Chapter 1 – First day.
A/N: I'm a huge fan of home and away and really wanted to write a story about Charlie and Joey. Who are my definition of awesome! I hope you will like it.
I don't own Home and Away obviously or Joey would still be there and they wouldn't have Charlie with a guy. I love Home and Away but it insulted gay people everywhere the way they dealt with Charlie's sexuality after Joey left. But I LOVE the show!
"See you later mom! If I don't leave now I won't get a chance to nab a seat in the back of the class." Ruby said stealing a slice of toast off her mother's plate.
"Hey! That's mine; you said you didn't want any." Charlie mock scolded her 16 year old daughter.
"Yeah, that was until I saw how good yours looked." Ruby laughed before kissing her mums cheek and heading out the door.
"Bye" Charlie called after her before heading to her room to change into her uniform.
XoxoxoxoxoxoxoX
"Hey" Ruby smiled up at her boyfriend Casey, chastely kissing his lips before turning to her best friend April.
"You know who our new English teacher is yet?" she questioned the brunette.
"Nope. I heard it's a she though. Apparently she's a friend of Miles and Sally." April grabbed her boyfriend Dexter's hand before ushering everyone from the warm outside air into the shade of their school. "Come on we're going to miss registration, she's also our form tutor and I don't want to get o n her bad side for being late on the first day back."
"Goody two shoes." Ruby teased following the two, dragging her boyfriend along with her.
Taking their seats at the back of their classroom they settled in, chatting, waiting for their mystery new teacher to arrive.
"Do you have to do that?" Ruby good-naturedly teased April as she arranged her pens and other things on her desk, making sure everything was placed perfectly.
"Yes, Rubes, at least my desk looks aesthetically pleasing. Unlike yours, what did you do? Tip your back onto the desk?" April retorted.
"Uh yeah" Ruby deadpanned, eyebrow raised, unable to see how that was bad.
"Well, I know exactly where every piece of my stationary is on my desk without having to waste time trying to look for it." April argued her point. Ruby rolled her eyes before turning to her boyfriend smiling; he leant forward to kiss her. Ruby happily deepened the kiss, she was so happy to see what this year would bring. Finding out Charlie was her mother a few months ago really threw her for a loop but things were finally looking up and Casey was played a huge part in that.
A coughing from the front of the classroom forced them to part; they were so immersed in each other that they hadn't realised that the classroom had gone quite a few moments ago.
"Uh ooops?" Ruby blushed smiling at the woman stood at the front of the class.
The woman smiled at Ruby and Casey before turning to address the whole class.
"Hey everyone, you're probably wondering who I am." She smiled kindly at the class. "My name is Miss Collins. I'm going to be your Mathematics teacher for the next year. Today though I just want us all to get to know each other a little better and then do a few fun math activities depending on how long that takes. But tomorrow I'm sure you will all be ready for some Algebra yeah?"
A few groans travelled around the room at the word algebra at which the teacher laughed.
"Okay, so clichés first, I want as to go around the classroom introducing ourselves and telling us something interesting about yourself. That okay with you all?" she smiled once again at the bunch of teenagers in front of her. At the nods and mumbles of yeah's and sure's she continued.
"Okay I'll go first. My name is Joanne Collins but my close friends call me Joey, but it will be Miss Collins to all of you. Although I have been told that those of you who live here in Summer Bay call your teachers by their names outside of school so if you do see me outside of these walls don't be afraid to say hi, I don't know anyone around here so it would be lovely to see some friendly faces. Something interesting about me? I love the sea, and I especially love boat, I've actually been able to drive boats since I was a little younger than you guys. This is also my first year teaching and I'm really happy to be here."
Everyone listened intently to their new teacher, impressed that she was so nice and laid back, especially considering it was her first year. She seemed at home in front of the classroom, her presence demanded the class's attention without being arrogant, the complete opposite to their previous teacher.
Joey turned to the teenager in the first row, "You ok to go next?"
"Sure, my name is Jai Fernandez. I live with Mr Copeland and Kirsty." Joey smiled at him before turning to the next student.
"Hi. My name is Annie Campbell, I used to live on a farm with my pop but now I live with Irene Roberts who works at the Diner with Leah Patterson." Annie said to the teacher.
"Is this diner any good Annie?" Joey asked; keen to fin out nice places to eat in this small coastal town.
"Yeah it's great." Annie said followed by lots of agreements from most of the students in the class.
"Hey, names Trey Palmer." Mumbles of 'bully' could be heard from the curly haired girl had the back; the one Joey had just caught kissing. Laughter spread around the room at the cough hidden comment.
"Uh excuse me." Joey exclaimed, "Carry on please Tray." Joey smiled at the boy.
"Whatever this is stupid." He said before snickering to a group of boys sat around him.
"Thank you for your opinion Trey." Joey chose not to push it; she had found that ignoring the small things at dealing with big things usually worked better with teenagers. She turned to the boys next to Trey who went on to tell their names and make comments about how they were the best soccer player the school had seen or could surf better than anyone.
"Hi, my names Rick Dably and I live with Miss Fletcher. I have a part time job as a mechanic." A floppy haired attractive teenage boy said before turning to the girl next to him smiling fondly at her.
"Hello, my name is Cassie Turner; I live with Miss Fletcher at the caravan park too. I love the sea too." The very tanned teenager smiled at the teacher.
"Hey my name is Matilda Hunter but everyone calls me Maddie. Cassie is my best friend and um I love rock music and wild parties" the blonde informed the woman who was now leaning against her desk.
Joey laughed, "I'll pretend I didn't hear that Maddie."
"Hey, my name is Henry Hunter; party girl by there is my twin."
"Oh double trouble" Joey laughed once again. "I think I may have to watch out for you too."
"Would be wise." Henry laughed.
"Morning, My name is Lucas Holden. Maddies my girlfriend. I want to be a writer." A blonde boy said winking at the party girl before smiling at the new teacher.
Joey turned to look at the next student in line.
"Hey my name is Xavier Austin." Joey's ears pricked up. This class seemed to be filled with children who lived or were family of other teachers in the school.
"The head teacher's son?" Joey asked.
"Yep, but I still don't catch a break. Anyway, I love fast cars and that beauty right there" he pointed to a girl with long brown hair.
"Hi, I'm Kelly O'Mara. I also live with Mrs Austin. I love horse riding, I'm from the country so I'm still getting used to the beach." She smiled at Xavier obviously besotted with the young man.
A few other students offered their names before they came to a group at the back, Joey assumed these were the mist fit group as the all seemed so different.
"Hey, my names Nicole Franklin." The boy known as Trey started cat calling, coughing the word 'slut'. Nicole blushed and became teary, lowering her head.
"Hey you better watch it Trey." The pretty curly haired girl stood up enraged.
"Please sit down" Joey said to the girl before turning to Trey. "I will not tolerate such name calling in my class." She chastised. "You better change your attitude if you wish to remain in this class Mister Palmer." Everyone was shocked, at first look Joey had seemed so laid back. Miss Collins commanded respect with her tone. Trey instantly closed his mouth, silencing his retort.
"Please Nicole, go on." The beautiful teacher encouraged the blonde.
"I uh, I love fashion so I want to go to University to study to become a fashion designer."
"Thank you Nicole. I have a friend in the business if you want would like some tips." She wanted to make the obviously upset student feel better. She was beginning to understand the curly haired girls animosity towards the boy at the front who now had the good mind to sit quietly.
Joey turned to the next person in the row who seemed to be staring out to space. She smiled at the group around him before dropping a book on his desk causing him to jump in his seat.
"Nice of you to join us . . ."
"Romeo, Romeo Smith." Romeo blushed at being caught daydreaming by the attractive teacher. "And yeah that's my real name." Joey smiled at him. "I work on a boat. A charter boat that belongs to Alf Stewart, he owns the surf club and the bait shop."
"That sounds nice, Romeo Smith. I must speak to this Alf; I'd love to get back out on the sea. I miss it." She turned to the next person.
"My name is Dexter Walker. Most people think I'm strange." He said confidently.
"That's because you . . ." A sharp look his was from Joey cut Treys comment off.
"My dad is a doctor. Oh and I run this really cool video blog. You should check it out." The charismatic boy said.
"I'm sure I will." The teacher said before turning to the pretty girl nest to him who desk seemed extremely organised for that of a teenager.
"My name is April Scott, Miss Scott's sister. I live with her and her boyfriend, Mr Murphy. I'm president of the eco committee. I used to live in France with my father before I moved here to live with Bianca." April smiled before adding "Oh and funny boy is my boyfriend." Dexter reached out to squeeze the dark haired girl's hand, making Joey smile. She was a romantic at heart.
"My names Casey Braxton. I live in Mangrove River. My brothers are the dreaded river boys, but don't worry I'm a good boy." He winked at Joey, resulting in the pretty curly haired girl who he had been kissing earlier to elbow him in the ribs.
"Ouch." He rubbed his ribs scowling at his girlfriend. "I was messing." He said causing the girl to smirk and shake her head.
"Hey Miss Collins, that goofball is my boyfriend, though I'm begging to wonder why." She said teasingly smirking at the boy who mocked hurt holding his hand over his heart. Joey couldn't help but laugh at the couples antics.
"My mum's a cop." She continued.
"Oh I'll have to be careful then won't I?" Joey smiled "and what's your name?"
"Oh" She laughed, "Sorry my name is Ruby." She smiled up at Joey.
"It's nice to meet you Ruby."
Turning back to address the whole class once again she pulled out a box from under her desk. She explained some of the activities inside the box to the class before placing it on her desk at the front of the room before telling the class to come up and take some, instructing them to work in pairs on the activity they choose.
For the rest of the lesson Joey walked around the classroom talking with her new students and asking them questions or joining in with some of the activities before returning to the desk.
Once the bell rang the class started packing up to leave.
"Ruby, Trey, Nicole can I see you all for a few minutes please." Joey called out causing the named students to groan.
Once the rest of the class had emptied Joey called the three reaming students to the front of the class as she leaned against the front of the desk. She turned to Nicole first who looked extremely uncomfortable next to Trey, moving subconsciously to Ruby who placed her arm around the taller blonde's waist.
"Nicole I want to apologise if you were upset earlier. Are you ok now?" she asked, concern lacing her tone.
"Yes. I'm fine, thank you Miss Collins." Joey turned to Tray who blanched under her gaze. "Trey I want you to apologise to Nicole for your derogatory comments please." Trey remained silent scowling at the floor. "Now!" Joey's voice raised a fraction.
"Sorry." Tray mumbled. Joey told him that if she heard such comments from him again she would ensure Mrs Austin would hear of it before dismissing him. Trey shot looks at both the female students before shuffling out of the room, pride bruised from being made to apologise.
"Are you sure you're ok Nicole?" Joey asked again.
"Y-yeah. Is it ok if I go now?" Nicole was on the verge of tears; Joey squeezed her shoulder reassuringly before telling her that if she wanted to talk she could come to her classroom anytime. Nicole forced a smile before hurrying out of the room in search of Romeo and the others.
"Why am I here?" Ruby asked confused.
"Although I agree that Tray needed to be told to leave his comments at the door you shouldn't have been the one to do it, your outburst although from a place of loyalty to your friend shouldn't have happened. That being said I understand your reaction. I also wanted to ask you if you could make sure Nicole is ok for me, I thought that she would be reluctant to talk to me seeing as I'm a teacher and new here."
"Of course, I'll talk to her later." Ruby told the teacher before frowning again.
"What's wrong Ruby?" Joey asked.
"It's just Trey. He's such a bully, he picks on everyone, including me but I can take most of it though, he's just a pig. But what he did to Nicole was awful. She is taking it so hard. I don't blame her though, Trey really fucked up this time." Ruby ranted.
"Language Ruby!" Joey gently scolded the girl. "Do you mind me asking what happened?" she asked intrigued as to what had gotten the teenager so wound up.
"You'll probably find out anyway so I might as well tell you." Ruby said. "Nicole moved her to live with her dad last year, before he was arrested. We became friends when he was dating my mom. Nicole was different back then, she seemed spoilt but it was all an act. Nicole has a heart of gold and sees the good in everyone. Anyway she befriended Trey and they started dating. But they broke up a few weeks ago, Nicole didn't know that he'd made a sex tape of them and he played it at Summer Bay's annual film festival last week."
"Oh no, poor Nicole." Joey was disgusted, she couldn't believe anyone could do such a thing.
"The worst part about it was that she was the only person who even gave him the time of day, defended him, but he took advantage and hurt her." Ruby was getting angry.
"Ruby calm down." Joey placed a calming hand on the young girls back. "I'm sorry about what happened to Nicole. She is lucky to have a friend like you. But don't go doing anything stupid." The teacher admired Ruby's loyalty to her friend but was worried that she would let her anger run away with her.
"I won't. I just . . . no-one does anything about him because his father is big in the community and is dating Mrs Austin."
"Ok. Thank you for telling me Ruby. I will keep any eye on Nicole; let her know she can take refuge here if she needs too." Ruby smiled at Joey, she liked this teacher. She told the teacher she would speak to Nicole before walking to the door.
"Oh and Ruby?" Joey called after her.
"Yeah Miss Collins?" Ruby turned to face her new teacher.
"Don't let me catch you kissing your boyfriend in my classroom again."
A/N: So tell me what you think =)