Do you wanna be a poet and write Do you wanna be an actor up in lights Do you wanna be a soldier and fight for love Do you wanna travel the world Do you wanna be a diver for pearls Or climb a mountain and touch the clouds above Be anyone you want to be Bring to life your fantasies But I want something in return I want you to burn burn for me baby Like a candle in my night Oh burn Burn for me Burn for me Are you gonna be a gambler and deal Are you gonna be a doctor and heal Or go to heaven and touch God's face Are you gonna be a dreamer who sleeps Are you gonna be a sinner who weeps Or an angel Under grace I'll lay down on your bed of coals Offer up my heart and soul But in return I want you to burn Burn for me baby Like a candle in my night Oh burn burn for me burn for me Yeah Ooh I want you to burn baby ooh Laugh for me Cry for me Pray for me Lie for me Live for me Die for me I want you to burn Burn for me baby Like a candle in my night Oh burn burn for me burn for me Yeah Ah yeah I want you to burn I want you to burn for me baby Ohh yeah "The Day When a Whole Lot of People Got in Trouble" Abby Keeping had a tall order that one grisly January day. Whenever she wasn't teaching classes, Keeping was in charge of detention, and she usually had a full load at least once every week. This time, however, it seemed like it was the day when a whole lot of people got in trouble, and some of these were students who were normally "good". Abby's "regulars"—Ivory, X Walker, Allie Blair, Zane, Kula, Corona, and Ana—were almost totally assembled, with some unusual exceptions. Aintzane was absent, what a relief, and so were Corona and Allie, perhaps off fondling each other in a dark corner of the school. This day was unusual not just because she had so many in detention, but a few were even teachers. In order to fully understand everything, one would have to realize that, early on in her career as a teacher, Abby had volunteered to be detention monitor, claiming that a psychologist would be more suited to handle the girls' problems than some poor soul who didn't want to be there at all. Of course, seeing as how she kept on getting the same people in detention time and again, those in charge, particularly Headmistress Marbel, wondered if she was really the right woman for the job. She struggled to keep her position, insisting that she could get through to the troublemaking girls yet. The absence of Klein and Blair was proof of her success. Even though Marbel was strongly against suspension or expulsion, she had no objection towards good strong discipline, and had often meted out punishments herself. The girls that day were forced to converge in one room, teachers included, and were asked to reveal why they were there and what they could do to fix it. Abby had locked the door and stored the keys in a safe spot, so nobody would leave until she was satisfied. Strangely enough, Ivory volunteered to go first, and was asked to bring Blake up with her. Usually the brash girl was the most rebellious, but here she actually seemed remorseful (further proof of Keeping's success, perhaps?). "Uh, hey," said Tran, waving shyly. Blake crossed her arms. It wasn't her fault she was in detention. Ivory had started everything. "Look," she continued, "I know you all think I'm a big pain in the ass and a bitch, but I'm trying real hard to change. I've been in here enough times to know everybody, but I really want to stop. Miss K," she said, nodding to the patient teacher, "I've been trying my best to behave, and you've got to admit that I've been doing better." "Yes, I do. But you seemed to have retrogressed earlier today. That fight you started did not look very healthy from my perspective." "I wouldn't have started the damned thing if miss druggie here kept her mouth shut." Blake snapped back. "Hey, some of us can't help what we're born with! So sue me if I forgot my meds and shot my mouth off!" "How can ya forget something like that, specially if it makes you act that way if you do? You oughta be locked up!" "Enough," said Ms. Keeping, raising arms and voice before the argument could escalate. "We are not making progress with this bantering. Miss Baum, since your name comes first, why don't you tell me what happened?" Blake sighed and ran a hand through her rusty hair. "She and I were working on a project together for Miss Madsen's class. We got picked randomly, which I didn't really like—I would've rather been with Mira." "Yeah, so you can dry-hump." "Ivory." Keeping glared. "Wait your turn. Continue, Blake." "Anyway, we were trying to do some research and I...kinda lost my train of thought. You know how I get when I don't take my meds. Anyway, Ivory lost it and started screeching at me. Now you know I can't help half the things I do when my ADD gets full-force, so I don't feel I'm to blame. And you didn't have to hit me on the head!" "You were being stupid and stubborn!" "All right, that's far enough. Ivory, since you insist on interrupting, please tell your side of the story." "Fine, I will! Most of it's true, except this fucker here wasn't doing jack shit—" "Watch your language, now." Ivory snorted. "Anyway...she wasn't doing any work. I don't want a failing grade, so I...pushed her. Not physically, just...verbally." "You called me a cuntless ass-licker," muttered Blake. Keeping growled. "Girls." The two seethed. "All right, so what I did was wrong. I'm sorry. But she didn't have to carry it on." "No, she didn't," spoke Abby, wanting to preempt Blake's rebuttal. "But you didn't need to be so physical. And the fight that broke out between you two was inexcusable. You both know better. Now...you've been through the wringer, and you both admitted you did something wrong. What can you do to prevent this from happening?" The two girls looked down shyly, edging away from each other. "I need to...show more restraint," Ivory murmured. "I need to keep reminding myself that I'm trying hard to be good. I want to do good, but I need patience." "Yeah, I could go easier on people too," admitted Blake. "Plus, y'know, don't leave home without my meds." "Is that all?" The two girls knew what she wanted, an apology. They turned to each other and reluctantly held out their hands to shake. "Sorry I hit you and yelled. I really am trying hard." "You are improving," admitted Blake. "Sorry I was such a...cuntless ass-licker." The room vibrated with laughter, and even Ms. Keeping smirked before dismissing the two. Next she called Ana Lu and Alisha Fox, who also had their share of problems. Ana was infamous in Stanton for her pranks, and while usually they were harmless and taken in good humor, a few had become too daring. She had constructed a trap where a bucket full of honey would drop on a person if they walked into a door, and the recipient of such a foul deed had been Alisha. Now the elder Fox loved pranks just as much as anybody, but having a bucket of honey fall on her head, drenching her hair which still stank in spite of the shower she took, made even her snap. She cursed up a storm, which was grounds enough for detention. She played her Tourette's Syndrome card as usual, but this time it failed her. "So," said Keeping, bracing herself for another conflict, "who would like to go first?" "Uh, yeah," said Ana. She smiled brightly at Alisha and declared: "You can do whatever you want with me, but all I can say is that it was worth it. You looked so hilarious!" "Hey, fuck you, bitch!" "Girls, settle down. Neither one of you are expressing healthy traits. It looks like this is going to take some work." For the next fifteen minutes, Abby carefully listened and spoke to the two girls, trying to get them to admit to their wrongs, work towards redressing their awful habits, and apologize and make up. For Ana, it was a little more difficult, seeing as how she loved practical jokes. Abby got the idea that the blonde's girlfriend would have to act as a guard and make sure she didn't pull any outrageous stunts again. It was also agreed that Alisha could pour some honey in Ana's hair to make them even, provided she apologized for her language and literally washed her mouth out with soap. Seeing Kula Nanahara and X Walker in detention was no surprise, but having them in there because of each other was new. Alexis had openly flirted with Kula in hopes of making her a girlfriend, but Kula, despising Walker's type bitterly, screamed back and hit her, hard. Unbelievably, it had been Usha who separated the two of them, but not before X got in a few licks of her own. Alexis gruffly but readily apologized, and was prepared to make up and get things over with, but Kula was stubborn. "Why are you like this?" Abby wondered. "Kula, you've been like this since you came. Now we've talked in private before, and you promised me you'd try and adjust, but this just isn't working. I know how frustrated you are, but you just can't take it out on everybody. They're not the ones to blame." "Well I hate punks like her." "Why?" "Because they're nothin' but stupid druggies who smoke and waste their lives listenin' to Marilyn Manson and wearin' those stupid Goth clothes." "Hey, we're not all like that, Miss Hula-Kula!" "Don't call me that, bitch!" "Settle down!" Keeping had to physically stand between the two and act as a barrier to prevent bloodshed, and glared at them once a peace fell. "Both of you control yourselves! It's no use calling each other names! Now Alexis, you've already shown you're willing to apologize and make up, so if I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut. As for you," she stared at Kula, "you need to stop blaming others for your problems. If you need somebody to scream at, scream at me. Keep seeing me until your problems are gone. I know how hard it is adjusting to a new way of life, especially if you loved the old one, but that's the situation you're in now. Come on," she sighed, taking a weary breath, "apologize. I'm sure that if you got to know Miss Walker very well, you'd think twice about her." "Not likely," murmured the girl. She scowled and said, "All right, fine, I'm sorry. There. Jeez." "Not very sincere, but I'll take it. If I hear any more trouble from you, Kula, you'll wish you were on cleaning duty again like at Homecoming." Most of the girls gave each other haunting looks, or at least those who recalled that terrible ordeal. Marbel had taken liberal use of her powers and had forced many disobedient students since then to clean the entire school campus, oftentimes by themselves. It was something nobody wanted, so better to swallow their pride than face the consequences. It was uncommon to see Mira van Dijk in detention, and practically unheard-of to see Usha. Kula snickered as the poor Indian would-be diplomat was led inside detention with one of her girlfriends, and balked when the two stood up to recite their crime: they had been caught in the act of sexual congress, or as near to it as they had reached since then (there was no actual sex yet, but suffice to say that it was close enough). Abby was sympathetic to their cause—oh how many times she had secretly snuck off with Hitomi for some naughty little romps!—but she had to lay down the law. The two were given a warning, provided they promised to keep their hands to themselves and leave the sex at home. Kula couldn't resist giving Usha a grin and a thumbs-up once her turn was over. "Well, now you're almost as normal as the rest of us!" Since Abby could only properly discipline the students, she merely let the delinquent teachers "sit and observe" her methods. She'd then hand them over to Headmistress Marbel, who was not quite as kind and understanding as the young psychology teacher. Hitomi Madsen's face was bright red all throughout the trial session; she was hoping it wouldn't come down to her own girlfriend disciplining her (actually, Abby sympathized with Hitomi's cause and wanted to act as an arbiter, but Marbel wouldn't have it). Leena was black with guilt; Dr. Andrews seemed miffed at worst. Abby had only one pair to go through before she let Marbel handle the teachers, and it was the least offending case. Poor Vicki and June had sat through the whole thing, more embarrassed than remorseful, and were dying to just get it over so they could go back to their lives. Perhaps waiting so long for their "conflict" to be resolved was punishment enough—Abby smiled wearily at them and apologized. Their crime had been chatting idly during Latin class. "I'm sorry to have left you two as last," she said to them, "but I didn't really think I'd have to punish you for what girls will naturally do. Now I know that you two are in a relationship, and your groups of friends are intertwined, and I know that Latin can be dull and Miss O'Brien can be a little too obsessive, so perhaps I can let you off with a warning. Just realize that you have the rest of the day and perhaps even all of your lives to talk. Asking for a few hours of your attention isn't much, is it?" "No," they said sheepishly. She beamed lovingly. "Don't worry, I sympathize. There are times I'd rather be chatting with my friends too. You are dismissed; I've made you suffer enough." The girls thanked her and left, Victoria dutifully wheeling her girlfriend out. Abigail sighed, and now that the room was empty of students, she knew that the real torment would soon commence. She gave her girlfriend a sad, supportive smile, squeezed her shoulder, and wished her the best as she left. Dr. Andrews raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Hitomi, what did you do to land a spot in Stanton-Alcatraz? You didn't go streaking or break something valuable, did you?" "No, I was just smoking on school grounds." Andrews balked. "That's it?! Is that the great big crime Bernie has you locked in here for? Jeez Louise! I've done far worse and never once got her ire!" "Yes, well, it wasn't exactly a designated spot." "But still! She ought to cut you some slack. At least I know what I did was wrong." "And yet," came a voice that was unmistakable, "you did it anyway. So, did worse, have we? Pray, tell me more." Andrews crossed her arms and sniggered as Marbel strolled in, elderly, tall, and commanding respect. Madsen nodded humbly; poor Leena just looked up and went back to being miserable. Marbel was saving her most dreadful punishment for her. "Oh, come on!" sang Andrews. "If you don't have knowledge of my misdeeds, then so what? You're like a referee: if you didn't see it, it didn't happen." "Well then, let's concentrate on what I did see then, eh? I seem to recall it quite well! But please, pray, tell your fellow ‘inmates' just what you did. I want to hear it in your own words." Andrews shrugged, as if her crime wasn't all that bad. "I just snuck off for a little sex, is all." "You were both naked in the girls' bathroom! And I may be in my early fifties, but I can still hear well enough to catch a certain orchestra of noises while chancing across the lavatories in the hallway! The two of you were quite loud." "Sor-ry. I tried not to yell." "That's not the point. The point is that you were shamelessly cavorting around in your birthday suit in the girls' bathroom with another teacher! What if a student had come by and seen the two of you!?" "They didn't." "But I did. This sort of behavior is outrageous, and the only thing that is keeping you from being terminated from your job is your excellent record. By the powers of your skill alone are you saved, but I have moved to cut your salary in half for the next few weeks." "WHAT!!" "You heard me," said Marbel coldly, matching the tall doctor's aghast stare. Poor Dr. Andrews was paralyzed—she couldn't believe it! Half her paycheck cut, for several weeks? She may as well have been terminated! Yet Marbel stood with her decision, and released the doctor from her care with a stern warning: if she was caught again, or even if there was a rumor of it going around, the other half would go out the window, for good. "Now, Hitomi," said the Headmistress, her voice like steel. Madsen actually perspired. At least her girlfriend or her students weren't there to witness her humiliation. "You know the rules of this school. You know that the students are discouraged from smoking. There are three designated places, though, and two for teachers, but if I recall, none of them were in the vicinity I caught you in. Care to explain yourself?" "I'm almost clean, Bernie, I promise. I'm down to only one pack a week—" "I didn't ask about your progress, I asked why you were smoking outside like that, when you clearly know it is against the rules." Hitomi's voice was caught in her throat. Yes, she was guilty, and she knew it. All she could do was apologize. "I'm sorry. I just...had a terrible craving. I have no better excuse." "Perhaps my punishment could help you with your addiction," said Marbel icily. "Every morning when you arrive, you are to report to me. I shall then investigate your effects, including purse, jacket, pockets, car, and anything else that may hide a stash. If I do not find any cigarettes, I shall let you in. If I do, I shall ask you to flush them down my toilet, and I shall witness it personally. If you are as dependent upon them as you say, then this lack of nicotine will be torture enough—but you will kick the habit eventually. Afterwards, you won't have any excuses." "Plenty of other teachers smoke, ma'am." "Then you should have the sense to distance yourself from them. If I catch you again afterwards, Hitomi, you will be fined. It will be five dollars for every cigarette I see and forty dollars for every pack, even if they are empty. Do I make myself clear?" Hitomi was crushed by this ultimatum, but what else could she do? She had been "trying" to quit for ages, and this is what it got her? She would indeed suffer, but she knew the consequences of breaking rules. Besides, what kind of a role model could she hope to be if she herself broke the rules? "Yes, ma'am." "Good. You are dismissed." "Leena." It was now Miss Katajisto's turn. She gazed up sadly, bracing herself for the worst. "We both know what you did. We both know why it was wrong. I'll give you the courtesy of not repeating it." "Thank you." She sighed wearily. Bernie had caught Leena taking a shower in the gym...with Kathlyn Parkin. Marbel's sentence would be the worst: teacher-student relationships were looked down upon without mercy, no matter what the student's age or how close they were to graduation. "I'm suspending both of you for two weeks," she said quietly. Leena made a face. "But you never suspend anybody." "I'm making an exception. I'm going to punish you both by separating the two of you. You are not to come into any contact with Miss Parkin during this time." "Ma'am," said Leena desperately, "I deserve that and more, and I'll accept this. But Katt can't go back to her house; her father abuses her!" "Why was I not informed of this?" she asked coldly. Leena froze. "She...confided it in me alone. And I promised to help her. She...usually stays at my place." "That was not a wise decision to make," said Marbel darkly. Even though Leena was slightly taller and stronger, she shrunk back like a wounded puppy. She loved Kathlyn desperately, more than she had loved anyone in her whole life, save her parents and best friend, and keeping her away from her abusive dad was just one of the things she did for her. Marbel took a very deep breath and let it out slowly. "I will allow Miss Parkin to stay with me for the time being. I shall do everything in my power to see her father is treated, and if necessary, arrested. I would much rather she stay in her home or even mine rather than yours, and I would've preferred it if I had been made aware of this...but I suppose I can understand why. It's a part of who you are. You can't help but reach out to those girls." "...No." Marbel grew warmer and placed a hand of understanding on Leena's shoulder. "I will do what I can," she promised. "In the meantime, please consider what you have done. Do not think I am a heartless grouch; I just have no tolerance for that kind of behavior. Now when Miss Parkin has graduated, the two of you may move in and become lovers for all I care, and if that's what you end up doing, I bless you. But right now she is your student, and you should treat her like a student. Do you understand?" "Yes, ma'am." "Good. We will discuss her living arrangements after the end of the two weeks. You are dismissed." Leena stood up to leave, feeling no better than before, but she was thankful Marbel had some mercy on her. After all, she could've been terminated, deported back to Finland, or even arrested. Before she left, though, Marbel called out to her: "Leena. You did look very happy with her. For what it's worth, I'm glad you found someone to really love. Just be careful in the future. You are well-loved in this school, and I would hate to lose you to carelessness. Good-bye." Leena smiled sadly, and walked out of the school and into the parking lot. For the first time in what seemed like eons, she would spend the night by herself, without dear Kathlyn at her side—and it was only the beginning. ...... It didn't seem right for her to go home without making one last resolution, so Bernadette set off for the school kitchen, her final destination. She owed Sonia an explanation for what had happened between the two of them during the Winter Social, and needed to tell her that such a thing could never happen again. It would probably break the poor woman's heart, but better now than later. Sonia was alone as Bernadette came in, knocked politely, and smiled. "Hello, Sonia." The younger, taller woman grinned. "Oh, hello Bernie! Long time no see. Come in. Would you like some leftovers?" "No, I just thought I'd pass by before I went home." "Oh. Well have some anyway, please. I made far too many and I don't have the heart to throw them out." There was a large box of crescent rolls sitting on a rack, and Bernadette took the whole thing, if only to ease the blow (plus, she had a weakness for them). She decided to speak her mind now, get it over with, and hope Sonia would understand. "Um, listen, Sonia. About what happened at the Winter Social." "Oh." The cheer drained from her face as she looked away. "I know, I did the wrong thing, and I'm sorry. That sort of behavior is inappropriate, isn't it?" "Well...yes, in a sense." "It's because we're coworkers, isn't it? You're my boss and I'm just a teacher and chef." "Well...not entirely. I know plenty of teachers who have that sort of relationship with each other, and I have no problem with it as long as they keep business apart from pleasure." "Oh. Really! Well then, uh...is it because I'm gay and you're, uh...not?" "No," said Marbel with a grin. "I'm gay as well." "Really! I had no idea!" She shrugged. "A few of the teachers here know this, but it's a pretty well-kept secret. I guess I should have told you..." "Then why was it wrong? Is it because of our age difference? Because I honestly don't care; I love you all the same. ...Ah!" Realizing what she had said, Sonia turned pink, smiled bashfully, and looked away. Bernadette sighed, and reached over to touch the younger woman's shoulder. "That is partially the reason," she whispered. "You're young enough to be my daughter. But that's not all. I simply can't." "I don't care about the age difference," said Sonia with a noticeable shudder. "To me, you're just a very beautiful and strong woman I felt drawn towards since the first day I came here. Of course, I also felt drawn to other women, even some students, but...there was an inexplicable attraction I felt for you in particular." "Sonia," whispered Marbel, "we can't." "Why?" She didn't want to look Sonia in the eye and tell her she was happily married; that would devastate her at this point. Love at first sight in spite of everything? She would crumble if she knew the truth. But she had to be told... "I..." "Tell me, because I need to know. I love you." "I can't..." "Why?" Marbel couldn't answer. All she wanted to do was take poor Sonia in her arms and hold her, kiss her, make the woman happy, even if it was a lie. She wept as their lips touched and her mind spiraled into guilt. I am in so much trouble...
Back to All Girls School Index - Back to Original Fiction Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction