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Esme felt frozen as she watched the boy she adored so much, walk away from her.
She hoped he would turn back around, that he'd smile that gorgeous smile he always did, that he'd pull her in for a hug and say he was making a stupid mistake.
She hoped it was a sick joke, that he was just messing with her and he was staying, that he just wanted to see their reactions.
But he didn't turn around.
A strangled cry escaped her lips, as Erin pulled her in for a tight hug.
Esme couldn't cry, tears couldn't fall down her face, she was too broken to react.
As soon as Michelle began to follow and retrace the boys' footsteps, Esme knew she had to go with her. She'd never forgive herself if she just let him go.
The girls pushed through the crowd, praying silently that James was walking slower than he usually did, to give them a chance to catch up with him.
The girls rounded the corner, sighing in relief when they saw James' curly mop of hair as they ran up to him, standing behind him.
"Oi, wank features!" Michelle shouted.
James sighed, turning around to face his cousin and his best friend. His eyes were red, his cheeks puffy and tears had dried under his eyes.
"Michelle, please" James begged.
Michelle shook her head, frowning angrily at her cousin as her eyes shifted from Esme to James.
"Goodbye, girls" Michelle quotes her cousin with a scoff "Wise the fuck up!" "What do you want me to say?" James asked.
His voice was raw and croaky, as if every word he said was too painful for him.
"She'll let you down again, you do realise that?" Michelle asked
"She's asked me to be a partner in her business, actually, Michelle" James muttered
"Now it makes sense" Michelle said "I get it. She needs you to help flog her fucking stickers"
"Self-adhesive labels" James snarled
"It's free labour. that's what she's after, and she's gonna keep using you until she's done. She only thinks about herself, James. And when it doesn't work out, what then?" Michelle spat
"It will work out!" James yelled "I'm sure of it. Anyway, it's not like I belong here. I never did"
Michelle shook her head, staring angrily at the brunette boy.
"That's not true. You're a Derry Girl now, James" Michelle stated
"Piss off" James frowned
"I'm serious" Michelle's voice softened as she sighed "It doesn't matter that you've got that stupid accent, or that your bits are different to my bits, but because being a Derry Girl, well, it's a fucking state of mind. And you're one of us"
