Chapter 3

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Chapter 3

            Hopping on the bus for school, dressed and ready, Baz and I headed to the back seats (we were near one of the first stops on the route) where we sat down and watched the rest of the few occupants that were on it. There was a small group of giggling girls near the front on the left who seemed to be good friends from wherever they came from; a lonely boy sat to the right just behind the girls and there was also a couple of dark skinned lads, just in front of us, whispering amongst themselves over whatever.

            ‘Hmm,’ Baz huffed next to me. I looked up to see his face but he had dropped it so his chin was touching his chest.

            Placing my fingers under his chin, I lifted his head up gently. ‘Baz? What’s wrong?’ I asked, my voice sounded more worried than I had intended it to.

            ‘Don’t worry about it.’ He kissed my forehead. ‘I’ll tell you later. Excited?’ I knew he meant about school.

            ‘Nervous and excited. What about you?’

            ‘Chilled as always, my pet.’ Whenever he called me that my cheeks flamed up and he chuckled while stroking them with his thumbs. Whatever warmth he could get out of me, he found a way to and he’d hold onto it as if it will one day be extinguished. But there was one warmth in me that would never fade, no matter how harsh this world became, and that was the love I held for him deep in my heart and soul. Just then I felt a vibration through my body and not just from the truth of that last thought, but from hearing her voice (and possibly also the air brake on the bus). A silent growl hit my lips and I felt Baz’s arms tighten around me. Leaning into him, I hoped she wouldn’t notice us but as always she did.

            ‘Oh, hey, guys!’ she shouted down the bus in her annoying tone. ‘Didn’t expect to see you in first day. How are we this morning?’ she asked, trying to make us feel pathetic and small (which never worked).

            ‘Fine thanks,’ Baz answered, and although she didn’t spot it, I could tell straight away that his jaw was slightly locked in place. ‘Didn’t think you were this close to us in town.’ And we both hoped she wasn’t.

            Reaching into her handbag she pulled out her compact mirror and some scarlet lipstick, putting it on then answering. ‘Well, I didn’t know you were this close either ‘til Charlie invited me round for a chat. He’s nice isn’t he?’ And as always not giving us a chance to say anything back, she continued with her showy-off performance. ‘I hope you’re finding moving into that house ok, Barry. If you needed some help you could always ask.’

            Not helping myself, my nails clawed into Baz’s back and I spoke. ‘It’s Baz, and he was fine with moving in. He’s old enough and strong enough to take care of himself.’ She looked taken aback at my tone of voice with her.

            Her eyes narrowed slightly and her lips pouted too. ‘Yeh, you would say that wouldn’t you, Kerry? But we both know what he’s really like underneath the nice guy facade of his. Catch ya round school, Baz.’ I felt the emphasis of her last words hit me and I gripped Baz’s side tighter than I wanted.

            ‘Ah! I hate her!’ I screamed, but not from anger, I had hit a brick wall round the side of school where no one would see. Baz had followed me quietly as I ranted and raged down the side path.

            ‘Kez, Kerry!’ he added with a shout while he gripped my upper arms to prevent me from hurting myself any further. ‘Stop this! Ok? She’s a bitch and I hate her too, but please just don’t let her get to you like this. Babe, I care about you, not her! But I can’t stop her getting on your nerves. All I can do is stop you from leaping at her. I felt how bad you wanted to dig those nails into her and believe me, if I was you I’d wanted to as well. Listen to me,’ he added, his voice growing softer, as I looked at the wall with tears streaming down my cheeks and my whole body shaking in his hands. ‘Kez, listen.’ And knowing I couldn’t take anymore, he pulled me into his arms and pressed me into his chest where I could cry out loud but no one near would hear me.

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