FAKING IT

"Have you seen it?" squealed Lola "Have you?" Lola sprung up and down on her tip toes waiting impatiently for an answer.

Danny looked up from his plate of spaghetti, halfway through sucking up a strand "Seen what" he said splattering BB in the process

"Danny you slob!" shouted BB wiping his t-shirt

Claudine grimaced "All boys are slobs, what is it this time Lola?" she sighed not really interested in the answer

"In the corridor" said Lola pointing madly

There's silence Lauren speaks "Could you be a bit clearer babe?"

"The poster for the end of term party, I'm so excited, I'll not be able to sleep for days planning what to wear!"

Jez smiles politely "awesome"

Nobody seems that interested, Claudine has her face stuck in a magazine she makes interested noises. Lola goes on

"And the best couple is going to have their picture taken for the local paper how totally fab is that?"

Claudine immediately throws down her magazine "Now that's more like it, this will be so easy, don't

you think Danny?"

Danny looks up mouth full of spaghetti, Claudine grimaces "the party?"

Danny looks puzzled, Lauren turns to Claudine "You're not even a couple anymore Claudine"

"So, it's just pretend they'll want the best looking couple all he'll have to do is look gorgeous

and even though I can do so much better, you have to admit he is good looking"

Lauren just raises her eyebrows not wanting to get involved anymore, Claudine tries to get someone

on her side she looks at Jez

"Jez, how many out of ten would you give Danny for looks?"

Jez looks across at Danny who still has another mouthful of spaghetti with a bit stuck to his lip

"Minus one"

Claudine tutts "I mean when he's not eating like a pig!"

Jez smiles at Danny feeling sorry that he's being insulted "Oh right, a nine then"

Danny unable to speak gives Jez a thumbs up

"See! So that just leaves the rest of you losers to find someone"

"Wait a minute" Jez smiled "You're not the only one who can be part of a fake couple you know, Lauren would you be my fake date for the party?"

Lauren laughed "I'd love to, do we get to fake kiss?"she said puckering up her lips

Jez raised his eyebrows "If you're lucky babe!"

BB joined in "Ahh ok so how about it Lola, fancy faking it?"

Lola looks briefly horrified and a little confused, BB helps her out "A pretend date Lola, with me!"

"Err yes,fab" mutters Lola still unsure what's going on

Claudine looks on unimpressed "Whatever, you children can play along if you like; I'll still be the one

the front page"

"JEZ!" Danny is running down the corridor trying to catch up with Jez

"You've got to help ..me..mate!" Danny splutters finally catching his breath

"You've got to come to the party with me"

Jez smirks "Ahh that's sweet, but I already have a date!"

"Funny guy Jez, no not like that, I need you to keep Claudine away, she's doing my head in"

"Just tell her you don't want to go with her Danny, you're a big boy I'm sure you can handle it" Jez

tries to suppress a laugh

Danny pleads "Please she's a scarily bossy woman; I just need you to keep her off me!"

"You mean like a buffer?"

Danny looks confused "Is that like someone whose buff?"

"No like a person who stops harmful things happening from another person"

"Yeah exactly, one of those"

Danny puts his hands together pleading, "Pretty please"

Jez sighs "Oh alright, enough with the puppy dog eyes. I can't believe I'm saying this, yes I'll do it

but you owe me, big time!"

"Cheers mate, you won't regret it!"