Charlotte and Aimee could hear that slightly high pitched voice before they could see her. As obnoxious as she was, Mrs Bannister was the only authoritative figure in the entire school that any of the girls held a sliver of respect for.
"So yes, after that wonderful introduction from our newest teachers, who will be teaching junior Science and senior Visual Arts respectfully, I believe it is time to welcome our newest senior students into Year 12. If Valkyrie and Bella could stand up? Everyone, give a round of applause." Her cold, commanding tone echoed into the hallway, and the girls could already imagine her piercing stare and the abrupt stop of the school's ovation.
Which, of course, is exactly what happened when they skid to stop, both of them nearly pulling the other down in an effort to appear like they hadn't just run straight from their rooms.
Without a moment's delay, Mrs Bannister's voiced exploded.
"Girls. Why might, if I might be so rude to ask, are you late to Orientation? You know that you both have the responsibility of looking after a new student this year. If there's no acceptable response from either of you, then you'll both face detention this week, and possibly miss the welcoming dinner. And yes, you'll say it now, in front of the entire school." Her vicious smile stopped their meaningless excuses, and as Charlotte looked down to stop the tears from showing, Aimee swallowed, and took a step forward.
"It's my fault. I slept in, and Charlotte is only late because of me. I take full responsibility for the detention this week." Aimee's grip on her friend's hand tightened, and stared straight into the eyes of their headmaster.
"A valiant attempt to save a friend. Out of what little respect I hold for both of you, Aimee shall be subject to a week's detention, but neither of you shall be catering for Valkyrie. But...I'll allow the dinner. Seats, girls. Natalie! You'll have Valkyrie to look after from today until Friday. Being a Monday, you'll have to take her first class, so make sure you find her in a timely matter." Natalie, a usually quiet girl, beamed as she faced Mrs Bannister's approval.
As they entered the room, and meekly took their seats towards the end of the room, it was all Charlotte could do to give way to the sob that was caught in her throat, nor the overwhelming sensation to hug her friend. Neither of them registered the rest of that morning, missing the introduction from the new students as well as the usual pretentious chatter about the upcoming dinner on Friday, as the flood of students marched out and separated ways for their first classes.
As Aimee headed towards her mathematics class, Charlotte stopped at her locker, pulling out her newest arts diary. Huge, black and spiral bound, she could barely carry it without accidentally slamming into a couple of the juniors, but all the same, she rushed to her VA class, determined not to be late for the second time that day.
In her rush, she didn't notice Valkyrie staring at her curiously, right until the point when she was pulled away by Natalie.
YOU ARE READING
A little distant
RomanceA long distance relationship// Set in Australia, two girls fatefully meet at Saint Helena College, an all-girls preparatory school. What begins as a shy friendship blossoms into a heart-tugging relationship- but what will happen when emotions are bl...
