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eddysocs · 2 months

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The Object Of Desire — Chapter Six (Drowning In Doubt)

Summary: Camille's revelation of her name prompts Aerla to seek answers. Joining the diving team for a practice, she faces mixed reception. And later, a quiet moment by the water hints at unspoken desires, leaving Aerla torn between longing and the constraints of their connection.

Word Count: 1,455

Warnings: Unresolved romantic/sexual tension

After their adventure, Aerla was too energized to fall asleep right away, and toyed with the idea of sneaking out and wandering the halls in hopes of stumbling upon Miss G again, who she suspected might also be having trouble winding down. But, the last thing she needed was to get into trouble and exploring the halls at this hour. It was not a risk she felt willing to take. She’d hate to be sent away again when she was just starting to like it here.

When she was finally able to lull herself into sleep, her dreams were filled with the events of the day, almost as if she had been watching the day unfold as an observer rather than a participant. To see it all over again like that was refreshing, exhilarating even, and when morning came, Aerla felt rested, ready to tackle the day before her.

Only one thing remained in her mind as she got dressed. Camille. Miss G's given name had echoed around in her head. Why had she told her that? Did she want her to refer to her that way? Certainly not in public, that would draw too much attention. But she must have shared it for a reason.

As she stepped out of her room to head for breakfast she saw several members of the diving team discussing practice. It seemed Sundays were when the team got together for both practicing their dives and for fun. She hadn’t meant to linger, but when Di caught sight of her, she smiled, one that didn’t quite fully reach her eyes, and asked if Aerla wanted to join them, like they were making it up to her after last time.

"I’d like that," Aerla replied. Though she remained somewhat skeptical of Di's intentions, it was a marvelous excuse to see Miss G again, and get an answer to her question about her name.

And so the waiting began. Aerla found it hard to fill her time until the divers met out at the lake. She couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything other than the nagging question she was determined to revisit with Miss G later. At lunch, she picked at her food, too caught up in her own head to realize she hadn’t actually eaten much of it.

"I hear my divers invited you to practice. I would have done so myself, but I didn’t want you to feel pressured if you weren’t ready." Brought out from her chronic overthinking, Aerla looked up from her plate.

"I thought I’d give it a try. You did say I was good. I’d like to see how it is diving with the other girls."

Miss G clapped her hands and smiled. "Wonderful. Then I’ll see you later."

Later truly could not come soon enough for Aerla. She was eager to show off whatever skills she had as a diver and prove herself to Di and the rest, as well as Miss G, who seemed to have so much faith in her.

Finally, her moment had come, and Aerla's lungs burned from the quickness in which she sprinted out to the lake. She was a little embarrassed to be the first one, but too excited to care as much as she might normally. The rest of the divers filed in in groups of two or three with Di and her friends bordering on being fashionably late. Aerla had wanted to speak to Miss G the moment she’d seen her arrive, but she didn’t want to be overheard. Best to save it.

Despite Di having invited her along, almost none of the girls spoke to Aerla, leaving her to once again feel like an outsider. She tried with them, but it felt like she had no way in. The group of girls were too closed off to truly let her in. Oh well, she thought, as least she had Miss G.

But even that brought no solace. Miss G had given her attention mostly to her more experienced divers, instructing, critiquing. There was but a single distracted smile sent her way in between two dives. She shouldn’t be feeling jealous. It was unreasonable. However, jealousy didn’t always go hand in hand with reason.

After hours of mostly watching her classmates practice and otherwise splash and linger in the water, Aerla was beyond ready to leave. She had a reason to stay though, one she could not simply put off for another day. Finally, the girls began to dry off and head back for dinner. Aerla stayed.

As Miss G picked up several towels left behind, Aerla approached her. "I wanted to ask you something," Aerla broached, deciding to be straightforward with her. "The other day, you told me your name. Why?"

She’d been expecting this, ever since she’d confided in her, yet the question had still managed to catch Camille off guard. "I can’t say I fully know myself," she admitted. "Did it make you uncomfortable? I never meant—"

"No, it isn’t that. I was…I don’t know, grateful? It felt like you were divulging a secret, one you’d only tell someone you were close to. Did you want me to use it? Your name, I mean." She felt like she was rambling. She was nervous, her heart fluttering away in her chest. "Just when we're alone," she added quickly.

Camille wanted that very much, but would it be appropriate to say so? It could lead to trouble, but she said only when they were alone. Had she meant that she wanted to be alone with her? Camille shook her head, almost imperceptibly, and realized she needed to give her an answer.

"You’re welcome to use it if you like."

There was a small pause, filled only with Aerla's smile at having her permission to refer to her by her given name, "Can I ask you something else?"

"Of course." With the words came Miss G's hand on her back, rubbing gently and reassuringly up and down, easing the anxiety she felt.

"Can we go back to private lessons? I don’t think I’m good in a team setting. It felt so…impersonal. I want to train with you, but everyone else being there just feels like a distraction." In all honesty, she hadn’t cared much whether or not she continued diving, but losing her time with Miss G entirely felt like too big of a loss for her, so if that were the way she could continue seeing her, she’d be more than happy with that.

It was exactly what Camille wanted as well, and so she graciously and enthusiastically allowed for their one on one lessons to continue.

As the lessons continued, the connection between them deepened. Camille's guiding touch became more deliberate, her hands guiding Aerla with a gentleness that transcended instruction. Yet she remained careful not to overstep. It was a constant, nagging fear that if she went too far, it would drive Aerla away. Still, Camille hungered for those moments of intimacy that were somehow neither romantic nor entirely platonic. It was those moments that she’d think about at night as she lay in bed, when anything seemed possible.

One afternoon, they stayed and lingered by the water's edge after their lesson came to an end. The sun was slowing sinking towards the horizon, casting a warm glow on the water. Camille's gaze locked onto Aerla's, a silent invitation back into the water. It was their safe space, almost like another world. Without words, they descended into the water, the world above replaced by the ethereal blue.

In the quiet depths, Camille's hand found Aerla's. Their fingers intertwined and time lost its grip as they shared a moment suspended in liquid intimacy. Breaking the surface, they emerged, breathless and entangled. The unspoken tension now simmered on the brink of acknowledgment. Aerla searched Camille's eyes for answers, finding a vulnerability that mirrored her own.

Camille wanted so badly to kiss her in that moment, but she refrained. It had been the beginning of the end for her with Fiamma, a tragedy she did not wish to repeat. No, if she wanted Aerla, she’d have to let the girl come to her. If it were her that turned the relationship into something more than it already was, it would not end well.

Their breath regained from their foray under the surface of the lake, they shared a mirthful laugh, finally breaking the mounting tension that had bubbled between them. Aerla was all too aware of their physical closeness, their clasped hands. But it could not mean what she wanted it to. Not if she wished to hold onto it. She was once again caught between what she desired and what could not happen.

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Chapter Five <- 🩵 -> Chapter Seven

Forever Tag: @arrthurpendragon, @baubeautyandthegeek, @foxesandmagic, @ginger-grimm, @bossyladies, @atjsgf, @misshiraethsworld, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @kissykissymouth, @blood-moon1234567890

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #fic: the object of desire #aerla x miss g #miss g #miss gribben #miss g x oc #miss gribben x oc

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eddysocs · 1 month

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The Object Of Desire — Chapter Seven (Hidden Thoughts And Secret Places)

Summary: After a short night, Aerla must go about her day, and relief comes in the form of her private forest clearing. There to write out some of her thoughts, her peace is interrupted.

Word Count: 1,117

Warnings: Some minor angst/drama, progression of feelings within a student/teacher relationship

Later that night, Aerla lay sleepless, staring up towards the ceiling. Again, the day's events played over and over in her head. Beautiful, blissful images swam at the forefront of her mind, yet still the thoughts somehow plagued her, taking her slumbering hours away from her. Di, directly across the room from her, was awake as well. Aerla sighed, half with contentment and half with frustration at her inability to fall asleep.

"Hey," Di whisper yelled. Aerla sat up. Her eyes were accustomed enough to the darkness that she could tell Di was also sitting up and looking —rather, glaring— at her. Aerla pointed at herself to clarify that Di had been speaking to her. Had she done something to wake her? She hadn’t thought so. "Yes, you. You came back from the lake awfully late. What were you doing out there?"

Aerla didn’t like the accusation in Di's tone. What did it matter to her what she did or didn’t do? Yet she needed to answer her. Although she certainly had no obligation to tell Di the truth. At least not the whole of it. "I stayed to speak to Miss G. I wanted to tell her that I don’t think I’ll be joining your diving team. I don’t think I'm suited to it."

"Oh," Di replied flatly. Aerla didn’t know what she'd been expecting to hear, but she assumed that hadn’t been it. "Okay then. Shame. You were kind of good," Di replied dismissively and with a passive aggressive shrug. Aerla fought not to argue with her. She was damned good, and Di knew that as well as Aerla herself did. Miss G had praised her on her dive, possibly more so than any of the other girls. Perhaps Di was merely jealous that she was better than her. Aerla longed to gloat, lord it over her like some primary school bully, but she didn’t need the conflict. Di seemed determined not to like her, and she didn’t need to give her any more reason to hate her.

After Di laid back down, and Aerla was able to be off her guard once more, she actually settled into a light sleep. Morning seemed to come too quickly however, and Monday's classes were bright and early as usual. For her first few courses of the day, she was struggling to keep awake, the monotony coupled with her shortened night of rest was a draining combination.

Lunchtime had perked her up a bit, having forgone breakfast for roughly half an hour more of rest. The afternoon then proceeded to go much smoother for her. She was more attentive, especially after passing Miss G in the hall between class periods. And then classes concluded for the day and she was free. While the other girls gathered in dorms and a short distance outside the building, Aerla made her way to the forest.

The clearing she'd found on her first foray out into the woods awaited her and the journal she’d brought along with her. Birdsong again filled the secluded area, and Aerla sat on the large, fallen log to put some thoughts down on the pages in her journal.

Camille. French in origin. There is something exotic about her that keeps her always in my thoughts. It is not unlike what I felt for the girl from home, whose name need not be mentioned here, yet it is not quite the same either. With the girl, curiosity. With Camille…perhaps desire?

The snap of a twig got her attention and froze her pen to the page. It could have merely been an animal traipsing through, but she had to be sure. She slowly lifted her head to observe her surroundings. In the distance, she caught a glimpse of a silvery, silken skirt as someone darted away beyond the trees. Perhaps it was time to leave. She wanted to preserve this spot as her own, and if someone was already poking around, she best wait until later for another visit.

Camille had only meant to keep an eye on the girls after classes had let out for the day. She’d been making her rounds, seeing that the girls had mostly grouped up for a bit of fun during the pleasant weather before the rain came overnight. And that’s when she’d spotted Aerla heading for the forest. Normally, the girls weren’t permitted past the tree line, but she seemed to be heading somewhere with a purpose and Camille wanted to know where.

She lingered behind at quite a distance, only just able to keep Aerla in her sights. When she saw her enter the woods, she pressed forward after her, carefully treading into the brush. From behind a thick and gnarled old tree, Camille stood and watched as Aerla entered a forest clearing, sitting herself on a fallen log. It appeared that she was writing something. She wouldn’t be able to see the words on the page even if she were to draw closer, yet she took a step forward anyway. A mistake.

The crack of the stick beneath her feet had clearly startled the young woman, whose writing ceased immediately. Camille knew she’d have to flee. She could only hope she was fast enough to avoid catching Aerla's eye as she went. Her mad dash from the woods left her wanting for breath by the time she reached the forest's edge. It was already starting to get dark at this time of year, and a chill was setting in, so Camille jogged off to go inside and grab a coat. She might have just stayed in, but she wanted to make sure Aerla made it back.

Camille stood outside the school's entrance and waited, puffing on a cigarette to look as if she were preoccupied with anything other than worry for her favorite pupil. When Aerla finally came trotting up the hill, Camille exhaled a long plume of smoke, along with an abundance of relief. Everyone else had gone inside by the time she reached the door, so that left them alone. "Camille, what are you still doing out here?"

Camille almost lost her cool when Aerla addressed her by her first name, but another drag from her cigarette helped her to regain her composure. "Just making sure everyone comes inside," she replied. "You’re the last."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," she apologized, though a hint of a smile told her she wasn’t entirely sorry for it.

"Not at all. After you." Camille half bowed as she gestured to the door with a flourish. Aerla smiled at the act she was putting on until she caught sight of a peek of silver coming from under Camille's long, black coat.

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Chapter Six <- 🩵 -> Chapter Eight

Forever Tag: @arrthurpendragon, @baubeautyandthegeek, @atjsgf, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @kissykissymouth

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #fic: the object of desire #miss g #miss gribben #miss g x oc #miss gribben x oc #cracks 2009

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eddysocs · 3 months

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The Object Of Desire — Chapter Five (Starting To Feel Like Home)

Summary: An exploration of the school grounds leads Aerla to finding a nice, secluded spot before ultimately leading her back to the lake.

Word Count: 1,136

Warnings: Mention of/implied skinny dipping, but blink and you’ll miss it

As the next two days passed, Aerla found herself speaking casually to a few of the other students. Di Radfield, one of Miss G's divers seemed particularly eager to get to know her. Di was a bit much, but Aerla remained polite to her when she fired inquiry after inquiry at her. It was probably for the best that she be on good terms with the girls she planned on diving with.

While they hadn’t exactly bonded, Aerla noticed Di's watchful eye on her from time to time. Perhaps she only needed time to warm up to her. She couldn’t fault her for that as she was much the same with new people and after what had happened, some extra caution didn’t really seem like a bad thing.

On her first weekend at St. Mathilde's, Aerla was at a loss with what to do with herself. Some of the girls went into town with a chaperone, but Aerla chose instead to investigate the school grounds on her own. Setting out on a idle walk, Aerla let her eyes lead her around. Once they had settled on the edge of the forest, she decided to venture in. Not far, she told herself, just enough to maybe catch sight of some wildlife.

She didn’t have to go far before she came upon a small clearing, with a large, fallen tree going right down the middle of it. It was a place she could imagine finding peace in, should she need to get away. Birdsong echoed softly and Aerla smiled. She would remember this place.

Continuing on with her walk, she found that her feet had led her to the lake. She felt so at home here already. Not at the school in general just yet, but at the water. The water was still, not a breeze in the air to cause even a ripple. Aerla decided to cast off her shoes and stockings and dip her feet in at the end of the dock. She sat there for much of the afternoon. She probably should go back inside, she thought, before anyone thought she was out getting into trouble. She couldn’t lose this place, not when she was just beginning to like it.

"The lake is nice like this, isn’t it," a familiar voice asked, drawing Aerla away from her trancelike state.

"Miss G," Aerla said fondly, recognizing her voice in an instant. "Yes, it is nice. Being near the water always helps me relax."

"I see we had the same idea then." Aerla could hear the sound of the high heel being set down on the dock, one after another and then Miss G had joined her, sitting close, despite there being more than enough room for them not to touch. Aerla liked the closeness, so she didn’t bring it up in case it caused her to move away. "I figured you might be off to explore the town with the other girls."

"I thought about it, but I wanted to get to experience this place on my own. This is going to be my home for some time after all."

Camille was glad to hear that. She had hoped Aerla would like it here enough to want to stay and not do anything that would get her sent away. The two of them then gazed out at the lake, not speaking for some time, just letting the comfortable silence linger between them filled only by the sounds of nature around them. This was good, Camille told herself. They could be content like this with one another, without pressure to force a connection. This felt easy. It felt right.

"Camille." The name fell out of her mouth smoothly, yet without context. Aerla looked over to her. "It’s my given name," Camille explained.

"It’s lovely. I think it suits you."

The remnants of the day faded into dusk as soft, full clouds rolled in. How had the day gotten away from her so quickly, Aerla wondered. Perhaps spending time in Miss G —or rather Camille's— company made the day pass by more quickly. "What do you say to a dip before we head back indoors," Camille asked, a playful smirk lighting up her face.

"I haven’t brought my bathing suit," Aerla replied.

"So? It’s just the two of us girls. You could go without." A dangerous proposition, the voice inside Camille's head told her, though she’d done similar with her divers before. Yet they weren’t Aerla. She didn’t hold the same desire for them as she did for her. "You’re not obliged, of course," Camille quickly supplied, covering for her hastily spilled words.

"No, you’re right. It’s only you and I. It’s getting late. No one else will be coming out here." Deciding it was sound reasoning, Aerla hoisted herself up and began to undress. Camille was slow to follow, having frozen in place when Aerla had accepted her rather impulsive offer. Camille was only halfway into undoing the fastening of her dress when Aerla dived in.

The sudden splash gave Camille pause, and she held her breath until Aerla resurfaced. When Aerla finally came up for air, Camille released her own breath as she took in the sight of Aerla's dripping red curls and bare shoulders in the dim light. Hurrying herself along, Camille finished disrobing and went in after her. They swan there under the water for as long as they were able, Aerla coming up to the surface first. Camille maintained another ten seconds.

"You can really hold your breath," Aerla commented.

"Practice," came Camille's simple reply.

Despite the darkened sky, Aerla was close enough to Camille to see an unreadable expression flash across her light blue grey eyes and she hardly had time to wonder about it before she was splashed with a strong wave of lake water. She screamed at the sudden rush and chill of it on her face before she was able to retaliate. She sent a wall of water back in Camille's direction, soaking her. Then the two laughed and continued their playful fight until the sky opened up and began to rain down on them, declaring their war a draw.

They were quick to get out of the water, choosing not to linger in case a storm was coming. Having brought no towels, it was a struggle to get their wet bodies into their relatively dry clothes, and it was lucky that neither of them fell over and back into the lake in the process.

The rain grew in intensity, now starting to soak them completely through, but even looking more than slightly disheveled, they found the humor in the state of themselves and doubled over with laughter once more that night before Camille took hold of Aerla's hand and they ran back to the shelter of the dormitories.

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Chapter Four <- 🩵 -> Chapter Six

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #fic: the object of desire #aerla x miss g #miss g #miss gribben #miss g x oc #miss gribben x oc

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eddysocs · 3 months

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The Object Of Desire — Chapter Three (The Complexity Of Caring)

Summary: Camille retreats to her room to reflect on the events of the day. The next morning, she visits Aerla, relieved to find her recovering.

Word Count: 1,004

Warnings: None

After seeing that Aerla was returned to her room and settled in, Camille retreated to her own room in the teacher's hall to reflect on the events of the day. Had it been selfish of her to wish Aerla would join her divers? She could have died trying to impress those girls. Yet, with what she knew of Aerla, she assumed that if she hadn't really wanted to take their dare, she wouldn't have. What's done is done. She really shouldn't dwell.

However, dwelling seemed to be what Camille was best at. She stripped from her clothes, which were still quite soaked from the lake. They weren't ruined, thankfully, though they would definitely need substantial time to dry. The draftiness of her room combined with the dampness of her skin sent a shiver through her.

She quickly toweled off, dressed for bed and got under the covers. There Camille only tossed and turned, wide awake and unable to tear her thoughts away from Aerla and how she'd almost lost her. Could you really lose someone before you've even had them, she wondered. It felt like it. The moment she knew Aerla was struggling to break the surface, her heart had started to race. It did so again now at the mere memory of it.

While the event itself had only lasted for a few, scant minutes of her day, Camille could remember every second as if it had been captured in a series of photographs. The cold rush of water as it passed her, the moment her eyes opened and she saw Aerla, flailing, the skirt of her uniform floating up easily in the water, despite panicked kicks. And then Aerla was in her arms. She hadn't pushed her or fought her off, but instead calmed right into her touch, knowing that rescue had arrived and she no longer had to be afraid.

Aerla's weight in her arms was heavy from the soaked clothes and her thick locks of red hair. Though it had not yet grown cold out, she must have been freezing. As Aerla had coughed, fighting for air, Camille had to fight off the urge to bring her close and warm her. Reluctantly she had laid Aerla on the dock to allow her time to recover and Camille had finally regained her own breath once she was Aerla had.

During the walk back to the school, all Camille had wanted to do was ask if she was okay. But the coughing had made Aerla hoarse and she couldn't reply without causing herself pain, so Camille had kept her concerns to herself. She was up, walking. She'd be fine.

The following day, Camille awoke later than she normally would due to the fitful night of sleep before. She couldn't resist the urge to check on Aerla again. She made her way to Aerla's room as soon as she was out of bed, not even bothering to dress, just trying a robe around herself before taking off down the hall. She needed to find her awake and feeling better to settle her mind. As she entered, she noticed Aerla sitting up in bed, her red hair cascading over her shoulders. The other girls had cleared out already, no doubt heading for breakfast and morning classes.

"Good morning, Aerla," Camille greeted softly, a hint of worry still lingering in her voice. "How are you feeling today?"

Aerla looked up, her eyes meeting Miss G's. Her throat was still a bit raw and her voice still raspy, but she managed a small smile before her reply. "I'm better, thank you. A little sore, but I'll survive."

Camille nodded, relieved to see Aerla recovering. "I'm glad to hear that. Yesterday did not go how I would have liked. I'm sorry I got you into that situation."

Aerla shook her head. "Don't blame yourself, Miss G. I made the choice to take that dare. Besides," a small cough interrupted her, and she took a drink of water from a glass at her bedside before going on, "you saved me. I can't thank you enough for that."

Camille felt a mix of gratitude and guilt wash over her. She knew there was more to it than a selfless rescue. Any of the other girls could have done exactly what she had, but none of them cared the way she did. Yet she couldn't allow herself to go there yet. She didn't want to complicate their growing friendship.

"You're welcome, Aerla. I couldn't stand by and watch you struggle. I—I worry about you," Camille admitted, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"Miss G," Aerla asked after her, as Camille turned to return to her room to dress.

"Yes, Aerla?"

"Yesterday you mentioned a girl named Fiamma. Who was she? What happened to her?"

Camille hesitated, her eyes searching Aerla's face. Could she get away with not telling her the whole truth now that she'd put it out there? "Fiamma was an exchange student from Spain. I suppose I showed her a bit of favoritism and my girls, my divers, they didn't take kindly to it. She left when things got bad."

Aerla sensed that wasn't the whole story, but she supposed it was really none of her business to begin with. She shouldn't have pried. She offered an apologetic smile. "It's not my place," she began, but Miss G stopped her.

"No need to apologize, Aerla. Curiosity is natural and healthy, especially for a girl your age. Fiamma's departure wasn't entirely because of the girls' behavior. There were other factors involved, personal reasons that I can't disclose. I hope you understand." Aerla nodded, accepting Miss G's explanation. She appreciated the honesty.

Camille felt a sense of relief knowing that Aerla understood, even without the complete truth. She wished she could reach out and give a reassuring touch, but she had to maintain boundaries. Their bond was growing stronger, and Camille was determined to protect it, even if it meant keeping some secrets for now.

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Chapter Two <- 🩵 -> Chapter Four

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #fic: the object of desire #aerla x miss g #miss g #miss gribben #miss g x oc #miss gribben x oc

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eddysocs · 1 year

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The Object Of Desire - Chapter Two (Dive Right In)

Summary: When Aerla agrees to observe the diving team as they practice, her own mettle is put to the test as the girls dare her to take a dive.

Word Count: 1,562

Warnings: Mild panic, peer pressure

Aerla did not plan on endearing herself to Miss Gribben when she approached. She had been in a rather quarrelsome mood since her departure from her beloved Ireland, and knew she’d be watched as she made the adjustment to her new school. She didn’t have to like it though. But Miss Gribben had done something unexpected. She’d taken her side. Aerla could not name a single person who had done that for her since she’d been caught out with that girl.

She’d been called many names since then. Monster, abomination, unnatural, name it, and Aerla had heard it fall from someone's mouth. Words like those had all but replaced her very own name it seemed. Maybe that didn’t have to be true here. Maybe she really could start over.

After their introduction, Miss Gribben did not get up and leave to eat her meal with the other teachers, but instead had stayed put, silently observing her. Aerla took no issue with that. It beat the harsh, judgmental stares and snide remarks she’d grown used to. If she was to be watched and monitored by somebody, she was glad it would be her. At least she wouldn’t feel scared to breathe around her for fear of making a wrong move.

"There’s a diving team," Miss Gribben said suddenly. Intrigued yet confused as to why she’d bring such a thing up, Aerla raised an eyebrow as she waited for her to continue. "I’m the instructor and we're down a girl, so if you felt inclined to join, I would love to have you. You'd be a much welcome addition."

Aerla didn’t reply right away. Instead, she regarded Miss Gribben coolly as she gave it some thought. She did like being in the water, though she couldn’t say she was an expert swimmer, nor much of a diver, but wasn’t that what an instructor was for? Teaching and guiding? She supposed it wouldn’t be all that difficult a thing to learn. "I should like to observe first," she decided aloud. Her decision elicited a soft smile from Miss Gribben.

"We'll be out at the lake tomorrow afternoon, just as soon as classes are over for the day. I’ll bring you with me and introduce you to the other girls." Lunch was soon after dismissed and that brought an end to their conversation. Aerla wasn’t so keen on meeting the other girls of the diving team, as she wasn’t really much of a team player, but just because she was going didn’t mean she had to join.

Until the following afternoon, Aerla kept her head down. She played the part of the quiet and diligent student, making sure not to give anyone any reason to pay her any mind. Her strategy worked. The only one to notice her in the span of about twenty four hours was Miss Gribben, whom she shared a fleeting smile or two with in the hallways and at lunch.

She was surprised to find Miss Gribben awaiting her as she filed out of her last class for the day. She must have known her schedule, probably a measure taken by those in charge to keep her out of trouble, but it wasn’t as if it was unpleasant to see her waiting there. It felt like it used to when she’d come out of a stuffy classroom and see the face of a friend.

Aerla fell into step with Miss Gribben after adjusting to the brisk walking pace of the taller woman. She had roughly seven inches on her, but what Aerla lacked in height she made up for in the lightness and quickness of her step. It was the first time she’d been out to the lake that bordered the school grounds, and it was quite nice. Several other girls were already there, changed into their swimwear and ready to practice.

"Hi, Miss G," one girl greeted. Two of the others turned, smiled, and waved in their direction when they heard the greeting, echoing it as they did so.

"Hello, girls. As some of you are no doubt aware, with me today is Aerla Grae, our newest addition here at St. Mathilde's, and she’s going to be observing our practice today. Please do your best to make her feel welcome." Though the diving team appeared to be all smiles, whispers quickly started up amongst some of the girls and Aerla's first instinct was to turn tail and run. Before she could, however, Miss Gribben, or Miss G, as she appeared to be more commonly referred to as, cleared her throat and the whispering ceased in an instant. "Remember girls, it is unwise to judge before knowing someone."

Once the divers had settled, Miss Gribben pointed each one of them out to Aerla, giving her their names and allowing her to approach them on her own if she so chose. Aerla enjoyed watching them practice under the skillful and gentle guidance of Miss G. She didn’t know how she’d fare with the girls themselves, but she could picture herself joining up with them and making the plunge into the water.

After everyone had taken a turn off the high board and into the water, some more gracefully than others, the girls all rallied around Aerla, barraging her with questions.

"Are you going to join us?"

As Aerla fumbled for a response, another girl chimed in. "That’s a pretty accent. Where do you come from?"

And finally, the question of, "Why don’t you take a dive?" passed the lips of Di Radfield and the chorus of other voices joined in with similar encouragements, or perhaps dares was the proper way of putting it. Aerla wasn’t sure she could tell the difference.

"I’m not dressed for it," Aerla began to argue. It was a weak attempt, and surely not enough to deter the fervor that had been started amongst them.

"One quick dive. You don’t even have to change," Di reasoned.

"Girls," Miss G attempted to intervene on Aerla's behalf, but even her authority was now falling on deaf ears.

"I suppose I could try," Aerla finally caved after the relentless pleas had gotten the better of her.

"You don’t have to listen to them," Miss G called up to her as Aerla began her climb to the diving platform.

"It’s one dive. If I’m going to join, I might as well prove myself," Aerla replied. While Miss G was definitely concerned for her safety, she chose to only observe, not stop her. Aerla's stubborn streak and Miss G's desire to see her join her divers was enough to let this challenge continue.

With a deep breath, Aerla mimicked the movements the other divers had made and launched off of the platform, descending towards the water. A chill washed over her as she became fully submerged in the lake and it was only after she adjusted to the temperature that she realized her uniform, coupled with the weight of her unruly mass of uncapped hair, weighed far more than she expected and she was struggling to reach the surface.

While the girls shirked back at seeing the otherwise still lake ripple furiously as Aerla floundered for the surface, Miss G sprang to action. With no regard for her own lack of proper clothing for a dive, she jumped off the dock and into the lake after Aerla. Several of the girls emitted shrieks and squeals of surprise, which reached Miss G's ears only seconds before the rush of the water drowned them out.

Panic had overtaken Aerla, though she had nearly surfaced by the time Miss G had made the plunge. The girls ashore held their breaths until several moments had passed and both Miss G and Aerla had resurfaced. Aerla sputtered and gasped for breath, her panic having caused her to inhale a bit of lake water. Miss G held her steady until she stopped flailing.

Aerla began to calm a little, though she still coughed, trying to free the excess water from her lungs. Miss G was able to bring her out of the water, and she felt her heart race as Aerla still struggled to regulate her breathing. There shouldn’t be any need to resuscitate her, but the thought would not leave her mind. Finally, Aerla spit up some of the water and returned almost to her usual self. Her throat was raw from the ferocity of her coughing fit, but she felt as if she was through the worst of it.

Once Aerla was back on her feet, Miss G addressed the girls. "You could have gotten her killed with your silly dare. You all pushed Fiamma, and now you’re doing the same to Aerla. I won’t stand for it! You’re all dismissed. Go back to your rooms." The firmness and anger in her tone was enough to stun the girls into silence before the lot of them scampered off, leaving Miss G alone with Aerla.

The outrage now dissipated, Miss G's voice went back to the soft, compassionate tone that Aerla knew her to have. "Let me take you back," she offered. Aerla made an attempt at a reply, but the scratchiness that rose up her throat strangled her, and so she opted for a simple nod instead. Miss G draped an arm around her shoulder and Aerla leaned on Miss G for the walk back to her room.

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Chapter One <- 🩵 -> Chapter Three

Forever Tag: @arrthurpendragon, @baubeautyandthegeek, @foxesandmagic, @carmens-garden, @fawera, @themaradaniels, @that-demigirl, @iloveocs, @bossyladies

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #cracks oc #miss g #miss g x oc #miss gribben #miss gribben x oc

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eddysocs · 2 years

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The Object Of Desire - Chapter One (A Fresh Face)

Summary: Someone new arrives at St. Mathilde's just as things calm down after the enigmatic Fiamma's departure. (AU where Fiamma returns to Spain before Miss G can take things too far.)

Word Count: 1,130

Warnings: Obsession, hints of future minor/adult relationship

A/N: Miss G will be referred to as Camille, as she was never addressed by a first name in the film.

Following Fiamma, Camille did not think she’d ever feel desire again. No one and nothing could ignite her passion as the strangely exotic girl once had. It broke something within her when Fiamma left. She’d never even gotten close to the girl, though no matter if she had, nothing would have been close enough for Camille's liking.

She performed her duties as she must, but lacking any of her usual luster and flair. She taught her girls their lessons and supervised her once treasured diving team, but her day to day always felt hollowed out; empty. She was positively devoid of feeling, and some days she wished only to scream. At least the rawness of her throat afterwards would be a feeling of some sort. Yet she resisted the urge.

It was torturous for Camille to not have something, or rather someone, to focus her thoughts. Someone to impress, charm, woo, that’s what she needed. She could regale the girls with tale after tale, both real and made up, but she never wanted attention from the masses. No, Camille wants singular devotion, one person to be sucked in by her as she is by her desire for them. And that was what was missing.

One morning, after suffering a particularly dull and dreary week prior, Camille woke up to a shift in the air. She wasn’t renewed with hope, but more of a cautious optimism. And it turns out she had a right to be optimistic. A new arrival was to brighten her day exponentially. It was at mealtime when she first crossed paths with the newest student at St. Mathilde's.

Aerla Grae came from Ireland. A recent incident that was not entirely divulged to Camille, had resulted in fifteen-year-old Aerla's transfer to the school. Camille was advised to keep a close eye on her. Following her colleague's gaze, Camille's own eyes first landed on Aerla, and she decided in that moment alone, that keeping watch of her was not going to be a problem.

Aerla sat alone at the end of one of the tables, keeping her distance from the other girls. Camille watched as she tucked her mass of red curls behind her ear in order to eat. Camille drew a deep, silent breath as she became transfixed by Aerla's every small movement.

It was apparent to her that she was nothing like Fiamma, not in looks, nor, Camille suspected, in personality, as Fiamma had been such a social creature, where it appeared Aerla had a much more individual nature. Aerla had also arrived here from another country, but that's where her similarity to Fiamma ended. Yet, all the same, Camille was utterly enchanted.

Spotting an open seat across the table from Aerla, Camille left her colleagues in favor of making the acquaintance of the newest member of their little school. As she slid into the vacancy, she caught the girl's attention. Aerla paused, fork halfway to her mouth, as the soft breeze from this stranger's arrival ghosted over her face. She sat down the bite of food and tilted her head, regarding the woman with curiosity.

"Miss Gribben," Camille introduced, offering her hand to Aerla from across the table. She briefly considered giving the girl her first name, but thought it best to stick to a more formal approach for now. Camille's heart leaped to her throat when Aerla took her hand to give it an awkward shake.

"Name's Aerla Grae, Miss," Aerla replied politely, though there was an edge to her voice that seemed to Camille as if the girl would rather have not been disturbed. At that, Camille should have left, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. Instead, she stayed, remaining quiet so as not to disturb her further. Some of the other girls at the table cast suspicious glances down their way, but one glare from Camille and they went about their own business once more.

They were isolated at their end of the table, just as Camille wanted it to be. There was a danger in numbers. It had been that way with Fiamma. She vowed then that it would be different with Aerla. She wouldn’t let anyone come between them. Despite her efforts not to stare, Camille's eyes wandered back to Aerla time after time. She wanted to ask questions, get to know her, but the girl's standoffish tone gave her pause. She couldn’t push, or she’d resist, just as Fiamma had.

Camille attempted to push the thoughts of Fiamma out of her head. That was the past. She only need think of her in order to not repeat her past mistakes. It would only serve to depress and anger her to think of the wretched girl now. Now she had Aerla to think of. Aerla deserved her at her best, not sullen and moody. And she would prove herself in time. She just had to figure Aerla out and be what she needed her to be.

A thought nagged at the back of Camille's mind. In spite of herself, she voiced it. "Tell me, what exactly was it that brought you to St. Mathilde’s?"

Aerla seemed surprised by the question, as she froze, eyes widened. After she swallowed her bite of food, she answered with another question. "What have you been told?" She sounded accusatory, as if Camille already knew the truth of her situation and still wanted to hear the confession from her own lips.

"Only that there was an incident that resulted in you leaving your previous school for this one," Camille informed gently. Aerla seemed quick to anger, and that was the last thing Camille wanted to leave as a first impression.

"It was harmless," Aerla began in defense of herself, leaning in so as her story would reach Camille's ears only. "I kissed one of the girls at my last school." Camille's heart pounded in her chest at Aerla's admission. It began thudding so loudly in her ears that she feared she wouldn’t be able to hear the rest of Aerla's story. "We got caught in the stairway and the stupid girl blamed me. Said I'd taken advantage of her, when she wanted me to do it, but was too ashamed to admit to it. So I was expelled and sent here. I’m surprised they didn’t tell you. They had no problem telling everyone else as if I’m some sort of monster."

"You're not a monster," Camille was quick to reply. "You followed your heart, your desire, and that is the most important thing in life." This elicited a smile from Aerla, as Camille suspected she may have been the first one to stand up for her and take her side in this matter. Perhaps this would be her way into Aerla's heart.

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-> Chapter Two

Aerla Tag: @borg-queer, @ghostsunderstoodmysoul

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #miss g #miss g x oc #miss gribben #miss gribben x oc #cracks #cracks 2009 #aerla x camille #sintember #sintember 2022

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eddysocs · 2 years

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Pairing: Aerla Grae (OC) x Miss Gribben

Summary: Irish exchange student, Aerla, comes to St Mathilda’s when she was expelled after being caught kissing one of the girls at her former school. Now she’s supposed to be having a fresh start, but after meeting Miss Gribben she’ll begin an even more dangerous game. AU where Fiamma returns to Spain before Miss G can take things too far.

Chapter One: A Fresh Face

Chapter Two: Dive Right In

Chapter Three: The Complexity Of Caring

Chapter Four: Lesson Plan

Chapter Five: Starting To Feel Like Home

Chapter Six: Drowning In Doubt

Chapter Seven: Hidden Thoughts And Secret Places

Chapter Eight: Somewhere Only We Know

Chapter Nine (Coming Soon)

Also Read On AO3 + Wattpad

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #fic: the object of desire #miss gribben x oc #miss g x oc #aerla x camille

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eddysocs · 2 days

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The Object Of Desire — Chapter Eight (Somewhere Only We Know)

Summary: After realizing it was Camille who’d seen her in the forest clearing, Aerla decides to go back, this time inviting Camille to go with her. But what happens in the forest, doesn’t always stay there.

Word Count: 1,026

Warnings: Student/Teacher Relationship

A/N: I’d give my right arm for someone to draw that kiss scene.

So it had been her out in the woods. Camille was the one to spot her. Had she followed her there? It seemed unlikely that she would have just stumbled upon the clearing at the same time Aerla was there, if at all. It wasn’t easily visible from the grounds, so she would have had to follow her there. She wasn’t quite sure how she felt about that. Had it been anyone else, Aerla would have been angry. A violation of her privacy and at having her peace disturbed would be enough to have put her in a sour mood for days. Yet here she was, entertaining the idea of inviting Camille along next time. Just the two of them, tucked away, alone in the woods.

It was not a decision meant to be rushed into, so she took much of the week to think it over. They were friends, confidantes, and if Aerla was to trust anyone enough to let them into her secret sanctuary, it would be Camille. But she couldn’t just come out and ask her. There was no place safe enough to be absolutely certain of avoiding prying eyes and ears. So perhaps a note. One in code, so should it be intercepted, the thief will think it innocuous. She began to work on it immediately.

Out in the sticks, we did tread

One flash of silver, then you fled

Please come again at week's end

This time, an invited friend

It was only a simple short poem. She’d never been the most eloquent of writers but it was more a message between the two of them than anything else. Anyone else who may view it might see it as no more than an classroom assignment, but she trusted that in Camille's hand its meaning would be clear.

She slipped the invitation under Camille's door at the end of the day as she made her way to her bed for the night. It would only be a couple of days before she’d know if Camille would decode the letter and accept her invitation. Perhaps she should have been concerned about being caught, but the thrill of anticipation stifled any fears she had.

When the day in question finally rolled around, Aerla stood outside just below the hill that led to the woods. A chill of the late October air blustered past her, blowing her hair in her face. Her heart pounded beneath her warm woolen coat as she pulled it tighter around herself.

She didn’t know if she should wait for Camille where she was, or if she should go out to the clearing and wait there. In all fairness, she didn’t know if she was coming at all. She’d given no indication that she’d received her message. With a shake of her head, she had her answer.

As she moved her hair out from her eyes, she spotted Camille coming down the hill towards her. Looks like they’d be walking to the clearing together. "You got my invitation," Aerla said.

"Very cryptic," Camille replied. "But I was glad to accept. Have you been waiting long?"

Aerla and Camille fell into step with one another as they approached the trees. "Not terribly long. I realize I didn’t specify the time," she confessed.

"You did not, but I expected it would be the end of the day when everyone had gone in." They exchanged a smile as they entered the woods, and Camille reached out, brushing her hand against Aerla's, but not quite making the leap to take hold of it. They were quiet after that until they reached the clearing. Even the birds had gone mostly silent, and it was only the rustling of leaves under their feet and those blowing in the wind that could really be heard.

Sitting next to each other on the fallen tree, Aerla finally broke the silence. "I found this place shortly after I came here. I’ve only been a couple of times, but I like the privacy. When I realized you saw me here, I…" She paused a moment. "I decided I wanted to share it with you. It could be someplace we share away from the rest of the world."

"And you want that? To have some place that is meant only for you and I?"

"Yes. I think I’d like that very much."

Another gust of wind blew through trees, spinning the leaves from the forest floor around them. As the leaves began to settle and the wind died down, Camille tucked some of Aerla's unruly hair behind her ear and leaned in, kissing her gently. If Aerla thought her heart was racing before, now it was threatening to break free from her chest entirely.

Camille was feeling much the same, though her pounding heart was not from butterflies of excitement, but dread. She hadn’t planned on kissing Aerla. She had no idea if she’d be receptive to even the idea of it, but the moment that the wind stirred up the leaves, Aerla had just looked so beautiful that she’d acted on impulse. Now she was scared of the consequences of those impulses.

But Aerla did not shove her off, did not run away. Her soft, youthful lips had kissed Camille back in earnest. Her hands had pulled her closer. Her desire was not met with repulsion as it had been before. And Aerla was just as lost in the bliss of the moment as Camille. While her first kiss had ended in scandal and disaster, her second fulfilled the promise all the storybooks made.

They did not remain in the forest long after. The chill of the wind had them wishing to be back to the safety and relative warmth of the school. The walk back out of the forest and up the hill to school grounds was spent hand in hand, both of them grinning at each other until their cheeks began to cramp. It had been a magical evening that transpired between them, but paradise was not without its snake in the grass. Di Radfield had been watching from the window as they made their way across the lawn.

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Chapter Seven <- 🩵 -> Chapter Nine

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @kissykissymouth, @gcthvile

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer, @ilovehotactresses

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #fic: the object of desire #aerla x camille #miss g #miss gribben #miss g x oc #miss gribben x oc #cracks 2009

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eddysocs · 3 months

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The Object Of Desire — Chapter Four (Lesson Plan)

Summary: Aerla and Miss G continue to strengthen their bond, and a private diving lesson is had with more on the horizon.

Word Count: 1,340

Warnings: Some suggestive thoughts

As Camille reentered her quarters, she dressed, unable to shake the feeling that keeping secrets from Aerla was unfair. The burgeoning bond between them called for honesty, but Camille couldn't reveal everything just yet. Too much honesty too quickly could be damaging. There were complexities and emotions that she wasn't ready to confront. For now, she had to protect both herself and Aerla.

Deep down, Camille knew her feelings for Aerla went beyond friendship, but it was her careless haste that had burned her the last time. Her concern and worry for her safety were driven by something more than mere duty as a teacher, a fact she readily admitted to herself. But she couldn't allow herself to act on those feelings so suddenly. Without something to build upon, it would only end the same way as before.

The morning dragged on with a slowness that sapped the very life force from Camille. She was less herself when not with Aerla. A silly notion, really, but nonetheless true. She could almost feel her own desperation leaking from her pores. This was not a good look on her, and she would have to pull herself together before anyone called her behavior into question.

Finally the call for lunch reunited Camille with the sight of Aerla, hair frizzy from the night before, having not been properly tended to after her experience in the lake. Aerla caught her eye from across the room and Camille could only hope that the heat she felt rush to her cheeks at being caught looking at her was not noticeable to her pupil. A small smile painted Aerla's lips, a beautiful sight, one that both comforted and tormented Camille.

As it was still early in her integration into the school, Camille found it easy enough to reason that she could go sit with her, make sure she was acclimating appropriately. She was sure enough that she wouldn’t be unwelcome. "Are you this attentive to all your students," Aerla asked as Camille had once again taken the seat across from her. "Or just the ones who nearly drowned?" It was meant to be lighthearted, but Camille's heart dropped remembering what she’d allowed to happen in her presence, a mistake she was unlikely to make again.

Seeing her pleasant expression turn to one more dour, Aerla realized it hadn’t been the right thing to say. Camille remained quiet, too caught up in her own internal struggle. Eventually, Aerla's soft Irish lilt broke the tense silence. "Miss G, I have a favor to ask."

Camille raised an eyebrow, pleased to be pulled away from her spiral into more morose thoughts, and doubly pleased by the casualness with which she’d used the shortened version of her name. "Of course, Aerla. What can I do for you?"

Aerla hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed on the table between them before meeting Camille's eyes with sudden determination. "I don’t know if I’m suited to be a diver, but I want to get better. Will you train me?"

Camille's heart skipped a beat at Aerla's words. The request was unexpected but echoed the desire she had felt deep within herself. However, she had to be careful. "Private lessons?"

The expression on Aerla's face faltered into one that conveyed some amount of embarrassment or shame, perhaps at not feeling good enough. Camille could hardly fault her after how her first experience went. "At least until we’ve decided that I have what it takes to join the team properly," Aerla offered, not wanting to overstep.

A soft smile graced Camille's lips just then and it soothed some of Aerla's anxieties. "I think that can be arranged. Wednesdays perhaps, after classes conclude for the day? We can even start today if you’d like."

"I would like that very much," Aerla replied, the confidence once again appearing in her tone.

And so they did begin that very day. They'd agreed to meet at the lake and Aerla ran so fast after her final class let out, hurriedly getting back to her room and donning a swimsuit under her uniform that she was scared she wouldn’t even find Miss G there yet. But there she stood on the dock, facing away from her, towards the water, a cigarette in her hand as she blew smoke in the opposite direction. She looked like some kind of elegant painting, Aerla thought.

Aerla walked out to join her and at the sound of her approaching footsteps on the wooden dock, Camille turned around, throwing the cigarette down and gracefully stamping it out beneath her toe. "Are you ready," she asked.

"Yes," Aerla replied, quickly casting off her uniform to show the bathing suit beneath. Camille watched with what she hoped to be a neutral expression, all the while wishing she had been able to take one more, long drag of her cigarette to distract herself.

Aerla climbed up to the diving board her heart racing as she came to stand near its edge. Her eyes were fixed on the dark blue water below. Camille observed with an intensity that went beyond professional scrutiny, her mind not quite letting go of Aerla's figure. What had been made boxy and plain under the standard cut academic uniform now left less to Camille's imagination. The soft and subtle curves of a young girl emerging into womanhood became visible to her, as well as the pale, freckled skin of her arms and legs. The combination was almost too much for her to bear.

Camille cleared her throat, bringing her back to the lesson at hand. Figuring it would serve her best to coach from the water itself, Camille disrobed into her own bathing suit and dived into the lake from the dock. Swimming over to the platform, she gave some words of encouragement. "Focus on your breath, Aerla. Let the water guide you."

With a nod, Aerla inhaled deeply, allowing the cooling air of the late afternoon to fill her lungs. She stepped forward, the board bending beneath her weight. As she leapt into the air, time seemed to slow. Then her world transformed into a liquid embrace as she sliced through the surface of the lake, the water enveloping her.

Beneath the surface, Camille joined her. Their bodies moved in sync with one another as they swam a short distance out. Aerla marveled at the fluid elegance with which Miss G swam. After a seamless dive, they surfaced together. Aerla's chest heaved with exhilaration, and she couldn't ignore the charged atmosphere around them. She was so proud of herself and as Miss G's gaze lingered, she couldn’t help but feel that she was proud of her too. All in all, it had been a great first lesson.

"You are better than you led me to believe," Miss G said as the two of them came out of the lake and began to towel off.

"I suppose anything was better than that first go around. Not exactly my shining moment," Aerla confessed with a laugh while squeezing the water from her hair. "I always enjoyed swimming when my family went on holiday, but I never had any formal training at it, beyond your standard lessons as a kiddie."

Camille took in the information as she toweled herself off. Perhaps she’d had no instruction, but she was a natural. However, a few more one on one sessions wouldn’t be entirely out of the question. Her dive was good, but it had the potential to be great and it meant that she could spend more time with her. "You have what it takes to join the other girls, but if you’d prefer to enhance your skills some more, we could—"

"Yes," Aerla answered quickly. Too quickly, she realized after the fact. "I’d like to be at my best when diving with the other girls."

Camille hummed in approval. She seemed just as eager to spend more time in her company, which must be a good sign. "We shall continue then. I look forward to our next lesson."

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Chapter Three <- 🩵 -> Chapter Five

Aerla Grae: @athenodora-sulpicia-writer

#oc: aerla grae #fc: francesca capaldi #fd: cracks #fic: the object of desire #aerla x miss g #miss g #miss gribben #miss g x oc #miss gribben x oc

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