I woke up with such a splitting headache.  My mouth felt dry and my stomach was groaning. I felt terrible. The worst part was I couldn't remember much of last night. Glancing over to my clock I practically have a heart attack 11:26am. I'm late, so so late and my parents will kill me if they found out.  Trying to raise enough energy to lift myself out of bed seemed impossible, like I was dragging a dead weight.

"The princess has awoken," Bellamy smiled opening my door with one hand in the other he held the most gorgeous smelling coffee ever, way over beating the costa coffee smell!

"I'm late." I flopped around like a wet fish.

"I called the school saying you were sick, although everyone else is going to know the real reason." he raised his eyebrows in the I-did-warn-you look because-I-know-from-experience. "I told you not to get shit faced."

"At least I came home,"

"You mean you were that pissed Taylor had to call me to pick you up and take you home?"

"What!"

"You don't remember much do you?" he chuckled "Well when I got there you were outside dancing on top of a table, Taylor and some dude called Nathan had to look after you." Bellamy explained.

"Nathan looked after me?" You mean hissy fit Nathan? Sunglasses Nathan?

"Yeah, you chose him over me," he put the coffee into my hands once I stood up.

"Ha I would nev-"

"But you did." he sat on the side of my bed "I didn't take it personally because you were drunk,"

"If I wasn't drunk trust me in saying I would stay away from him as if we were opposing magnets," I snorted sipping my coffee.

"Just watch him, he seemed...hostile," Bellamy warned.

"Well he does have more mood swings than I do," I chuckled.

"That explains it," Bellamy laughed then stood up "Be down in half an hour we need to get some food in you, I'll make us a greasy fry up." He smiled disappearing.

"Wait Bellamy?"

"Hm?" he popped his head around the door.

"You won't tell mum and dad about this will you?" I asked.

"No I won't," he smiled warmly.

"Thanks, "

"No problem kiddo!" he called from the stairs.

I'm so ashamed of myself. Dancing on top of a table? That isn't me, I mean ok I talk back to teachers and threaten people which most normal people wouldn't do but dancing on top of a table drunk? That isn't my style. God, I feel so insecure. I've spent ages building up my tough act look and now I've got a chink in my armour. Everybody's seen me drunk, the only time when they've seen me vunrable, let my guard down. How could I have been so stupid? Going into school tomorrow is going to feel awful.  Trying to push everything out of my mind I wash away the remains from last night and tidy myself up slinging on a pair of black leggings and a blue superdry top I meet my brother in the kitchen.

"There's some pills and a glass of water on the island take them," Bellamy instructed "and your phones in the key bowl." Grabbing my phone I slide onto one of the stools and take a sip of water checking my phone. I have one missed call from Taylor and two messages one from Grace the other from Taylor. I opened Grace's first.

Gretch I hope your ok. I'm so sorry

about last night I should have

looked after you better xx

Smiling down at my phone I text back:

Hey I'm fine just a bad hangover thats

all. It's not your fault you did

brilliant I don't know what got into me.

Speak to you later xx

Once sent I scroll down to Taylor's message.

I bet your suffering right! Ha gurl

you were a nightmare last night

I'll tell you about it later x

Laughing a little I decided not to text back as she knows my brother took care of me last night. It makes a change usually my brother is the ones at the parties coming home at stupid o'clock.

"Pills." he reminded. Frowning I take two tablets and gulp them down with the water. The food smelt lush! I always wanted to be a vegetarian when I was younger, I believed that killing animals for food was wrong and we should be looking after them, but now when you turn 17 and your one of them girls who eat and eat and never put on weight like me? You don't give a stuff about what you eat as long as it's human friendly and edible. Watching my brother cook everything was interesting especially as I can't cook. My specialty is cheese on toast.

"Here," he placed a plateful of bacon, eggs, tomato, mushrooms and fried bread in front of me.

"You remembered," I smiled grabbing my knife and fork.

"That you don't like sausages? Yeah of course I remembered Gretch," he sat down beside me with his own food. I dug in and instantly fell in love with this fry up my brother was like the best cook in the world.

"So tell me..." Bellamy hesitated, "Who's this Nathan guy?" Great. If this was going to be one of them awkward boy chats with your brother warning you about different types of guys, then I'm going to die.

"He's the new boy, started yesterday." I said, judging by the silence I assumed he wanted me to continue. "We're in the same History class...the one with Ms.Carter." I smirked "He's already in her bad books."

"Why? What did he do?"

"Let's just say I've got some competition on my hands," I grinned actually looking forward to my history classes from now on.

"Grech...Just don't get excluded again, remember what Mum and Dad said." Bellamy warned.  In my last school I had a really bad anger problem, so as you can imagine if one person near me slammed their locker they'd be sorry, but after what I’ve been through in my past you can’t blame me. After all that I was excluded and had to move school my parents warned me that if I got excluded again they'd be sending me to military school.

"Yeah I know." I huffed.

"So....uh...do you like this Nathan?" Bellamy scratched the back of his neck. What? Oh I am dead sooo dead. I though I would be having this chat when I turn eighteen not seventeen.

"Bellamy I hardly know him. Plus he kinda hates me."

"Well he sure didn't hate you last night or he wouldn't have helped you," Bellamy corrected shoving a mouthful of mushrooms into his gob.

"Taylor probably talked him into it."

"Then why'd you think he hates you?"

"In Ms.Carter's class she wouldn't start the lesson until he took off his sunglasses which he refused to do yada yada yada I tell him that the class already has so many problems so don’t add to the situation and he didn’t like it,” I explained.

"Well guys like him are trouble so stay away from him, and for God's sakes Gretch don't challenge him," he took my plate and his and stuck it in the sink.

"I appreciate it but I do need to make my own mistakes and learn from them..." I say softly.

"I know Gretch, but don't say I never gave you a heads up." he turned round and started running water and adding washing up liquid.  Glancing at all the frying pans and utensils I try to make my escape.

"Don't disappeare madame. You can wipe up." He grinned. Cursing I grab a cloth and help him.  As I said before my parents are fairly wealthy so I don't understand why we don't have a dang dishwasher!

                                                            ***

It was 6am and I was awake. For the love of God why am I awake. I guess I had something eating away at me like a voice in the back of my head and I knew it was about today, I was absolutely dreading going into school. I'll feel naked because I know they've seen beyond the walls I've put up and damnit so has Nathan.  Sighing I decide to get up before I start overthinking the situation. I shower and wash my hair sticking it in a high ponytail.  I grab a pair of diesel tight jeans and a yellow and white floral silk top then putting my usual white converse on I trot down the stairs.

I was really hungry but decided not to make anything because I'll probably burn the kitchen down.  Sighing I settle down with a bowl of cereal and a cup of tea.  I wonder what Nathan thinks of me? God he probably thinks I'm an alcoholic...even though that's the first time I've drunken alcohol but he doesn't know that. 

I killed an hour and a half watching T.V and catching up on some episodes of the Big Bang Theory until my brother decided to show up. Since the lounge and kitchen were connected he saw me immediately.

"Oh my god your up." Bellamy stared.

"Well done Einstein," I chuckled turning the T.V off and walking into the kitchen.

"I take it you want a lift?" he rolls his eyes.

"So kind of you to offer! Yes please," I smiled sweetly.

"Go grab your stuff then I'll be ready in five!" he climbed up the stairs.  Rushing after him I go to my room and slip on a tight leather jacket, grabbed my bag and strolled back downstairs.

"Jesus that was quick!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah well," he shrugged "If you’re going for the badass look Gretch, you've nailed it." he smiles and holds the door open for me.

"Thanks,"

***

"Grace was off yesterday as well and obviously today as well," Taylor explained. Walking into school was easier than I thought, I got a few sly comments like 'nice dancing' and 'sobered up now have we?' but nothing I couldn't handle although going past Max Chandle was weird he kept pouting his lips and winking at me. Douche.  I shrugged it off and waved goodbye to Taylor as she had geography and I had history. The first thing I noticed as I walked through the classroom door is that at the back of the class where Michael usually sits has been replaced with Nathan.  I knew it was him, you could faintly see his tattoos behind his white tee and the dark rinsed jeans along with his signature black leather jacket on.  Striding to the back of the class I took my seat and slung my bag underneath my desk.

"We're matching today." his husky voice spoke up. Glancing over at Nathan who was looking me up and down I smiled a little.

"I guess we are," I mutter.

"Suits you."

"What does? "

"The whole badass vibe." He smirked.

"Really now?" I quirk an eyebrow "Listen." I angle my body so I'm facing him a little more "The other night was the first time I've had alcohol and I didn't know my limits. I've been told I was a handful and I guess I just wanna thank you for helping me." He let's everything sink in first a second then reacts.

 "Yeah well you shouldn't do that again. You could have gotten into some sort of trouble." he said facing the front.

"Trouble? What do you mean?"

"For starters the whole table thing, treating it like it was a stage at a strippers club is a start. Then boys." Nathan curled his fists into balls. Now he's really got my attention.

"Boys? Is there something you’re not telling me here?" I snapped.

"You kissed Max."

I. WHAT!?

"No you’re making it up.  Max is a total slimeball I would never have laid eyes on him." I say trying to convince myself, remembering Max winking at me from earlier in the corridor.

"Why would I make it up?" Nathan said. Judging by his seriousness and aggravation I do believe him.

"Eugh!" I begin wiping my tongue on the sleeve of my leather jacket even though I'm not really accomplishing anything. I see Nathan peeking at me out the corner of his eyes with a gentle smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Gross, I'm never getting drunk again if it means your open to kiss any guy especially someone like Max. He was such a player, he's the kind of guy that sleeps with three girls in one night and he's completely sober then instead of being chased by pitchforks and torches he's congratulated by all the jocks.  Guys have no respect for women these days I think frowning to myself holding my head up with my hand.

"What are you thinking?" A voice interrupted, looking over I see Nathan waiting for an answer.

"You want to know what's going on in my head?" I asked slightly taken aback as most people would consider that a dangerous question to as me.

"Yes."

"...I was just thinking about the reputation Max has and that hardly any boys respect girls...the proper way I mean, like in World War Two or something." I sigh, not wanting to accept the truth.

"You shouldn't judge everyone in this school, not all of them are like Max." Nathan replied.

"They are apart from the nerdy kids that are just plain scared of me.  I know what everybody's like in this school."

"You don't know me." Nathan faced the front just as he spoke also in perfect timing as Ms.Carter walked in the class.  What was that supposed to mean?

                                                            ***

"Where the hell is Max?" I complain power walking through the corridors with Taylor struggling to keep up.

"I can't believe you kissed him!" She stifled a laugh.

"Taylor it’s not funny I probably have mouth versions of STD's." I'm on a rampage. During lunch a bunch of jocks were talking about me rather loudly and rather crude things too. So after I ruined their lunch hour I knew I had to find Max, he's the one spreading it all around.

"Where is he?" I shout down the corridor turning a corner knowing that the lockers down here are mainly the jocks. Immediately the crowd dispersed leaving me a path to a rather smug looking Max, pushing himself off the locker he tried to meet me halfway but I beat him to it and shoved him back into the locker.

"Hey baby save this for later," He laughed which seemed to echo round the rest of the corridor and students that wanted to join our little get together.

"Don't baby me Chandle! How about you keep that big mouth shut of yours huh?" I glare.

"What's up? I thought you'd be happy?" he grinned devishly.

"You know what, I'll be happy when your in hospital!" I shoved him into the locker again twice as hard.

"Just leave it Gretch, don't waste your breath," Taylor interjected popping a hand on her hip.

"If I see you mouthing off to anyone else about what happened at the party you'll be fucking sorry." I warned letting go of his shirt.

"Kinky." he whispered. Acting on impulse I brought my hand up and slapped him right across his face. It was a brilliant noise just like a whip then came the chorus of gasps heard from behind.

"Don't." I say walking away from Max who was clutching the side of his face.

Taylor gave me a lift home at the end of the day and now here I am fumbling around with my keys trying to unlock the door. Swinging it open I notice Bellamy cooking again, smells like soup. Slamming the door behind me I dump my keys and head for the stairs.

"Whoa hold up, what's happened at school?" Bellamy asked turning the stove down and wandering over to me.

"Bunch of dick head jocks and I got to slap the biggest arsehole going." I complained storming up to my room and slamming that door as well.  The confrontation had pissed me off so much the fact that Max was cocky throughout until I knocked some sense into him but also his stupid ass friends annoyed me too, gaping at us like we were zoo animals who did they think they were?