine nodded, it answered her question without her even saying a word. "That settles it then, she stays with Maggie this lunch time." She told Michael, looking at Dynasty all the time. "Dynasty I need you to tell me who it is."
"Hang on, I am still in charge here." Michael started, but Christine held her hand up toward him.
Dynasty shook her head. "No, Miss I can't. Things will happen."
"What things? What are you so scared of?" Christine asked softly, looking at her.
"I can't… not here." Dynasty shook her head.
Christine nodded and backed off. "Okay. I won't pressure you to talk."
Maggie stepped in, gently putting her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Dynasty, pet, we can't help you if you don't talk to us. We are here to help you." She told her softly. She looked at Christine, silently saying; 'If she doesn't talk now I'll try later'
Christine gave a slight nod, passing it off as agreement to Maggie's spoken words. "Mrs Budgen is right, Dynasty. You take all the time you need, but we can't let you leave the school until we know you're safe."
Michael sat against the edge of his desk, watching the three women in front of him. It wasn't too long ago Dynasty and her siblings terrorised the corridors of Waterloo Road, but one by one, he had seen them become better people, Dynasty, Kacey and even Barry. Barry was…somewhat a lot more difficult to convince, whereas his sisters quickly saw reasons as to why they should continue with their education.
Dynasty was adamant she wasn't going to talk, and kept shaking her head, repeating the words; "I can't."
Christine nodded her understanding and gave her arm a gentle squeeze to show her she was on her side and wasn't going to push her into talking. "It's okay."
Maggie took the moment to lead Dynasty out of the office just in time for the bell to signal the end of one lesson and the start of another.
"I have a free now, Miss, so I can help now if you want?" Dynasty suggested.
"Alright, love. Come on then." Maggie smiled and lead the girl toward the canteen again.
Maggie had already got most of the food cooked for lunch time, but there was still a few things left to do, and with her help, allowed Dynasty to help complete the tasks.
The time past quickly for the teenager, who never thought she would enjoy cooking as much as she did when accompanied by someone as equally passionate about it. "I think when I go to uni, I'll do a caterin' course Miss."
Maggie smiled. "Well if you need any training, you come to me, I'll teach you all you need to know. It's alright sitting in a lecture hall learning the different techniques and all of that, but the best experience you can get is actually putting it to practice."
Dynasty nodded, smiling a little and helped get everything set up. She jumped when the bell went, she hadn't expected the hour to pass so quickly.
She knew it wouldn't be long before everyone started piling into the canteen. The Dynasty Barry a term ago would rather have been seen dead than helping out in the school kitchens. But life had a funny way of surprising her, and things happened that sort of put her life into perspective.
A/N: Sorry it's short, things have happened lately in the family and... I've not really been in the mood for writing, but I'm going to make sure I'm updating everything tonight, then I'll take a mini break from it all.
