Suspect

Fahmeen's POV:

I quicken my pace, zipping in and out of the rooms, clearing as much floor space as I can. Finally, all the leftover foods had been stored away and I could see tables and counter tops for the first time today.
Rolf exhales loud behind me and I jump, unaware he was in the kitchen too.

"Alright, I'm gonna head out soon. I got a lot of coursework that ain't gonna mark itself." He walks towards me. I'm holding a broom but I drop it on the floor wanting to at least give him a hug.
"Don't worry, I closed the door." He whispers. I bite my lip and he pulls me into a kiss. I cup his face, deepening it craving his security. His hands stroke down towards my thigh, one slips underneath my dress as we continue kissing. He then cups my ass cheek, keeping his hand there.

As reluctant as I am, I know we have to stop eventually. So I take his other hand and slowly pull away from our kiss. I place a kiss on his knuckle and lean my cheek on it staring into his eyes. I so desperately wanted him to stay for tonight. Tonight of all nights.
"Expect me soon. I'll be dropping by." I give him back his hand. His eyes are on mine, the cloud of lust slowly evaporating. Rolf nods and brings my head forward, kissing it. He stays there for a few seconds and then goes.

"I'm off Susan. Don't hesitate to call me if you need me, okay? Whatever it is."
I overhear Rolf say to mum as he stops by the door. She just nods, with that brave smile of hers.
"I will do. Now off you go, it's already dark."
The smile on his face doesn't quite reach his eyes, I see worry there for her. He sighs and leaves.

"He's a good man."
My mother watches him go and the day's events finally take a toll on her as she goes off to bed.
"Thanks for helping out Penelope. We'll speak soon." She says halfway up the stairs, I know she was eager to finally have a talk with dad. Auntie Penelope brushes off her thanks, her eyes full of love and concern.

Mum's out of sight and I look at everyone. Me, Sam, Jay and Auntie Penelope now stand in the living room.
"He always has to ruin everything." My sister says, bitter anger present on her face. I go to help her take down decorations.
"Your mum will know what to do. And you guys know you always have me. I'm just a phone call away."
We all smile at Auntie Penelope, eternally grateful for that woman.

...

It was the morning after. A family of five sit at a table, eating breakfast. The children, tense and quiet. Their mother feels guilty as she watches them hurry their eating just so they can leave the table. She watches her husband from the side. The man is blissfully unaware of the tension he is causing. Or he doesn't care to notice.

After the 'talk', Susan let her children know what was going to happen concerning their father. He had lost the house and so needed a place to stay whilst he figured things out. Sam was the first to voice her thoughts.

"No way! He's not coming back into our lives again. What? He told you a few days, that's it? That'll turn into a week and then some more and then he just won't leave."
Her voice grew quieter.
"We managed to get away from it all, from him. Everything was perfect and now we're willingly letting him back into our lives?" She shook her head and didn't say anymore.
"I agree." Fahmeen said, sharing a look of understanding with her sister. Jay just shrugged, he wanted to trust his mother's decision.

Fahmeen's POV:

"I have to go." I leave my empty bowl in the sink, thankful I didn't have to look at him anymore.
"It's early." My mother notices but I would rather get in some early revision than spend anymore time playing happy families.
"I know but I thought I'd study there."
I grab my stuff and leave the house and the weird atmosphere behind me.

...

A few more students are here with me in the common room. The number has been steadily increasing for the past few weeks and things were getting serious at school.

Someone sits down next to me and I smell a strong, sweet perfume.
"You should hear what people are saying. They liked your party. But I thought something was missing."
I turn my head to Shania's voice and she's watching me, eyes narrowed and mouth in a smirk.
"Games. What's a party without a few party games?" She winks and stands up, and I try to process her stupid ass attempt at a cryptic message.

Games

*Games*


I internally gasp, like hide and seek?

...

(F) I have a main suspect.
My fingers make so many spelling mistakes as I type it urgently for Rolf. I send it immediately and anticipate his reply. Of course I knew I'd have to wait as he's working but it kept my nerves on edge throughout the day.
"Is it Emilio?"

I give in and look at Georgia as she makes her fifth guess as to who's my secret lover. She mistakes my reluctant attention to her interrogation as if she stood correct.
"A ha so it is!" Her face screams victory, fists bumped in the air. I raise my eyebrow and shake my head no. I can't help but laugh as her body slumps in defeat.

We were currently in the library so the librarian effectively told us to shut up.
"Sorry." We say in unison and Georgia makes a funny face which makes me laugh even more.
"A hem. I'm sure Miss...-
Rolf appears from a book aisle surprising me, and searches the librarian's name tag.
"Just Valerie." She says, sitting up basking in his attention. I bite my lip trying to stop my laughter.
"Valerie here would, I'm sure prefer her library silent. Isn't that right?" His smirk turns to a polite smile as he looks at the flustering librarian. She eagerly nods and then shoots daggers at me and Georgia.

Rolf stands near the desk where she sits, looking between the three of us. Georgia avoids his gaze and just concentrates on my face. She's going red and I'm struggling to hold the laughter back. For the sake of the two of us I ask:
"You're right Professor, we shall be silent from now on. Sorry on behalf of Georgia and me Valerie." I smile at her, showing no teeth.

Valerie barely acknowledges
me and returns to her study of the professor. His eyes stay on me and he's wearing a playful smile.
The sleeves are rolled up on his arms, just how I like it. Allows me to admire those muscles move as he does. His watch strap straining against his skin. He moves to leave.

"Good. I'll be on my way then."
I can feel Valerie glare at me because he doesn't shift his gaze.
"Okay."
He nods at me and Georgia (who still has her back to everyone but me) and then to Valerie before leaving.

...

Fahmeen's POV:

*End it or I will*

I found a note in my locker and that's what it said. Rolf was yet to read my message so I'm freaking out solo. It was Shania and it had been Shania all along. What was bugging me the most was how did she know? She's never seen me and Rolf together so someone must've told her. What was her problem? Why is she doing this? All these questions in my head and no answers. Since she's the only one who can, I'm seeking her out.

...

I wait for the day to end. As we share no lessons, waiting outside whilst students leave to go home for the weekend is my best bet at catching her. I had to have a plan. Something to barter with since she's threatening us. What could she possibly want in return?

"Shania!"
She turns to find whoever dared call her name and her eyes meet mine. I'm not scared of her and I won't be while she walks towards me with that evil gleam in her eye. Like she holds the world's secret and the only key to them.

"Find my note?"
She crosses her arms, directly opposite me.

"Yes. It was kind of you to drop it off inside of my locker."
"Had to make sure it got to the right recipient. Wouldn't want it to fall into the wrong hands now would we?"
And there it was. This is when she would tell me her demands and I could meet them so she'll leave this alone. But she's determined and so cold. Her cheekbones are perfectly straight on her small, shapely face. The grey contacts she wears look frosty towards me as the sun hides behind the clouds. Her dark straightened hair blowing across her face in the wind. She looks dangerous.

"What do you know?"
She narrows her eyes, trying to be two steps in front of me.
"Enough. That you're screwing the new Professor." She winks.
"Have to admit, pretty ballsy for someone like you."
My fists are clenched as words slip from her mouth like venom.
"You don't even know me. You know nothing about me, Shania. Why are you doing this?" I step forward and she doesn't move. Meeting my resentful stare head on.
"Is this because of Emilio?"
I see the mask slip for a moment before she resumes her tough exterior.
"Why yes. This is all about him. In fact, who do you think told me of your little secret?"