Needing 13 - Johnny Kavanagh

BACK TO SCHOOL

JOHNNY

It was September 1st, 2005—the start of a brand-new term and my first day of sixth year. Shannon had opted for a gap year with Lizzie and Claire, which had Gibsie grinning like a fool. I was happy for them too—mostly. But something was missing.

Tara.

She wasn't here. She and Da had flown to London three days ago to get her settled in the dorms and handle the paperwork for her new university. Not just any university—Oxford. Fucking Oxford. My girl was a bloody genius.

Da had pulled strings to fast-track her Leaving Cert, and she crushed it, scoring an insane 618 points. Even then, Oxford wasn't convinced. They grilled her with extra tests and personal interviews before finally admitting what I already knew—she belonged there.

Da said her acceptance wasn't without conditions. She had to attend weekly counseling sessions alongside her athletics training. One misstep, and she'd be expelled. Still, she was going, and I was so proud. But God, I wanted to stop her. Wanted to drag her back from the airport, beg her to stay.

"You need to control that ward of yours," Gibsie's voice jolted me from my thoughts.

"I'm serious, Johnny," he continued, scowling. "He's right up my tits."

"He's a kid," I said with a shrug. "You can handle him."

"Oh, I can handle him, alright, but my way of handling him would likely get me banged up, so it's a good thing you're sticking around till June, Cap. You'll have to keep me out of jail."

I'd decided to delay my pro signing and stay for my Leaving Cert at Tommen. I wasn't ready to leave this life. Not yet.

"By the way, Johnny, I saw your mam and da head into the office," Helen said, fluttering her lashes like a demented butterfly. "Hope everything's alright."

"Yeah," Shelly chimed in, her sugary tone grating, joining the eyelash-batting brigade. "Nothing serious, I hope."

"Why are you two still here?" Lizzie asked flatly.

"Liz, be nice," Claire snickered.

"I am being nice," she countered. "I could've told them to fuck off." She gave the girls a pointed look.

"You should buy a muzzle for that one, Claire," Shelly huffed, glaring at Lizzie. "She's got issues."

"Big ones," Helen added, the two stalking off arm-in-arm.

"Was that necessary?" Claire asked, still laughing. "They're harmless."

"They're annoying," Lizzie shot back. "And catty, and bitchy."

"They are," Gibsie agreed with a grin. "And we've only room for one catty bitch in this group."

"Thor, you'd better not start with me this morning," Lizzie warned. "I'm trying to be cordial, but your face is setting me off."

"What do you reckon your parents are doing in the office?" Shannon asked as we walked down the hallway.

I shrugged. "Sorting out your brother's enrollment, I suppose."

"Yeah," she said, blowing out a shaky breath. "Do you think he'll be okay? Think he'll make friends and settle in here at Tommen?"

"There's only one way to find out," I replied, stopping outside the girls' bathroom. "Here we go." I nodded towards the front entrance.

Joey was standing in the doorway, dressed in the Tommen uniform. A gear bag slung over one shoulder, hurley in hand. His untucked shirt, loose tie, and ruffled hair screamed rebellion. His face? Pure fucking defiance.