"Teachers little whore"

The voice came from behind her in a low hiss, accompanied by a sharp pain as she felt her rump pinched. The voice and action was almost invisible in the crowded hall, the offending student moving away as quickly as she passed making it hard to be certain who it was. Her shoulders tensed and hands clenched in frustration as her step faltered.

There was a day where such abuse would (and had) merely caused her to quicken her step and disappear into the shadows, escaping the casual abuse with the ease of long practice. But she had changed. She didn’t know how, when or why but she felt a lot stronger in herself and instead of them shattering her fragile psyche the words instead evoked a much harder reaction, one that wanted to strike back. But… to do so wasn’t Anne’s way. Although, in truth she wasn’t entirely certain what her way was at the moment. Quickly, she mastered herself and walked on, trying to outdistance the voice.

…

It was now firmly into what most schools called the summer holidays. For Shokushu however this merely meant that there were fewer classes and that Student grades were posted so that they could see how they were doing. For Anne, she was expecting maybe her grades slightly above the mediocre ones she had normally gained as she had worked harder than she normally did.

As it turned out, she was wrong.

Her grades for the first year had been excellent. While she wasn't at the very top of her class she nonetheless was grading better than the vast majority. This had actually come as a rather large surprise to her as her focus normally being on getting away from everything as opposed to studying. Somehow, despite everything that the school was, it fit her like a glove. The combination of the pure freedom that the school gave the students to roam and relax combined with the pure bloody-mindedness of the teachers and the workload forced her to excel where previously she was mediocre at best.

Despite that however she was still the same student by outward appearance. Habitually sitting in any available corner, her back to the wall alone rarely speaking to anyone else, disappearing and arriving quietly, entirely happy with her own company. There were only a couple of students that she talked to but even those rare students she tended to avoid, normally preferring her own company even when given the option of company.

The insults had started not long after those results had come out. Somehow they had turned her from an object of, at best, curiosity to a target that was perfect to vent their own insecurities against.

Insults and slurs were nothing new to her. She had put up with them at other schools through a good portion of her life, which was, in part was why she enjoyed being alone as much as she did. But this was something else. There was a new level of maliciousness inherent in them that Anne wasn’t sure what to do about. Somehow it had been discovered that she had seen the Head Girl, Vera for that day. Despite the fact that Anne herself was still rather confused about what had occurred, it hadn’t stopped some of more malicious student body singling her out in the worst possible way.

The abuse hadn’t helped Anne's turmoil about the entire situation with her and Vera. Since she had gone to the Head Girls rooms and she had done things that simultaneously aroused and terrified her and it had led to a war within Anne whether she should go again. Half of her was desperate to go. Despite Anne never thinking that another girl would do anything for her there was something about the touch of Vera that could make her come like she had never before and quite simply, she wanted more.

What held her back was in part the sudden abuse she was getting from the student body and she didn’t want to give them any more ammunition to fuel their campaign against her. The other bit was Vera herself.

She had loved the time spent with Vera and she found herself daydreaming about her a surprising amount. despite the confusion it evoked in her. Crawling on the floor, stripping for her, calling her Mistress... She really had enjoyed it all. That said, despite Vera’s own assertions that it was merely roleplay Anne couldn't quite shake the feeling that it was much MUCH more to that and a distant warning bell in her brain had prevented her from finding out more.

On top of all that there was something /else/ about Vera that Anne simply loved. She couldn't tell if it was infatuation, respect or something else but there was a huge bit of her that simply just wanted to just see Vera again simply for the sake of seeing her.

But that was a problem that Anne hadn't come to a decision about. Finally reaching the library she found the books she was looking for, a empty table and sat down placing her head in her hands as she started to read.

Criticism and gossip were natural for a Head Girl. Of course, no student would ever utter any slander within range of any Prefect or Head Girl. But, Vera knew it happened as students waste their time talking nonsense to one another in hopes of making themselves look slightly better than her or another student. There was no reason to be concerned though. In the end, each of these students would the rank of slave and sent off to serve an owner. They can then try to rebuild their reputation as a sex toy to an alien species.

It was a normal day for Vera as she walked the halls with books held close to her person. The light blue sash that hung loosely around her waist deterred any student from approaching her openly and instead stood aside to let her pass undisturbed. She kept a brisk pace, her silver hair trailing in her wake as she headed for the library.

She headed for the main desk to turn in her books. Some were for class while others were for her own studies the labs wished her to continue on. The woman gave a polite bow once the matter was finished and proceeded towards the many shelves that lined the rows of the school library. In passing, she noticed Anne sitting at a table, reading to herself. The Head Girl could have approached the student she had become familiar with some time ago. But she saw no reason to do so. The student had improved greatly as a student, all her grades well above average and expectation. It seemed her 'treatment' had done the deed. As for any secondary effects of their meeting, that will be answered soon enough as Vera continued on her way towards a long row of shelves.

The library was quiet as was expected of such a place. There were a few students reading in their own little private corner while others were checking the computers for school or personal related material. Most had the books they wished to read, leaving the long aisle empty for a student to explore in private. Any student that happened upon Vera would leave that row immediately, giving the Head Girl her own domain of privacy. The Head Girl would continue to browse through the books while keeping her empathic senses aware of her surroundings. With her solitude, any approaching student would be easily sensed.

She couldn't concentrate. Each time she tried to read and take in something the words just jumbled back in her head, and she found she had to read the same lines again. Her mind kept wandering back to thinking about Vera.

It was actually a rather good thing that classes were light at the moment. With the abuse from the student body, and her own mixed emotions about Vera her grade would likely be crashing about now. It was frustrating that she just forget about her feelings towards the Head Girl, simply because each time she walked around school someone decided to remind her in as unkind a manner as possible!

It did lend a good argument to going back to see Vera really. After all, at the moment it wasn't like anything worse could happen! Perhaps the Head Girl would have some good advice on how to deal with the other students. After all, the abuse was directed at her - never at the Head Girl itself. She was accorded a kind of natural respect that bordered on fear. (A fact that had certainly added to Anne's own disquiet on returning of her own accord).

As she thought of this her mind started to drift back to her previous encounter, the words on the page resolving into images that played across her vision. Her hands running over her curves, her breath on her neck as she whispered into her ear, the feeling as her hand stroked her pussy, the way she rolled those fingers around her nipples... and most definately the mind blistering orgasm at the end! (Of course, her mind did its best at skipping the disastrous strip routine as she /still/ found that embarrassing!)

Sighing almost wistfully she quietly closed the book, realising that she was most definately not going to get any work done til she managed to clear her head, and quite possibly her libido too. Mind still churning over Vera she walked mechanically down the aisle to put the books back, and froze.

Vera herself was standing in front of her, her long silver hair cascading immaculately down her back as always. Fortunately, her back was turned towards Anne and thus she couldn't see the look of shock on her face as her emotions suddenly surged through her. All the ones she had just been thinking about roared through her mind, along with with the confusion about going or not again, both tinged with the current bullying she was suffering from about it all.

Caught in a web of her own making she stopped dead, hoping that she wouldn't turn around and she could leave without being seen, while at the same time praying that she would turn around and talk.

The way Anne's emotions flared, she may as well be screaming outloud. The silver haired woman ignored the student's presence for a short bit, letting those conflicts clash within the young student. It seemed that her new little pet was still unsure what to do in Vera's presence. Understandable after introducing the woman so much in just one meeting.

Once satisfied that the wait had brought the woman's emotions to a steady boil, Vera would speak up without even looking over at Anne. "Is standing their gaping how you properly greet people now, Miss Deas?" she began before turning to face her and giving a soft smile, "You look as if you have something to say. I hope you have been feeling better and your time here has improved." She casually puts the book she was looking at away and calmly approached the student. The deer in the headlights look was certainly amusing. It meant that this student was still very much intimidated by the Head Girl.

Beyond what was shown in the student's records, Vera had not kept track of anything else the woman did on her personal time. Was Anne still having dreams about her? She was certain that her 'dreams' with the island's inhabitants were still happening though perhaps the woman was forgetting them as if they were truly dreams now. It would certainly make Anne's time here easier the less she knew about the cruel realities of this place while still allowing her body to be trained both conciously and subconciously.

Despite these possible improvements, it seemed as if something was still bothering the woman. The Head Girl would not pry any further, letting Anne decide if she trusted Vera enough to explain her issues. The poor student was still so delicate. A gentle touch went a long way with this one and ensured complete obedience.

Deer in headlights was about right. Anne stood, mouth working soundlessly as she felt all her confidence, all her ability drain away under Vera's gaze. It was maddening. She felt like she wanted to say and ask a hundred things and they all clamoured to get out. Everything from how she looked to Annes eyes (Beautiful!) to simply asking more about her. Unfortunately, completely wrong-footed and with her confidence completely shot for the moment all that came out was:

"Y..Yes.. Ver... Er..Miss.. Um.. I mean... Er... N.no. Er... Sorr..."

Anne stopped speaking, shutting her eyes and mouth in mid sentence and frantically tried to get a grip on herself. Mentally raging at herself and how she sounded she cursed inwardly. She wasn't some sort of gaping loon which was /exactly/ what she felt like at that moment! She had no idea why she always felt like this around Vera. She always seemed to forget about how bad the effect was when she thought about it which made it all the worse when it happened. Just like this.

Mentally slapping herself (and, once again, wishing she could just headbutt a wall to knock some sense back into her) she stepped on her suddenly frayed emotions. Hard.

As she re-opened her eyes only a couple of seconds had passed but it felt like an age. Her emotions were a little more under control and, almost to her surprise Vera was still stood there, calmly regarding her and for a moment Anne could have kissed her. There was a faint smile and a look of what Anne could only describe as warmth coming from the girl which somehow went a long way towards calming her. (Although, a small voice said at the back of her mind, it could be mere amusement, before she crushed that thought under her mental heel. She felt silly enough as it was!)

"I'm sorry Ver.. I mean.. Miss Matsumoto" Anne began, catching herself from being too familliar. Why she wanted to impress Vera was still a mystery to Anne. She simply knew that she wanted... almost needed too. Taking a deep breath she continued "I.. Er.. I'm a little better thank you..." She broke off and looked around, a little bit dismayed that there were quite a few students around in the library at that time. It would have been so much better if there were less people about!

Anne wasn't quite sure how Vera would react to being told about her most recent problem. It wasn't like it was her problem after all! She didn't want to bother Vera.. After all, it really felt like something she should be taking care of herself! But at the same time really wanted to tell someone who might be on her side about it. A sympathetic ear if you will. With her mind still all over the place, she blurted the first option that came to her head.

"Could I ask a question please Miss Matsumoto?"

She took another quick glance around. It seemed that no-one was paying any attention and there was no-one in direct earshot. Quietly, hoping she wasn't being overheard Anne asked "How is it you command such... Um... Respect?"

So many emotions radiate from the confused young woman. It looked and felt like a faint rainbow one would see through a light mist of water. The poor girl did not even know what to call Vera, hinting at her title, last name, and first all at once. Despite the time that passed, Anne had no clue how she should address this woman before her. The student was completely intimidated by Vera and it was doubtful if being a Head Girl mattered much at this point.

After several long moments, Anne managed to form complete sentences and finally asked Vera a question. "Hm... They say respect is earned and not given," the Head Girl answered, "But how it is earned depends on the person. So in your case..." She moved a little closer. Her hand brushed hair away from the woman's face before stroking her cheek. "You tell me," she said softly, leaning closer towards the woman's ear, "What makes your knees wobble and make you want to kneel when you see me? What makes you think the word 'Mistress' when you wish to address me? Well, Miss Deas?"

The silver haired woman pulled away then, letting her fingers trace off of the student's cheek. "You look nervous," Vera added, "If you are concerned about being seen speaking to me, we can find someplace a bit more... private." Not allowing the student to answer, she beaconed Anne to follow her deeper into the library. There were private cubby holes where one could sit and read with no outside distractions lined up. No one seemed to be using any of them as she led the student towards the far end of the row. "You say you are feeling better but you look more troubled than usual," she continued, "Is there something bothering you?" It was safe to say they were alone for now though it did not mean no one will eventually wander to this side of the building. But now Anne would hopefully have a slightly easier time speaking to the powerful presence before her.

Anne's pulse quickened at the Head Girls words, the fingertips tracing along her cheek mixing with her words to create the exact effect that she described in the young student. Anne almost said "Mistress" out loud at the same time as the words left Vera's lips. After all, she had masturbated many times in the last month to similar thoughts and she felt the familiar stirrings as a series of highly erotic images flashed through her mind.

She pushed them to one side firmly, albeit with a little effort as Vera withdrew her hand. Anne needed to pay attention and she /did/ have other things on her mind after all! Following, Anne watched the sway of the Head Girls long silver hair as it trailed down her back like a long silver waterfall. For a moment she wished her hair was much shorter and she could see more of Vera's figure. Quickly though she again shunted those kind of thoughts away, giving herself another mental slap and concentrating instead on where they were going and trying to sort out her mind.

As they sat down in the alcove Anne had just about managed to get her brain straight. Or at least straight enough to be able to speak coherently and not babble. It did help a huge amount that it was quieter here although she wasn't sure how long it would last.

"Yes Miss Matsumoto" Anne answered "There is something but... Well... I don't know how to go about dealing with it... and its not really anything I want to take up your time with as its my problem. I just.. I mean, I would like to know how someone can go about stopping.."

Anne shut her mouth a moment, reworking her thoughts. She didn't want to just ask for help. It seemed childish somehow, asking someone for help in this way. She wanted to deal with the problem herself but just couldn't figure out how to go about it.

"Err. gaining the respect of others." She finished, a little lamely.

Vera pulled her silver hair back behind the chair before sitting down. She crossed her legs as she rested both hands on her lap. Anne was still unsure what she was asking it appeared. Perhaps the student had forgotten that she did not like having her time wasted. But she would tolerate it for now until it becomes troublesome. Hopefully, every meeting would not be stuck with the first few minutes of getting Anne's head on straight before the actual discussion begins.

The question was vague to say the least but she will go off it anyway. "You are being unclear, Miss Deas," the Head Girl replied, "Who's respect are you trying to get and why does it matter to you? What do you hope to gain from it? Gaining respect for no reason has no purpose. My position demands respect because it is required in maintaining discipline. But for a student attending class, I do not see why you are concerned with what others may think of you. Your existence is not decided by them. Unless you have your eye on someone and you are seeking their affection. Has someone caught your eye then, Miss Deas?"

Trying to impress everyone and make them respect you if a difficult task and in most cases impossible. She knew that not everyone respected her even with the sash hanging loosely around her hips. But fearing her is just as well in most cases. Even if that is not the case, Vera was not concerned. It mattered little what they thought of her. She would do her duty and continue to live her life as she wished. Being a student should make such a task easier.

"Or are there students harassing you?" Vera added, "If you are being harassed, whether physical or not, and it is hindering your ability to study and attend class, you should speak to a Prefect, Head Girl, or even the staff if you think it is a serious matter. Shokushu will not tolerate bullies on campus. We have to live with each other on this island, I prefer that we not have hands on each others throats" Hopefully that covered all the possible matters that Anne's broad question was referring to. Now if her pet would be kind to narrow things a bit, she may be able to get into the heart of the matter.

Anne blinked, and coloured a little at Vera's words. For a moment her mouth opened to protest before she caught herself, and shut it. It felt as if she were entirely transparent as both of the spectulations were a little too accurate for her liking. Although, as she sat there looking completely calm and perfectly in control it was obvious that she would have to explain herself properly.

"Yes Miss Matsumuto. I..." Anne hesitated a moment before she forced herself on. "I am having a few problems with the other students. Since the results came through they seem to have singled me out as a target. They have also found out about... Um... Our... The time that I asked you for help and they seem to have gotten it into their heads that i'm getting special favours from you and other teachers. I know that i'm not but they are calling me things like "teachers slut" and "head girls whore". Saying things like I should be sucking up to them for their favor too. Normally I would just walk away and hide but I don't want to do that. I want to face this. I just want to be able to deal with it myself but I don't know how to go about it!"

A little of Annes frustration about the situation bubbled to the surface and she clenched her fists as she sat, before mastering her temper and relaxing them again, her flash of temper fading away just as quickly.

With a small sigh Anne continued. "It wasn't something I planned on bothering you about. I know you've said you are here to help me... er... us, but I feel like a small child asking for help with bullies and it feels beneath me. But.. When I saw you... It made me wonder that you never seem to be talked about badly. Despite some of the things i'm called its me that is referenced... not you. You have respect from everyone and I wanted to know how to get such a thing. So... you said that respect was earned, not given. How do I earn it... or is there something else I could do?"

She left it unsaid that she would have loved respect from the woman sat opposite from her, still rather unsure of exactly what she would do with it if she had it.

"Don't be naive," she responded, "You think there are no rumors and slander about myself? I am a person in a higher position that others, such things are completely normal to hear from the masses. Just like people in office, there are always going to be criticism whether it be constructive or not. There are certainly many things said about me behind my back. Some reaches my ears, others do not. But such things do not concern me nor should it matter to you. Anyone who wastes their time trying to belittle others in hope of making themselves a small bit higher are not worth gaining their respect. Would you spend your time speaking to criminals to gain their respect? Bullies and students who come here to accomplish nothing are not worth recognizing their presence."

"Unless you have some morbid desire to become friends with those who harass you, there is no reason for you to care about what they think of you, Miss Deas," Vera continued, "You are correct, Miss Deas, this is beneathe you. I do hope you will not waste any further time with such useless matters. There is no point in trying to get on their good side. If they cause you further trouble, report them and let the proper authority deal with the matter. Ignore them, they will eventually lose their will to continue with such useless endeavors."

It was as simple as that. Vera did not care about what those below her think of her. She had her duty and she shall perform that duty to the best of her ability. If students had issues with that, they could see her about it. She had no time to listen to rumors or hearsay. Or if they were truly fearful of her, they could speak to the staff about her performance. It was doubtful if such things would do anything to Vera but it is an option and it is possible for the complain to eventually reach through those means.

"Does that help, Miss Deas?" she asked, "Bullies who spend their time insulting you are not worth your notice and their respect is not worth anything to you."

Anne's temper flared at the Head Girls words and for a moment she quite forgot where she was and who she was talking too. "You think I don't know that Miss Matsumoto?" She said, hotly. "This isn't the first time this has happened! I know that those cretins aren't worth worrying about. But its hard to ignore when i'm being pushed about, made fun of and insulted. It makes me want to pound their smug condecending faces into the ground!"

Her fists clenched again as her anger at the situation flowed through her. "Yet I know I can't DO that. I dearly want too but it would be unbearably STUPID to play their game! I can ignore them and they can go and respect their own arses for all I care. I'ld report them if I thought it would do any good but they would just shift it underground, make it harder on me other ways. I'ld love it if they would just leave me the hell alone but I can't see them doing that any time soon. I'm a perfect bloody target for their insipid insecurities at the moment as I won't bite back and neither have nor really want any friends here! If you tell me to live with it and it will go in its own time i'll give you the benefit of the doubt although I think you are wrong. Frankly I only want respect of others just so they would bloody leave me alone like you! After all at the end of the day the only persons respect I really want is yours damnit! Why do you think I haven't already...."

Anne's mouth shut abrubtly and her anger drained away so quickly that it seemed that the student had even erupted in a fit of temper at all as she suddenly realised what she had said. Her mouth opened as if to refute what had just escaped her but she shut it again, too embarressed to do or say anything, eyes casting about trying to look everywhere but the Head Girl, her skin taking on a rosy blush.

Flat out yelling at the woman who she was trying to get help from was not earning Anne any favors. Vera gave the student a cold stare as she threw a hissy fit over such trivial matters and then let slip what she really wanted. Unfortunately after such an outburst, getting that respect had just become much more difficult. The student knew she did wrong as she tried to hide as if an animal that angered her master.

"You think you can earn my respect by yelling and stomping your feet like a child?" Vera replied evenly, "Doing that means they succeeded. You let trash decide how you should act and think and that puts you below them. Furthermore, you threaten to break the rules that designed to keep order in the school. You insult me by claiming I am unable to do my job. To let them get away without reporting them, you are only harming yourself and many other students in the school for your selfish decision. You disappoint me, Miss Deas."

"Your punishment starts now, pet," she said coldly, "You may begin by getting on your knees and kissing my feet. Since you are so worried about what others think of you, I suggest you say your apologies and repeat your mistakes and how to correct them while doing so. You never know who may come to check on your loud outburst." She slid her foot off her shoe and extends ever so slightly. It was apparent that Vera was not kidding. She was not going to tolerate out of control outbursts like these. "Every student has the same resources available to them, it is your own fault if you choose not to use them."

Anne blinked. If she could have deflated any more she would have. She had said something she hadn't meant to say and she was completely unprepared for admitting that she dearly did want respect from the girl sitting across from her. Hell, she wasn't even prepared to admit it to herself. And now she had not only done that but by the look on the Head Girls face and tone, had come remarkably close to blowing it. She sat, almost in shock for a long moment as her mind tried to process out what had just happened.

Almost in a daze she slid from her chair, her mind acting like a scratched record simply repeating "but.. but.. but.." as she rested on her knees, her skirt smoothed in front of her. It didn't seem possible what was happening and her fingers lightly touched Vera's left foot as she bent, planting a soft kiss on the top. As she rose she took a brief glance upwards to Vera, who's expression hadn't changed.

"I'm sorry Miss Mat... Mistress" Anne said, faltering slightly. She was second guessing herself and trying to correct her own problem and her mind was throwing the lessons from the last time at her, up in the penthouse suite. "I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. I am just frustrated... you were trying to help. I've run for so many years but I am tired of hiding..."

She ran out of words, part of her being still angry, but with her emotions completely confused she couldn't hold on to any of it. She bent to kiss her other foot, planting a kiss again at the top and she rose, her mind still trying to sort out what had happened and how she ended up here. She was in the right? Wasn't she? How had everything changed so quickly?

"I... I will do what you say. I'll report any occurance that happens again. Can I make it up to you?"

The woman looked as if under a spell, falling to her knees and acting before she was even aware of what she was doing. The student kissed and apologized before kissing the other foot. Already, the word Mistress was falling from Anne's lips as she fell back into the role the intoxicated her back in the suite. "Why wait for another incident?" she replied, "You said these students have been harassing you and pushing you around. I want names, Miss Deas. And I certainly did not say you could stop kissing my feet. You will now have to lick my toes while giving me the names I ask. Do not make me repeat myself again and do not stop."

She slipped off her shoe and waited for Anne to begin. That vulnerable psyche was still how she left it. The woman liked being controlled, being used by others. That is why she is so helpless against those bullies despite her tough front. She will wait a bit after getting the names she asked. Vera was certain those students will have enough demerits to visit the basement. She would watch her pet do as she asked, licking her toes like a slave serving some form of royalty. She allowed the submissive gesture to settle in along with other thoughts and thrills. Would someone come by and see Anne doing this? What would she do if she was caught?

"Have you been still suffering your dreams, slave?" she asked, "Your grades have certainly improved. That pleases your Mistress. Does it not feel good to improve yourself? But tell me more about your other dream, your dream to earn your Mistress's respect. You were certainly on your way to doing so but faltered because you let yourself be manipulated by those lower than you." Vera would now pry into the heart of the matter. She would use the title that fell from Anne's lips to further cement her hold on the young woman. "You may stop licking my toes, pet. They are nice and clean thanks to you. Now, bend over inside one of these booths. Remember, this is a library. I expect you to keep your voice down."

A thin sliver of anger snaked its way through her at the unfairness of the situation but, as her emotions were being buffetted one way and then the other and she simply couldn't hold on to it for herself. Instead, as she knelt she took hold of Vera's foot gently, bending downwards to kiss her toes, running her tongue gently over the immaculately manicured toes a certain sense of pleasure tricked through her at the thought of those students that had been making her life miserable this past month being on report... or worse. It was alien but no less potent for that and she started reeling off the student names that she knew, continuing to gently caress the Head Girls feet with her hands and tongue between names. Unfortunately she didn't know many surnames but she knew where each could be found and mostly what classes they were in.

After she finished a odd feeling settled on her, somehow feeling a little guilty for probably getting others into trouble but, as before with her anger it slipped through the her mind too quickly to settle, and was gone as Vera started speaking again.

"Yes Mistress" Anne replied to the first of the questions. Despite a little trill of... (was it fear? worry? trepidation?) at being called slave like that she continued. "They still happen from time to time. I.." She stopped talking, not sure what to say about them. That she still was sure that something else was going on? That she was sure it wasn't just her libido being overstreched? Instead she let Vera continue, using her position and actions to hide her own discomfort about her dreams.

Before a few more moments had passed though Vera continued and she almost stopped her ministrations. Pleasure - from the simple fact that she was doing the right thing and that Vera had actually been apparently paying attention to her. It rather made her happy! Regret - that she had almost blown it, and a healthy dose of worry about her l requirement.

She sat back, worry evident on her face as she looked down the darkened corridor trying to see if there were any other students there. Fortunately it still seemed entirely deserted. Slowly, apprehensively she moved as she was required, answering Vera's question. Her nerves had kicked into high gear and she felt jittery, not sure how to answer and still really apprehensive about what the Head Girl had in mind.

"I... I don't know Mistress" Anne began "I.. I want you.. I want you to think well of me and I have no idea why" As she spoke her nerves increased and she looked like she wanted nothing more but to run away, cheeks flaming. "I've tried to ignore you.. I mean not think about you.. I.. I... I mean not think about it but you keep coming back into my thoughts. I want to stand at your side... and comfort you as you sleep.. I..."

She broke off, cheeks flaming as she had reached the chair and slowly she bent over it, looking over her shoulder, trying to see what Vera was doing as well as keeping an eye on the corridor, hoping... praying that no-one came down the long aisle.