Ashley’s POV
English had been fairly uneventful, well the part of it we had been in at least, but Nicky did tell me everything like he promised. He told me about his past and the gang and everything but I had changed my mind on my opinion on Dan. He wasn’t as harmless as I had first thought, he was cruel and twisted. I knew one of the things that had happened to Toby and had been so revolted I felt sickened to the pit of my stomach but I couldn’t see that happening to us, Dan had said that he would stay away from us but then again he could just be saying that. The look in his pale eyes as Nicky had confronted him earlier gave me a sneaking suspicion that Dan was afraid of Nicky. I didn’t blame him though I know he would never ever hurt me but I could imagine it would be a bit worrying having an angry Nicky coming at you with all guns blazing.
I couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of a rock-resembling leader of the largest gang in London recoiling in fear from a very angry Nicky. The other three looked down at me, their incredulous eyes silently questioning my sanity. I just shook my head as we headed towards maths. Charlie and I headed towards ma4 and she hugged Austin around the middle as she walked through the door ahead of me. I turned around to hug Nicky goodbye but he pulled me to him and kissed me for a moment before letting me go and following Austin down the corridor
“Oh Ash?” Nicky called
“Yes?” I answered looking towards him
“Don’t leave the classroom unless Austin or I is waiting for you okay?”
“Okay but why do-“
“It’s a precautionary measure” the pleading look on his face stopped me from complaining and he threw me a dazzling smile as they disappeared through the door. I thrust the door open and shut it with my foot and the handle clicked back into place, for once we were early.
“Ash! Charlie!” a voice called across the room, we looked around and Jamie came over grinning and flipping his hair out of his eyes. “You’re early today”
“Yeah, woo” Charlie said slumping back in her chair
“You guys okay?” he asked, sitting down the row in front but turning the chair around to face us
“Uh huh” Charlie grunted, I wonder what’s up with her. I made a mental note to ask her as soon as the opportune moment presented itself.
“Yup, im good thanks how about you?” I looked away from Charlie and back to Jamie who had slid closer to our desk
“Yeah im not bad, im a buddy though. A bit lame for someone to follow you about but hey ho” he shrugged
“A buddy?” I asked him, confused
“Yeah, like when you’re new here someone is selected to be your buddy and they show you around etc. etc.”
“Oh… Charlie and I didn’t have one of those, we just had to hope we went down the right bloomin’ corridor” I shook my head but was secretly glad that we didn’t have one because it DID sound a bit weird to follow someone about for an entire two weeks. Just the thought made me cringe; I was not a ‘people’ person.
“It was probably because it’s a new system. Like a try-out”
“Ohhhh okay, so who are you babysitting?”
“She’s called Melanie Potters only she won’t answer you if you call her that”
“She won’t answer you if you call her by her name?” I was confused again.
“I mean she prefers Mel” he explained
“Oh I see, so where is she then?”
“There. He waved a hand to a dark- haired girl sitting alone further down the row.”
“Why is she on her own!” I scolded him, getting up.
“Ask her if she wants to sit with us?” Charlie suggested
“So you’re talking again are you?” I said. She rolled her eyes at me “Just go ask her already” she said laughing. I strode down the row and tapped her arm.
“Hey Mel, I’m Ash do you want to come and sit with us? Your all own you’re own and my sister Charlie’s there aswell and your buddy Jamie”
“If it’s not any trouble?” she answered shyly
“Nope, no trouble come and sit down” she got up and picked her bag up off the floor and we went back to the others. I sat back down next to Charlie and Mel sat on my other side, dropping her back under the desk. She was a pretty girl, long dark brown hair but with a tint of reddish-ness to it, her light brown eyes were kind but sparkled with fun. She was tall, taller than me or Charlie and was wearing a bright and busy floral top tucked into dark blue jeans with a burgundy belt.
“Hi, I’m Charlie”
“Mel” she said smiling “hiya Jamie” she added. He looked at her for a minute and I kicked him under the table “Sup” he answered glaring at me. I leaned forwards over the desk and put my head next to Jamie’s “Behave” I hissed in his ear. The rest of the class filed in and then Mr Johnston swept through the door and released an arm-full of papers onto his desk. “Settle down now. Settle down!” he called the rowdy class to order. “Mr Carter. I would appreciate your chair facing your desk if you don’t mind. It’s rather uncouth.” He scowled, blushing and turned his chair and sat facing the board. “Owned” Charlie crowed under her breath, loud enough for him to hear. I giggled and so did Mel.
