"Oi." Cory nudges me.

We're sat in science with Mr Hyatt, learning about cow hearts. I'm extremely tired because I woke up way too early because Mum had brought friends round at 4am. I had to quickly get rid of them all before explaining to her that she now had a job.

I rub my eyes, turning to him, "Yes?"

"What did you mean yesterday when you said that your Mum had found the bills?"

"Oh, nothing. We just had rent to pay, it's sorted now."

"Are you sure because your under eye bags suggest other wise."

I smack his arm, "I'm tired, yes. But only because I couldn't my sleep through the rain."

"I thought you loved rain."

He's right. I do love rain. Shit.

"Yeah," I lick my lips and try if think if a good excuse, "Last night it was too loud."

That was a terrible one.

I turn to Naveed, desperate to change the subject, "You doing the school-play, Naveed?"

He shrugs, "I don't know. I might do, as seen as I didn't get into the rugby team."

"Right." I drop my pen on the desk, "If you audition for it, then I'll do it with you."

"Yeah." Naveed smiles happily.

"Same." Cory adds.

"And me." Riz says, leaning across the table to see us.

"And me." Dan pats Naveeds arm.

"As long as I'm not the brown one at the back." Abdul mumbles, causing us to chuckle.

"Thanks." Naveed whispers to me.

Cory turns me back to him, "I spoke to Jordan."

"And..."

"Seems like some things just can't be changed."

I furrow my eyebrows, "What do ya mean by that?"

"It's pointless."

"You have to try."

"If I have to try, then so do you."

I sigh, rubbing my temples, "Like I've said before, I've tried."

"But-"

"No." I hold my hand up, "We aren't my having this conversation here - not in science class."

He nods, resting his hand on my thigh and going back to writing.

____

Play auditions. Yay.

We all stand in the hall, waiting for Miss Keane and Mr Quereshi. I lay my head back on Cory's chest while his hands rest on my waist.

"Didn't think you'd be doing this, Peyton." Nas laughs.

"I was just about to say the same thing." Missy giggles, "Very unlike you."

I roll my eyes at them, "Shush, the both of ya. I made a deal with Naveed."

"Peyton?" Mr Quereshi walks over.

"Not you too, Sir." I sigh, "I know, it's surprising. I'm here. Woohoo!"

He laughs, holding his hand out. We do our handshake while Missy and Nas walk off to go speak to Miss Keane.

"It's more surprising to see you both here." He glances at Cory.

"Just tryin' something new, Sir." Cory smirks, "Is there any kissing in this play?"

Mr Quereshi chuckles, "No. So, don't worry."

"I wasn't worrying." Cory winks, "I was lookin' forward to kissing."

I grimace and smack his hand, "Gross. See what I have to deal with, sir? Fucking annoying."

Mr Quereshi glares at me through his eyebrows, a small smirk on his lips.

I press a hand to my chest, chuckling, "Pardon my french. I meant, freaking annoying."

"That's better." He smiles, "You both better be going for bigger roles."

I snort as he walks away, "Yeah... no."

Miss Keane just put the cast list on the wall and we're all reading it. Most people got in, except me.

"Thank fuckkk." I yell in celebration, throwing my arms up.

"Peyton, come on." Miss Carter warns and I smirk at her.

"Peyton, Mr Quereshi and I both decided that you could help us with setting the whole thing up."

"So I basically just get to skip my original lessons and watch these dingbats act?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Oi!" Riz shoves me jokingly, "We aren't dingbats."

"Close enough." I grumble, causing everyone to laugh.

"But, yeah. Just come to every rehearsal." Miss Keane smiles.

"Thanks, Miss."

"What about me, bro?" Zain shouts from the back.

"Um. Brown king at the back again, bro." Abdul tells him and he groans loudly.

I slide down my chair next to Mr Quereshi while Naveed acts on stage, the rest of the cast sat around him reading along. My script is on my knee - shut.

"You alright there?" Mr Quereshi asks.

I mutter, "Better than ever. I'm enjoying this so much."

"Glad to know. Put your earphones in, listen to some music."

I look up at him, "Really?"

"Yeah, only if you put Eminem on loud." He smirks.

"You like him?"

"Yes, obviously."

I smile, "I love him. I'm gonna keep that small bit of information in mind: Mr Quereshi likes Eminem."

___

"When are you gonna learn?" Mr Nawaz asks.

I'm on my way to Miss Carter's office because she told Miss Bird she wanted to speak to me. I can hear their conversation through the door.

"Some kids just can't be helped." He continues, "Peyton, for example."

Motherfucker.

"No." Mr Quereshi shut him down, "You're wrong. All of them can be helped. Peyton especially."

"Thanks, sir. Proper nice." I smile, walking into her office.

Their heads turn to me.

"You can't just barge into your headmistresses office without invitation." Mr Nawaz snarls.

"I was invited. Miss Bird told me that I could come in."

"Were you eavesdropping?"

I throw my head back, holding onto my backpack straps, "No. I just said, Miss Bird said I could come in - so I came in."

"Sadiq, leave her be." Mr Bell growls, rolling his eyes slightly.

"Everyone always takes her side."

"Because I'm always right." I scoff, "I mean, look at you, sir. You're arguing with a girl half your age. It's slightly pathetic, if you ask me." I raise my voice.

"Peyton." Mr Quereshi stands in front of me.

"Sorry, sorry." I hold my arms up in surrender, "I'm just here to speak to Miss."

"Right. Thank you, you can go now." She tells the men and they leave slowly.

"Okay." I sigh, "Why am I here?"

"It's your Mum. When did you last see her?"

"I haven't seen her since yesterday morning. Jake and I went to school but when we came back she were gone, we looked all over town for her - still no sign." I explain.

"She was caught stealing in the local co-op."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, "Of course she was. She got a job there, to help us with our bills but she just can't keep anything good going."

"Bills?"

"Yeah. Everyone's got 'em." I stand up, dragging my bag with me, "I better get to class before I get another late mark."

She nods slowly and I wave slightly before exiting.

Cory appears and grab my arm swiftly, pulling me back and out the school doors. He breaks off into a run, pulling me with him when Miss Bird starts shouting.

"Cory, what the fuck are we doing?" I shout, small laughs escaping my lips.

"Just shut up and run." He answers, gripping onto my hand tighter.

We stop at the park and he drags me over to the swings, only letting go of me once we're both sat down.

"So why'd we just run away from school?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Felt like it." He shrugs.

"I'm hungry." I mumble.

"I'm thirsty." He agrees, standing up.

"We only just got here, you wanna dip already?"

He nods, "We can go to shops."

I bite my lip, "Aright then."

He moves his backpack around so it's on the front of his body, leaving his back bare, "Get on my back." He bends down slightly, holding his arms out.

I hesitate for a second. What if I'm too heavy? What if he can't carry me?

Cory notices that I'm hesitating, "Baby, don't worry - just do it, we've done it before."

I sigh before jumping on his back, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck while his hands hold up my thighs.

He suddenly starts running down the street and I bury my head in his hair, laughing my ass off.

"Cory, I swear to God. You better slow down."

He ignores me and continues running quickly down the pavement, making the cars seem slow. I roll my eyes as we come to a stop at the shop. He drops me down gently, a huge smirk on his face.

"What'd you want?" He asks, digging into his pocket and pulling out two quid.

"I'll buy my own."

"No. No. I'm buying it, you can buy it next time." He winks, "So, what'd you want?"

"Monster, please." I pout.

"You're lucky there is two for two pound deal on them." He mumbles while we walk down the cold drinks isle.

I select the one I want while he chooses his. He takes mine from my hands and places them both on the counters.

"Two pound, please." The cashier says, holding her hand out.

Cory gives her the money and passes the drinks to me, "Thanks. We don't need a receipt."

"Okay, dears." She smiles while we leave.

"Peyton! Cory!" Mr Bell roars from the down the street, "I've been looking all over for you!"

"Shit." I curse.

"Run." Cory smirks, speeding off in the opposite direction.

"You better be quick, sir." I laugh before chasing after Cory.

____________________________

someone pointed out that i keep putting Miss Sheane instead of Miss Keane. so i apologise for that lol. it's because i have an english teacher called miss sheane...