Thread: Fox at Bay (Alan23 x Sweetred)

Sianelle didn't know if she should be worried or happy that Mrs Cole was sick, and Mr Hopkins was acting as Headmaster. The bad news was that unlike Mrs Cole, who was a bit scared of her, Mr Hopkins was the sort that didn't seem to be frightened of anything. A slim, athletic man, he had more than once stood up to hulking great school bullies, and most were in no doubt that he could take any of them apart, had he chosen. It was impossible to stare him down, and there was a rumor that he year before, three of the toughest senior kids who had been excluded had lain in wait for him outside the school gates to beat him up - and that he'd put them all in hospital. The good news, though, was that Mr Hopkins was both good-looking and unmarried. Sianelle had had a massive crush for him for at least a year. Whenever she was in his presence she found herself getting wet at the crotch, and pushing at her hair and fussing with her clothes. This time was no exception. Right from the first handshake, she felt her knees go weak, and when Mr Hopkins began speaking, saying that Snowflaik's constant bullying of other girls, her skipping school, her refusal to obey rules - that all this had to stop - Sianelle found herself agreeing to all sorts of things, and even intending to stick to them. She was even regretting humiliating Angela Fox the evening before, for she sensed the chivalrous Mr Hopkins would not be impressed. She had almost come to the end of the interview, and was congratulating herself on getting through it without her blush becoming too obvious, when she heard a tentative knock at the door. For Xianna, the short from the school gates to the main building seemed to last a week. As soon as they entered, she could sense people looking at them and pointing. Obviously the word had got around about a grown woman who had had her skirt pulled down in public, and had been powerless to prevent it or defend herself. It was so unfair. Any other girl, even one as bullied as herself, would at least have been able to count upon being safe when their mother was with them. But her own mother was too useless to protect her. The kids were not even bothering to lower their voices or be subtle about it. Looking across at her mother, Xianna saw she was doing her best to appear unconcerned, walking along with her head held high. Unfortunately, her attempt to appear unruffled wasn't working, for her face was becoming redder and redder with shame, and she kept tugging at her jacket, which, Xianna knew, she always did when she was feeling ill at ease. It was a sure giveaway. Whether in a conflict situation, or talking to a guy to whom she was attracted, or even when talking to someone she felt was her social superior, Angela would fuss with her clothes. And it wasn't as if it even did anything to help her appearance. No matter how often she yanked it down, the jacket or sweater Mum was wearing would always just ride straight up again and gather in wrinkles and folds around her midriff. Xianna writhed at her mother's inability to even keep her jacket in place. She walked with her own eyes directly on the ground, and could feel her own face burning. When her mother reached out to touch her hand, Xianna jerked her own away quickly. As if things weren't mortifying enough, to have her mother hold her hand... no, no, no! And then, as they passed a small knot of kids whom Xianna recognized as part of the clique to which Snowflaik Leary belonged, one of them called out Hey sexy where ya goin'. Angela pretended not to hear, but Xianna saw her face go even redder. It was partly, Xianna knew, that any mention of sex made her shy mother blush up, but this time there was also the humiliation of knowing that a schoolkid could make fun of her. Normally, an adult was safe from catcalls and cheek. Now, Xianna saw, her mother was again tugging at her jacket, obviously upset. Finally, they reached the door of Mrs Cole's office and Angela knocked. Just for a second, Xianna relaxed. At least the two of them would be safe once inside. It was Mr Hopkins' voice that called out to enter, which was even better. But then, it struck home that she had heard another, familiar, voice inside. That of Snowflaik's mother! By the look of it, Mum hadn't noticed. And when she opened the door, it was too late. Why, Mrs Fox, how nice to see you, Snowflaik's mother said, in a friendly voice. Xianna almost sobbed in gratitude. At first, seeing the horrible woman who had pulled her mother's skirt down the night before, she had almost screamed... but Mrs Leary seemed determined to be nice. Perhaps, Xianna thought, she had realized, overnight, how mean she had been. Or, more likely, did not want Mr Hopkins to know what had happened. Looking at her mother, Xianna saw her at first turn white from fear, and start shaking and then, as she too realized that Sianelle Leary was not going to do anything, relax a little. This, however, did not mean that Xianna's embarrassment was over, for as soon as her mind emptied of fear, her mother seemed to realize that this was Mr Hopkins, and she went into the routing she always did when she was with a man to whom she was attracted. She started simpering and blushing, playing with her hair and tugging at her jacket. Xianna was mortified. A few minutes after she'd left, Sianelle was frantically speaking into her mobile. She had, originally, been prepared to let bygones be bygones with Angela Fox. After all, the poor woman could not defend herself, and was no threat. It had been fun pulling her skirt down, but as enjoyable as it might have been to keep doing it, it seemed a bit cowardly to pick on someone who was so weak and helpless. However, she had noticed Angela's reaction when she had seen Mr Hopkins. At once, her anger flared back up. How dare this wimpy, snobby woman carry on like that in front of Mr Hopkins? From being someone who could be dismissed as beyond contempt, suddenly Angela Fox was a rival! Snowy, listen, she said, quickly. That stupid little Xianna Fox and her dweeb of a mum are in the Head's office. I bet she's whining about what you did to her yesterday. She needs to be taught a lesson. I can't do much, but I want you to get her back, make her wish she'd never stuck her nose it. I'll leave it to you what you do. She smiled in satisfaction. If Snowflaik got into trouble, she'd deny giving her daughter any such order, and pretend to be shocked. She couldn't wait to see what Snowflaik would do to make sure that stupid woman stayed away from Mr Hopkins in future!