Honey Stone

Accidental Friends

The floor turned to jelly and her knees threatened to buckle 'What kind of accident?' she rasped out.

'I'm sorry, Miss Stone, I can't say any more. I shouldn't have said that but I know you and Marcus are sort of family. I know you're one of ...them.'

'Them?' Honey said to herself then shook her head and her own foolishness. 'Them, I see. Yes I am, but I was busy this weekend so didn't see anyone so didn't know. Thank you.'

She dashed away to the canteen and moved automatically to collect her lunch. She sat at a table alone and tried to call the few numbers that she had. Damn, no reception. A chair next to her scraped and she looked up to see the grinning face of the boy from her first class.

'Hi Honey.' he said cheerfully. 'Mind if I join you?' He didn't give her chance to answer as he continued speaking whilst popping fries into his mouth between sentences. Honey wanted to be alone. True, she wanted to see a friendly face, but this boy did not fit the bill. He wasn't one of them. That thought made her stop to think. Was she really one of them? It felt like it. Maybe she could go to find James or Viola after school.

'Earth to Honey.' Brett was saying with a slight frown. 'Have you heard a word I've said?'

'Sorry Brett,' she said genuinely 'I've had some bad news about a friend and I'm a bit worried about him.'

'Him? As in boyfriend?' Brett said curiously.

Honey was aghast 'No! He's just a friend, he's been in some sort of accident, I don't know the details.'

'I'm sure he's fine.' Brett said casually before carrying on his inane chatter. Honey wanted to scream at him to got away but she didn't have it in her. Lunch ended and she had no idea what Brett had said to her. She's responded in all the right places but her participation in the conversation was minimal. She offered nothing of herself, not one scrap of personal information.

Honey was heading back to class when she was suddenly shoved roughly back against some lockers. Macy was in front of her again, her pretty face with its girly pink makeup was twisted into and angry scowl.

'What are you doing bitch!' Macy screeched 'Stay away from our men. I saw you with Brett. Just because he wants to slum it for a while, doesn't mean he wont be back with me soon enough, so stay away, do you hear me?' Macy shoved her again and Honey felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. Years of practice at hiding her pain meant her face remained stoic. Macy scowled harder before stomping away. The corridor was clear and Honey moved away.

Her shoulder ached and she looked behind her to see the combination lock she'd hit. Damn, that was going to mark. She made her way to class and was almost there before she heard her name called.

'Miss Stone.' came the deep masculine voice. 'My office now'

Honey sighed an followed the deputy headteacher into to office.

'Miss Stone, I don't know what sort of school you attended before, and I don't know what sort of policies they had but in this school we have very strict rules about clothing. What you are wearing is completely inappropriate. You will not appear in this school again wearing such articles. Do you understand..'

Honey looked down at herself and wondered if it was her short top that offended him. She asked him as much, causing him to snap at her. 'You know full well what I am referring to Miss Stone. This school does not allow its pupils to display affiliations with any gangs or antisocial groups. You are aware, are you not, that by dressing this way, you are suggesting an alliance with an entirely inappropriate subculture. You are new here and maybe you thought that by trying to emulate the local gang, that you would be more accepted. This is not the case. You would do well to stay away from those people.'