At the end of class, Kim found herself almost stuck to her desk as if she had sat on super-glue. Mrs. Craig had told her to stay behind, probably to tell her to not talk back to people (even though they deserve worse than that, Kim thought) and to just toe the line next time. When the class finally emptied, Kim took a deep breath and stood up. 

Mrs. Craig had been rearranging some books on her desk, clearly preparing for her afternoon classes before taking her own lunch. One book that caught Kim’s eye was an older looking one that the teacher had open and was placing some bookmarks. Kim read the spine; ‘Witch Trials Throughout Scotland’.

“For the higher students,” Mrs. Craig spoke suddenly, noticing Kim reading. Kim stood back up fully, folding her hands together worryingly. But the teacher did not seem offended about her peeping. 

“Terrible business,” Mrs. Craig sighed, closing her book and rubbing her eyes, “Shame. So many people were killed just because they did not conform. If you ask me, people haven’t learned much from then.” Kim felt the back of her neck heat up at these words, she did not know whether Mrs. Craig was referring to her specifically or not.

“Do you believe witches are real, Mrs. Craig?” She asked, hoping to change the subject.

“Well,” Mrs Craig sighed wistfully, “I hope they are. The world can be very dull sometimes, it would be a lot more interesting if witches existed. People still think the Loch Ness Monster is real so why not? Anyway,” she turned in her chair to face Kim, folding her hands in her lap. Kim blinked and looked away.

“Um… what did you want to talk to me about, Mrs. Craig?” she asked uneasily, “If-if it’s about what I said to Beth I’m sorry! It just sort of came out and-!”

“Yes, that was a bit unorthodox and I’d strongly advise you don’t do it again, but that’s not what I wanted to ask you,” Mrs. Craig answered, her voice turned softer, “I was wanting to ask if everything is okay? I understand that you have had a difficult time with your hair and-”

“I didn’t dye it-!” Mrs. Craig raised a hand instantly.

“This isn’t about your hair, Kim I promise. I think you’ve had enough of that,” Mrs. Craig leant closer, “What I want to ask you is, is there anything else that is troubling you?” 

Kim fumbled with her hands and glanced away.

“Um…” wishe was not entirely sure how to answer that.

“I’m only asking because, well, I’ve seen how Beth and her… friends,” for a moment Kim was convinced Mrs. Craig had to stop herself using a stronger word, “have been treating you. Don’t think I didn’t see that little altercation you had at your table, am I right to assume that this has been going on for a while?”

Kim’s stomach sank and her teeth clenched at these words. She had hoped Mrs. Craig had not noticed anything. Playing with her hair, her mind tied itself into knots scrambling for a response to this. She had never told anybody about the Bonnies, or the endless stress brought on by her father’s indifference and Trudy’s bullying. She had barely even cried about it, not even in private. They had been a bunch of tiny hammers chipping away at her mind that she had tried to tune out. But that was when her hair was not some wacky colour as if a glitter factory had exploded.

“Kim?” She looked up to meet Mrs. Craig’s gaze, not realising that she had started shaking. The teacher lent further forward, worry radiating from her eyes, “Honey, I won’t be angry. I want to help. If you don’t want to tell me, I completely understand. But if there is something troubling you, now’s the time to say so.” Kim blinked furiously, trying to push back the pressure building at the corners of her eyes. 

“Um…” Kim’s mind began to spiral into turmoil. She had always looked up to Mrs. Craig. The teacher had this aura that she could help anyone with anything. She thought back to her primary school days, where teachers were seen by their children as omnipotent beings who, like parents, could fix any problem in the world. But... did this still work when the parents were the problem? Would telling her really help? Kim knew Trudy enough to know that woman had an uncanny ability to bluff her way out of anything- not to mention the punishment that would be waiting for her when she got home.

A sigh brought Kim back into the present. Mrs. Craig was watching her with a gaze that seemed to say that Kim's lack of response was all the evidence she needed.

"Okay, Kim," she spoke finally, "well, whenever you feel like you want to talk you know where I'll be. Go and enjoy your lunch." Kim could not think of anything to respond with so opted to a simple nod and little wave before leaving the room.

Her cramps were getting worse now, and Kim internally cursed herself for being so stupid. Why couldn't she just do the smart thing for once! Mrs. Craig would not lie like that, what if she really could help? Maybe she could try and convince her to not involve Trudy and Tristan, she had no idea how that would work but surely something could have done! These thoughts did not subside even as Kim climbed the spiralling stairs to the ground floor, ignoring every other person in her way. It was only when she passed the girl's bathroom that she finally stopped.

...No. She was going to go back to Mrs. Craig and tell her everything! For a fleeting second, Kim was convinced that something could be done.

Until she felt the sudden force of two pairs of hands grabbing her arms and a third shoving her with the force of a train into the bathroom and the door being thrown shut with a SLAM!!!