Author Note: I don't know if anyone still reads Waterloo Road fanfic but I've recently re-watched it all after nearly a 5 year break (caught up on all the new episodes too) I couldn't get this storyline out of my head so I decided to re-open my fanfic account and start writing again.
If anyone reads pls review because I'll always post/update for even one reader.
I have loads of other stories that I've wrote for a different fandom which I can happily convert over if anyone wants more!
Enjoy.
I Blame You
'Nobody taught me how to cry, and for that… I blame you.'
Chapter 1
Rachel Mason stood at the forefront of her school. A cautious smile fell upon her face as a shaky breath parted ways with her. Her eyes scanned the empty school yard, remanence of the previous school year she had left behind whispered in the evening summer breeze. Images flashed into her mind, the gasps from pupils and staff, the shock and exposure flushed at her cheeks as she remembered that moment all too well.
'Penny for them' Eddie crept up behind her, a delicate hand on her shoulder, slipping to her lower back, the warmth radiating through them both as he smiled down to her, breaking her from the past.
'You'll be rich if I stand here too long then.' She teased with a flash of a grin, her eyes capturing his gaze as her heart calmed in an instant. He was her calm among the chaos, a love that was deep routed to her very core.
'Does that mean I get a raise, Boss?' He winked, his hand slipping around her waist and pulling her closer. As she lent into him her eyes closes momentarily, her nose filled with the fresh scent of sandalwood, her nerves calming as she listened to his steady heartbeat. He softly kissed the top of her head and held her a little tighter for a few moments. 'It's going to be ok' he reassured her.
'Yeah, yeah I think it will.' She whispered. She wasn't sure if she was trying to reassure herself or him in that moment, but neither worked she knew that much. As Eddie used his hand around her waist to guide her into the empty school, she couldn't shake the memories of the last time she strode these halls just 6 weeks ago…
Rachel stood in the assembly hall smiling happily at all her pupils and staff as she continued with her end of term speech.
'As you all know this has been my first year as headmistress of Waterloo Road, and it's been a wonderful year. You know, just getting to know you all. I hope you all feel the same way.' she laughed nervously.
'Yeah but they don't know you do they!' The roughened of his voice echoed through the hall, everyone gasping and turning to face the unknown male walking towards the stage, towards Rachel. 'They don't know the truth do they, Amanda.' He spat.
Rachel stood routed to the spot, her mind racing as her heart pounded against her chest. How was this happening. Her body stiffed as she watched him closely, following every step he made as he walked towards her.
'That's her real name see, at least it was when she was a prostitute!' He snarled, her secret exposed.
'Hey!" Eddie shouted, jumping to his feet In defence.
'That's right boys and girls, your Ms Mason used to earn her living on her back.'
'Rach? Rachel, Are you listening to me?' Eddie nudged her gently, snapping her back from her thoughts. She glanced around the room, her mind racing to catch up and her breath hitched as she realised they were no longer in the hallways and in her office.
'S.S. sorry ' her mind struggled to find her words as her mouth ran dry.
'It's going to be ok, you'll see that tomorrow when all the kids are back, they were so proud of you for standing up and owning your past. We all are. It shows this lot that you can have a difficult background and still achieve great things. They're proud of you Ms Mason.' Eddie's words were soothing. He stood in front of her desk, his hands reaching across and entwining with hers as he spoke.
'How can you be so sure?' The uncertainly etched across her face.
'Because, I've never known a better Head for this school. The respect these kids have for you is unmatched. Rachel when you opened up to them and left the room, they gave you a standing ovation. Please, believe me. They want you here.' He grinned widely, there was something about Eddie Lawson that made Rachel melt, his mere presence was enough to remind her she was safe. She had been so thankful for Eddie. From the moment she came into Waterloo Road as Headmistress to when she first told him about her past nearly 5 months ago, he didn't shy away, never faltered. He was just there, and continued to show up for her every day since.
'You're a really supportive Deputy Eddie, Thank you.' She half teased with a sigh, she knew that nothing would prepare her for tomorrow, she needed to see that the students wanted her to return, not just hear it.
'Ouch' he winked and chucked as she rolled her eyes at him.
'You're an even better partner don't worry' she giggled and lent forward, her lips gently brushing against his, her heartbeat steading and her worries calming in an instant.
'Right, as I was saying, are you done here? I am desperate to go home and enjoy our last night of freedom before all the misfits return tomorrow'
'Eddie! You cannot call our pupils 'misfits'' she huffed with a tenderness in her voice.
'I was talking about the staff Rach.' He laughed, his eyes widening to exacerbate his point. Rachel shook her head in disbelief. Her lips curling as she chuckled with him.
'They're not misfits either.'
'No of course not, Miss Haycock and Mr Budgen are reputable staff members.' He rolled his eyes sarcastically.
'Ok, ok. I think we are done here, I don't think there is much more I can do now before tomorrow. A new term is upon us.' She mumbled as she packed her things into her back, tucking her chair under her desk and rounding the front to greet Eddie.
'I wonder what chaos it will Bring' He quipped sarcastically as he flicked the lights off, holding the door open for Rachel and following her out of her office.
'Oh don't! I think there was enough drama last year' she huffed and Eddie's laugh echoed down the corridor.
'There is always Drama Rach, it's Waterloo Road.'
'Thats…reassuring, I think' her face confused and bewildered as she contemplated what delights were going to come through those doors In the distance when tomorrow morning arrived.
As morning shone through the windows and the shrill of the 5.30am alarm woke Eddie up from his slumber there was a silence in the air. The new school term had finally arrived. It was time to see if all his summer reassurances were that of his hopes or truths. He prayed he was right. Eddie rolled over and splayed his arm out expecting to encase Rachel's body. His eyes opened wider as he felt the coolness of the sheets. His body twisted and his legs dropped down to meet the plush carpet, his arms stretching above his head as he went to find her.
Rachel was sat at her kitchen island, her fingers wrapped around a now cold coffee mug and her mind afar, her body motionless as Eddie approached her with caution. He grinned at her, there was nothing he loved more than seeing her fresh in the morning, there were times he couldn't believe just how luck he was.
'I told you I'd be taking a penny for those' he quipped, pulling out a stool and slumping down next to her. His band gently rubbing along her shoulders and down to her low back once again to offer comfort.
'And I told you that you'd be rich' she giggled snapping from her thoughts. 'I'm ok, a little nervous but I always am at the start of a new term.' Her soft brown eyes fell upon his and she smiled sweetly. 'Good Morning' she leant forward, brushing his lips with a delicate kiss.
'Good Morning Ms Mason' he pulled her in closer, his hands tugging at her hips as he pushed a little harder into the kiss. As Rachel pulled back her gaze lingered on his, their eyes speaking a thousand words.
'Want a fresh one?' He asked.
'No thank you, I am going to shower and sort myself out. Leaving at 6.30 yeah?' She questioned standing before him, Eddie nodded and planted another kiss on her cheek before loosening his grip on her waist and letting her head upstairs.
Once she stepped out of the shower and pulled her clothes from her closet Rachel caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. In truth she no longer hated the person staring back at her like she had at the start of the summer, there was some growth and development most of which she had to admit came from Eddie and her friends loving her regardless. She smiled nervously as she pulled her clothes on. Her body clad in tailored navy trousers, a crisp white shirt and a Navy blazer. She slipped her feet into her heels, groaning inwardly as she felt the familiar sting.
'I haven't missed these' she grumbled checking her appearance and looking at the heel peaking through the end of the trouser. She smiled and inhaled deeply before exhaling with a slow meaningly breathe. Eddie walked into the bedroom and his eyes wandered over her, his heart racing as he watched the material grace her fair skin.
'Eddie…' she warned him, her eyes wide and a cheeky grin on her lips as she smirked to him.
'I am going to struggle to keep my hands off you' he winked walking towards her as she picked up her brush. She held it out before her, creating a gap between them.
'No, no Eddie we are strictly professional in work' she warned, her tone a little sterner as she tried to talk some sense into him.
'Yeah yeah, but were not at work now' he jumped forward grabbing her and crashing his lips deeply onto hers. Rachel moaned in response as she melted against him. Her hands raising to his bare chest as his circled down her skin, lingering over the small of her back. He pulled back, intoxicated by her. 'Can I get sent to the Head's office at lunch?' He asked and she swatted him playfully.
'No, you cannot, I've got a meeting at lunch with one of the board of governors and a social worker.' She reasoned and he pretended to pout as he started to get dressed, letting her get her hair and make up sorted.
'What's that for again?' He asked
'Something to do with a pupil they want to consider transferring. All I know is they've referred to her as 'One of the most complex cases they've had' and that's it' She paused, her face twisting. 'I really wish they would stop labelling kids and just give them a chance, no kid is that complex, they're normally the ones who need more love and time.' She sighed, it was something that greatly saddened her. She truly had a passion for supporting her pupils.
'Well, whoever she is, she has the best Head Teacher around. If anyone can give someone love and time Rach, it's you.' He spoke sincerely and she smiled in appreciation a little excitement about the new term finally stirring inside her.
'You've got 10 minutes, I'll meet you downstairs' she called out before exiting the room and packing her handbag ready to leave for work.