Beautiful Girls Really Are The Loneliest (James Bourne)

2- "Mr Bourne"

"I'm Mr Bourne" The new teacher introduced himself. Britney's eyes went wide but she didn't want to look up, that would draw his attention to her. Britney wasn't sure if she was glad that she wore her old Busted top today. She was sure she was freaking out. Things like this never happened to her, it wasn't possible for this to happen to her. Britney looked up and covered her top a little; she couldn't believe everyone was so calm. Did they know who he was? Probably not, she thought, they only listened to the Big Top 40. Britney didn't know how she was going to concentrate today, maybe this was a sign that her dad was happier and better, she hoped it was a sign. Her phone buzzed again and she looked to her lap again. This time opening up the text from Jenny.

'Britney, Hun. Are you okay? I know you love him but please don't have a panic attack xx' Britney silently scoffed, she wasn't going to thank Jenny for bring that up. 

'Easier said than done, I've dreamt about this my whole life' Britney replied quickly, trying to take her excitement out of the phone. 

'Bet your glad you wore that top today lol xx' Jenny texted back and threw her phone in her bag. Britney guessed her friend saw her texting her, Britney wasn't going to reply. She didn't wan to upset Jenny's friends. Then she thought, it must be nice to be surrounded by friends all the time.

"Excuse me, Can I have your phone? Your in lesson now, you shouldn't have it out, it's a bit rude" James, as Britney was calling him in her head instead of sir or Mr Bourne, walked over to her and reached out his hand. Britney wanted to hold it, she glanced to Jenny, who had a worried look on her face. Her friends were giggling next to her. 

Britney handed him her phone and whispered so only he could hear, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude" 

He smiled at her, even though she couldn't see as her gaze was back on the table, "See me at the end of the day...?" He said and paused so he could ask her name. 

"Britney" She replied to his half question, she looked to him and he gestured for her to say her last name. There was only one Britney in this class and in the whole school but she replied with a whisper, "Perry." Some people laughed but Britney tried to drown them out. 

"Ignore them Miss Perry," He whispered in Britney's ear. All eyes were on her; she didn't know what to do until he said loudly, "Now." Britney closed her eyes and let out the breath she had been holding in. Jenny turned to Britney and made an 'o' shape with her mouth and Britney nodded and let out another breath. He continued, "Lets get stared."

Britney had made it to fourth period with minimal remarks made to her, she was learning more than what she had with Miss Mackenzie, but she was actually paying attention to Mr Bourne. Jenny hadn't sat with Britney, like she had promised yesterday; instead she sat with her other, more popular friends. Layla, Amber and Poppy, they were called but to Britney Jenny's friends were called Lady Jen and the Sluts 3. Britney had to give credit to Thor for that one but she was proud of herself when she came up with it. Britney had offered the name to Jenny but she had just stared at Britney so she took it as a 'no/ I'll think about it' look. 

Britney stayed in the classroom at lunch, she wasn't up for people throwing food at her today, and it was bad enough with the name-calling. Students weren't allowed to stay in the classrooms at lunch but Britney said she was going to do work but she hadn't done work all day. She was, of course, too distracted with James Bourne becoming her teacher all over a sudden and her mind was occupied by her dad coming home today. 

Britney hadn't seen her dad in a couple of months as they were only allowed a certain amount of visits while they were there. Her dad had used them up within six months to see her. She was pulled out of a lot of lessons but she didn't mind at the time until people started to realise that he was her dad and that she was the reason why he had to go 'away'.  There was a reason why Britney said her dad was 'away', she didn't know where he had gone and when she asked him or anyone they would change the subject. Britney supposed it was an Anger Management Program.

The bell rang once again and snapped her out of her daydream. The class came flooding back in all at once and Toby made his way over to Britney. "Look, the freak's wearing a gay t-shirt" He snarled and scoffed.  

"Haven't heard that one before, Toby, very original" Britney mumbled, as he didn't get the reaction he wanted to Toby walked away to his seat. Jenny came up to Britney laughing, "Nice one, he's not smart enough to come up with a comeback quick enough-"

"I wouldn't really say that was a comeback" Britney said frowning. 

"Have you eaten today?" Jenny asked, ignoring her. 

Britney would lie but Jenny seemed to know when she was, "No, I didn't have any money in the house. Auntie Clair didn't send it, or she did and it got lost..." Britney said, he Auntie would send money to help her while her dad was away. Britney suspected she had seen the horrible things people had been saying about them and decided not to send it. 

"You should of said, I would of gave you some, or my parents would" Jenny said. Jenny's parents would adopt Britney if they had the chance. 

"I know they would but I've told you-"

"I know, I know. The offers always there if..." Jenny trailed off, as she knew Britney could see what she was trying to suggest. 

"He won't, he's better now. That's why he's coming home" Britney said, she didn't sound convincing but Jenny decided to leave it there. 

She was about to talk when Layla shouted, "Jen Jen leave her and come and talk to your real friends" Layla smirked at Britney. Jenny gave Britney a sympathy smile and mouthed, 'sorry Hun' and went to sit with them. She did as Mr Bourne walked back in and began the afternoon classes.

It was nearly the end of the day and Britney was getting more and more nervous as the clock hand moved. She wasn't sure if she was more nervous about speaking to Mr Bourne or her dad coming home. She knew that everyone knew that by now because of the local news, she didn't know why they had to interfere because now she had to make sure you dad didn't watch the TV, mainly the news. But she didn't have to worry about that right now, now she counted down the hour before she would have to speak to Mr Bourne and she has about 3 hours before her dad gets home. 

"Okay guys, I think you've all done really well today so its time to have a bit of fun" Mr Bourne said excitedly. Some people didn't seem too convinced; Britney had enjoyed herself all day. He continued, "You can either come up and sing some of your favourite songs-"

"Who let the dogs out!" Toby and his friends started chanting and pointing to Britney. 

"Alright, enough!" Mr Bourne shouted, "You can come up and sing a song or I can sing one of mine" No one said anything else, "Shall we take a vote?" He asked and the class mumbled 'yeah'.  "Someone else to sing, raise your hand?" Only a few people raised their hands, mainly Toby and his friends. Britney wanted a free concert. Mr Bourne counted; "Alright that's six people so I guess I'm singing" He ran behind the desk and took out his guitar from the case. 
"I bet this is going to be shit" Toby whispered to Jay who was sat in front of Britney. Britney smirked to herself as she thought, if only they knew who he was. 

Mr Bourne began to play a few cords and said, "This song is one I actually wrote myself, and I going to dedicate it to the girl with the Busted shirt on" He smiled and began to play after a couple of seconds. Britney just stared at him, did her really just say that to her? She had to look away, she knew he was watching her but she didn't want to him or the rest of the class to see her cry.

Next thing Britney realised that it was the end of the day and Jenny was trying to talk to her, "It's okay, Hun. You'll be fine". Britney just nodded, ignoring the 'Hun' part. Britney watched in silence as Mr Bourne packed away his suitcase.