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Regret Shall Break The Soul
Part six.
Fear is temporary. Regret lasts a lifetime, and so, the regret shall be pressed to my lips until I can no longer breathe. For eternity, I shall love you, but never will I have you. I let my head rule my heart, and now I've lost. My soul is broken.
Eddie felt like now was the time to leave, and he was almost sure that Rachel and Steph were about to lock horns. Although his loyalty would and forever be with Rachel, he couldn't afford to fuel the fire with the rumour that was no doubt about to be spread around the staff room. He took a fleeting look back at Rachel and found her occupying herself. Marching sternly out of the room, he watched as Steph pressed her lips together. Oh, she was really loving this.
"What is it, Steph?" Rachel pressed. She didn't dare lift her focus from the documents that lay on her desk. Her brain was running at a rapid speed, already thinking how she was going to control the damage from this encounter. "You and Mr Lawson looked rather cosy- "Seconds - that's all it took before Rachel threw her pen and brought her attention to Steph, "Eddie and I were discussing school matters. Now, what is it that you needed me for?"
"Phillip." Steph said bluntly. Oh god, what had the lad done now? It sure wasn't like him to be in trouble like this. He might have made the odd comment, but not enough to be reported. "What about Phillip?" Rachel asked, concerned. "Well, if you must know, he was being rather disruptive in my lesson today." Enfolding her arms, Steph awaited Rachel's response. Rising from her chair, she smoothed down the wrinkles in her dress and firmly confirmed, "It will be dealt with, Steph." Steph had been outstaying her welcome in Rachel's office, but in true nature, Steph just couldn't leave it there. "Good. I'd hate for a pupil to not receive adequate discipline just because they're family." Steph accused. Rachel gave Steph a deadly stare before walking towards her, "Miss Haydock, I can assure you it will be dealt with professionally and efficiently. Now, I presume he's in the cooler?"
Opening the door to the cooler, Rachel was met with darkness. The cooler had always been drab and cold, but the light hadn't been flicked on either, and so when she rectified the lighting, she was shocked to find her nephew sitting quietly in the corner. He resembled a small child, who was serving time out as punishment. Granted, it was the sole purpose of the cooler, but still, it made her heart hurt to see him in that way. He had his back to her, and she knew it was with intent.
"Phillip?" She called out gently. He moved ever so slightly, and she was sure it was to wipe his eyes. Had he been crying? "What's going on? Why has Miss Haydock sent you to the cooler?" Rachel took a few steps closer to him, but still gave him enough space. There was still a reserved silence, and she started to realise that maybe he wasn't ready to talk. Deciding to take a different approach, she gave him a quick "Okay" and drew a chair out for herself. Sitting opposite him, she could see he had been crying. "She said you were disruptive in class?" Phil gave her a shrug of his shoulders and looked down. He was obviously ashamed of his behaviour. He wasn't a bad kid, and this was totally out of character for him. Rachel placed her hand on his shoulder and responded, "Phil, this isn't like you." Phil remained mute. Although concerned for his well-being, she knew better than to push him away completely. She would get to the bottom of this, just not by questioning him at this time. Patting him on the shoulder, she sighed, "Okay, well, you'll see the rest of the day out in here." Rachel pushed the chair from underneath her, and defeatedly walked towards the exit, "I'll be in my office if you change your mind."
Eddie could have kicked himself. Of all people to have walked in, it had to have been Steph Haydock. He nodded in annoyance to himself as he scrubbed off all evidence of the school day from his board.
"Hey you", Melissa sounded as she strode into his classroom. He turned his body to face her, and she fell instantly into his arms. He pulled back and noticed the confusion on her face. Eddie's lack of intimacy had taken Melissa by surprise. "Mel, look, we really need to think about these wedding plans. I just think next month is too soon- "Eddie winced at his choice of words and decided to pause; he needed to gage a reaction before he continued. She gripped the lapels of his jacket, and quizzed, "What is it, Eddie? Don't you want to marry me?" Oh, he'd really put his foot in it this time. Eddie groaned, "Melissa, it's not that."
"Then?" Melissa asked desperately. He scoured the room, rapidly thinking of an excuse to buy him some time. He loved her, he did, he just had to be 100% with what he was doing. Melissa became increasingly annoyed at his absence, and he blurted, "The inspection is next month, and your sister- "Melissa tilted her head, and caressed his cheek, "I'm sure Rachel can cope without you." A fire ignited within her, and a raging jealous energy sparked. Rachel. "I know, there's just a lot of prep, and I don't want her overworking herself." Why was Eddie so concerned for her? He wasn't marrying her. Melissa pushed back and folded her arms. "Is this what this is all about? All because of Rachel?" Eddie groaned again. She bolted from the room faster than he could have anticipated, and although he knew she'd gone, he still called, "Mel!"
Three o'clock. Twenty minutes until the school bell rang for the final time that day. Eddie couldn't have been any more pleased to see the end of it. Reaching the corridor, he found a familiar face walking towards the direction of the stairs. He paused and waited for a second before pushing open the doors. "You're off early?" Eddie challenged. Rachel stopped in her tracks, and rested her hand against the bannister before acknowledging him, "Yeah, er, I- "She struggled. She didn't want to delve into all the details, but she had to admit, it was strange for her to be leaving at this time.
"Couldn't last the day, eh?" Rachel shook her head and laughed lightly. She knew he had been referencing to the one too many glasses she had last night. Clutching at her handbag, she shuffled uneasily. "I have an appointment." Oh god, she shouldn't have said anything. Eddie looked concerned, and she didn't need his overprotectiveness causing a scene. "Check-up." It wasn't all a lie. He walked a little closer to her, and she desperately wished for a distraction. Remembering Phillip, she gasped, "Look, Steph sent Phil to the cooler. It's just not like him, Eddie." He closed his eyes and shook his head, and promised, "I'll speak with him." Happy with Eddie's response, she smiled. "Okay. I'll see you, Monday." He shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled back. "See you Monday." Rachel began her descent down the stairs.
"Rach?", Eddie exclaimed. She paused and gripped the bannister a little tighter. It made her incredibly nervous. She braced herself and turned around to look back. "Please don't worry over the inspection." He reassured her, "You're not alone."