Conor’s POV

Beth promised she wouldn’t tell anyone she had our numbers so why not? I knew I had to pass this class and get out of this college with a half decent grade to get the job I wanted. Miss Potter was pushing her luck putting me in that group though; not only did I have to deal with Holly but Sam too? Was she trying to get me expelled for getting into fights? I thought the whole school knew my hatred for the popular group and especially Sam, so why did they move me into his tutor room and why did she put me in that group? I’m sure the school is plotting against me.

“Conor!” My best mate, Zack, called from the front of the school. They were bunking the rest of the day; they’d forced some geek kid to say yes during registration and hoped it would work. “You coming mate?” I took a quick look round as I thought about it. I had business again after lunch, it’d be too obvious if I bunked the lesson but I don’t want my friends to think I’ve gone soft.

“Nah, I can’t today mate!” I said as I pulled a cigarette out of my pocket and slid it into the corner of my mouth, lighting it quickly.

“What? Why?” He said sounding offended, I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Mate I’ve got the s-” it dawned on me telling the truth just wasn’t worth the aggravation I’d gain from him and the rest of my group. “I’ve got some guy to beat up in class. He’s trying to steal my girl.” I made up but Zack winked and let out a cackle.

“Alright mate! Just make sure you don’t get expelled or anything! We’ve lost enough people in the group!” He held his hand up to do a motionless wave and walked off. I stood up against the gates of the school and inhaled heavily on the cigarette, feeling the burn as it moved down my throat and into my lungs. I held my breath for a second before letting it all out, the smoke creating a small screen and temporarily blinding me. Now I actually have to attempt to make this lie I said to Zack come true, otherwise he’ll know I made it up. Gossip spread like no tomorrow in this school and people would be happy to stab me in the back and say nothing went on in class just in the hope Zack would like them more. The thing was he didn’t like anyone in school – minus our group. I finished the cigarette and threw it onto the floor, stamping down on it before making my way back into the school. I’ve got a plan to come up with…

Walking through the hallways I heard a voice I recognised. One I recognised for being really annoying. Holly.

“Beth, wait!” She called and I followed her gaze down the hallway where Beth was walking out onto the field without a second glance. Maybe she did have attitude? Maybe she just needs someone to bring it out of her.

“What have you done this time?” I said to Holly as I walked past. She merely let out a small shriek and walked away from me towards the library. Looking into our business classroom I noticed no one was in it, so quickly decided to walk in there and shut the door. At least I can have the peace I need! I sat there and tried desperately to think of a plan. Was I going to need to flirt with someone in our class? They’re hardly my idea of perfect women but I suppose I’d have to to save myself! Or would I need Sam to flirt with whoever it was so I can tell him to back off? Then I’m not particularly declaring that I like anyone, just that I think he needs to back off… This was going to be a difficult one. I could hardly walk up to Sam and say ‘Please flirt with a girl here so I don’t get in trouble’ can I? I tapped my fingers along the table top as I thought. I don’t quite know how this is going to work but I don’t have much of lunch left before we have Business again and I need to work my magic then and there! I was brought from my thoughts by my phone vibrating in my back pocket. Who the hell is going to be calling me now? I took it out and the Caller ID displayed ‘Bethany’ why was she calling me now? Was it to do with class?

“Hello?” I said gruffly into my phone. She’d better not have anyone around her hearing this conversation.

“Is this Conor?” A voice said before a giggle was heard in the background.

“Yeah course it is! What do you want?” My fingers were still tapping along the table top as I spoke.

“Oh my God it is him!” I heard a voice say slightly away from the phone.

“Have you given my number out?” I suddenly slammed my open hand on the table. “You fucking promised you wouldn’t so I swear if this isn’t Beth…” I heard the phone fall to the floor and some girls’ voices arguing. I couldn’t hear what it was about but seconds later the phone was picked up again.

“No, this is Beth. Sorry I just wanted to check it was the right number.  People don’t often give me their numbers, see. Anyway, umm, I’m going to hang up now. Sorry.” The phone went dead before I had the chance to answer. What the hell was that about? And what did she mean she didn’t get people giving her their numbers? As I said before she wasn’t flawless and model like but she was very nice for an average girl. I’m sure more people in the school liked her than she knew. Maybe this was a girl I could get to know and like – I never saw her with many people but at the same time I knew no one really hated her, she just didn’t really exist in most people’s lives. My stomach dropped when Sam stood there, thanking her for helping us out and saving us from a year’s detention before asking her what lesson she was in. The way her face changed and her body language differed make my heart ache. She’d probably make a half decent popular girl too… Before I knew it the bell was ringing for registration. I hated this new thing about having registration before every class. It was ridiculous! I quickly shoved my phone back in my pocket and walked as lazily as I could back to the tutor room where the whole class were already seated.

“Late again, Conor.” Our tutor said in a tone that said ‘it doesn’t surprise me’ but I ignored him and walked to my seat in the back of the class. As I walked past Beth I couldn’t help but notice her look up to me as if she was going to say anything, but sticking to the rules I kept my head down and ignored her. She said I could go on pretending she didn’t exist, so I will. What dawned on me, though, is that I never pretended she didn’t exist before this class, I just didn’t know she was there.

“Why is he acting like that?” I heard one of Beth’s friends ask her, the voice sounded the same as the one on the phone.

“It was the deal, now shut up! People don’t know we even know each other! You’ve ruined this enough as it is!” She hissed without moving her head, so I couldn’t tell which friend she was talking to.

“Conor!” The tutor shouted, sounding exhausted. I looked up to him.

“Sir?”

“I’d called your name three times. Please concentrate when you are here!” He rolled his eyes and tapped the keyboard of the computer whilst mumbling something to himself.

“Sorry Sir, but you know I’m here.” I said with a shrug.

“Unfortunately.” Sam added and I clenched my fists at my side.

“I wish you weren’t here either, mate.” I said harshly.

“Will you two stop it?” The teacher shouted. “You’re in this class for the rest of the year together so just get on or don’t talk!” The bell sounded again and I instantly got up and headed towards business. I didn’t mean for it to look like I was keen to get to class, I had a plan that I had to sort out for this lesson so Zack thinks I was telling the truth. I had to hate Sam and flirt with a girl… All I needed to decide was who I was going to flirt with…