Protecting us *Waterloo road*

08💋

Rachel walked into Grace's house. She saw Kennedy sitting on the sofa. "Get dressed now. You're coming to school. And you're going to apologise to Mr Clarkson for being drunk."

Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Leave me the hell alone. I don't want you near me. I don't want you in my life," she spat.

Rachel glared. "You're an immature little girl. No wonder you're always in trouble!" She said.

"I hate you."

Rachel nodded and turned to walk off. "I don't want you at my school. You're excluded for being drunk on school premises," she told her as she walked off.

Kennedy looked to Grace. "Can she exclude me for that?"

"I don't know babes. I'll sort it."

***
Kennedy was sitting in the living room. She didn't know what was going on with herself. But she knew she was fighting so many demons and she was scared. Scared of what she was going to do next.

Kennedy got a text from Grace

Come into school. You're in the cooler. But it's better than staying at home / Grace x

Kennedy got changed into her uniform and sighed. She knew she hadn't been herself lately. But she didn't know why she had been drunk on school. She couldn't remember.

***
Kennedy went into school. Grace and Rachel were waiting there. "Mum. Don't start. Okay?"

"Oh I'm not starting. You're just immature and you're going to be in the cooler for a long time. You owe Mr Clarkson an apology. And we both know that," Rachel said as she looked at her.

Kennedy rolled her eyes and sighed. She walked off to the cooler. She saw Tom and walked right past him. Not wanting to see him after the other day at school.

***
Tom walked into the cooler. He was on duty. He saw Kennedy there. "Hey. You sober today?" He asked.

"Don't. I don't even remember why I got drunk. But I think it was to do with my mother. It always is. She doesn't want me. And she hasn't wanted me for a long time," Kennedy mumbled as she wiped away the tears.

Tom walked over and sat down next to her. He smiled. "Hey. I'm sure that's not true Ken. She loves you so much. I saw how bad she felt the other day."

"It was an act and we both know that. It's just... I feel like I'm happier with Grace. She doesn't keep getting on at me. And my mum? She's more focused on this place," Kennedy said as she looked at him.

Tom took her hand and smiled. "That's not true Kennedy. You just... you're a young girl so you have a lot on your plate with school and exams. It's not easy I know that. But you've got this."

"Thank you sir. I appreciate it."

***
Kennedy walked into Grace's classroom. Grace smiled. "I talked to mum. And she's going to back off you a little. But you have to sort yourself out babes. No more drinking," she said.

Kennedy nodded and sighed. She wiped away her tears. "I don't know what's going on with me. And I'm scared that I'm going to be too far gone," she sobbed.

Grace held her close and sighed. But could she help Kennedy overcome the battles she was going to face?