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58

Friday 4th October, 2013
1 day till Daniel's party

I fiddle with an elastic band, making a cats cradle, taking it out then doing it again. This lesson is so dead, I don't even know what the purpose is of this subject. Geography. If it was easy to make it in life without passing your GCSEs, I swear I would only take a few subjects seriously. Geography is the absolute worse. When we were choosing our GCSEs they said we'd learn about cultures and go on a holiday together. These times, we're here standing in rivers, measuring water and counting rocks. Kwassia.

"Ahlie Kyrah?"

I look up at the sound of my name. I'm tucked away in a seat in the back corner of the room, which is laid out in rows with an aisle in the middle. Sam, Danika, Tolu and some others are sat in the row in front of me. On my right is David and some other boys. Sam looks at me with expectancy to respond. I don't even know what he said.

"Wait, say that again." I say.

"Ahlie Danika likes Kyle, it's bait."  He says.

Danika screws me as if to say 'don't answer that.'

I chuckle, "I meannnn."

She always goes quiet when he comes around. He's supposed to be in our class now actually.

"Er- Kyrah?!"

"What? I didn't say anything!" I laugh.

"See you know it's true!" Sam says.

I laugh as they continue arguing, their chairs now facing me. I look around, finally engaging with the room around me. We were set a worksheet to complete by the end of the first period, we have a double. Miss said we could talk quietly amongst ourselves, as long as we complete it. I finished it about 10 minutes ago so I've just been playing with elastic bands. Everyone's engrossed in their own conversations, but I notice David to the right of me looking a bit stressed. His hand is vehemently rubbing against his temple.

I tap him on the shoulder, raising an eyebrow, "wagwan?"

Sam and Danika clock onto it too and quieten down to hear his response.

He huffs, "it's this girl man... I'm locking it off!"

He's been dealing this girl for a few weeks now, he met her at that Bradford girl's party we went to. She goes to another school.

Sam laughs, "wagwan?"

The rest of his row and our row now tune into the conversation.

"Nah it's not funny. So last night we were chilling... then she said she's going her girl's party. So man said calm, do your ting, just behave init. So boom, why am I seeing her batty on everyone's snap? Man's tapping through stories, and all I'm hearing is 'Go Shakera! Go Shakera!'" He kisses his teeth.

The boys burst out laughing. Danika covers her mouth and turns around, trying to pull herself together. He looks genuinely stressed. I fake cough, trying to conceal my laughter.

"Aww, s-sorry." I manage to get out.

"Ew I hate girls like that, if I had a man I'd only go parties with him." Jade says, begging for attention. I roll my eyes. She's one attention seeker in our year, so jarring.

"If I was your man yeah?" Tyreece winks at her.

She giggles and pushes his arm, "Stooop Ty!"

I catch eyes with Danika and roll my eyes, we both chuckle.

"Sorry Dave, she's everyone's girl now. It's done." Alfie says, tapping his shoulder. The boys laugh again. David kisses his teeth.

"Partying on a Thursday?" "She's for the streets." "Word." some of the boys say.