Rugby practice is so tiring. Mr Bell makes us have practice in the mornings some days and afternoon others.

"Are you and Miss Carter good, sir?" I ask Mr Bell on the way back after rugby practice.

He looks away from Mr Simpson, "Yes. Why?"

"No reason."

That's a lie. There is a reason - I have noticed Miss Carter acting differently around her husband, though he seems the same. There is something going on with her, that she didn't want Steve to know.

"Are you-" Mr Bell starts until he is cut of by his wife, who has only just arrived.

"You were up and out early this morning." She smiles gently.

"How else am I supposed to get this lot match fit, eh?"

I move back to stand between Riz and Cory, who throws his arm gently over my shoulder.

"You got mud on your face, bro." Riz laughs, pointing at Cory.

He looks down at me and I shrug.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I think he wants you to lick it off." Dan cackles.

I grimace, "Well, then he can fuck off. My tongue isn't going anywhere near him until we are both clean."

Cory pouts, rolling his eyes jokingly. We depart once we reach the changing rooms, allowing me to go to the girls.

____

I walk to my house after comforting Missy because Hayley has been taken away by social services. She was in bits so Nas and I went over to watch a movie.

I tiptoe upstairs, staying silent so Mum wouldn't hear me over the blasting TV. Jacob steps in front of me, before I enter my room.

"Don't tell me he is here just to fuck you."

"Who?"

"Cory. I've heard things about him."

I furrow my eyebrows, "Jake, you've know Cory for years. You know he's a nice lad inside."

He scoffs, "Just don't let him break your heart like he has every other girls."

I shove him roughly out the way before stepping into my room.

"Finally."

"Cory, why are you here?"

"Because."

"Because...."

He stays silent and I bite my lip anxiously,

"No."

"No?" He sits up on my bed, crossing his legs.

"I'm not doing it." I grumble, pulling off my blazer and throwing it onto the floor.

"Not doing what?"

"I'm not having sex with you."

His jaw drops, "I don't want to have sex with you - wait, no. I want to ... at some point. Just, not right now. I'm here because I sleep better near you."

I nod slowly before getting changed. He knows it makes me slightly uncomfortable if he stares so he lays down, making himself comfortable.

"Where were you anyway?"

"At Missy's. Hayley's been taken by social services." I reply, laying next to him.

"But can't Missy take care of her?"

"She's not old enough." I sigh, "It's not fair."

"Life isn't, sadly."

I roll over my so my back is facing him and he wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest.

"I love you." He whispers in my ear.

"I love you too." I whisper back, closing my eyes.

___

Rugby practice - again - in the morning. Today, Sadiq is helping us and Mr Bell is pissed, like really pissed.

We crowd around Mr Simpson and Mr Bell as they call us over.

"You're doing okay, lads and lady, real team spirit." Mr Bell nods.

"Team spirit ain't going to beat St Mark's, we need to win." Mr Nawaz says.

"Mr Simpson!" Mr Bell shouts after having a small chat with Sadiq, "Just hang on a minute. Guys, listen up."

We turn to face Mr Nawaz.

"Right, oranges with me and the blacks with Mr Bell." He says, "Mr Simpson, referee, please."

I'm an orange. Mm no.

While the boys go to jog round the pitch, I walk over to Mr Bell and Mr Nawaz, waiting for their conversation to end.

"It's better they learn from a proven winner, on and off the pitch. Don't you think, Steve." Mr Nawaz smirks before running away, joking the others.

"Pardon my language, sir. But he's a dickhead." I mumble.

"Tell me about it."

I nod, "Can I be on your team, sir? Don't wanna be on his."

"Yeah, course. Pass us your bib, I'll put it back in the bag."

I quickly slip it off, giving it to him before sprinting off to catch with the boys. I come beside Cory and Riz.

"What's up with Mr Bell?" Dan asks.

"I think I know." Riz mutters.

"What is it?" I tilt my head.

"Shouldn't say." He runs quicker, leaving before I can ask anything else.

"We're off on a date tonight." Cory nudges me.

My head snaps to him in surprise, "We are?"

"Yeah. It's not much of a date but I thought it would be a cute moment." He smiles to himself at the idea.

"So, where are we going?"

"Stargazing."

"Really? Oh my fucking god, yes." I chuckle, "Where?"

"The hill. I know it's a shit location but we'll be looking in the sky. Just wear your slacks."

"Course. I'm looking forward to it."

"Right, come on guys!" Mr Nawaz yells and we run back to the pitch.

The orange team gets the ball first. Mr Nawaz runs forward, the ball held close against his chest, in the crook of his arm.

Several of the boys fail to get the ball from him as Sadiq escapes their grasps. I sprint forward, my eyes glued to the ball. Riz gets there first, accidentally hitting his Dad in the nuts, resulting in him toppling over and hitting the floor.

"And that, lads, is why I always stress the importance of a jock strap and a protective box." Mr Bell smirks.

Cory puts his arms over mine and Riz's shoulders while we laugh at his dad, rolling around on the floor.

"Mr Bell, can I have a word?" Miss Carter appears behind him.

I'm right. There is definitely something going on between them, not like it matters to me.

Mr Bell turns back to us, "Nice tackle, Riz. Your dad must have taught you well."

Cory pats Riz's chest and I lean over to ruffle his hair.

"Cheers, sir."

"Yeah, good one, son." Mr Nawaz groans.

"Right, lads and lady, come on, hit the showers."

I laugh, "Sir, you don't have to say lads and lady. Just lads is fine."

"Don't want you to attack me." He chuckles before walking straight past Miss Carter, ignoring her completely.