Authors note - Just wanted to say thanks for all your ideas! Without giving too much away, I hope you guys aren't dissapointed... It may not go down the route some of you are thinking! Please keep leaving your lovely reviews, it makes me want to keep writing more :) Ruben x
It was hard to believe it was only last Monday that Tilly had felt like her life had finished before it had properly begun. Since planning to appeal her exclusion, things had moved quickly. She'd been excited to tell her parents, certain they'd support her with it and help her put together a presentation. But it was clear as soon as she'd told them that they didn't quite share her level of enthusiasm.
"What happened to having a rest, Tilly?" her Dad asked, frowning at the information she'd put infront of them.
"Yeah I tried that, wasn't working" she replied, waving her hand to dismiss the idea. "I need to focus again. Get things back ok track."
They had reluctantly looked through the information she'd gathered from the internet, before exchanging another look between them.
"Tilly..." her Mum started, but Tilly stopped her. She was annoyed, needing more than anything to hear that they were going to help her get back into sixth form.
"I don't get it, what's the problem? I know you told me not to worry about my A levels for now, but how can I not? Sitting around not doing anything about it is just making me feel worse. Look, you've read all that. You know there's a good chance I could win the appeal. Please, guys. Help me out with this."
Her Mum appeared convinced, but her Dad glanced back at the sheets infront of him, before looking back at her with apprehension in his eyes.
"Look, I'm really happy that you want to do this, Tilly. And I'm pleased that you came to use about it before steaming ahead..." he trailed off.
"But?" Tilly questioned, annoyance spreading through her. Why was he overthinking this so much? Surely he wanted her back in school just as much as she did.
"But, I think we need to remember why you got expelled in the first place. Even if the governors understood the reasons behind your actions, there's nothing to say Miss Gilmore would be so quick to understand. I'm worried that if you push too hard too quickly, she might reconsider pressing charges. Have you thought about that?"
Tilly pressed her lips together, knowing she would have to choose her next words carefully. Ofcourse she'd thought about how 'Miss Gilmore' would feel about her appeal. It was, after all, the driving force behind the idea. She wished she'd be able to see the look on her face, when she was told that Tilly was fighting to return to the 6th form. She knew, for obvious reasons, that there was no chance of Jen reporting her to the police. But she couldn't let her parents know just how sure she was.
"Of course. But don't you think she'd have done it by now if she planned to? Look, say if everything went to plan and the governors decided I could go back, they'd have to speak to her about it first right? Before making a final decision. I'm sure the worst she'll do is refuse to agree that I could return. She's a teacher for Gods sake, surely she wouldn't want to completely destroy my future." Tilly had to supress a smirk at her last remark. Ironically, that's exactly what the teacher had done.
Her Dad sighed, and looked to her Mum who smiled at him knowingly. He shook his head, smiling lightly.
"Any sign of trouble, and you stop with the appeal. Understood?"
The next day, Tilly had rung the school. Her palms had felt cold, the jittering in her stomach making her heart pick up speed. She needed this to work, so badly, and knew she had to approach this with a level head. It hadn't gone as planned, the receptionist informing her that Mr Keeler was currently unavailable. Tilly explained her reasons for phoning, and the receptionist had promised that someone would ring her back as soon as possible. She'd spent the day cleaning and tidying, the adrenaline giving her energy that she wasn't sure what to do with. As much as she wanted to start planning phase two of her plan, she didn't want to jinx it. She hadn't figured out what she would do if her appeal didn't work. Probably just go to the police and report Jen. She'd have nothing left to lose by then. There was noway she'd be able to sit back and let Jen carry on with her precious career, knowing that she'd never be able to live out her own childhood dream. As 5oclock rolled round, with no word from the school, Tilly was starting to worry. She wasn't sure how long she'd be able to wait, but knew she couldn't keep ringing the school every five minutes. Her Mum had arrived home from work, and Tilly was upstairs in the bathroom when the phone had started to ring and she hadn't heard it. When she'd gone back downstairs, she'd caught the tail-end of her Mums conversation on the phone. Her heart leapt into her mouth. It had to be the school.
"Yes, ofcourse... I understand... No, that shouldn't be a problem... Brilliant, thanks very much... Ok, bye." Tillys mum hung up on the phone and finished writing something on a piece of paper. Tilly watched her, holding her breath. Finally she turned to face Tilly.
"That was the school. Apparently, Mr Keeler has left" her mum said, a confused look on her face. Tilly stared at her. Keeler was gone? What had happened? What did this mean for her?
"What, why? What did they say about the appeal?" Tillys questions came out rushed, all tumbling over eachother as they left her tongue.
"I have no idea. But the deputy has set up a meeting for us, next Tuesday at 4pm. They've not appointed a new head yet, but you'll be able to present your case to the governors. Then they'll take it from there." Tilly was struggling to take in the new information, and didn't want to get ahead of herself.
"So, what your saying is they'll hear me out? Give me a chance?" she couldn't stop the smile that was spreading across her face.
"Yep. Don't take this the wrong way, Tilly, but this is just the first hurdle. One step at a time, ok?" Tilly nodded eagerly.
"Looks like we've got an exciting weekend ahead, then", her mum joked, rolling her eyes. Tilly just grinned at her.
Oh yes, mother. Very exciting.
As promised, her parents spent the weekend helping her put down in words everything that had happened which had lead upto her 'stalking' Miss Gilmore. Tilly had found it quite amusing, writing about infatuation and confusion. It was amazing how hard she'd become towards Jen. Had she thought about it, she would have realised that her need to destroy Jen was born out of love, not hate. But all Tilly could see was a path of destruction.
Once they had finished the preperation, Tilly had taken herself to her room. She needed to text George, let him know that she was ok. He'd sent more texts over the past few days, full of concern and wondering what was going on. The last anyone had seen or heard of Tilly was in Keelers office. She didn't tell him what had happened, just that she was sorry she hadn't been in touch, but she needed some space. It was obvious that no one had found out she'd been expelled. She was going to ask how Esther was, but couldn't bring herself to. That was one wound that was still wide open. She didn't feel like she deserved to know, still believing that Esther wouldn't be in that hospital bed if it wasn't for her. And Jen, ofcourse. She blamed Jen more than she blamed herself.
Monday was dragging slowly, uneventful compared to last weeks trials. Tilly was feeling pretty pleased with herself. Oh, how Jen had underestimated her. Thinking she could go charging into Keelers office, throwing allegations about. Discard Tilly like a screwed up piece of paper. Tilly exchanged a few texts with George, trying to be as vague as possible. She missed him. She missed everything about her former life.
Stop. Don't do this now. Not when you're so close to getting what you want.