Ten

 

 

sat with Beat, Rachel, and Cassidy before school at our usual table. I’d gone through my usual packet of blue vines in record time, even for me.

“What has you so worked up?” Beat asked and I actually jumped, I was so wound up.

“Our newest celebrity isn’t used to the fame yet,” Cassidy purred, but there was no malevolence in it.

“Sure, sure,” I replied, my leg jiggling.

In reality, I was freaked out because I didn’t know how to act around Cole at school. We’d had a very short discussion the night before when the panic had first set in and I called him, ranting about how was it all going to work? He’d only laughed at me, but nicely, and asked me how I wanted to act. I told him we should start off acting like we usually did, smiles as we passed each other, and we’d work it out from there. I knew he wouldn’t be into public displays of affection around these kids, especially after the paper the other day. He’d accepted my suggestion and said goodnight.

Now, though, my eyes scanned the courtyard, on the lookout for him more than I ever had been before. I breathed out heavily, watching my breath puff out like I was smoking one of Cole’s cigarettes. No thanks, I thought.

“Declan’s good,” Cassidy was saying, twirling her hair around her finger. “How’s Mike?” She batted her eyes at Rachel and made a kissing face.

Rachel swatted at our friend, laughing. “We decided we’d be better as friends.”

“I bet he didn’t go racing off to Kelly Preston after that decision,” I laughed, seeing Kelly and Jaime across the courtyard.

Kelly did a spectacular job of looking like they were the perfect couple. Jaime, on the other hand, did not. And, I saw the little glances he stole at me.

Rachel looked at me worried for a moment, but obviously realised I was sincerely not bothered by it anymore. She laughed too. “No, but he, Dec and Paddy think it’s awful Jaime did that. They’re barely talking to him, you know.”

I looked at her, momentarily distracted from my Cole-watch. “They don’t have to do that on my account,” I said.

Rachel shrugged. “They know that, but they’re decent blokes, you know, and they’re our friends.”

I looked to Beat and she seemed to understand what I was asking. She shook her head; Becca apparently hadn’t realised what she was missing. I gave her a sympathetic smile as the bell rang. We linked arms and headed for lesson, Rachel and Cassidy prattling on about our next assignments as they walked ahead of us.

We took our usual desks and I tried desperately not to turn around to see if I’d missed Cole. After the initial interrogation, where I told them I wasn’t sure what was happening yet, Cassidy and Rachel had dropped it. I hadn’t had time to tell Beat though, I figured I could tell her now without her squealing with excitement like the others would; I’d already drawn enough attention to myself.

“Hannibal,” I heard his voice and looked up.

He smirked at me as he passed me to get to his desk, just like he would have a few weeks ago. I smiled back, nodding a greeting.

“Cole.”

We might have held each other’s eye longer than we had in the past, but I doubted anyone else would have noticed. Trust Beat to, though.

“And you tell us nothing much is happening?” she hissed, holding back a laugh.

I sighed. “Okay, we’re together…”

She beamed. “Like together, together?”

I nodded. She wrinkled her nose in excitement, stole a look at him behind us, and turned back to face the front, nodding. “Okay then,” was all she said.

I looked back at Cole and saw he was perplexed but smiling. I shook my head as a sign not to worry. As I turned back, I caught Jaime’s eye. He was glaring at me as though I’d drained the pool or ruined science, or whatever it was that would get his undies in a bunch. I tried smiling at him, but he turned away and I did likewise.

Weirdness, I thought as the lesson started.

The day only got worse from there. Turns out a lot of people had seen the pictures in the paper, most just made polite comments on it, but there was a lot of whispering behind my back, and it was worse for Cole, though no one spoke to him directly. It seemed the school didn’t quite know how to look at him now. Last term, he’d just been the loser slacker going nowhere fast. Now, he was the grandson of a socialite, apparently at all the great parties.

I would never understand why money made it okay to slack off. Declan got it constantly; he wasn’t a major slacker, but on the rare occasion he was, it was okay because he came from good stock.

We’d all assumed Cole didn’t come from good stock, so his slackness was just more proof of his degeneracy – although, I’d still argue, in some respects, he could be a degenerate – and it was okay in the other kids’ minds to look down on him and shun him. But, if he came from money? Well, wasn’t that all okay?

I passed Cole in the hallway on my way to lunch. He stepped in front of me, smirking his usual smirk. This one I thought was as much a mask as it was pleasure to see me. He squeezed my hand surreptitiously and handed me a box.

“I thought you might need these,” he said.

I looked down and saw a box of blue vines. I laughed, feeling very much like I needed them. “Thanks, yes.”

“Are you getting Ben after school?”

I’d already ripped open the packet and had one in my mouth, so I just nodded.

“Shall I meet you at the path?”

“All right, sounds good.” Kids bustled around us, so I just smiled again. “I’ll see you later, then.”

He nodded and disappeared into the crowd, and I headed off to find the girls, stuffing my face with blue vines in an effort to block out people’s staring.

“Where did you get that? I thought you were out,” Rachel asked, going for my box.

I clutched it against me, shaking my head furiously as we laughed. “Nu-uh, these are mine.” I faux-growled and she gave up, still laughing.

“Where did you get them? Is that one of the big boxes?”

I nodded and I shoved another one in my mouth, savouring the deliciousness that was blue. “Cole got them for me.”

“Is that why he wasn’t in class?” I saw a question in her eyes that her words weren’t asking. That, and approval.

“I wouldn’t know.” I flashed her a wicked grin.

“You two are totally dating!”

“Why would you think that?” I asked, acting horrified.

Cassidy laughed. “I’ve known you for five years now, Rory; you can’t hide anything from me.”

“Can’t I?” I asked innocently, and then smirked. “Besides, I thought you didn’t approve of him?”

“I don’t need to approve of him, Rory. But, I saw him a little differently after the dance, I’ll be honest.”

I gave her an ‘oh really’ look, but remembered how Cole had actually seemed to fit in with my friends that night. I’d been surprised, I won’t lie, and I hoped there was more than duty to me at play. But, still, I’d not complained. Nor did I expect Cole to become best buddies with them and start hanging out with us at school though. In the few months I’d known him, I hadn’t known him to hang out with anyone at school voluntarily.

“Oh, shut up.” Cassidy smiled.

We got through the rest of lunch and the day with little incident. Jaime and Kelly glared at me some more and people slowly stopped seeming to care about whatever had been in the paper. With very little contact on my or Cole’s part, I guess whatever people thought had been going on…they’d decided wasn’t terribly exciting. They all knew I lived on that block; they were probably starting to think I went to the party and danced with Cole by accident.

 

¢

 

A couple of weeks passed and things were going well. I still hadn’t got up the guts to be overly affectionate with Cole at school, but we talked more and he didn’t seem to mind. I was sure people were starting to get the idea we were together, but the whispering had stopped and they treated both of us much like before, if with a bit of extra scowling from Jaime as he clung to Kelly Preston like a lifeline. Obviously, people had decided Cole was in fact not his grandmother’s money, for which I’m sure he was grateful.

Finally, I excused myself from my friends, giving Rachel the last few blue vines in yet another box Cole had bought me – I was seriously going to get fat if he kept this up – and trudged across the soccer fields to meet Cole.

For some reason, my mind was on the formal and wondering if it was a given then that Cole and I were going together? The formal was still, what, two months away at least? It was the last thing we had before we went on study vacation before final exams, sort of a ‘Goodbye Seniors’, I guess. I supposed it was about time Cassidy was going to make us look for new dresses; no doubt, they’d have to be even better than the ones for the dance. I laughed to myself as I wondered if Trudy would let me borrow a dress for it. Maybe even the other girls too? Cassidy would love that.

“You think you’re pretty special don’t you?” a voice asked and I looked up to see Jaime sneering at me.

“I’m sorry, what?” I stumbled, trying to get past him. I could see the gate to the path just ahead and really didn’t want to get stuck talking to Jaime if I didn’t have to.

He nodded as though it was the best thing I’d ever said, while he kept himself in front of me. Finally, I gave up on trying to get past him and stopped.

“Jaime, what do you want?”

“You’re with him, now?” I got the feeling it wasn’t really a question, but an expression of disbelief…or disgust based on the look on his usually handsome features.

“So, what if I am, Jaime? You didn’t want to be with me, and then you got together with Kelly Preston right after anyway.”

“Were you with him while we were together?”

“I… I didn’t know we were together… But no, I wasn’t dating him then.”

“But, you were with him?”

“I don’t even know what that means, Jaime. We hung out once or twice after I coached his brother.” I shrugged, not really knowing what else he wanted from me.

He bared down on me and I stepped back, suddenly frightened. This was not a side to Jaime Sullivan I was used to, nor even knew existed. I got that we’d thought about dating, but I also thought we’d both decided we were better as friends?

Maybe that had been more one-sided than I realised…

“Hey!” I heard a shout and saw Cole jogging over to us from the gate.

Because that was what I needed, two hot-headed guys who didn’t like each other.

“Cole, Cole, it’s fine,” I said, trying to get past Jaime again. He blocked me as he turned to face Cole. I sighed, wishing teenage boys were less hormonal – and they say girls are bad!

“What a man,” Jaime mocked as he pushed Cole, “coming to protect his bitch of a girlfriend.”

“You watch what you say about my girlfriend, jackarse.” Cole shoved him back.

“Hey, guys come on!” I said, trying to get between them as they jostled. “Whoa!” I stepped back when the first fist was flung, not wanting to get hit.

I looked around but didn’t see any teachers. What was Jaime doing out here on a Thursday after practice anyway? He can’t have been waiting for me; I didn’t usually get Ben after practice on Thursdays, but he’d had something on after school.

I hopped from one foot to the other, wondering how to break up the fight that was obviously about to escalate; punches had already been thrown, just nothing that looked too serious…yet. I considered trying to step in again, but my sense of self-perseverance let cowardice win out. However, when Jaime landed a spectacular shot into Cole’s face, I found myself enraged.

“Jaime!” I yelled and stepped forward.

Jaime pushed me backwards and I landed on my butt just as Cole emitted a yell of anger and tackled the larger boy to the ground – and that ground was wet today, I’d know! They tussled for a bit until Cole got the upper hand – I was starkly reminded he got into a lot of fights so probably had a lot more practise than Jaime – and gave Jaime a good whack to the face. Jaime looked dazed, though conscious. Cole seemed to wait for something, and then pushed himself off the other boy.

“You touch her again, and it won’t just be a hit to the face,” Cole said, brushing his hair from his face. He turned to me, I could already see the bruise forming on his cheekbone and blood trickled from his eyebrow and lip. “You okay?” he asked as he helped me to my feet.

I nodded, and then looked back to Jaime, who was resting on his elbow, holding his jaw. He glared at us, but mercifully said nothing.

“Come on,” Cole muttered, pulling me away.

I was only more than glad to go, holding onto him tight as we hurried off to find Ben. When we got there, Matt was with him – apparently some Middle School assembly practice or something – and they both gaped at Cole when they saw us.

“You did not leave the house with that,” Matt said, pointing. He almost looked scared.

Cole ruffled his brother’s hair and hugged him. “Its fine, bud, just a guy at school.”

Matt perked up and I wondered what he’d thought had happened; Cole had got in plenty of fights at school.

“Let’s get you boys home before it gets too late,” I said, putting an arm around each of the younger boys.

“Cole needs ice,” Matt said matter-of-factly.

“Does he usually tend to your first aid?” I asked, smiling. I’d meant it as a joke, but I saw Cole stiffen.

“More often than I’d like,” he replied stonily.

It was a silent trip home. Cole seemed to exude anger in waves and I didn’t want to make him angrier. When it came time to split off to our houses, Cole didn’t let go of my hand so Ben and I followed the Fielding boys home.

Phyllis met us at the front door. As soon as she saw Cole’s face, she panicked, her hands flying to her mouth and a gasp of shock escaping her. “Cole, what-”

“Just a jerk at school, Grandma,” he said, shouldering our way past. “It’s fine, for now.”

I smiled at her apologetically. “He was…defending my honour, I guess you could say.”

“That’s very nice dear,” Phyllis said, though she still looked in shock. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, bruised bottom but nothing worse than what I’ve had in a soccer game,” I answered as Cole pulled me up the stairs.

“Good, good,” she said absent-mindedly, her eyes still fixed on Cole.

“I’ll get the ice,” Matt called as he headed to the kitchen.

“Fine,” Cole replied, still pulling me along.

He didn’t stop until we got to his room, where he dropped my hand, threw his bag on the floor, and started taking off his coat and jumper. I stood in shock, not quite sure what was going on, or if I should even be in the room. He pulled off his tie, then his shirt, thankfully not deigning to remove his pants, and I didn’t know what to look at.

I’d never seen him without his top on and his body was not what I expected – he was as fit as a professional sportsman, all muscular with his waist tapering down to his pants. I saw the hint of a tattoo under his pants on the inside of his left hip and another one wrapped around his right bicep.

All that, though, was not all that kept me staring. His skin, where it wasn’t smooth and bare, was covered in scars, some thin lines, others circles, all where a t-shirt would cover him. Added to that was a bruise on his right ribs where I’d seen Jaime get in a good shot.

Matt hurried in with a pile of ice packs and some tea towels.

“Eh, you’ve had worse,” he said, still completely calm, like he saw this every day.

“Whoa, nice ink,” Ben said as he followed, carrying other medical supplies I highly doubted he could name, let alone use.

I looked between the Fielding boys, wondering exactly what their lives had been like before Phyllis took them in. And, did it have anything to do with the police car that had been parked outside their house? Cole caught my eye over Matt’s head; his eyes were like glass and his expression stony. I smiled what I hoped was a supportive smile then turned to Ben, acting more jovial than I felt.

“No, Ben, you cannot get a tattoo.”

“You’re not my mum, you can’t tell me what to do!”

“You can’t do what you want, either.” I smirked, anticipating his next response.

“Once I’m eighteen, I can do what I want.”

“That’s a long time away, Benny. You might not think tattoos are cool by then.”

“They’ll always be cool,” he breathed, still staring at Cole’s arm.

“Well, just wait ‘til you’re eighteen, and Cole and I are old and saggy and see what you think of Cole’s tattoos then.” I laughed, looking back to Cole, hoping he understood I was joking. I received a small smile before he winced at whatever Matt was doing to him.

“Nothing’s broken this time,” Matt said, holding an ice pack to Cole’s ribs.

“This time?” Ben asked, then seemed to realise it was a sensitive subject so he tried to change it. “I dislocated my toe once. Ran past a cupboard and clipped it, needed crutches for a few days.” He nodded in mock seriousness.

“That would have sucked,” Matt replied, smiling.

I wondered if he was thinking of the moonboot he still wore, or if he was pleased of Ben’s attempted change of topic. He seemed pleased…

I watched Matt work, cleaning Cole’s cuts and looking at them as though he was Doogie Howser. When he finished, the room smelled like antiseptic and Cole looked more than a little in pain.

“You’ve been punched, but the antiseptic hurts more?” I asked, trying not to laugh as Cole stretched his face.

“It stings, thank you. Stinging is very different to pain.”

“Of course it is.” I was almost glad Cole had scars and bruises, as horrible as that sounds; it made looking at his half-naked body a lot easier and a lot less sexual.

“I’d love to stay,” Ben said, hopping off the bed, “but I have a test tomorrow I should probably attempt to pass.”

“Dear Lord,” I turned around, “how old are you? What can be so difficult at your age?”

Ben shrugged, throwing me his best ‘I’m terribly old’ face. Then he grinned. “I’ll totally ace it. But, I told Mum I’d study, so I’ll probably read comics in my room.”

I gave up, shaking my head. “Go forth young padawan and learn nothing!” I pointed.

“I’ll see you at home.”

“You too, loser.”

He stuck his tongue out at me and I returned the favour before Matt said he’d walk Ben out. I didn’t turn around for a while, realising I was alone in Cole’s room while he had his shirt off. For medicinal purposes or not, it seemed rather intimate without our little brothers there.

I heard him chuckle. “Well, the school will know we’re together tomorrow.”

“Huh?” I asked, finally turning. He was looking at his face in the mirror. He caught my eye in the reflection.

“I called you my girlfriend to that jackarse, he’ll tell everybody and tomorrow the whole school will know definitively that we’re dating.”

I smiled. “So, you’re going to hold my hand at school now?”

He laughed and turned to hug me. “I might.”

I was very aware of his state of undress, and the fact my hands were on his bare skin. I was suddenly thankful I hadn’t taken off any of my winter layers – although that did make for being uncomfortably hot. Maybe that was just the guy in front of me?

Oh, phew… Leaving Aurora… Need to be leaving.

“I’d best get going, too. I should check my applications before closing date.”

“That’s not ‘til next week,” he said amidst gentle kisses.

“True.” I found I had my hands on his abs most improperly. I pulled them away, exhaling a laugh.

His eyes seemed to smoulder and his smirk was incredibly sexy. But, no… This was not how this was going to go down… If it even did go down…

Not that down, bad brain.

“Okay, I have to go!” I pulled away, biting my lip.

He only laughed. “All right. I’ll walk you out.”

He didn’t even bother putting a shirt on, just took my hand and walked me down stairs. Phyllis was smiling more sincerely when she saw us, though I’m not sure why the sight of her grandson topless with his girlfriend would make her happier than she had been. Maybe I was the only one concerned with him being topless?

“Goodbye, Aurora. Shall I see you on the weekend?” she asked.

“I should think so, Phyllis.” I smiled.

At the back door, I stopped. Before I could open my mouth to say anything, Cole pressed a deep kiss to my lips and my brain seemed to melt a little – seriously, I was worried it was going to slide out my ears. He pulled away, smiling. I found I was biting my lip again.

“Ah, right. I will see you tomorrow,” I said.

“And, I might hold your hand.”

“You do that.” I nodded, my brain still not feeling entirely in working order.

“I’ll talk to you later,” he said, tracing a hand along my cheek.

“Uh huh.” I smiled. “Bye, then.”

“Bye.”

I turned and walked zombie-like across the park, feeling that very foolish smile on my face and the butterflies in my stomach.

“Lord, what happened to you?” Dad asked as I walked in the door.

“She saw Cole with his shirt off,” Ben replied from where he was leaning on the counter.

“Oh, was it nice?”

“Dad!” Ben laughed.

“What? I’m being supportive aren’t I?”

I waved at them. “Just getting changed, be back in a sec.”

“Looks like you need a cold shower,” Mum said as she passed me on the stairs.

That snapped me out of it. “Mum, gross.”

“What? It’s perfectly natural-”

“No… Nope… Not having this conversation,” I said, taking the remaining stairs two at a time. God, was she a hippie and I’d just managed to miss it?

“It’s all right, sweetie, when two people love each other very much…” I didn’t hear the rest, as she was laughing too hard.

I, on the other hand, was mortified. My cheeks were burning and all wonder or lust or whatever it was I’d felt was well gone. I threw my bag on the floor and took a deep breath. I was not going to be that girl; the one who falls for the sexy bad boy, gives into his charms, and loses her mind. Oh, who was I kidding? I was already two for three.

I washed my face in cold water in the hope of taking some of the heat out of my face. It worked to a degree. Still feeling very self-conscious in my own body, I changed and wandered downstairs to make it through dinner then escape back upstairs to do some homework.

 

¢

 

The next day at school could have been worse, to tell the truth. Jaime had indeed spread it around the school that Cole and I were dating. Among other activities.

“I can’t believe he said that to people,” Cassidy said, indignant on my behalf.

“He’s probably just upset that Kelly won’t actually sleep with him,” Rachel laughed.

Beat and I both snorted into the coffees we’d stopped to get on the way into school. It was before classes and I was standing impatiently, trying to warm up.

“Damn, it’s frigidly cold,” I said, shivering as I hoped from one foot to another.

“Like Kelly Preston.” The other three chorused as though we’d planned it.

All four of us collapsed into giggles.

It was true, though. Kelly Preston was the girl who’d say she’d do anything. But, get her behind closed doors and it wasn’t going to happen.

“What’s so funny?” Declan asked, coming up and putting his arm around Cassidy.

We all shook our heads, laughing too hard to answer.

“Oh, hey man,” Declan said.

I was about to wonder who he was talking to but found out soon enough. I squealed as I felt arms go around my waist and a familiar voice was in my ear. “Good morning, girlfriend.”

I laughed, turning my head enough to kiss him. “Good morning, boyfriend.”

“Mister Fielding, are you early to school?” Cassidy laughed.

He nodded over my shoulder, his arms still firmly around me. “Why, yes I am, Miss Campbell.”

She giggled and I saw approval dancing in her eyes.

“Matron Peters will have a heart attack if she sees you.” Beat smiled.

“She may well do,” Cole said, then turned to Declan and legitimately fist bumped him. “Hey, dude.”

I looked between them, wondering when on earth they had become such fast friends. Well, Declan had always been a decent guy, so it was less difficult to understand he’d be polite. I smiled at him, anyway, sending him silent thanks for being cool with Cole. He shrugged back as though it was nothing.

“Have you got coaching in the morning?” Beat asked, her gloved hands wrapped around her cup.

I thought for a moment, but felt Cole shaking his head on my shoulder.

“Nah, they have a bye tomorrow,” he replied. I was almost indignant he’d answer for me, before remembering he’d know just as much through Matt.

Beat’s face lit up. “Awesome, can I get a ride to the game then, please! I can get to your place.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

“You’re playing away?” Cole asked, his breath tickling my neck so I laughed.

“We are, yes.”

Beat smirked at me as though she was going to make some kind of ‘get a room’ comment, but the bell rang.

Declan and Cole walked us to our classroom, since it was on the way to their music lesson. I’d entirely forgotten they took music until now. Cole must have been quite good at the theory to still be in the class at this level…

“Hannibal?”

I blinked, looking at him. “Sorry, brain fade. I’ll see you later.”

“You sure will.” He kissed me in front of everyone, letting out the butterflies and melting my brain, then walked off with Declan talking about some music thing. By the look of it, Declan was hitting a pretend drum kit.

“Wow. That good?” Beat laughed, waving her hand in front of my face and leading me inside.

“I…uh… What class is this?”

She laughed. “I need to find someone who kisses me like that.”

I shook my head; this was getting ridiculous, focus on anything but Cole. “You will.” I smiled at her. “You will, and she’ll be lovely and entirely worth your time!”

Beat smiled her thanks, though she didn’t look convinced.

By recess, Beat’s mood had picked up and Declan seemed very excited. Cole was sitting in my usual spot, while I sat on the bench between his legs, when Declan finally got to tell us his news.

“So, a few of the boys and I have decided to be the band for the formal!” He smiled.

Cassidy looked confused, then as though she were about to argue, then finally smiled. “That’s great, babe. Who else is in your band?”

I winced and shook my head at her slightly, trying to get her to sound a little less patronising. Knowing, Cassidy, she was just trying to sound enthusiastic when she had no interest whatsoever – and good on her for that, I guess – but she always did a terrible job of it.

“Me, Patrick, Chris, and Luke.” He smiled, and then narrowed his eyes at Cole. “Cole refused.”

Cole laughed. “Bands are not my thing, man. But, I’ll happily cheer you on.”

“Look at you making friends,” I said, shaking his leg. He squeezed my shoulder, but said nothing.

“Oh! He likes you!” Declan laughed.

I looked at him, puzzled by his statement. I had assumed since we were dating that he liked me.

“Most guys wouldn’t let you tease them in front of their home boys,” Cassidy said knowledgably, like she knew anything about homeboys!

“She’s got a point,” Rachel said, as though she too were an authority.

I looked to Declan, looking for him to confirm this theory, almost daring him to. Declan shrugged.

“Basically. Although, I wouldn’t quite have put it in those words.” He looked back to Cole. “Sure you won’t reconsider…homeboy?”

“Thanks, but no thanks, man,” he sniggered.

“Kelly agreed to let you be the band, even though you’re not speaking to Jaime anymore?” Beat asked.

Declan shook his head and he finished swallowing his drink. “She didn’t seem to care. Apparently, someone heard us messing around in the music room and told her we were good.” He shrugged.

“Wait a second, does this mean my date isn’t actually going to spend any time with me at the formal?” Cassidy asked, rounding on him.

“We won’t be playing the whole time. I think maybe half? There’s a DJ for the other half,” he said, looking at her as though he dared her to tell him he couldn’t.

I had to give it to him; he was a brave man. Even I wouldn’t look at Cassidy like that, and I had nothing to castrate…

Cassidy, bless her, just nodded as though it was all right and started talking about dresses. I felt like she was staring quite hard at me and nodded my head to tell her I would maybe see about getting dresses from Trudy.

“Oh, Rory!” Cassidy said suddenly, bringing me back to the conversation and away from Cole tracing circles on my hand.

“Cassidy!” I replied, not sure why she looked about to burst out of her skin.

“Your birthday, I’ve decided we should go out.”

“Have you now?” I smiled, looking forward to this.

“Yes, Daddy feels very guilty about not spending any time with me,” of course he did, “and I told him he could make it up to me by letting me take you out.”

“This sounds ominous.” I exchanged a look with Beat.

“There’s nothing ominous about it! I thought we could go to dinner, somewhere nice, then go back to your house and eat junk food, most likely of the blue variety. I’ve already checked with your parents-”

I blinked in shock. “Run that past me again.”

“Yeah…?” Beat said slowly.

Cassidy flipped her hair. “Somewhere nice for dinner, then back to you house for blue junk food,” she said haughtily.

“That has to be the most thoughtful thing I have ever heard come out of your mouth,” I laughed.

“There is no need to be sarcastic, Rory.”

“I’m not Cass, that’s really lovely of you. It sounds great, I’d love to.”

Cassidy looked well past mollified, she positively beamed.

“When’s your birthday?” Declan asked.

“Weekend before the formal,” I replied.

“Twenty-second or twenty-third? My sister’s the twenty-second.” He smiled.

“Same,” I laughed.

“When’s your birthday Cole?” Rachel asked. “Don’t tell us, Rory’s older than you!”

He laughed. “No, I’m old for the year, my birthday was in February.”

“So, you’re already eighteen?” Rachel asked as though he’d just said he was the next king of England.

“I am, yes.”

“Were you an idiot and they kept you back?” Cassidy asked, smiling but still annoying.

I was about to chastise her when Cole laughed. “No… Well, depends on who you ask. I missed some school…when I was younger, family stuff.”

Cassidy nodded as though this was the most normal thing in the world, and then quite happily changed the subject until the bell rang and we had to get back to class.