Chapter 8
Ashley’s POV
Lunch was interesting…I don’t think Kelsey and the others got the hint that Nicky and Austin wasn’t interested in them in the slightest. It was quite funny to see the two boys ranting under their breath to the whole table about “those disgusting slappers” at which point I had smacked Nicky’s arm. “Hey! What did I do?” he complained
“Watch your language! that was a bit uncalled for. I agree that they’re players but you don’t have to insult them!” I told him off
“Sorry” he chuckled and so did Austin
“I guess I won’t go there” he laughed looking down at Charlie and leaning away from her in mock terror. “You two are like so childish” Jamie said laughing. Nicky had been laughing to but as soon as he had heard Jamie’s comment he turned around in his seat snarling.
“No-one asked your opinion”
“No-one asked for your judgment either Nicky-boy” he replied in the same tone.
“Shut your trap Blondie” he said loudly getting to his feet my hand still in his.
“Why don’t you go back to your group of murderers and leave all of us alone” Jamie shouted back getting to his feet aswell.
“Stop fighting!” Charlie and Austin said at the same time as I got up and stood between them dropping Nicky’s hand.
“You go too far!!” Nicky bellowed leaning around me to stare Jamie straight in the face
“No, I say the thing you’re scared of! You two could be the source of everything!! You’re going to get Ashley and Charlie killed you idiot!!”
Nicky took a step forward, there was black fire in his eyes as he looked at Jamie and I could positively see him burning in Nicky’s glare. He appeared too angry to even speak, it took him a moment to answer and his voice had become so low it was almost a whisper.
“Stop right there. Don’t say another word or I swear it’ll be the last thing you ever do” I cringed, this new anger was worse than the shouting. But before Jamie could answer him back I put one hand on each of their chests and shoved them both backwards in opposite directions.
“Enough!” I said “Jamie was only joking around so stop jumping down his throat all the time okay Nicky?” he didn’t answer. “OKAY?!” I said louder.
“I heard you the first time, I’m not deaf” he snapped. My face must have shown the hurt because he said “ I’m sorry Ash, I didn’t mean…he just wound me up” he cast a razor sharp scowl in Jamie’s direction
“No, he was having a joke with Austin and you took it the wrong way and started shouting at him so he shouted back” his face was shocked for a moment but then the cold expression was back.
“Well if that’s how you feel maybe you’d be better off with Jamie, at least he wouldn’t get angry with people” I froze mid-breath at what I had just heard him say. I couldn’t believe it. “Go on, I’ll be happy to see you leave with him. At least I know I won’t be putting you in danger because if you’re siding with him then that’s what he wants”
“Hey hey, there wasn’t any need for that!” Charlie said, annoyed
“Calm down bro, I can’t believe you said that to Ashley” Austin shook his head
“No. No it’s fine, he wants me to go. I’m leaving” I choked out turning and striding out of the canteen side door. I was too shocked to do anything but get as far away from there as school property would permit. I turned around the corner and sat outside an old unused block of classrooms and sat down on the grass against the cold, grey concrete wall. I didn’t even know what to think but I heard a noise behind me and turned my head to see one of the boys from the gang. I instantly recoiled but he didn’t say anything. Just sat down on my other side. I looked sideways at him to find him staring avidly at me with piercing green eyes. I realised I had never really got a good look at Toby before now. He was shorter and stockier than the rest of the group with bright red hair, a fringe just touching his eyes. He looked different though, tired maybe. Heavy lidded eyes so it looked like he was only half awake and he smelled strongly of something earthy and heavy I couldn’t place. His skin was pale but he looked ill, somehow deprived of sunlight. We didn’t talk for a long while, just sat there unmoving.
“I’m sorry for following you but you look so much like someone I knew”
“It’s fine, who do I remind you of?” I answered curiously. He smiled for a moment, his eyes very bright before whispering so softly it was as though the silence was the most delicate porcelain and too much volume would shatter it.
“My Katie.”
