Chapter 5
"Fuck," I mutter, as my coffee spills over the top, splattering the laminate ground and the mahogany of my desk and thankfully not all over my paperwork and unfortunately all over my computer bag.
I stick my head into the hallway.
"Mira? Do we have cleaning supplies?"
"Did something happen? I'll go grab them if you like."
"Nah, I'm good. I just spilled my coffee. Where are they?"
"Go right, all the way down the hall, but come grab the key for the closet first," the ex-model responds as I click down towards her desk.
"There's a key for a broom closet?"
"We're just too lazy to change it," Mira replies, hooking a small key ring onto her finger.
"I'm not sure which one it is, so use trial and error and the process of elimination to figure it out."
"Thanks," I say, thinking of the dark stain of my desk.
"Oh, did Miss Heartfilia spill coffee? Do you have a boo-boo?" I hear the snark-filled voice from the open office door across from Mira's desk.
"Stop flirting with Lucy, Freed." Stifling a laugh, I can practically see my co-worker's flushed face. Buuuurn.
Unlocking the door, I slip inside, leaving the key in the lock, knowing it would only take moments to grab a bottle of trusty old Windex and a rag.
Unbeknownst to me, people begin to rush hurriedly down the hall as I chose a half filled container of the blue cleaner. The door of the closet slams. What the fuck.
The fire alarm begins to ring, loud, annoying, piercing painfully. What is happening. Why am I stuck in here. Again.
!flashback
I feel something dripping down my leg. Looking down, I notice it's a dark red. Fuck.
"Mr. Geer, can I go to the bathroom?"
"Can you?" My raven-haired teacher asks, turning from his computer, arching his eyebrow arrogantly while swirling in his chair.
"May I?"
"May you, what?"
"May I go to the bathroom?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I can't wait."
"And why not?"
"Because."
"Because what?"
"Because it's that time of the month."
"It's what?"
"I'm on my GODDAMN PERIOD."
He blanches, and waves me out while the class laughs uproariously at his appalled expression.
!
Finally finished cleaning myself up, I stand in front of the sink, slipping my hands through the golden strands to pull it up into a ponytail.
Bwee! Bwee!
The shrill noise of the fire alarms causes me to wince as the sound penetrates my ears. The lights flicker and go out. I rush towards the door, panic filling my chest as I try the locked door. No. No. No. Not again.
I remember the flames, licking the wall slowly creeping towards me as I back away from the burning waves. The mass of heat corners me near the third story window. My mother pushes me towards it, clicking the lock, and flipping the pane open. Her comforting voice, tells me to jump down as she spies the group of men in red uniforms huddled beneath it. I shake my head at her as I notice the caving ceiling and the collapsing bookshelves. Go. She shoves me out into the frigid winter air. I scream as the walls fall onto her body.
No. No. Snap out of it. No.
Why won't it open? Damnit. Why. Why.
In frustration, I kick the door.
Why. Why. Why.
The only light in the dark room is that of the blinking alarm. I slip down the wall, sitting on the cold, bacteria-covered floor.
My phone. I have my phone.
Pulling the slim device from my back pocket, I notice the red battery notice. Now? Hurriedly, I unlock it, tapping Recent Calls, and I'm about to click my best friend's name when it begins ringing. Thank goodness.
"Luce? Where are you?"
"In the bathroom. It's locked from the outside, and I can't get out." I hear Laxus mutter irritably under his breath.
"Which one?"
"The one down the hall from Geer's room."
"Fuck, okay. I'm coming, kay?"
"Don't hang up, please," I whisper, clutching my dying phone, "Don't leave me alone."
He talks to me. Chatters about Phineas and Ferb, his grandfather, the history project that we have due next week, everything. My breathing slows, losing its quick, shallow quality.
"I'm scared, Laxus."
"I'm coming, Luce, it's okay."
"C-can you sing for me?" I let out a hiccuping breath.
"Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
Hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more." (You'll Be in my Heart, Phil Collins)
His soothing baritone fills my head as I relax the grip on my phone and slump my shoulders, no longer curled in a suffocating fetal position against the wall. There are stomping footsteps outside, and I jerk my head up.
"Luce!" Somebody fiddles with the doorknob, cursing colorfully.
The door flies open, and a single blonde figure storms into the bathroom, and sweeps my limp body up in muscular arms.
"Did Natsu blow something up in Chem again?" I ask wearily.
But he's not here to save me this time. I've left my phone on my desk. Everyone's probably evacuated. I'm on my own. The lights in the closet work still, I note as I flick the switch. Door. Lock. Door. Bobby pin. Fuck, my hair's down today. Door. Lock. Door. Hinges. Door. Hinges. SCREWDRIVER. I blink under the dim light bulb, connecting the dots, hardly aware of my genius moment. Screwdriver? Spinning on my heel, towards the shelf, I scan for the tool on the under the unorganized piles of junk.
so that came out of my twisted mind today.
oh was that a cliffy? i apologize, i have some other stuff planned.
read and review at your leisure.
zephy out.