Derry Girls: A New Arrival Part 2

Chapter 30: Firestarter

The disco was undoubtedly the main topic of the lunch hour amongst the students of Our Lady Immaculate. The main hall was buzzing with talk and chatter about the décor in the gymnasium. Michelle silently basked in her own private glory when she heard some of the students mention the heart pumping music she'd blasted out. Causing her to smile with immense satisfaction. The fire of rebellion was being stoked, and she wasn't going to let it go out. She'd made her mind up about something but had completely zoned out of the conversation she been having with Clare and Orla. Clare had seemed quieter than normal that morning but had begun to talk about something that was now completely oblivious to Michelle, who suddenly realized that Erin and James weren't sitting amongst them.

"Stall the fucking ball!" She shouted suddenly.

"Aye, yer right Michelle!" Orla echoed. Looking around in haste.

"Where are those two sneaky fuckers?!" Michelle asked.

"My lighter's gone!" Orla panicked.

"Michelle! Orla! I was right in the middle of telling ye something!" Clare groaned.

"Were ye now? Ach, sorry Clare. What were ye saying?" Michelle said.

"I swear I had it with me this morning!" Orla moaned.

"I was trying to tell ye both about my situation." Clare tried to resume the conversation.

Michelle paused to think. "..... What situation?" She asked.

"Have none of ye listened to a single word I've said?" Clare grumbled.

"Um..No! That's why I'm asking!" Michelle replied.

"I am not gonna be happy if one of yers have taken it!" Orla stressed as she pulled some fluff from some old bonbons she found in her blazer.

"Orla! None of us have had yer bastarding lighter! What situation, Clare?"

"..... My mammy has a buyer for our house, and she's found a place for us to move to." Clare stated meekly. Orla had seemed too occupied with the bonbons at first. But snapped her head towards Clare, dropping the bonbons at the shocking news; she quickly reached to grab Michelle's hand. Michelle gripped Orla's hand for support.

"It's alright, Orla.... Ye serious, Clare?" Michelle asked, frowning.

"Aye.... she reckons we'll be moving by April, so I won't be here after easter term." Clare frowned sadly.

Michelle sat in a stunned silence. Orla leaned over and sadly rested her head on Clare's shoulder. This was the last thing they were expecting to hear, on this day of all days.

"Ach, come on. We need find Erin and Dicko and tell them about this." Michelle lead the way out of the main hall, followed quickly by Clare and Orla.

"Right...now have I made my instructions clear now, lad?" Joe's voice was gruff as he asked the question slowly, his face close to Marco.

"Yeah.... I think so...." Marco answered but didn't sound too convincing. Joe raised his brow. "Alright, No! My mind's gone blank, Joe. Can you show me again, please?" He asked.

Joe chuckled. "I thought so. OK.... One more time....From here, It's two twirls, and then ye stand next to each other and sidestep to the right first, 1.2.3... kick, then the left 1.2.3... kick. If it all falls to shite, just follow Orla, she always leads, remember that." The pair were an absolute sight going over the dance steps in the living room to no music while holding each other's hands in a dance position.

"Everything else is fine. It's just remembering to go to the right first that confuses me." Marco admitted. Moving slowly through the dance step.

"Well, just think of me. Cos I'm always right!" Joe quipped.