When rumours become truths

Disclaimer: All characters are property of verity gregory, any resemblance to persons alvie or dead is purely unintentional.

AN: Im back people and heres a little something....enjoy!!





The sun shone down on the front of the buildings steps. A worried look across her face, had she got the right place? Was this it, and more importantly, was she in there? Climbing the steps a million thoughts of elation and doubt crossed her mind. But what was she going to say if she was in or even worse, what would she do if she wasn’t?

In the reception area she stood slightly bouncing nervously on her feet as the receptionist acknowledged she was there. “Hey, could you help me? I think I might be in the wrong building, could you possibly tell me if a Faith Robinson lives here? I’m an old friend from high school.”

The receptionist smiled as she ran the name through the computer data base. “Well we have a Faith Robinson here, but for security we’ll have to ring up and make sure that she knows you. Sorry but it’s the university’s policy. What’s your name and I’ll call for you,”

She stuffed her hands in her pockets, “Lara Sadler,” the receptionist made the call up to the room. Up on the third floor a phone rang in a full room. A short haired girl reached over picking up the room phone. “Hello?”

“Hi there its just reception, we have a visitor here asking after you, name of Lara Sadler. Are you expecting a visitor this afternoon?” Perplexed the reply came,

“I’m not expecting a visitor, but I do know of a Lara Sadler, we went to high school at the same time. That could be her; send her up, and if it isn’t her don’t worry we’ll send them packing!” A laugh came from the receptionist. Lara in reception was still taught with anxiousness. Would she remember her? Would she even want to see her?

Putting down the phone the receptionist returned her attention to the girl in the lobby, “She say’s to send you up. Must be in the right place then! She’s up on the third floor, room 347.”

“Thank you so much!” Lara walked away quickly to the elevators, still awash with worry. They had never spent any time together in high school, a few classes together and shared friends. But they knew of each other, and the rumours of both girls held a haunting similarity. Faith’s sexuality was common knowledge among the school, but no one was certain of Lara’s. It was only because of their strikingly similar style and presence people assumed far too much. There were even rumours of attraction between the two that had deeply scared Lara at the time. But now, now things were different.

Outside room 347 Lara could hear the voices inside, it would be impossible to speak to her alone now, but maybe her friends would be able to help. Her shaking hand knocked on the door. Several voices inside called beckoning her to enter the room. She stepped into a sea of faces, and her heart jumped at one familiar face. “Faith,”

Faith stood from the bed, “Well, what brings you here Lara? Last I heard you were somewhere around Leicester, this is pretty much out of the way isn’t it?”

Lara walked in a little further into the room, “Some of the guys are going over to the Isle of Wight for a camping trip, and, well, do I really have to explain now? It’s not really something that I want to discuss right here and now,”

Faith went to speak, but a voice from behind them both piped up, “Its ok Faith, we can give you guys some space, come on you lot.” Faith turned,

“Cheers Rich, I’ll call you guys in a bit.” The small troupe of people left the room leaving Faith and Lara behind. “What are you doing here Lara; you never had any time for me back at school. So what’s changed now? What on Earth is someone like you doing here?”

Faith, about five foot three sporting short but messy hair sat down on her bed and motioned for Lara to take the chair opposite. She sat sighing out, “Things changed back home Faith. Even all that time at high school there was so much going on. You remember the rumours that were spread and the assumptions that were made.”

“What does that have to do with today? It was a long time ago, and from what I remember, the stories about me were complete fact! Everyone at high school knew about me. Just because you were so damn popular, when someone started those rumours you ran petrified through the school praying that we wouldn’t even be seen in the same corridor.”

Lara’s face had dropped, she truly looked sorry, “And that’s partially why I’m here, I needed to come and apologise to you. It wasn’t right, things got out of hand.” Faith’s angered expression didn’t falter. “Times changed, and, oh forget it. Here, Paul told me to give this to you when I found you.”

Faith’s eyes questioned her as she took the envelope. Inside was a letter from Lara’s friends explaining why she was there. As Faith read on she began to understand more and more.

“So your friends sent you here. They say here that all Summer you wouldn’t stop talking about ‘missed opportunities’ and your ‘regrets’. Tell me, what the Hell is this about Lara? You come here all out of the blue, your friends have forced you upon me, for what end?”

The other girl rose from the chair and began to pace the room, “Back at school there were rumours about us, and it stayed with me, that last year was when we all really grew up and realised we weren’t kids any more. I found things out about people, and I found things out about myself.”

Faith too stood from her bed, this girl was pouring out her soul to her, she could no longer hold up her defences. Years before she had tried to fool herself that she wasn’t attracted to this girl. Lara had always been attractive, and Faith knew that, but she refused to accept she had fallen for her. This reunion was stirring up old sentiments, and it had already begun to hurt. What on Earth was she here for, because it was already killing her to see her.

“Lara, please what are you saying? You’re not making sense to me, and I can’t go through all that crap I had back then, please don’t tell me you’re here to just cement what I already knew.” Lara turned, tears threatening to fall, she blinked them back. To see her there was no evidence they were ever there.

“I know what I want to say, but I just can’t get it out. I, if I have to admit, I’m scared.”

“What of?” Faith stepped closer to her, Lara backed away.

“You, what you’ll say, what you’ll do, and how I’ll feel. If you don’t know, it’s just better, I should go, really. I shouldn’t have come here.” She turned to head for the door, Faith ran across the room and slammed the door shut.

“No! Not now! You come down here, you pace across my room making absolutely no sense; you have to tell me, I’m not letting you leave here until you do. If you have to sleep on that floor for a month you will tell me what you have come here to say. Now, just tell me.” Faith breathed in deeply, her heart was beating with panic and rushing blood all around her body.

Lara sighed out and looked down at Faith’s feet, “I,”

Faith pushed Lara’s face up with a finger under her chin, “You what?” Their eye’s met, the desperation registered, Faith knew. Their faces slowly began to come closer.

“I…had…to…tell…you…” Lara was whispering against shaking lips, both had closed their eyes, afraid of what they would see. “That…I, I can’t do this,” Roughly she yanked on the door forcing Faith out of the way. She ran out into the corridor and just ran. Faith just looked at the door. Holding her head in her hands she slid down the wall till she sat on the floor.

Lara sped around the corner without looking and barrelled into an unknowing person on the other side. “Oh, shit, I’m sorry. Are you ok?” Lifting them off the floor she recognised them from Faith’s room.

“What the hell? What are you bloody running for?” She brushed her hair out of her face before casting a blaming glace at Lara “Shouldn’t you be in Faith’s room?”

Lara stuttered trying to find the words to explain, but this distraction had hindered her. “Lara! Where the hell are you?” Her voice came booming down the corridor. The stranger looked up at her. Lifting her arm to point Lara was marched back to Faith’s room.

“Is this the one you’ve lost Faith?” Behind Lara a girl of similar height motioned with her thumb.

“Cheers Sophie, I’ll catch you later ok? Come on you, we’re not finished.” Lara walked dejected through the door into the room. Shutting the door Faith turned. Her voice was softer than both of them expected. “Lara, please, what’s wrong? Why did you bolt like that?”

The other girl either ignored her, or just refused to answer. Instead she played with her hands in her lap occasionally looking out of the window. Faith padded over to her, she knelt in front of the chair; Lara raised her face to avoid looking into her eyes. “Please Lara,” Faith took the other girls hands in one and pulled on her chin with the other.

“Look at me, what is going on?” Lara sighed out and tried to blink back tears, but one fell. She cursed herself on the inside and prayed that Faith hadn’t noticed. She flinched as Faith used her thumb to wipe the solitary tear away.

“I, I can’t say. Look at me, my reputation would be shot if the lads saw me now. I can’t even form proper sentences.” Faith looked up at her and smiled.

“It’s ok, really. But I have to go to work soon, how about I introduce you to my friends and we’ll talk when I get back.” Lara looked at her a little scared. “Don’t worry, they’re not that bad! Come on,” Faith stood up dragging Lara by the hand up and out of the bedroom.

Lara allowed herself to be pulled out of the room; she stood with Faith outside of the door while she knocked the door. The shouts inside beckoned them in, “Hey, hey Faith. And Faith’s friend. What’s up?” Faith pulled Lara into the room.

“Hey guys, look I really have to go to work, can you all look after Lara while I’m gone? Here’s my room keys, raid my DVD collection or something.” The people inside welcomed Lara in. Faith leaned over to her and whispered, “It’ll be ok, and when I get back we’ll sort everything out. They’ll look after you till then.” Lara’s face was trying to convince her otherwise. Faith just pushed her in and waved goodbye.

Lara was slightly panicking, ‘Now what’s going to happen?’ She had come here on a whim, no plan, no preparation. She hadn’t even got a place to stay for the night, and now Faith was gone and she still hadn’t told her anything. A voice shook her out of her inner monologue.

“So Lara, hey! I’m Sophie, you ran into me in the corridor,” Lara shuffled apologising for earlier, “Hey no big. This here is Rich, that’s Tom, and him behind me is Andy. Sophie was sitting on the bed leaning into Andy, he had his head rested on her shoulder and just waved his hand at her.

“Come in dude, sit down.” Sophie called over; Lara obliged but still said nothing. “So, you know Faith from home huh?”

Lara nodded, “We went to high school together.” She wasn’t hiding her voice or even shying away. She just wasn’t speaking; she refused to sit there like a scared child, but she didn’t want to really talk either.

“So you were friends?” The boys in the room were looking her over trying to work her out, who was she and what did she want with Faith? Lara shook her head at the question. “So you weren’t friends, and sorry to sound harsh, but Faith didn’t look exactly pleased to see you. What happened?”

“Man Sophie! Don’t you think that’s a little off? That’s none of our business, don’t worry about it Lara. If we were supposed to know Faith would have asked us to stay. If she wants us to know she’ll tell us.” Sophie looked a little dejected.

“I’m sorry,” Lara waved it off. “It’s just; we really have to look out for Faith. She goes through these phases, and bad things happen. She doesn’t like to let people know when she’s upset, and her face when you walked in. Something isn’t right.”

Lara had decided to tell them, she wouldn’t be able to take the questions much more. She knew they meant well, but if she didn’t appease their curiosity they wouldn’t let up until Faith came home. It was going to be difficult enough when she did; if there was anything that could make the atmosphere a little more relaxed it was worth doing.

As she told the story of their years together at school all four looked on engrossed in the story remaining silent to allow her to get her point across. She finished talking about school before Sophie piped up again. “No wonder she wasn’t happy to see you. Just what are you doing here?”

All three of the boys looked between the two girls and then at each other, the conversation was getting just a little too deep. Andy posed the question, “Xbox?” with that they all barrelled out of the room leaving the two behind. As the dust settled Sophie started preparing two drinks. Handing a small glass to Lara she sat down on the bed with her.

“Look, I’m sorry to sound so really harsh. But I really worry about her you know? She isn’t the most stable of characters.” Lara sipped on the drink savouring the warm feeling.

“It’s completely understandable, you’re her friend. I expect you to be like this especially when you know about all of that. I just can’t deal with her, I came her to set things right, I came here to tell her things that she didn’t know. Damnnit,” Lara turned to Sophie, “I came here to tell her that I love her.”

Sophie spat her drink back into the glass, “You what?? After all that? After all that crap you come here to tell her that! What are you expecting? Her to beat you down? Cos’ that’s what’s going to happen when you tell her! Faith isn’t the kind of person you fuck with Lara. I’ve known her for under a year and I know that!”

Lara swallowed the drink down, “You don’t think that I know this? That’s why I ran, I couldn’t tell her. She deserves so much more; she didn’t do anything to deserve that shit back at school. I could have stopped it, I could have told her then, I could have made her happy, but I didn’t.”

“Why?”

“I was scared of what would happen, so…”

“You ignored it hoping it would go away.” Lara hung her head. “Dude, you can’t just ignore it, you can’t just smother feelings and leave it. It doesn’t work like that. Why didn’t you do anything? More importantly, what are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t even think this through, I’ve come down here to see her, that’s about as far into the plan I got. I didn’t even arrange a place to stay.”

Sophie re-filled their glasses with the liquor. “Well that’s not a problem; one of us can put you up for a couple of nights. You brought clothes and stuff right?” Lara nodded, it’s true she had, they were just in the lads car. They were going to drive by the place before getting the ferry and drop it off. Save her carrying it around if it was the wrong building.

“So, you come here to set things right. And you have no idea what to say to her.” Again Lara tipped back the glass.

“That’s about right, but much more of this and I’ll just fall asleep on her!” Sophie smiled and laughed a little.

“So what’s holding you back?”

“I’m scared. I can’t form the words, I know what I want to say, but I can’t say it. I know what I want to do, but I can’t do it. When I ran into you I had bolted, I came so close to kissing her and I just lost my bottle and I ran.”

“Did she pull back?” Lara shook her head, “Was she doing anything to force you away?” Again she shook her head. “You know what that means don’t you?” Lara’s blank face answered her. “She wasn’t resisting you, she wasn’t trying to keep away, and she was going to let you kiss her you fool! Seriously, you’re about as delirious as her! You better sort this out else you’ll both get upset. And I definitely can’t deal with two of you! Now Faith I can handle.”

Lara shot her an odd look. “Ahh, yeah. Faith and I have an odd sort of relationship. We’re great friends and all and have a blast together. But as I’m sure you know she’s a little boisterous and ever so slightly childish at times.” Lara just grinned; she had heard stories from one of Faith’s friends back home. “We play fight a lot, and let me just say. This ‘reputation’ she had, it doesn’t hold here! Her friends at home tell me she was a bit of a scrapper.”

“Yeah, Faith is definitely one person not to provoke. There are stories; there are also a few people who walk a little funny.” Both girls shared a giggle.

“Well, as much of a fighter she is, I can sort her out.” Sophie held up her hands mimicking a boxer. The friendly banter was allowing Lara to finally relax and clear her thoughts. “You just have to know how to beat her is all.”

“Now that is valuable information, how does someone like yourself beat a renowned fighter almost twice your size? You don’t drug her do you?” They were both smiling now, they were finally getting along.

“Ah now there’s a trick to it. Faith is extremely ticklish.” Lara’s eyes opened, “Yep, no punches, no kicks nothing. Just trap her under a blanket and that’s it. You sit on her so she can’t get up and just tickle her till she either gives up or gets so frustrated she wears herself out trying to get up.” Sophie beamed a proud face while Lara was just impressed.

“Wow, so that’s how it works is it. I guess it’s easy when you know how! But here’s something, how does one calm her down? I know she is pretty easy to rile up, and that is definitely not when I want to talk to her. I’m going to be pretty boned if work didn’t go all too well!”

Sophie took the two empty glasses and placed them on the side, “Well, lets see. She’s pretty much like a cat, gently scratch her back or under her chin and she’s yours. Same with her hair when there’s no gel in it. But I don’t know how you’re going to do it, don’t offer her drink to calm down. Definitely not, if she’s in a bad mood already that makes it worse, and if meeting you again stirs up old feelings there will be trouble if she gets drunk.”

“Ah, I think I’m pretty screwed here.” Lara crossed her legs on the bed while she and Sophie tried to think of something.

“I guess I could talk to her,” Lara’s eyes flickered with fear, “Don’t panic, I wouldn’t tell her everything, but while I talk to her, I could make sure that she isn’t all stressy. Cos’ I think she’d kind of get a little freaked if you just randomly start stroking her hair.” They both shared a smile at the amusing thought of weirding Faith out.

“I think you might have something there, when she gets back, if I call the lads to bring my stuff, you could talk to her.” Sophie nodded,

“But don’t think I’m telling her all the really important stuff, that’s your bit! She should be back in about half an hour; you better go call your friends.” Happy with the plan Lara left to meet with the boys.
Sure enough just over thirty minutes later there was a knock on Sophie’s door. “Hey, hey Sophie, where’s everyone at?” Sophie waved from her computer without even facing away from the screen.

“The boys are off playing Xbox, you know how they are.” Faith nodded, and suddenly remembered a minor detail,

“So the boys are off together, I’ve just got back and you’re in here alone. So where the hell is Lara?? She didn’t take off did she? I swear if she bolted I’m actually going to break something!” Sophie jumped of the bed quickly, Faith was already getting angry, this really wasn’t boding well.

“Whoa Faith!! She just went to meet her friends is all, they have her stuff. She can’t really stay anywhere without it can she. Now come on, come in and calm down.” Faith silently obliged. “After you went, we got to talking just Lara and me,” Faith’s eyebrows shot up.

“And you said what?” Faith dropped her bag to the ground and shook off her motorbike jacket. Her face was blank but her eyes flooded with fear. “I swear Sophie if you scared her off…”

“Now really, why would I do that? It’s not like I’m playing the jealous lovesick third party. I’m your friend Faith, why wouldn’t I want you to be happy?” Faith’s haunches dropped, she calmed down as she flopped down on Sophie’s bed. She sat next to Sophie just staring at the door.

“What am I going to do Sophie? It’s already late and nothing has been resolved. Did she really just come here with no plan? I mean, does she even have a place to stay tonight? How could she just arrive with no explanation, no prior arrangements or anything? It makes no sense.” Sophie pulled on Faith’s arm, too tired to resist she laid her head on the proffered lap.

Sophie just played with her hair as she spoke. “She’s going to stay here tonight, don’t worry, we’ll find something for her. She came here for a reason Faith, just give her time. I know you’re tired, but calm down please. Lara’s finding this hard enough without one of your temper tantrums. And I’ll be damnned if I have to deal with both of you, so before this evening is out, this is going to be sorted.”

Faith was trying to not fall asleep on Sophie’s lap as she waited for Lara to come back. Of course that was if she came back. Faith was dosing as the knock came on the door. Moving her gently Sophie went to the door, opening it she motioned for Lara to come in. Lara went to speak but Sophie placed a finger to her lips and pointed to the bed. They both went outside the room to talk.

“Sorry I took so long, had to get some Dutch courage.” Sophie grinned a little,

“It’s ok; she’s not really sleeping right now just dosing. Didn’t want to jolt her awake, she really freaks out when that happens. She’s already started talking in her sleep, she keeps thinking she’s at home and I’m someone back in Leicester.” Sophie rolled her eyes as Lara tried not to laugh.

They walked back through the door quietly. Sophie walked to the bed and began to gently shake Faith awake. “Come on honey, time to get up,”

Faith groaned, “How many times, I’m not your honey.”

Sophie kept up, “Aw baby, you need to get up.”

“Damnnit I’m not your baby either,” Faith swatted at her as she rolled over. Lara was trying so hard not to laugh. “What are you grinning at?”

“It’s just so hard to believe someone like you, with your reputation could be so placid. I mean, everyone at home knows you wouldn’t take that sort of talk.” Faith glared, “I guess the legendary Faith has been tamed. Who would have thought it?”

“Keep it up Lara, and the old me will really go to town on your ass.” She sat up rubbing her eyes.

“Now, now Faith. Let’s not go making promises you can’t keep.” Sophie winked at Lara, Faith just playfully swung at her. “Temper, temper. Now I believe you two have some things to sort out. Go on, scoot. If I hear shouting or smashing I’ll be right over and one of you will be sleeping in here!” The two girls looked at each other and smiled before leaving the room. “Go on, get out! Go, go!”

Faith picked up her stuff, Sophie followed them to the door. She stuck her tongue out at the grinning Faith, who happily returned the gesture.

As they walked into Faith’s room, a bed had been set up on the floor. “Nice to see someone thought ahead.” She placed her things down; a note on her fridge got her attention. ‘In case of emergency’ Opening the door she saw a bottle of Scotch and chocolate in her previously empty fridge. She smiled taking out the bottle.

She watched Lara sort out her things as she poured a glass. “Sorry, you want some of this?” Lara looked at the bottle and made an ‘ick’ face at the idea. “Not a whiskey fan huh, no big. More for me.”

Lara sat crossed legged on the floor in front of Faith’s bed. “So,”

“So,”

“Still the master of intelligent conversation,” Faith raised her glass in response. “I talked with Sophie a lot while you were out. She told me a few things; she also threatened a few things. She can kinda be a little scary.”

Faith smiled, “Yeah, she can be. Don’t worry, just don’t piss her off. You aught to be alright.” Lara bowed her head trying to hide her smile.

“She made me sort of promise to get this dealt with, and I’m going to,” Faith put down her glass and gave her all of her attention. Lara stood up to continue. “I really came here with one intention Faith, and here it is. Please try not to get too riled up.” Lara’s eyes pleaded with the other girl, she was panicking again. Faith stood to join her; she took the other girl’s hands in her own.

“I won’t. Please Lara, what is it that has you so scared.”

Neither girl noticed the door crack open a little; hiding behind the door Sophie and all the boys waited and listened. Residents walking down the corridor gave them odd looks as they passed.

“For so long I wanted to tell you this. I’ll admit I was a coward back at school, I could have done something about it, but I didn’t. I was scared then, and I’m absolutely shitting myself now,” Faith smiled a little, she squeezed Lara’s hands to reassure her. “All I wanted back then was just to make it all go away,” Faith tensed up. “I wanted to make it go away for both of us, I wanted it to be ok to…I wanted people to be ok with…I just wanted…”

Faith was shaking a little; she could barely speak “You wanted what?”

“I…I wanted…I wanted you Faith.” All the eavesdroppers tensed outside the door waiting for Faith’s reaction. “I wanted to make the rumours go away, I wanted you to be happy, I wanted to be the one to make you happy. But I was just so…”

Her sentence was cut off. Faith had closed the distance; her lips had locked with the others. So desperate and needy, letting go of her hands Faith just held her and refused to let go. As much as neither wanted the moment to stop, they were shook out of their reverie by hooting and yelling outside the door. Letting go Faith ran to the door and yanked it open, about six people fell into the room, each sporting a sheepish smile.

Faith looked down and raised her eyebrow. She went to do something, but two arms encircled her from behind. She wanted to shout but the kisses on her neck were suspending all rational thought. The rabble got up off the floor; Lara looked at them through the carnal glaze over her eyes. Quickly getting the message they ran down the corridor giggling like school children.

Faith shut the door still with Lara attached to her, a voice in her ear made her shudder, “Now, where were we?”