hafl: (Girls' literature)
hafl ([personal profile] hafl) wrote2011-06-14 03:56 am

(no subject)

Title: Unbroken, Chapter One
Original work: Malory Towers
Pairing: None yet
Rating: PG


When she returned from yet another detention, the last person June wanted to see was Felicity Rivers waiting for her. Since she had become the head of the Fourth Form, Felicity also got into the habit of lecturing June every time she got herself in trouble. Now that the end of term was approaching, June had already learnt all those speeches by heart and could recite them word-by-word.
„So what was it today, June?“ asked Felicity, as if she did not know.
„You know it perfectly well, Felicity,“ said June, „It’s because I gave that pipsqueak what she deserved. And you know just as well that she was long overdue for someone to box her ears.“
„She might have, but that is not for you to decide and in any case, you had no right to do it,“ said Felicity, „Now listen…“
As Felicity started her usual speech about responsibility and obeying the teachers, June stopped paying attention. It was sad how those years at Malory Towers changed Felicity. In their first years, she used to be so much fun to be around, but now she was almost as bad with her nagging as Susan. Though June had to admit that even if Felicity’s personality had changed for the worse, her looks changed for the better. Now that autumn term was coming to an end and all the girls had to separate for holidays, June was actually looking forward to seeing how much had Felicity changed over that time.
„Now June,“ said Felicity, „do try to behave better next time. How are the kids supposed to respect us, when you treat them like rubbish?“
„Felicity,“ said June, „Shut up.“
The effect was immediate, as Felicity’s cheeks reddened and her eyes flashed. While Felicity did not possess the temper that made her sister famous, there were things that could make her flare up and disrespecting her new dignity was one of them. “June!” she cried out, “You know you’re not supposed to talk like that at school!”
“See if I care,” said June, “You’re becoming a nag just like Susan. You used to be able to appreciate a joke, now you’re so prim and proper the Mistresses could take lessons from you.”
“Well, if you weren’t always so self-centred,” retorted Felicity, “You’d notice that I never try so hard to help the others-“
“Because they do not need it, right?” said June, “Because they’re already up to your lofty standards, aren’t they?”
“No-“ started Felicity.
June cut her off, “Then why is it, Felicity? Have they already told you off?”
“Because I worry about you,” said Felicity, “You always get into scrapes like this, when you don’t have to. Though now I don’t see why I bothered. You clearly don’t want anyone to worry about you.”
“If I wanted your help or your concern, Felicity Rivers,” said June, “I would have asked for it. In the meantime, you can mind your own business.”
“Then if you want to be left alone so badly,” said Felicity, “You no longer have to bother to come and talk to me and Susan, since we’re going to mind our own business from now on.”
With this, Felicity started to stride off towards the dormitory, leaving June standing in front of Miss Potts’ office. This had certainly gotten out of hand. Just as June pulled herself together, the door to the office opened and Miss Potts looked out.
“I did not mean to eavesdrop June, but you girls were hard not to overhear,” she said, “I’m afraid you’re to blame here, Felicity cares about you and you have hurt her. However, if you sincerely apologise, you may still have not lost her friendship. Admit it, and everything should be like before. Do you understand, June?”
Although defiance rose up inside her, June was not in the mood to pick another fight, so she just listened demurely, as if she were accepting the blame. She nodded.
“Very well then, June,” said Miss Potts, “Bedtime’s coming, so you’d better hurry and get back to the dormitory.”
With that, Miss Potts closed the door and left June to return to dormitory. When June arrived there, the girls were already getting ready to go to sleep and nobody paid June much attention. Felicity was pointedly ignoring her and Susan followed her lead, even though she seemed to be a little confused by it.
June did not apologise. She and Felicity did not speak a single word to each other, not even “Good morning” or “Good night” until they went home for the holidays.

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