Closure Part 17
Authors note: I'm not a police officer so sometimes I may get things wrong. It fits in the story, I use it. Remember italics=memories.
Authors note 2: Talking of my proof reader, if you like this couple, check out her YT channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/spofmonster. In-between proof reading for me, she puts a lot of effort into them. Leave her some reviews if you feel like it. Ta ;) She has some great videos too.
Authors note 3: My characters swear. I've told them to pack the effing hell in, but they carry on regardless.
Authors note 4: Sorry sorry sorry, I'm bad I know, I'll update faster!
“Sian Powers?”
I nodded.
“We'd like you to accompany us to the station please. We have some questions we need to ask you.”
x-0-x
I stood in the door to my little room, blinking at the harsh hall lighting. The noise from them knocking on my door waking up everyone on the corridor by the looks of the other open doors. Sophie's upset face peaking out opposite me, Katy and Ches's faces looking confused and Lee's ugly mug smirking at me.
Still standing there utterly confused and brain going at a million miles an hour trying to figure out what I'd done, the Dean of the house stepped into my vision.
“Sian, lets just step into your room for a minute ok?” And obeying her cause I honestly had no idea what else to do, I stepped aside and let her pass along with the two officers, closing the door quickly behind them, but not quick enough to block out Lee's loud gloat about me being a grubby little thief.
Resting my back against the closed door, I looked at the three unwelcome intruders to my personal space. The Dean looked at the two coppers standing there looking as uncomfortable as I felt, then back to me.
“Sian, a serious accusation has been made against you, you need to go to the station with these officers as answer their questions.” I blinked, still half asleep and seriously wondering what the fuck was going on. Nodding my understanding when the repeated herself and asked if I understood, I ran my hands through my hair and reopened the door. I was ready to go, I'd even fallen asleep in my shoes the previous night for Christ’s sake.
Grabbing my phone, wallet and a coat I waited for my three unwelcome visitors to leave my little sanctuary, closed and locked the door and followed them towards the stairs, eyes on the floor and unwilling to look at anyone, only looking back once and seeing Lee comforting Sophie and looking like a smug prick. He had something to do with this didn't he? Well, with whatever 'this' was. The more I thought about it as I trudged to the police car, the more it made sense.
Sitting in the back of the police car, I cast a quick glance up at the windows of the Cartmel building, hoping to see a glimpse of Sophie, confused as hell over what was going on and being utterly gutted when I couldn't see her.
x-0-x
The short distance to the tiny police station in Lancaster didn't take long and I was quickly ushered into an interview room, the Dean accompanying me in as I had no one else yet and I was apparently only being 'questioned' and not arrested. Sitting in the small windowless room at a tiny table with me and the Dean of my house on one side and two empty chairs on the other, I don't think I'd ever felt so low or isolated in my entire life. Sitting waiting for the officers to come in, I looked at the Dean, asking her what had gone on. She'd just smiled, not unkindly, and said it was a serious accusation and I needed to hear what they had to say and she's probably only explain it wrong. I know she was only doing what she thought was right, but all I wanted was a hug. I wanted Sophie, Ben, Ryan, my mum, my dad, anyone other than this well meaning woman who I didn't know.
Keeping my head down until the two officers entered the room and sat down opposite me. I looked up to see them shuffling papers around on the desk and placing a new tape in the tape recorder.
The male officer started talking, stating his name, the time and date, who was present in the room and the fact that I apparently wasn't under arrest but was being questioned about the disappearance of peoples property from the corridor.
What the fuck? I sat there blinking even harder in the harsh office lighting, the strip lighting overhead flickering and buzzing just to piss me off that little bit more. I was asked again and again if I knew anything about the disappearance of the food. I shook my head no, explaining my theory that it was just students being lazy arsed students and using someone else’s, and yeah hadn't some of mine gone missing too?
But I hadn't reported anything missing. And then mine had stopped being taken.
And Lee had. Every fucking thing down to the last baked bean. The Dean sitting next to me confirmed it.
And then there was the disappearance of the stuff he'd been whining about last time coupled with a new loss of his beloved iPod today. And where exactly was I when it had gone missing? I'd stopped at that. Hesitated just that fraction too long while I quickly mulled over saying I was with Soph and she could provide me with an alibi. Then remembering how far into Narnia she fucking was, I'd let my head drop back a little, finally straightened up (ironic eh?) and said I was with a girl I didn't want to name.
Both coppers just looked at each other. It was pretty easy to guess that wasn't the right answer, but now I'd stubbornly stuck my neck out for the woman I loved I couldn't go back. She'd said I'd kept pushing her too far and I didn't want to out her to the world.
I protested, said it wasn't me, Lee hated me and had accused me because.... and then stopped again. Both coppers leaning forward in their seats, but... nothing. I couldn't out her like this. She'd come forward on her own, I knew it. We'd been a little patchy with all the Lee shit, but she wouldn't let me wallow. I'd have a chat with her when I got back. I knew she'd be fine with it once I'd explained I'd not wanted to out her and none of this rubbish was me, just Lee's bigoted and jealous mind.
After an hours grilling on my whereabouts complete with my mentioning that I’d been in the library that evening too they'd let me go with the final comment that they'd be in touch and would be investigating further and made me leave them further contact details. I refused a lift back to the student accommodation, wanting to get some fresh air on the walk back. Turning my mobile phone on and finding no messages waiting for me I almost felt like lashing it against a wall. The busy reception area of the station buzzing around me as I just stared at my phone. Well, that was just great. She really did care didn't she? Shoving my phone in my pocket and angrily wiping away the tears that had suddenly sprung up from the corner of my eyes, I was about to stalk off and have another argument with Sophie when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, making me jump.
I looked into the gentle brown eyes of the female copper who had interviewed me..... PC......Martin that was it.
“You OK Miss Powers? Do you need a lift back to the campus?” She stood waiting patiently while I struggled to get my bloody leaky eyes back under control before grasping my elbow with her hand and leading me outside and leaning me against a secluded wall. Relaxing against the wall next to me, hands in pockets she let me cry out my frustrations before handing me a tissue and turning away discreetly as I dabbed at my eyes and blew my nose.
“Miss Powers” she started before waiting for me to look at her, “Sian. We know you're not telling us something. “ I blinked, well, I'd known they realised that when I hesitated earlier. “You know, if it is something that can help you, that can help US, you need to be honest.” She paused, gentling her voice. “Who are you protecting Sian? Is it worth being wrongly accused?”
I put my head down knowing she was right but also knowing Soph'd come forward and tell them the truth. I was sure of it. Wasn’t I?
She looked at me some more before taking a card out of her shirt pocket.
“Here you go. We have your details. If you change your mind and want to tell me what you're currently not saying..... this is my contact details at the station.” Patting my shoulder and leaving me with a “we'll be in touch Miss Powers” she ambled back into the station leaving me to mull over my own thoughts.
Stuffing the card into my pocket I took a slow walk through the town, ending up in the coffee shop I worked in and letting the kindly owners mother me with coffee whilst they didn't pressure me for answers about my insane life. I don't think I could have answered them anyway. “My life’s an episode of Jeremy Kyle where my girlfriends in the closet and I suspect her jealous male best friend has set me up to get me out of the picture.” Yup. Maybe Jerry Springer would be a better choice for it. Making my coffee last for an hour I smiled my thanks and waving goodbye I headed back to campus, finally arriving when it was dark.
Too ashamed to be seen in the daylight. I'd managed to sneak into the building and was just heading for the stairs when I heard the whispers start. People on other corridors obviously aware of me being questioned. As soon as they realised I'd heard them, the whispers would stop. I'd climbed to my floor, through two floors of whispers and stares and stood there. No doors were open, nothing. I tapped gently on Sophie's door, but there was answer. You know something? Fuck them. Fuck them with their attitudes towards my slight accent, towards me being gay, to every fucking thing. I'd told Sophie I loved her and she'd said fuck all. Fuck her. She'd not even sent me a text.
Opening my door and slipping in, I stood in the small space I'd loved, it was mine, and now, over reaction or not it felt violated. Not bothering to turn on the lights I walked to my wardrobe and grabbed a heavy jumper, the lighter one I’d had on earlier no barrier to the colder weather in the evening. Throwing the hoodie on, I headed back to my door, cursing when my foot slipped on something on the carpet. Leaning down and grabbing the offending item I opened and then locked my door behind me looking at the piece of folded paper in my hand. My name on the front of it in Sophie's distinctive writing. Well, great I could well imagine what this was. I screwed the paper up in my hand and shoved it into my pocket.
Fuck it and fuck her. Seeing Sophie's bin outside her door where she must have left it after emptying it, I took a swing with my right foot, letting my frustrations and temper getting the better of me; smiling as I made a satisfying connection and it clanged down the corridor, the sound echoing off the walls.
FUCK HER.
Turning around as I heard doors opening I didn't stop or even turn around to the quiet voice saying my name and asking me to wait. Marching off to who knows where, back through the wall of accusing stares and whispers about me being a thief and the police turned up dontcha know? I ran into the crisp evening air. Wandering aimlessly until I found myself outside Ryan's accommodation. I bit down the nerves and entered the building, once again trying to blend in with the background as people noticed me. The glorious news of my being hauled away by the bizzies had obviously started to do the rounds, courtesy of Lee the prick and his cronies I reckoned.
Head down I made my way to Ry's room, knocking on the door and shuffling on the spot uncomfortably aware of how exposed I felt and seriously wishing the ground would open up and swallow me. Oh shit, what if Ry was 'entertaining'. I started to back away not wanting to disturb my friend when the door opened.
“Sian? Thank fuck” Ryan grabbed my hand and dragged me into his room, throwing the phone he had in his hand onto the bed and shutting the door with his other hand before wrapping me up in a hug. It was enough to undo me completely. All I'd wanted was a hug off someone and here it was, but sadly not off the people I'd desperately wanted. I wasn't being ungrateful don't get me wrong, but as lovely as Ryan was as a friend and as nice and warm as his hugs were he wasn't Sophie.
We'd ended up sitting on his bed, me snuggled into his side as I told him everything that had happened in the past 24 hours. He'd been trying to get in touch with me, but my phone had been off when I was in the station and really how about if Sophie'd tried the same thing. I grumbled him. Fucking Mr Rational taking over from Ben. Still trying to keep the moral high ground I grabbed the letter she'd left under my door from out of my pocket and waved it at him. Chuckling at me, Ry got up and flicked his kettle on.
“And have you read it?”
I looked at him, leaning back against his desk with a raised eyebrow.
Git.
“No.” I looked at the crumpled folded piece of paper. “Why do I need to? I know what it says.” I threw the paper on the bed while Ry made us some tea, accepting the hot cup of sweet liquid that was given to me as he resumed his position sitting next to me. Grabbing the paper in his free hand, he raised that eyebrow at me again silently asking for permission. Nodding as I took a sip of tea, I listened to the rustle of paper as Ryan opened the page and then read it.
“Seems pretty self explanatory to me.” He shoved the paper under my nose, making me read it.
“Sian, we need to talk, let me know when you're back.”
Yup, as I thought (and told Ry) pretty self explanatory to me, she wanted to bin me off. Ryan wasn't having it, stating he thought she just wanted to talk to me but we weren't going to argue. Reaching up and turning off the light he dragged me down and let me snuggle up to him, knowing I didn't want to go back to my room and face anyone, even though he said I was just raw and upset after the bollocks from the police. Feeling him give me a gentle kiss on the head and telling me it'd seem different tomorrow I nodded off to sleep.
Authors note 2: Talking of my proof reader, if you like this couple, check out her YT channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/spofmonster. In-between proof reading for me, she puts a lot of effort into them. Leave her some reviews if you feel like it. Ta ;) She has some great videos too.
Authors note 3: My characters swear. I've told them to pack the effing hell in, but they carry on regardless.
Authors note 4: Sorry sorry sorry, I'm bad I know, I'll update faster!
“Sian Powers?”
I nodded.
“We'd like you to accompany us to the station please. We have some questions we need to ask you.”
x-0-x
I stood in the door to my little room, blinking at the harsh hall lighting. The noise from them knocking on my door waking up everyone on the corridor by the looks of the other open doors. Sophie's upset face peaking out opposite me, Katy and Ches's faces looking confused and Lee's ugly mug smirking at me.
Still standing there utterly confused and brain going at a million miles an hour trying to figure out what I'd done, the Dean of the house stepped into my vision.
“Sian, lets just step into your room for a minute ok?” And obeying her cause I honestly had no idea what else to do, I stepped aside and let her pass along with the two officers, closing the door quickly behind them, but not quick enough to block out Lee's loud gloat about me being a grubby little thief.
Resting my back against the closed door, I looked at the three unwelcome intruders to my personal space. The Dean looked at the two coppers standing there looking as uncomfortable as I felt, then back to me.
“Sian, a serious accusation has been made against you, you need to go to the station with these officers as answer their questions.” I blinked, still half asleep and seriously wondering what the fuck was going on. Nodding my understanding when the repeated herself and asked if I understood, I ran my hands through my hair and reopened the door. I was ready to go, I'd even fallen asleep in my shoes the previous night for Christ’s sake.
Grabbing my phone, wallet and a coat I waited for my three unwelcome visitors to leave my little sanctuary, closed and locked the door and followed them towards the stairs, eyes on the floor and unwilling to look at anyone, only looking back once and seeing Lee comforting Sophie and looking like a smug prick. He had something to do with this didn't he? Well, with whatever 'this' was. The more I thought about it as I trudged to the police car, the more it made sense.
Sitting in the back of the police car, I cast a quick glance up at the windows of the Cartmel building, hoping to see a glimpse of Sophie, confused as hell over what was going on and being utterly gutted when I couldn't see her.
x-0-x
The short distance to the tiny police station in Lancaster didn't take long and I was quickly ushered into an interview room, the Dean accompanying me in as I had no one else yet and I was apparently only being 'questioned' and not arrested. Sitting in the small windowless room at a tiny table with me and the Dean of my house on one side and two empty chairs on the other, I don't think I'd ever felt so low or isolated in my entire life. Sitting waiting for the officers to come in, I looked at the Dean, asking her what had gone on. She'd just smiled, not unkindly, and said it was a serious accusation and I needed to hear what they had to say and she's probably only explain it wrong. I know she was only doing what she thought was right, but all I wanted was a hug. I wanted Sophie, Ben, Ryan, my mum, my dad, anyone other than this well meaning woman who I didn't know.
Keeping my head down until the two officers entered the room and sat down opposite me. I looked up to see them shuffling papers around on the desk and placing a new tape in the tape recorder.
The male officer started talking, stating his name, the time and date, who was present in the room and the fact that I apparently wasn't under arrest but was being questioned about the disappearance of peoples property from the corridor.
What the fuck? I sat there blinking even harder in the harsh office lighting, the strip lighting overhead flickering and buzzing just to piss me off that little bit more. I was asked again and again if I knew anything about the disappearance of the food. I shook my head no, explaining my theory that it was just students being lazy arsed students and using someone else’s, and yeah hadn't some of mine gone missing too?
But I hadn't reported anything missing. And then mine had stopped being taken.
And Lee had. Every fucking thing down to the last baked bean. The Dean sitting next to me confirmed it.
And then there was the disappearance of the stuff he'd been whining about last time coupled with a new loss of his beloved iPod today. And where exactly was I when it had gone missing? I'd stopped at that. Hesitated just that fraction too long while I quickly mulled over saying I was with Soph and she could provide me with an alibi. Then remembering how far into Narnia she fucking was, I'd let my head drop back a little, finally straightened up (ironic eh?) and said I was with a girl I didn't want to name.
Both coppers just looked at each other. It was pretty easy to guess that wasn't the right answer, but now I'd stubbornly stuck my neck out for the woman I loved I couldn't go back. She'd said I'd kept pushing her too far and I didn't want to out her to the world.
I protested, said it wasn't me, Lee hated me and had accused me because.... and then stopped again. Both coppers leaning forward in their seats, but... nothing. I couldn't out her like this. She'd come forward on her own, I knew it. We'd been a little patchy with all the Lee shit, but she wouldn't let me wallow. I'd have a chat with her when I got back. I knew she'd be fine with it once I'd explained I'd not wanted to out her and none of this rubbish was me, just Lee's bigoted and jealous mind.
After an hours grilling on my whereabouts complete with my mentioning that I’d been in the library that evening too they'd let me go with the final comment that they'd be in touch and would be investigating further and made me leave them further contact details. I refused a lift back to the student accommodation, wanting to get some fresh air on the walk back. Turning my mobile phone on and finding no messages waiting for me I almost felt like lashing it against a wall. The busy reception area of the station buzzing around me as I just stared at my phone. Well, that was just great. She really did care didn't she? Shoving my phone in my pocket and angrily wiping away the tears that had suddenly sprung up from the corner of my eyes, I was about to stalk off and have another argument with Sophie when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, making me jump.
I looked into the gentle brown eyes of the female copper who had interviewed me..... PC......Martin that was it.
“You OK Miss Powers? Do you need a lift back to the campus?” She stood waiting patiently while I struggled to get my bloody leaky eyes back under control before grasping my elbow with her hand and leading me outside and leaning me against a secluded wall. Relaxing against the wall next to me, hands in pockets she let me cry out my frustrations before handing me a tissue and turning away discreetly as I dabbed at my eyes and blew my nose.
“Miss Powers” she started before waiting for me to look at her, “Sian. We know you're not telling us something. “ I blinked, well, I'd known they realised that when I hesitated earlier. “You know, if it is something that can help you, that can help US, you need to be honest.” She paused, gentling her voice. “Who are you protecting Sian? Is it worth being wrongly accused?”
I put my head down knowing she was right but also knowing Soph'd come forward and tell them the truth. I was sure of it. Wasn’t I?
She looked at me some more before taking a card out of her shirt pocket.
“Here you go. We have your details. If you change your mind and want to tell me what you're currently not saying..... this is my contact details at the station.” Patting my shoulder and leaving me with a “we'll be in touch Miss Powers” she ambled back into the station leaving me to mull over my own thoughts.
Stuffing the card into my pocket I took a slow walk through the town, ending up in the coffee shop I worked in and letting the kindly owners mother me with coffee whilst they didn't pressure me for answers about my insane life. I don't think I could have answered them anyway. “My life’s an episode of Jeremy Kyle where my girlfriends in the closet and I suspect her jealous male best friend has set me up to get me out of the picture.” Yup. Maybe Jerry Springer would be a better choice for it. Making my coffee last for an hour I smiled my thanks and waving goodbye I headed back to campus, finally arriving when it was dark.
Too ashamed to be seen in the daylight. I'd managed to sneak into the building and was just heading for the stairs when I heard the whispers start. People on other corridors obviously aware of me being questioned. As soon as they realised I'd heard them, the whispers would stop. I'd climbed to my floor, through two floors of whispers and stares and stood there. No doors were open, nothing. I tapped gently on Sophie's door, but there was answer. You know something? Fuck them. Fuck them with their attitudes towards my slight accent, towards me being gay, to every fucking thing. I'd told Sophie I loved her and she'd said fuck all. Fuck her. She'd not even sent me a text.
Opening my door and slipping in, I stood in the small space I'd loved, it was mine, and now, over reaction or not it felt violated. Not bothering to turn on the lights I walked to my wardrobe and grabbed a heavy jumper, the lighter one I’d had on earlier no barrier to the colder weather in the evening. Throwing the hoodie on, I headed back to my door, cursing when my foot slipped on something on the carpet. Leaning down and grabbing the offending item I opened and then locked my door behind me looking at the piece of folded paper in my hand. My name on the front of it in Sophie's distinctive writing. Well, great I could well imagine what this was. I screwed the paper up in my hand and shoved it into my pocket.
Fuck it and fuck her. Seeing Sophie's bin outside her door where she must have left it after emptying it, I took a swing with my right foot, letting my frustrations and temper getting the better of me; smiling as I made a satisfying connection and it clanged down the corridor, the sound echoing off the walls.
FUCK HER.
Turning around as I heard doors opening I didn't stop or even turn around to the quiet voice saying my name and asking me to wait. Marching off to who knows where, back through the wall of accusing stares and whispers about me being a thief and the police turned up dontcha know? I ran into the crisp evening air. Wandering aimlessly until I found myself outside Ryan's accommodation. I bit down the nerves and entered the building, once again trying to blend in with the background as people noticed me. The glorious news of my being hauled away by the bizzies had obviously started to do the rounds, courtesy of Lee the prick and his cronies I reckoned.
Head down I made my way to Ry's room, knocking on the door and shuffling on the spot uncomfortably aware of how exposed I felt and seriously wishing the ground would open up and swallow me. Oh shit, what if Ry was 'entertaining'. I started to back away not wanting to disturb my friend when the door opened.
“Sian? Thank fuck” Ryan grabbed my hand and dragged me into his room, throwing the phone he had in his hand onto the bed and shutting the door with his other hand before wrapping me up in a hug. It was enough to undo me completely. All I'd wanted was a hug off someone and here it was, but sadly not off the people I'd desperately wanted. I wasn't being ungrateful don't get me wrong, but as lovely as Ryan was as a friend and as nice and warm as his hugs were he wasn't Sophie.
We'd ended up sitting on his bed, me snuggled into his side as I told him everything that had happened in the past 24 hours. He'd been trying to get in touch with me, but my phone had been off when I was in the station and really how about if Sophie'd tried the same thing. I grumbled him. Fucking Mr Rational taking over from Ben. Still trying to keep the moral high ground I grabbed the letter she'd left under my door from out of my pocket and waved it at him. Chuckling at me, Ry got up and flicked his kettle on.
“And have you read it?”
I looked at him, leaning back against his desk with a raised eyebrow.
Git.
“No.” I looked at the crumpled folded piece of paper. “Why do I need to? I know what it says.” I threw the paper on the bed while Ry made us some tea, accepting the hot cup of sweet liquid that was given to me as he resumed his position sitting next to me. Grabbing the paper in his free hand, he raised that eyebrow at me again silently asking for permission. Nodding as I took a sip of tea, I listened to the rustle of paper as Ryan opened the page and then read it.
“Seems pretty self explanatory to me.” He shoved the paper under my nose, making me read it.
“Sian, we need to talk, let me know when you're back.”
Yup, as I thought (and told Ry) pretty self explanatory to me, she wanted to bin me off. Ryan wasn't having it, stating he thought she just wanted to talk to me but we weren't going to argue. Reaching up and turning off the light he dragged me down and let me snuggle up to him, knowing I didn't want to go back to my room and face anyone, even though he said I was just raw and upset after the bollocks from the police. Feeling him give me a gentle kiss on the head and telling me it'd seem different tomorrow I nodded off to sleep.