Living Without A Heart

Detention

"Hog Eye! I can't make my shift on saturday 'cause I've got a detention. I tried to tell my teacher that I had to work but suprise suprise, they didn't believe me," she said bitterly. "If you could swap me to a late shift I can do that? It's weekend anyway so..."

"Look Alice, you're a hard worker  and I'd rather you didn't work the night shift so just take the day off- you are entitled to them you know." he replied smiling.

"All due respect Hog Eye but I can't take time off- I need the cash,"

"Al if you need money for food you can always join me for a meal down at Pop's- I know I don't have much either but I don't mind." FP chimed in.

"I can take care of myself " she replied harshly as she stormed over to a punter and shouted over her shoulder "I always have!" 

FP was a little hurt by how she reacted but he didn't blame her. He knew she was a very proud girl and by accepting help it would mean that she had to rely on someone else- she hated that. She didn't want to feel weak and she felt she had to prove to everyone that she could take care of herself- she most definately didn't need 'help' from her parents! That's something FP admired her for- her bravery and determination. 

*****

Saturday arrived which meant that it was time for their detention. Waiting for the register to be taken, Alice noted the people she would be stuck with for the next eight hours. These people consisted of: Fred Andrews, Hermione Gomez, Sierra Samuels, Penelope Blossom and last but not least Forsythe Pendelton Jones Junior. She never expected to see Andrews and Jones here- they were the 'good-guys' if you will. Fred was the innocent angel and FP was just determined not to get exposed as a Southsider. 

Alice sat at her desk, chin resting on her hand, and tapping her pen. From the corner of her eye she could see someone looking over at her and then looking away- this must have happened at least three times and it was irritating her. When she looked properly it was FP. He kept glancing at her, he wasn't attracting attention from the other guys but she could just see his chocolate brown eyes looking at her. Studying her like an artist would study their model, like she was his muse. The same way Basil studied Dorian Gray whilst painting his portrait. That was a ridiculous notion she thought, he wouldn't give her the time of day when she tried to tell him about the pregnancy so there was no way he felt that way about her...

*****

Sitting at the windowsill, Alice chiseled her initials into the wood, forever marking her presence. The constant scratching filled the entire room.

"Dude can you not!" Fred burst out.

"Dude can you bite me!" she snapped back

"Oh my god shh!" Penelope shouted.

The others just turned away rolling their eyes.

Perfectly timed the growing tension was interupted by a boy sneaking into the detention room. 

"Sierra!" he whispered

"Tommy you came!" 

"I brought you something to eat," he said handing her a delivery from Pop's "I love you, see you later."

Kissing him goodbye Sierra replied "see you tonight!" aand he left.

"Sierra! Tom Keller?" Fred said, voicing everyone's thoughts. The others just sat there, mouth hanging open, in utter surprise. In response to this Sierra just giggled revealing the love that she felt.

Everyone quickly realised that they didn't really know anything about each other despite having gone to the same schools since they were toddlers.