FIRST YEAR
MAEVE
*8 years later*
It had been two months since my ma died giving birth to my fourth brother Lewan and I was still absolutely crushed. My mother was my best friend, I told her everything. In fact she was my everything. She was the only reason I was still in this house but now she's gone. Sometimes I really hate her for leaving me here on my own to look after four kids but I'm so proud of her for getting out of here, out of the abuse and manipulation my father had her trapped in. Not a day goes by i don't think all this, but I had four brothers to look after and protect from my father so, the show must go on.
But As I walk up to the tommen gates all I can think about is seeing him.
And I did, right at the entrance of Tommen, waiting for me. He was looking directly at me, Ignoring all the girls gawking at him. That small act made my heart melt, making me feel like the specialist girl in the world.
'Hey trouble' he smirked
'Hey Lynchy' I shot back smiling, as I flung myself around him, taking comfort in everything, his smell, his touch, just him.
'How ya feeling mae?' He asked with sympathetic look on his face
'As fine as I can be' I croaked out 'just trying to make it to the end of the day'
'Well your not doing it alone' he grabbed my hand 'together?'
'Always'
And with that we walked in together hoping the day will be the best it can.
TADGH
This was the first time I was seeing Maeve again after her ma's death not because i didn't want to see her but becusse she was grieving and needed time and I got that more than anyone. I got her more than anyone. She looked amazing, I mean she always looks amazing but she was putting on a brave face and coming to Tommen with me, and for that she will always be superior to me. I could tell she was scared. She didn't have to tell me, I knew everything about her. I could read her like a book, whatever she wasn't telling me I could tell what it was by the look on her face - but in fairness, there wasnt a lot she didn't tell me. So I did the only thing I knew could calm her nerves, I squeezed her hand - three times just like her ma used to - and smiled softly at her, and she already seemed more at ease.
'I'm not gonna lie, I cannot wait to see The gang! Oh my god and all the new teachers we can prank!' She said in her usual energetic self.
'I've already got some ideas for all the trouble we can get in' I said smirking
'Perfect because im itching to get into trouble'
'Oh what a shock trouble' I said emphasising her nickname she's had since we were four years old.
'Oh whatever Lynch you looove me really' she added mockingly
'Yeah I do Maeve, I really do'
'OH MY GOD!' She screamed breaking out into a run towards Ciara and Orla.
'Maeve Slow down! Your being so loud!' I laughed
'Oh since when do I ever do anything quietly' she mentioned before going off in a giggles to the girls.
'Hey lads' I acknowledged to who Maeve would call my Ciara and Orla, and I hate to admit it but she was right these boys were my best friends - apart from trouble over there ofcourse - Liam O'Connor and Daniel Hughes.
'Wha hey it's Tadgh!' Liam exclaimed
'Tadgh it's nice to see ya again lad how's life at the Kavanaghs' Daniel said patting me on the back.
'Yeah yeah it's grand and it's nice to see you two eejits again'
'NO WAY! NO FUCKING WAY!' Maeve practically screeched at whatever gossip she was just told about - whatever it was she'll tell me later I was sure of it.
'Maeve!' Orla hushed
'Yeah! i know you not got a volume control but keep your voice down for fecks sake!' Ciara hissed
'Sorry sorry' she apologised
Then they went back to their quiet conversation. To my surprise Liam blushed. Like actually fucking blushed.
'Will we see you at training tonight Tadgh?' Daniel questioned
'Where else will I be' I winked
'Oh I don't know maybe with your girlfriend' Liam mocked.
That little shite.
'Look I'll pretty much tell you boys anything but open your mouth about Maeve again - who by the way isn't my girlfriend - and there will be a nice wee plot outside with your names on' I growled
'Woah alright lad' Liam backed off
'Messaged revived Tadgh Christ'
'Good' I said nodding 'Maeve come on we best get going'
'I'm coming, I'm coming bye ladies! Don't you dare finish that story without me!' She shouted towards her girls. 'So are we pranking or what?' She said wiggling her eyebrows at me.
I couldn't help but laugh at her expression.
'I don't know Mae don't wanna make a bad impression now do we'
'Awh come on Lynchy don't back out on me now we're partners in crime! Always have been always will be I don't care what you say'
'Unfortunately' I muttered under my breath
She rolled her eyes and frowned at me before saying "Yeah yeah you hate me really, heard it all before now hurry up!"
Sitting in Principal Twomeys office I was regretting everything that had happened in the last hour and a half.
'Okay so we may have a teeny tiny problem' Maeve said in a small voice
'No you have a problem I've got an eejit who keeps getting into one! And dragging me into your mess' I exclaimed.
'Yeah but you love my trouble' she pointed out
'Yeah yeah just let Mr K handle it he'll sort it out'
Expect when Edel stormed into the office I knew I was screwed because as much as she won't let the teachers say anything to me she'll have much to say.
'Maeve love how are you' she said embracing her in a tight hug. I swear that woman loves Maeve more than me at this point.
'I'm Grand Edel' she said reassuringly
'Good I'm glad hun' she said turning to me 'and you' her tone was harsher now 'we will be having conversations about this when we get home Tadgh Lynch!'
'Okay! Okay' I said knowing I can't beat her.
MAEVE
I was sat in the back of Mrs Kavanaghs Range Rover after the horrifying meeting with mr Twommey and the words 'by school policy we are going to have to phone you're father' echoed through my mind. My da was going to kill me, I just wanted to stay at the Kavanaghs forever, they were so sweet and kind to me but I knew that when the time came I'd have to leave and get dropped back off at my hell hole.
'Maeve love are coming in?' Edel asked
'Yeah yeah sorry I'm coming'
As soon as we walked through the door Edel sat me and Tadgh down at the kitchen table to 'talk'.
'Okay we need to chat about your behaviour at school' She began 'You two Need to pack it in pranking your teachers, I mean come on paint on a string above the door?
'Okay but you've got to admit that it's hilarious'
'But that's not the point' she continued stifling a laugh 'you have to be punished and I cannot speak for you father Maeve but for Tadgh you are in serious trouble!'
A few hours past, and despite mine and Tadghs antics, Mrs kavanagh said i am welcome to stay. She told me she wanted a chat while Tadgh was elsewhere so i nervously sat on a stool in her absolute stunning kitchen.
"Now, Maeve love' she said setting her tea down "time for our catch up"
Our catchup was something that happened whenever i wasn't around for a few weeks, it was essentially just quick fire questions.
"How's Lewan?"
"He's good, he's stopped crying all the time"
"How's waitressing?"
"Making money, so pretty well"
"How's the girls?"
"As dramatic as always"
"And how are you pet?"
"I'm...fine. I was kind of nervous about staring tommen this morning"
"Is that why you got yourself into trouble, to get out?"
I duck my head in shame, it was so unlike me but tommen was extremely fancy and i stuck out like a sore thumb, i felt like i didn't belong, not compared to the absolute stunners of girls i had seen.
"It's okay to be frightened Maeve, you don't have to mask your emotions with a big bright smile, your allowed to be nervous your only a child."
"I don't belong there Mrs kavanagh. I won't stick. I'm not fancy enough, everyone walks around with designer school bags, and good makeup and nice shoes, and they all look so good and they're all so smart, i can't sit in."
"Well i disagree, your a lovely girl, your easy to talk to about absolutely anything, and you're gorgeous and your smarter than you think"
"I got suspended on my first day" i reminded her
"so what, so did i" she shrugs taking a sip of her tea
