John drags me out kicking and screaming then throws me down on the sofa in the lobby.
'Calm down Hope' he shouts then he crouches down and lowers his voice when I start to cry in anger.
'Deep breaths for me, listen to my voice, deep breaths, in and out, in and out, that's it, in and out, in and out' John coaxes until I'm calm.
I look up at John once I'm calm then he stands back up crossing his arms over his chest
'I expect to be spoken to like a human being Hope! Not a dog!' He sternly reprimands me, I nod in understanding.
'Well as you appear to already know who has returned to school I would like to set some boundaries between you both' he says then turns to April pointing at the sofa 'sit!' He orders.
I watch as April hesitantly sits at the edge of the sofa, staying as far away from me as possible.
'Now Hope if you listen instead of acting like a rabid animal I would appreciate it' I huff, slumping back into the sofa, crossing my arms across my chest, self comforting myself
'April here was transferred to one of our sister schools after her stay in hospital' he says then his eyes skate over me, observing my reaction. Which is nothing.
'It was Mr Murphy's school to be exact, anyway, April has asked to be transferred back which has been accepted by Mr Tiz'
'What!' I screech out loudly
'Quiet I'm not finished' John orders, I huff again but listen to what his got to say.
'You both will be required to attend joint mediation next term, you will be in separate rooms and if there's any more fighting between you the new head will punish you as he sees fit'
I've heard enough! I get up quickly, push past John, whack the green button and storm out of the lobby.
I don't get too far along the path before I'm grabbed by the arm.
'And where do you think you're going?' Mr Tiz asks, I whip around and rant at him
'Out! Away from everyone! Why the fuck would I want to be anywhere near that bitch?!' I shove against his chest in anger, screaming 'Why the fuck would you accept her fucking transfer?! You know what happened' Mr Tiz grabs my body and wraps his arms around me as I start sobbing on his chest. All my emotions are haywire.
Mr Tiz rubs my back soothingly until I'm calm, when my sobs have subsided to sniffles I pull back then look up at Mr Tiz.
'I will allow what just happened to slide as you were clearly distressed but that will not happen again, do you understand me Hope' he says sternly, his eyes narrowed. I nod my head in response, not trusting my voice.
'I know exactly what your talking about Hope and I'm sorry, I had no intention to unsettle you, unless I can give sufficient reasons with evidence I'm not allowed to decline a transfer' he tells me sombrely. He lets the information sink in before he motions with his arm for someone to come forward, I glance over my shoulder to see John walking over.
As soon as John gets to me he wraps me in his arms, hugging me gently. It's comforting.
'I'm sorry the rules are stupid Hope, I wouldn't have had her back if it was up to me' John whispers comfortingly in my ear.
We stay together, me in John's comforting embrace for quite some time, when the bell goes though John pulls away.
'Come, let's get a quick cuppa before your exam'
John walks me inside the school as Mr Tiz walks to the girls dorm block. John takes me into the staff room, I sit down while he makes the tea. Mr Johnson and Miss Penny walk in with their bags, their eyes directly landing on me! Miss Penny frowns, her eyes narrowing on me
'What do you think you're doing in here' she questions rudely, I point to John and I swear she has a split personality, she beams at John who's now walking over with two cups of tea in hand.
'Oh, I'm so sorry John' she flatters her eyelashes like she's got something stuck in them
'I didn't realise you brought Hope in here' she says in a sickly sweet voice. John sighs
'Not to worry, we will be out before you know it'
I can't help myself, I fake a cough and cough out
'He's married' John scowls at me as Miss Penny blushes bright red. Mr Johnson quickly retreats from the room.
'Did you want to join us?' John asks Miss Penny, I shake my head shouting 'no! No way' they both look at me completely confused so I explain
'she must be busy and I want to chill out before my exam John' which makes John smile sympathetically towards me.
'Maybe another time then' Miss Penny announces before she rushes off with her tail between her legs. John sits down with me and passes me a cup
'Just how you like it, now drink up, you have an exam to go to'
.....
After finishing our tea we have four minutes until my exam starts, John ushers me out of the staff room then escorts me outside.
We walk across the path, straight over to the gym hall. Just like yesterday, John walks me past everyone straight into the hall, he gets me registered then escorts me to my allocated seat
'Everything I told you yesterday still applies today, alright?' He says quietly, I nod my head in response then John walks to his spot along the wall.
Within a few minutes students are filing in and taking their seats, in silence. Once everyone is accounted for and seated we're allowed to begin.
I turn the page over and start by reading the first question then I write my answer.
.....
'Pens down! File out quietly' is called across the hall. I get up and walk out with John following behind me.