The Troubles

Daisy Richards

"Daisy fucking Richards," Elliot murmured, sitting next to Joe on the school gates, as everyone flooded out; this was the usual spot of socialising, so much so that they'd bought chips and brought them back to eat here. She was standing in the corner, next to Billy Keely, Sarah Wiles, and Patrick Hayes.

"Hey, didn't you steal a record from Billy's dad?" 

"Yeah, keep it down, fucker."

Elliot's gaze was on Daisy, and her beautiful brunette hair. She was almost as beautiful as his new guitar. 

"I don't get it," Joe shook his head, handing Elliot the packet of chips they'd bought after scooping out a handful. 

"I don't get you." Elliot took his own handful of chips, watching Daisy, who was actually watching Billy and Patrick wrestle each other, a look of disgust resting on her face.

"She's a bit -" Joe paused to swallow his chips. "contemptuous."

"Contemptuous?" 

"Yeah. Contemptuous."

Daisy caught Elliot's eye, and he quickly diverted his gaze. 

"Shit man, she saw me."

Joe's eyes widened. "Elliot, act cool."

"What?"

"She's coming over."

"What?!" 

Daisy stopped before them, resting a hand on her jutting out hip, her glossy hair swinging as she flipped it over her shoulder. 

"Were you staring at me?"

"Yeah," Joe chimed in, earning a violent jab from Elliot in the ribs. 

"No - I was not. No." 

She contemplated this, her eyelashes even reflecting the sunlight. 

"That's interesting. Are you friends with Billy?"

"No, not particularly," Elliot admitted, bewildered by her conversation. 

"Do you like him?" she asked sincerely, a whisper of wind breathing a strand of her hair past her face. 

"I can't say I know him well enough to," Elliot responded, not sure of what answer she was looking for. 

"That's good enough for me," she sighed, jumping up onto the gate next to Elliot, who shared a bemused look with a grinning Joe. His brain was shouting continue the conversation, whereas his eyes were stupidly fixated on her. 

"Chip?" Joe offered, leaning across Elliot to offer her one. She looked slightly in regret at having chosen where to sit now. 

"No thanks," she said. "They look gross." 

"Oh," Joe nodded, and sat back, sharing an exasperated look with Elliot. 

There was a silence, as Elliot itched to think of a topic. 

"Elliot's got a new guitar," Joe said, stuffing the chips in his mouth, nodding at Elliot to continue with his idea. Surprisingly, Daisy's eyes lit up a little.

"A guitar?"

"Yeah. Saw the Beatles didn't I, thought I'd give it a go."

She nodded, peaked with interest. "Are you decent?"

"No - I - I wouldn't say that."

She gave a small smile. "You should gig somewhere. My cousin did that, it helps you improve." 

Elliot nodded. "Where?"

"Anywhere - pubs mainly. If they let you in." She raised her eyebrows slightly. Elliot nodded in response, pondering this. 

"What's the deal with Billy then?"

"Ugh. He's such a dick. He doesn't leave me alone, and then when I try to speak to him, he's a jerk."

"Elliot stole a record from his dad the other day," Joe spoke up again, causing Elliot to inwardly cringe, reminding himself to punch Joe later. Daisy let out a tinkly laugh, and looked at Elliot in amusement. 

"No way." 

"I gave it back," Elliot muttered. 

"Do you have a record player?" 

"We borrow Joe's dad's. When he's out."

"You two should come over to mine. We've got one, but practically no one uses it, so it stays in my room." She looked over at them nonchalantly putting a piece of bubblegum in her mouth, waiting for a reply. They shared a hasty look, before turning back, nodding. 

"We'd love to," Elliot stuttered, attempting a smile to cover up his awe.

"Cool. It's 27, next to the McAlpines. See you tonight? If you come about eight; that should be when my parents go out."

"Yes. Yeah - okay." Joe watched Elliot nod, secretly in a flurry of excitement, but attempting to keep his cool miraculously well. 

She hopped off the fence, putting the box of gum in her jacket pocket, before walking to meet Sarah Wiles at the gate, and walking off together. 

Elliot looked at Joe. 

"You're dreaming, Elliot."

"Shut up, Joe." He watched the last of her shoe disappear behind the corner. 

"Sorry, blushing. I meant blushing. Like red."

"Shut up Joe!" 

"Tomato red."

Elliot raised his hand to smack the back of his head, provoking a yell.  Despite Joe's mockery, Elliot could tell he too wasn't so cynical anymore. They jumped off the gate, Joe spilling the rest of the chips on the ground as he did.

"Bugger!"

"Leave 'em. Pigeons will be thankful."

Joe grinned, patting Elliot on the back before they grabbed their bikes and cycled off down the road.