hellbound; cory | ACKLEY BRIDGE

WELCOME TO THE OPEN HOUSE

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you know that he's a sinner
oh, lord
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"it's nana...she's dead," hayley whispered to me, staring into my eyes but at the same time looking like she was a million miles away.

i couldn't help but gasp — it wasn't a secret that her and missy's mum wasn't exactly present. their nan was their legal guardian, my mind was racing thinking that she'd be put into care. "come here, hayles, it's alright," i said, pulling her into a hug. i stroked her shoulder, letting her hold on to me.

"i have to get to class," she murmured into me.

"we're in the same class you donut, uh, tell missy that you and her can stay at mine tonight unless you've got other plans?"

"i think we'll end up at nas's...i love you, though, cece. really."

it didn't really come as a surprise when miss kicked hayley out for not doing any of her work. i hardly did any of my work anyway so given hayley's circumstances i wasn't shocked that she hadn't got her head down.

"what's up with her?" zain asked me, not looking concerned, more like searching for gossip.

"jack shit to do with you."

*

"we've done it!"

"aye?" i asked, tying my hair up in a high ponytail as jords ran towards me. i hadn't seen him this exited in...well...ever.

"i said 'we've done it' ya deaf cow!"

he came crashing into me, grabbing me by the arms as he stumbled, this massive grin on his face and i don't think i'd ever seen him so happy. his eyes crinkled and everything, his hair was all messed up from where he'd ran towards me. "done what?" i giggled, just happy to see him happy.

he shook my arms where he'd grabbed them. "mr bell payed for me to get a dna test, we're gonna find out if jamie's mine!"

i leapt into him, hugging him tightly. he smelt like cheap aftershave and toothpaste, and i laughed as i grinned into his shoulder. "i love you, fuckface," i said, squeezing him.

"alright, no need to get too sentimental," he smirked, pulling away from me. "look, i — i, well, i don't know...sorry."

"what for?" i asked, my eyebrows furrowing at him as i looked the short distance upwards.

"for, you know, being a dickhead. about...cory an about jamie and just shutting you out."

"i'm glad your getting a dna test mate, because i swear i'm not talking to jordon wilson right now," i snorted. "but for the record, apology accepted. coming round for dinner?" i briefly thought about hayley but she'd as good as told me they weren't coming.

"yer dad not home again?"

"he's on holiday, actually. caribbean," i said, trying not to show how angry i was. i get it, i get it, everyone needs a break sometimes. but he was going to be gone for an entire month and sometimes i do just miss my dad. you know?