I'm already over Tom's death, yet I was moping about Lozza leaving for over 3 weeks (I still am actually). I'm such an awful person. Anyway, here we go, sorry it's late, please review.
I had to bring Nikki back home to mine for the night, or week, I wasn't even sure how long she was staying. I didn't care really, I just didn't want her on her own right now. As soon as Tom hit the ground, I knew there was no way back, the sound his spine made when he collided with the rock hard ground of MY school signalled the end of his life. I knew his death would hit Nikki hard, they were such good friends. Her stories of how he helped her throughout her stint in the army, and how he had originally hated her when she started teaching back in Rochdale often brought tears to my eyes, and laughter, lots of laughter. I knew his death wouldn't affect me as much though, I didn't know Tom as well as the others at Waterloo Road, and we'd never seen eye to eye over things relating to the school. I'd still miss him though, he was a nice guy. I'd had to drag her away from the whole scene, which Christine quickly began to take control off seeing as Michael was nowhere to be found. I must remember to give her some sort of credit, or recognition for taking control, as it was pretty obvious that nobody else was capable of doing so, and I was busy looking after my girlfriend… That still felt weird to say, a good weird though. I just needed time to get used to the whole situation, to allow my emotions to adjust to the whole "love" thing. My arms were her comfort back in the playground, her head burying itself into my shoulder, with me wincing in pain slightly in the progress. I stayed silent however, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close to me. Helping her to block it all out…
I could still hear Nikki's quiet sobs through the posh wooden door leading to one of my bathrooms, where she was currently taking a bath. I was sat outside the room, listening out just in case she tried to do anything stupid, trying to be there for her. I didn't want to seem too intrusive though, so I stayed outside, nursing my shoulder. Sighing, I was pretty sure a bruise was going to appear in a few days, so no more dresses. Not without a jacket at least. I still needed to speak to Nikki about what happened with Michael after he'd told me about how he, well… Felt, about me, but it just didn't seem right to bombard her with this information after what had happened today. I felt selfish even thinking about it, so I tried to distract myself, trying not to think about my confrontation with Michael, or Tom's body colliding with the ground right in front of my eyes. Nothing worked however, the confrontation with Michael just kept replaying over and over in my head. It was like he was sat in my head, constantly demanding my attention, and getting angry when I didn't give it to him. Resting my head slightly against the wall, I went over what happened once again…
"Michael, don't be stupid, you don't love me, you barely know me anymore!" I shouted at him, trying not to laugh at his stupidity. What the hell was he playing at? Watching him get up, he made his way towards me slowly, his usually sweet smile replaced by a rather menacing one.
"You don't get it do you Lorraine?" he said, his face creeping closer to mine, his breath blowing into my face. I could smell whiskey, great. Michael and drink had never mixed well. I backed up slightly, trying to get myself out of an awkward situation before it got worse. But he stopped me, his hand clasping around my shoulder, pulling me back to where I was originally standing.
"Michael… What the hell are you doing? Get off me!" Nearly shouting again, trying to keep cool, controlled. Refusing to let myself waver, or to show any weakness. It would just push him further. His grip tightened, his menacing smile turning into a smug grin. His other hand grabbed my face, forcing me to look at him, my entire body at his will. I had no fight left in me, my usual "what the fuck do you think you're doing" attitude had got up and gone. Great timing, I thought… Lost in thought, not paying attention to whatever Michael was saying, I felt a sharp jab of pain shoot through my shoulder. He'd pushed me backwards, my shoulder colliding with the corner of our filing cabinet. Refusing to scream, to let any knowledge of pain exit me, I just looked at him. Trying to wonder where the nice guy was, why he'd left. He knelt down in front of me, looking into my eyes.
"Why can't you understand Lorraine…? You shouldn't be with her, it's me you want, me you need." His voice sent shivers up my spine. I grabbed my bag, my phone in my other hand, trying to get up as fast as was humanly possible in these heels.
"I don't know what the hell is wrong with you today Michael, but quit it, I don't need-"
His hand cut my off, silencing me by covering my mouth. His other hand resumed its place on my shoulder, squeezing it with all the strength he could manage.
"I need you Lorraine. I want you." His lips crashing onto mine as he finished his sentence. His lips tasted bitter, they were too forceful. I tried pushing him off, but Michael stood firm. He had strength I never knew he possessed. A door slam was all it took to get him off of me, Sonya must of come back into the receptionist area, forcing him to stop. He looked over to me, his gaze threatening.
"Tell anybody, and you'll be sorry." He said, simply, whilst adjusting his suit. Pushing me backwards once again, my shoulder crashing into the filing cabinet once more. Showing me his power. And he left, leaving me in a crumpled mess on the floor, tears making their way into my eyes…
"Lo…? Hey, earth to Lorraine…? Nikki's voice finally entered my head, her gaze fixated on my shoulder. Shit, I didn't realise that I'd pulled my dress to one side so I could take a look at it. Fuck. I couldn't tell her now, her eyes were still red raw from crying. I don't know if she'd take this well, and I wanted to be there for her for a change. I was about to speak, try and make a joke about me gazing into space, before she asked the dreaded words…
"What's wrong with your shoulder Lo…?" her voice was full of concern. "Was this what you were going to talk to me about before… Well…" she sat down next to me, tears filling her eyes once again. I pulled her closer to me, my arms wrapping around her waist once more. A single kiss to her forehead. She looked up at me again, her eyes searching for answers. I sighed softly, placing a quick kiss on her lips.
"It was Michael…" I admitted, frowning slightly at myself for telling her at such a bad time, cursing myself for seeming weak. Tonight was going to be a long, emotional night.