I think I've been emotionally traumatised by this show. Lets just say, I haven't been that affected by an episode of Waterloo Road since the one where Michael got run over at the end of series 7B. I am including Tom's death in this, as I had a lot of ideas for it, and since the last chapter you guys don't know what happened with Michael and Lorraine. You'll find out soon ;)

Oh. I'm sorry for not updating recently too, I've been so tired and blah blah blah. Please review, I'll write faster (promise). OH sorry it sucks.

Where the heck was Lorraine? I hadn't seen her since she'd gone off to see Michael earlier… I had to admit, I was starting to worry slightly, but right now the school had bigger problems to worry about. It was Grantley's auction party, and I was trying to find Tom as he was supposed to be setting off the fireworks, but I had no idea where he was either. Maybe everybody was avoiding me… Maybe I smelt funny. Shut up, Nikki. He was probably looking for the joy that is Kyle Stack, the pupil who just last year assaulted me, and now claimed that he wanted to learn and get his exams done. Spotting Maggie, I quickly walked over as she might know where he is.

"Maggie, where's Tom? He's supposed to be setting off the fireworks isn't he?" I asked quickly, trying not to let myself get stressed out by the situation. I wanted this to be perfect just as much as everybody else.

"I was about to ask you the same thing! I asked Michael but he just ran off to his car, didn't look too happy either. He isn't even here tonight, not that I've seen him anyway."

"Oh… Well, do you want me to do it? Everybody looks like they're done and dusted here, so we should do them now, right?" I replied quietly, trying not to stress myself out about Michael's behaviour as I knew Lorraine was with him earlier. He was a good guy, he wouldn't do anything…

"Yes. Please do. Me and Christine will get everybody outside." Maggie's response distracting me from my thoughts, dragging me back to reality. Not that I minded. She walked off before I could reply however, so I started making my way outside, feeling somebody grab hold of my hand once I'd gotten outside of the main hall, frightening me for a second.

"Hey, Nik." Lorraine. Her voice making me feel so much more relaxed. Her hand intertwining with my own.

"Hey! Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere!" I asked, trying not to seem pissed, because I wasn't. I just cared. Her face dropped slightly however, so I leant in and pressed my lips against her forehead, surprisingly feeling no resistance from the benefactor. I hoped she was finally feeling, well, content. I wanted to be able to show a little affection in public, not in work however.

"I… Um… Can we talk later? It's… Pretty serious. Please?" she mumbled slightly, holding my hand tightly, hopefully a sign of reassurance that she wasn't going to call us off. I was still worried though.

"Sure Lo, you know we can. Want to come outside and help set up these fireworks? I sort of promised Maggie I'll do it, seeing as Tom's nowhere to be seen!" I asked, my annoyance at Tom's sudden interest in Kyle showing slightly. Her grip on my hand increasing again, pulling me towards the playground doors, smiling slightly. Her way of saying yes.

We stepped outside onto the playground, our hands still joined. The cold air felt so refreshing compared to the stuffiness of inside the school, it made me feel free, whereas the stuffy atmosphere just reminded me of the army, being cooped up in the tiny tanks with all my other teammates… I shuddered slightly, trying to push the memory out of my head. This wasn't the time, or the place to be thinking about it, tonight is supposed to be a happy night for Grantley. We walked over to where everything was due to be set up, and we both got it ready in a comfortable silence. That's what I liked about Lorraine, I never felt like we had to make conversation. We could sit with each other in complete silence and still feel happy, with no awkwardness lingering in the air. As soon as I had finished what I was doing, I snuck up behind her and wrapped my arms around her, savouring the few moments we would have together before the rest of the school came out. Placing her hands over mine, I heard her sigh slightly, pushing herself into me. I knew there was something wrong with her, but the chance of me managing to get it out of her when there are other people around were pretty slim, so I decided not to push her. Instead, I just pulled her close to me, not allowing her to get too cold as she was only in a dress and leather jacket. Looking up at the sky, I noticed that it was full of stars, not a cloud in sight, something that was very unusual for Greenock.

"Nikki…?" whispered Lorraine, her voice unusually quiet, not her usual 'I'm the boss, so fuck everybody' tone that she usually carried. Something that worried me greatly.

"Yes?" I asked, nuzzling my face into her hair slightly, inhaling the beautiful smell of her shampoo.

"Um… Promise me that you won't get mad, or kick off..?" again whispering, her voice scared, unsure. I twisted her around in my arms so she was facing me, so I could look into her eyes. Forcing her to look at me.

"I won't get mad, ok? Trust me…" I added at the end, stroking her cheek slightly with my thumb. She had such flawless skin, it made me feel so inadequate.

"Ok… Well, earlier when I was in the… Office with… Michael… He eh…" she stopped suddenly, her eyes widening, staring upwards towards the roof of the school.

"KYLE!" Rhiannon's scream cutting off anything I could've said to her. Piercing the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the playground, causing me to spin around in shock, staring at whatever it was Lorraine was staring so intently at. My hand pulling away from hers in the process.

Tom was on the roof.

My best friend, the guy who I'd known for so long, was on the roof. With Kyle, who was perched precariously on the edge, staring down at all of us. The rest of the school were starting to pile out, and I had no idea where Michael was, he needed to be here to take care of the situation, even though he'd clearly done something to Lorraine, I needed him here. I was the only other deputy around, and I was frozen on the spot. I couldn't take my eyes off of him, I couldn't believe what was happening. Once again Tom Clarkson was risking his life for a pupil. I faintly heard Christine telling everybody to be quiet, the screams and the shouts slowly coming to a halt. I also felt Lorraine's hand wrapping itself around my own once again, squeezing it in reassurance. I squeezed hers back, it wasn't much of a gesture, but it was all I could manage right now. I felt slightly calmer though, her touch had that effect on me. I trusted what Tom was doing. I watched him as he extended his hand out to Kyle, encouraging him to step down and to get back inside. Kyle looked down, then back to Tom, accepting his hand, about to step down off of the ledge.

Everything after that happened too fast.

Kyle slipped, with Tom clearly trying to pull him back, spinning them both around, tripping backwards. Kyle's grip on his hand just not strong enough, too weak.

Tom fell, and I screamed, latching onto Lorraine's hand for support.

(End of part 1, I didn't want to make it too long then have no ideas for the next part. Part 2 WILL be up in the next few days, if not, scream at me.)