Derry Girls: A New Arrival Part 2

Chapter 13: Coco Pops

The task of leaving school that afternoon was certainly a different affair for the gang. Michelle attempted to talk first but was interjected quickly by Erin and Clare who desperately wanted to ask the plethora of questions they had for Marco. The girls began to argue and debate who was going to talk first.

"Hold on, girls. One at a time?" Marco laughed, but it was a lost cause.

James stepped away and relished seeing Marco trying to referee the feisty Derry girls. As confident as Marco thought he was, he looked as awkward as James had once been and gave up trying to calm things down as they walked back to the classroom. Erin, Michelle and Clare bickered amongst themselves.

Orla regarded everyone with a content silence as she walked arm in arm with her boyfriend. She watched in astonishment as the others bickered so much, it was comical. Erin seemed to contort new facials that not even James had seen before, Clare monologued in her familiar high pitched panicky voice, and Michelle simply threatened to thump the shite out of either of them if she didn't get to talk. James and Marco laughed as they regarded each other. James then decided to brave the situation and tried his luck at talking to them. Amid the mass hysteria, Marco turned to look at Orla, who was now hugging his arm. Orla smiled as she looked at him adoringly. She then stole the chance.

"Hello." She said.

"Hello." He smiled.

"If I ask ye a question, will ye tell me the truth?" Orla whispered, smiling.

"Yes." Marco answered. Smiling at the familiar way they spoke to each other.

"Are ye really here?" Orla asked, touching his face.

"Yea. I'm really here." Marco assured her.

"How come yer said ye were gonna be here in two weeks' time?" Orla asked.

"I wanted to surprise you...." Marco answered.

"It worked." Orla beamed.

"If I ask you a question, would you tell me the truth?"

"Of course." Orla said playfully.

"You're not mad at me for telling a fib, are you?"

Orla closed her eyes and sniggered. She opened them and shook her head. Marco breathed a sigh of relief as Orla nuzzled her nose against the side of his face. Smiling contently, she kissed his cheek. Marco smiled and tilted his head to rest on hers.

"Girls! GIRLS!" James shouted.

"What d'ya want fuck face?" Michelle shouted back.

"Oi!" Erin protested.

"How about we try this... we walk home, you all talk one at a time.... Michelle goes first." James suggested.

Marco and Orla turned to see that James had managed to finally calm things down as they now stood in the classroom. Erin and Clare glanced at each other, spotting James' logic. If Michelle didn't go first, she would have moaned the whole way home. Erin and Clare agreed.

"Thank you, James! .... Orla, sorry, but I'm gonna have to nick him for a bit."

"Don't keep him too long." Orla playfully warned her. Michelle put a hand up in agreement. Orla slowly let go of Marco's arm.

"Walk with me ya little fucker." Michelle grabbed Marco's other arm who sniggered nervously as they began walking down the corridor. Orla felt Erin wrap her arm around her waist as they followed.

As they exited the school and made their way home, the fog was still present, and had only lifted ever so slightly. It was now starting to get dark. The gang walked in a straight line; the other four members stood a few feet to the side as they listened to Michelle quiz Marco.