"And you think this has something to do with her mother?" Michael asked carefully, making sure he received all the information. It would be the anniversary of Charlotte Mead's death in a few months so he wouldn't be surprised if Poppy's recent behaviour had been caused by that. It would be enough to upset anyone. Her death had been a shock to everyone.

Michael had only been at Waterloo Road for a month when Charlotte Mead's car was struck at the side, killing her on impact. Like all the other staff promised, Charlotte Mead's presence was not one to be forgotten and her legacy remained strong in the school and amongst the students something he had failed to see accomplished anywhere else. Poppy and Chris had been deeply affected by her death and Michael could recall the numerous times Poppy would skip school just to be somewhere that didn't remind her of her mother, which was practically impossible.

"I'm not sure. I don't think whatever it is, is just one thing." Tom sighed before reaching to the files he had in his arms. "These- these are Poppy's. Music and English. This is how she started the year." Tom explained as he gestured to the pieces of work she had written.

He nodded, noticing the skilled writing. "A grade work. I don't expect anything else."

"But" Tom started before handing Michael the essay he had marked earlier today. "This was from this morning."

"It's a world away from this." Michael observed straight away as he took in the crumbled paper and flawed handwriting. His eyes strained as he found it hard to make out what Poppy had been trying to say. "But this- this isn't even hitting a U."

Michael Byrne didn't know a lot about how English work was marked because he had been a Science teacher but he definitely knew enough to work out that this work wasn't acceptable in any board members eyes.

"She knows the work, Michael. I just don't get how she can't even reach a Pass." Tom ruffled through the sheets, handing a few more examples. "She's going to go into the exam and panic. Whatever's worrying her is going to make her crumble."

"Okay." He nodded as he listened to Tom's concerns. "We better talk to Chris. Let him know what's going on."

"And Poppy?"

"Let the staff know. Make sure they keep an eye out for any strange behaviour. Anything that doesn't resemble her usual bubbly self." He offered. Michael stood up and called through the window that opened into the secretary's room. "Janeece? Can you get Mr Mead up here for me and Sian."

"Ahh, Mr Mead. Just the man I wanted to see." Grantly spoke up from behind the paper he was currently reading. "Has the 'super head' filled you in on this new proposal he had?"

The Deputy Head shook his head from where he was pouring the hot water into his mug. "No, he hasn't Grantly." He shrugged as he chucked the tea bag into the bin before moving back over to the coffee table.

Sensing Chris' refusal to elaborate Grantly quietened and continued to read his paper in silence. Humming and tapping his foot along Grantly was beginning to annoy Chris, it hadn't been too much longer before Grantly checked his watch and headed off to his next lesson.

'Finally' Chris thought as he was now left in peace to continue his marking. He had just settled in the ready to mark his year 12's books when Janeece entered.

"Here you are." She complained. "My heels are killin me and you weren't in your classroom and-"

"What's up Janeece?" He asked not really wanting to get into a conversation about how her heels were bought in a sale and she 'knew they were cheap for a reason'.

"Oh yeah. Mr Byrne wants to see you. He looks dead thundery" She said before hurrying away back to to the offices.

Chris sighed, rubbing a hand over his forehead. He was never going to get this marking done at this rate.

Getting up Chris made his way to Michael's office.

"That's it. Now go change." Mr Diamond sent his class of ready to change before the bell went.

"I'll meet you outside the changing rooms?" Finn asked hopefully. He was aware that Poppy didn't want him around but he had hoped that she wouldn't ignore him just because he had shown her concern.

"Yeah sure." Poppy nodded before jogging to catch up with Lauren who was waiting by the gym door.

The girls managed to change pretty quick and Lauren and Poppy shared idle chit chat. Mainly gossiping. Lauren had even managed to coax a laugh out of the Mead.

"Are you not ready yet?" Lauren groaned as she watched Poppy look for her tie whilst the rest of the girls had already left.

"Two seconds, gosh." Poppy chuckled. "Go wait with Finn, I'll be two seconds."

Doing as she was told Lauren left Poppy to finish getting changed. Looking around Poppy sighed in relief as she realised that everyone had left. Reaching into her bag she lifted the cylinder. It was half empty. "Shit." She mumbled. Taking two, she swallowed quickly and left to find her two friends.

"Oi! Mead!"

"Leave me alone Amy, I'm not in the mood" Poppy groaned trying to push past her to get to third lesson but instead she slammed her back against some lockers.

"Listen to me, yeah." Amy started to point. "You're not fooling anyone with your little miss perfect act."

"Poppy. Just leave it, yeah? Mr Wilding will have our heads if we're late." Finn tried.

"No. Amy. I'm not. I'm not perfect. Thanks for pointing it out." She grumbled angrily, her tone rising as she spoke.

"You know you are. You've got everyone running around after you. Such a princess." Amy smiled knowing these words were enough to antagonise Poppy. "Such a shame eh? You're a failing mess. Disappointing everyone."

"She's not worth it, Poppy." Finn tried to step in but it had been too late.

Poppy didn't say anything but pulled her arm back and swung her fist into Amy Porter's jaw.

Rage flashed in Amy's eyes and she threw Poppy Mead to the floor, climbing on top of her as she pulled at her perfect hair.

Poppy managed to trip up so he too was on the floor beside her she managed to regain her composure and continued to throw her fist into the girl's jaw.

Echoes of "hit her" and "get her" came from all directions. Some students continued to cheer whilst friends of the two girls attempted to pry them away from each other.

"Don't just stand there!" Finn snapped at Lauren as he attempted to break up the fight. "Get Mr Byrne!"

"But Poppy's doing fine about Charlotte." Chris tried to argue. "Yeah, it's tough but we manage."

"We're not saying that it's about Charlotte. It could be. But I'm more concerned she's acting on the pressure." Tom said.

Mr Byrne had been ready to speak up again when Lauren Andrews burst through the door, Janeece following behind. "I tried to stop madam here, Mr Byrne."

"Laur-"

"No sir, quick. It's Poppy." Lauren looked to Chris who already sprung from his chair. "She's fighting with Amy."

The three men rushed down to where the commotion was taking place. Running down the stairs Michael was first to see the girls scrapping. Finn was trying to pry Poppy away and Ronan and Tariq tried to pull back Amy Porter. It seemed that Poppy had swung back as the head teacher noticed the blood dripping from Finn. He couldn't see Poppy, not properly anyway.

"STOP!" He rushed over. He managed to cup Poppy's small fist in his hand before she could do anymore damage and held her away from Amy.

"Amy. Cooler, now. I'll deal with you later." Mr Clarkson sent Amy away.

"But she started it."

"Give over, Amy. You've been giving her a hard time for weeks." Ronan scoffed, standing up for his friend in the year below.

"That's enough." Mr Clarkson shouted. "Everybody. Back to class. Now. Show's over."

"Get off me." Poppy began shouting as she struggled to get free of her teachers hold. With no luck exhaustion took over her as whole body collapsed to the floor. It wasn't until a strong pair of arms wrapped around her she realised that it had been Mr Byrne to pull her away.

Chris, who had stood frozen finally dropped to his knees beside Poppy. He had never seen her like this. Never.

He moved closer until he was close enough to gently talk to her. "Poppy?" Poppy didn't respond to her name being called so Chris tried again. "Poppy, darling, I need you to talk to me."

"Dad" Her voice cracked as she lifted her head from where it rested.

"How about we go talk in Mr Byrne's office. Away from all this." Tom suggested softly. He knew being angry was not going to help the situation.

Poppy agreed and followed the teachers towards Mr Byrne's office. The four all settles and Poppy knew she wasn't going to win this one so she had best start talking her way out of it.

"Look Da-" She began to say from the sofa she found herself sat on.

"Button it a minute, Poppy. Let me speak." Chris put a hand up to stop her. Satisfied she wasn't going to start again he perched himself on the edge of Michael's desk. "What happened down there? I know you and Amy don't get on but a fight? Really?"

"Bu-"

"Look, Poppy." Michael interrupted, aware that they wouldn't get anywhere if Chris wanted to coax an argument. "We're concerned that something is troubling you. We can help you but first we need to know what's wrong. Has something happened?"

"No." Poppy said quickly. Recovering she corrected herself. "No, nothing's happened."

Tom and Michael shared a look whilst Chris remained unpleased. "Okay. Just remember there are people here, it doesn't have to be your dad you talk to." Michael said softly.

Poppy nodded mutely. "But what about Amy? The fight?"

"You can come and sit in my class whilst I talk to Amy." Tom offered, with a quick glance to Michael and Chris they both nodded.

"But Poppy, trust that this is your final warning. You got that?" Chris warned. His tone not so soft anymore but more determined.

"Yes, dad." Poppy nodded.

"You're my daughter, Poppy. I just want what's best, okay?" When Poppy nodded Chris pushed himself from the desk. "Now get out of here. I'll see you when you get home, okay?"

"And Poppy? Stay away from Amy Porter." Michael added before she shut the door behind her.

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