chapter seven.
fights.

...

The next day, I'm sat awkwardly between Cory and Riz during science, my body being the only thing delegating them from one another. Usually we would placed in pairs for the lesson but there are too many students in our class so unfortunately we've been forced to be in threes with whoever we're closest to. Cory hates the idea, but it's compulsory.

Riz leans forward to look around me at Cory, "How does a lad like you get a girl like her?" He asks, his gaze flicking to me momentarily so he can smirk at me.

"Shut your mouth, Nawaz." Cory snarls.

"I'm just saying," Riz sucks his teeth, "Peyton, you're confident, fit—"

"Shut the fuck up." Cory growls through gritted teeth, "If you say one more thing about her, I swear to god."

"Will both of you shut the fuck up?" I roll my eyes, "Believe it or not I am actually trying to do the work." I tap my pen on the large sheet of paper shared between us, my handwriting being the only thing littering it, "I'd love it if you both would help.0

After sending one last glare to each other, the boys move in closer to read my writing before we all try to figure out what else we're supposed to be doing. We fall into silence.

"Rugby practice tonight," Cory says, resting his hand on my thigh under the table.

"I'm just gonna leave." I mutter.

"No, you are not," He argues, "If I have to do it, so do you."

I look over at him, "But-"

"But nothing. You are going."

__

After school, I get changed into my PE kit in the empty girls changing rooms while all the boys mess around in theirs, the shouts vibrating the walls and I'm extremely thankful I'm not with them.

Meeting the boys in the hallway, I walk out onto the pitch next to Cory and Dan while Mr Bell stands on the field with his hands on his hips and the equipment laid at his ankles.

"Nice to see that you actually showed up." Mr Bell chuckles at me, "I had my doubts."

"I didn't want to but Cory made me," I inform him, "I'm sure you would've been really sad if I didn't show up."

"I would've been," He nods, "I think you're gonna be a good asset to the team. You're gonna show this lot how it's done."

I sigh, "I've never played rugby before."

He waves me off before motioning for the team to surround him and we all huddle round. Cory throws his arm over my shoulders as we watch Mr Bell and wait for him to begin.

"Okay, you are just going to do some simple passing," He motions towards the pitch, "Get into lines and pass."

"Simple he says." I grumble.

He throws a ball into my chest and I as I catch it. He smirks, clapping his head together, "Chop chop."

Following the boy's lead, I try my hardest to do everything correctly. I surprisingly only drop the ball on the very first drill, but never after that. A short whistle causes everyone to stop and tune our attention back to the teachers.

"Cory and Riz pick a team and we'll get a game going." Mr Simpson declares.

Cory and Riz stand in front of the team and begin calling our names until eventually everyone is stood in two lines, it's obvious who's team is whose but I stand between, not knowing where to go as my name was never said.

"Sir," I ask, "where am I supposed to go?"

"We aren't having a girl on our team!" Zain sniggers.

My head turns to him and my face pulls up into a grimace, "Why not, huh? Are you scared that I'm gonna show you up? Scared a girl's gonna beat you?0 I walk over to him with my nostrils flared and eyebrows raised daringly, ready to push at his shoulders.

"Peyton, step back." Mr Bell warns and a glare at Zain before retreating back to my position between the two lines.

"We'll have Peyton," Riz offers, "She's faster than most of us here."

"No," Cory spits, "We'll have her."

"Oh for fucks sake." I mumble under my breath as my hand raises to pinch the bridge of my nose, knowing another fight is about to kick off.

"Language." Mr Simpson whispers in my ear and I give him a lazy thumbs up, not bothering to care that he heard my low whisper.

"I'll go on Cory's team." I decide, motioning towards his line before standing between Jordan and Cory.

"Why, cause he's your boyfriend?" Riz laughs, nudging his friends to force a reaction out of them.

"Don't be so jealous, Riz." I snap, earning a few unforced chuckles from his friend group.

"Be quiet, the lot of you." Mr Bell shouts, tossing a ball between his hands, "Right, the object of the game is to get the ball over the opponent's try line. You've got six chances. If you don't manage to do it, it goes to the other team. Now, you can only pass the ball backwards."

"Backwards?" Zain asks.

"Backwards." Mr Bell nods, "Otherwise it would be american football, wouldn't it?"

Mr Simpson takes the rugby ball from his hands, "Football is a gentleman's game played by thugs. Rugby is a thugs game played by gentleman."

I clear my throat, causing him to turn to me, "That's sexist, sir. It's also played by women."

"Not as much."

"Still doesn't make it just a gentleman's game. Even sir said, I'm stronger than most of this lot." I tell him, pointing to the boys around me, who mutter words of disagreement.

"She's right." Mr Bell butts in, "It's not just a gentleman's game, some would even say that woman play it better."

"Thank you, sir." I reach over to him and he gives me a low-five.

"Right. No punching, no pulling of hair, no gouging." Mr Bell stares straight at me and I send him a small nod while I huff in frustration. I was looking forward to using rugby as an excuse to fight people.

"No biting." Mr Harrison adds.

"But everything else is fair game. Go!" Mr Bell kicks the ball up in the air and most of us sprint for it. But Zain goes straight for Jordan, shoving him to the floor and jumping on top of him. As the game is immediately stopped and the rest of the team shout for the fight to continue, Cory and I run over, ripping Zain off  the little Wilson brother.

__

After everyone is separated and silenced, Mr Bell calls the team to huddle around him once more as he prepares to start another game. Hopefully, this one will last longer than a few seconds.

"We are gonna mix these teams up now." Mr Bell shouts, noticing the tension, "Riz take half of Cory's, Cory take half of Riz's."

"I'll have Peyton." Riz smirks, motioning for me to move over to his side and my face pulls up into a grimace.

Cory steps in front of me slightly, his head shaking as he snarls, "She's staying on my team, thank you very much."

"He's right. I'm staying on his team." I nod in agreement, causing Riz to scoff.

We get back into the lines and Mr Bell kicks off the game, immediately Cory gets the ball, running forward then passing to Dan. I keep behind him, trying to get him to pass but he ignores me, despite my yells being loud enough to be heard over everyone around.

"Dan, you idiot! Pass to me!" I roar, holding my arms out open in front of me, trying to get him
to see that I'm available.

"Dan, pass to her!" Mr Bell agrees.

Dan quickly listens to Mr Bell, and once I get the ball and immediately sprint full pace up the pitch. I jump out of the way of Riz's team, being nimble enough to slide under their arms and jump over their legs. In no time I'm way in front of them, none of them being able to catch up as they shout at one another behind me and my team scream my name. I reach the try line and skid to the floor, pressing the ball down.

Mr Bell and my team cheer, sprinting over to meet me in celebration. I stand up, holding my arms up in the air and Cory and Dan take that as an invite to lift me onto their shoulders, bouncing me up and down as we go back to the changing rooms.

"Three cheers for Peyton!" Cory screams.

"Hip hip, hooray!" They all repeat.

I laugh as they continue before dropping me back to the floor when we reach the changing rooms and I depart to the girl's changing room, collapsing on the bench to regain my breath properly. After getting changed and shoving my PE kit roughly into my back, I walk out the girls room only to be stopped by Miss Carter.

"You did great today." She smiles tightly, pulling me into a small hug. She seems uneasy, like she was hiding something but I dismiss it, it's none of my business and that's the first thing she'd tell me if I was to ask.

"Thanks, Miss," I grin, "I thought it was gonna be rubbish but it actually wasn't. It were alright."

"I could tell that you enjoyed it," She pats my shoulder, "You've got a lot speed. Rugby looks like your sport."

I shrug, "Always thought football suited me but rugby isn't that bad, I guess." The door of the boy's locker room clicks open and Cory appears behind me, resting his hands on my shoulders.

"Hello, Miss." He smiles.

"Hey, Cory," Miss Carter smirks as her eyes flick between us, "Nice to know you two are finally together."

My eyes widen and a short chuckle escapes me, "How do you know?"

"People talk, Peyton." She chuckles before walking off.

Cory takes my hand and pulls me off to join the others. We walk down the hall while he laughs with his mates and I spot Miss Sheane talking with Mr Qureshi. As I pass, he reaches his hand out and we quickly do our handshake.

"Peyton, you look happier." She raises her voice, calling after me so I continue down the corridor.

I throw a thumbs up into the air so she can see it, "I'm feeling it." I shout back before Cory drags me around the corner.

__

A few days later, Missy calls me over to hang while she helps Hayley get ready for a date with Riz. I sit on the kitchen counter, eating a bag of crisps, while Nas irons some clothes and Missy straightens her sister's hair.

"Where are they taking you?" Missy asks.

Chloe is going as well with another lad.
Double date type thing.

"Didn't say." Hayley replies with a shrug, fiddling with some of her straight hair.

"Make sure it's somewhere decent." I say.

"Greggs." Their Nana chuckles, making us all smile.

"And not the rec with a can of cider so they can cop a feel. Watch that Max." Missy looks down at her sister.

Max is who Chloe is going with. Some kid off the estate who's known for taking a girl out and forcing her into a bed with him before the date has even ended.

"I'm going with Riz," Hayley picks at her nails, "He's nice and he's loaded."

"Yeah, well, they're all the same." I mutter.

"You've managed to tame Cory." Nas nudges me, placing the iron down.

"It's only taken 10 years." I joke, rolling my eyes.

"Has he taken you on a date yet?" Missy raises an eyebrow curiously in my direction.

"No." I chuckle, "We're both skint. Plus, I don't think I'd enjoy it much. Having to dress up and all that."

"What about his Dad? Can't he pay?" Nas leans against the wall, tilting her head.

"His Dad hates me after the last time we met." I motion to my cheek and they nod in understanding, "He's skint as well."

"Maybe you can just go to the hill," Missy suggests, "look out over Ackley."

I shrug, "Possibly. 'Cause Ackley is a very pretty sight." I say sarcastically.

"Stop being so pessimistic." Nas rolls her eyes jokingly.

"We're off to a gay club. I've just decided." Missy blurts, fortunately moving the subject away from Cory and I.

"A what?" I stammer, confused.

"A gay club. Nas, it will give you a chance to get a fit girl," She explains, the giddiness of the idea already getting to her, "Peyton, you are coming whether you like it or not. You can borrow my dress."

"I don't wear dresses-"

"Well, you are going to have to." Missy smiles mischievously, "There's a train to Leeds at 7:30. Peyton, be at mine at 7. We're all going whether you like it or not."

I drop my chin to my chest, "Ugh, fine."

__

A few hours later, Missy throws a white, short dress into my chest and I hold it up in front of me, examining it.

A grimace is displayed on my face, "I need a jacket."

"Why,"

"You know why." I nod my head to my arms, referring to the few scars littered the skin under my jumper sleeves.

"Babe, no one will judge you. Who cares. Let the world see them." She walks over, raising her hands to hold my shoulders.

"Missy. I need a jacket." I repeat.

"Peyton-"

"Missy."

She sighs, diving into her wardrobe and pulling out a large blue denim jacket, "There. But just so you know you don't need it."

I smile gently at her trying to reassure me. My phone pings several times on her bed sheets so I quickly pick it up, trying to stop the irritating sound. My eyes land on the bright screen and I drop down to sit on the bed as I type back replies.

Cory

Peyton.

Babe.

Hello?

PEYTON

Yes?

Fucking finally

What you doing tonight?

Dad got pissed at Jordan and
he ran off.

I don't feel like being here
by myself.

I'm so sorry Cory

I'm bering dragged to some
club by Naz and Missy

Do you want me to come to yours instead?

A club? Damnnn didn't know
you were all about that

Go to the club tn and I'll just
go round Dan's or Riz's

Riz? Are you two starting to get along?

Yeah

He's not actually that bad

Suddenly, Missy snatches the phone from my hands and she scrolls through the messages, a huge smile spreads on her face while I just glare up at her in shock at her actions.

"You two are so cute." She begins typing and I fall back onto her bed, dreading what she was doing. She hands me the phone back and I quickly read it.

Hiya Cory. It's missy here.

Stop texting your girlfriend
she has to get ready x

She's wearing a dress😍😍

I need to see this.

Send me a picture.

i will

she's gonna look soooo fitttt

I roll my eyes before she snatches it away again, this time throwing it onto the floor, out of my reach.

"Get dressed. You can talk to lover boy later." She says.

I groan, standing up and going down the stairs, into her bathroom. I pull on the dress and then the jacket. I stare at how different I look, in the mirror above the sink. Maybe white it's such a great colour as seen as my hair is very dark, but it's all Missy had. So despite the colour, I actually like how I look.

"Sexy." Missy whistles from the door, "Cory has defo done good for himself."

I gently smack her as I walk back out of the bathroom, "Be quiet."

"Let's go to this gay club!!" She explodes, happily, while dragging me out the door, hooking our arms.

"Please tell me you have my phone," I grumble and she passes it to me with a wink.

____________________________

updated: 31.8.23 — this book is so cringey