The Youngest Booth

Chapter 15

Jay's P.O.V.

It was the afternoon of the play. I was walking around school in last period because I had been kicked out of my lesson. I saw Missy all dressed up sitting alone looking at her phone. I went over to her. Then Miss Carter and Miss Keane appeared and came over to her as well.

"Missy? What's up?" I asked her. 

"I've sent him four texts and he hasn't even bothered to reply," she told me. 

"Your boyfriend? And you're letting him get to you?" Miss Keane asked. 

"Don't always assume the worst in people, Missy," Miss Carter told her.

"You're worth more than this," I told her.

"Jay's right. You are the star of the show," Miss Carter said.

"As if," Missy said.

"Oi! You are bloody brilliant," I told her. 

"Don't sell yourself short. She only agreed to do this play cos of you," Miss Keane said.

"It's true," Miss Carter said, "What you've got to do is channel this hurt into something positive." 

"Like making Cory believe you actually fancy him," Miss Keane said. 

"He already does," I laughed.

"Go on! Go in there and show them how it's done," Miss Carter said. Missy smiled. 

"Hang on, Jay why aren't you in class?" Miss Carter asked. 

"Errr on a break," I said and I ran to the stairs. Just as I was about to go down, I turned back.

"And remember, Missy Booth you are gonna go far," I said. She smiled.

~the play~

I was sitting with Mum and Mrs Paracha. The lights dimmed and Naveed began talking.

"Huh? Is he speaking English?" Mrs Paracha asked. I had no idea. I didn't understand him. 

"I don't know," Mum told her. I didn't understand a word of it but Missy was bloody amazing. About 20 minutes in, Aaron arrived and came to sit with us. I was glad he had come, for Missy's sake. The play ended. It was good. Confusing but good.

"Right we better get off," Aaron said.

"Where?" Missy asked.

"We both know how this ends up- me lying dead in some ditch," Missy said.

"Oh Missy!" I said.

"Do as you're told for once. Go, go on," Nas told her. Mr Hyatt came over to us as Missy and Aaron left. I walked away. It's bad enough seeing teachers in a lesson never mind outside of one. They chatted for a bit and then I saw Mum and Nas leaving. I ran after them and we walked home together. 

~a few hours later~

Mum had gone to sleep and I had no idea where Hayley or Missy were. I grabbed a beer from the fridge. I mean I might as well. I was just taking a sip when Missy and Aaron came in. I tried to stash it away but there was no point.

"Alright?" I asked.

"More than alright," Missy said. She looked like she had been crying.

"Ok..." I said and I took another swig of beer.

"We're getting married," Missy blurted out. Honestly, I pick the worst moments to have some drink. I spat my drink out. 

"Wait what?!?" I asked.

"We're getting married," she said again. I smiled. She looked so happy.

"Well congratulations," I said and I gave her hug. We sat down and they told me all about the fireworks. I was dying with laughter. The front door opened again and Hayley came in.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Well err we are getting married," Missy told her.

"No way?!?" Hayley said and she squealed. 

"I'm getting some cider. Anyone want some?" Aaron asked. Technically he was the only one old enough to have one.

"Yeah. Don't mind if I do," I said.

"No you're 14!" Missy said.

"Aww please," I begged.

"Go on you can have one," she said. I don't think she realised that I had a beer earlier but what she doesn't know won't kill her. We all spent the evening chatting and having fun. 

I woke up the next day with a hangover. My head was throbbing. I groaned. I had to get ready for school. When I reached the school gates there were these guys yelling about some rally.

"Join us as we fight back to keep England English," one of them yelled. Miss Carter and Sadiq had seen what was happening and went over. 

"Er hello. No, I don't think so. Not on school property," Miss Carter told them. 

"We're not on school property," he said. I walked over.

"Oi give us one mate," I said. He handed me a flyer and looked pleased. Miss Carter and Sadiq looked very annoyed.

"Hmm yeah. What I see hear is absolute bullshit," I said as I ripped it in two.

"You little," he started to say but I cut him off.

"Hmm no. I'm on school property and I'm a minor so you can't touch me," I said as I walked off. Miss Carter looked impressed. I went into the quad and a fight had broken out. I ran over and saw Nas and some girl fighting.

"Lesbian wrestling? We could make a fortune," some guy from year 12 said. I laughed. He had no idea. Miss Keane ran over to separate it.

I went to class. It was science and everyone was messing about. Especially me. Finally Mr Hyatt had enough.

"Right Jay take this note to Mr Shah please," he said. I left the class and opened it. It was just something that Mr Hyatt could probably of e-mailed. I added a little note on the bottom and went to find Mr Shah. He was in his office and I saw Nas and the other girl in there as well as Miss Keane, Miss Carter and Sadiq.

"Just one second please," he told me. I waited and when he was done with Nas he let me come in. 

"From Mr Hyatt," I told him.

"Right who added this on the bottom?" Mr Shah asked.

"Mr Hyatt I guess," I said.

"I am pretty sure he can spell excellent," Mr Shah said. Shit!

"Well I can spell it as well so it weren't me," I told him.

"And would he really of said this boy is excellent and should be made a saint?" Mr Shah asked.

"Yeah," I answered.

"Alright kid what's your name?" he asked me.

"Jay Booth," I told him.

"Jay Booth, sir," he corrected.

"No need to call me sir," I said. I could see Miss Keane smile slightly.

"Right isolation off you go," Mr Shah told me.

"Woah that's a bit extreme," Miss Carter said.

"No off you go," Mr Shah said. I flipped him off and walked to isolation. It was official. I hated Mr Shah.