'Just do your work!' Exclaimed Nicki for what felt like the hundredth time as Scout chewed loudly on her gum. The rivalry between them had now got to the point where Nicki couldn't take shouting at her anymore and just let Scout misbehave during class. Head in her hand, Nicki slowly started to mark the class' tests as the lesson progressed.

What a surprise: not one of them had actually scraped a satisfactory grade. What was the point of this stupid PRU? If it hadn't been for the fact that Nicki loved this school and all of the teachers so much, she would have quit months ago.

'Lighten up will ya?' Sneered Barry from the back of the room. Nicki lifted her head slightly and glared at him. Seeing her frustrated seemed to please Barry because he grinned mischievously at her stressed face.

Nicki jumped slightly as someone knocked on the door. Taking her eyes off Barry, she saw that it had been Tom who had knocked. Sighing, Nicki made her way to the door and joined Tom in the corridor.

'What?' She asked, stifling a yawn as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

'You were acting strange this morning,' said Tom tentatively, 'so I just came to check that you are alright.'

'Well I am, see?' Replied Nicki, doing her best to smile.

'If you say so,' breathed Tom before continuing, 'anyway tonight all of the staff are going for night out, you wanna come?'

Taken aback, Nicki stared at him before saying in a stunned tone, 'oh okay.'

Well at least now she had something to look forward to. It made the rest of the day much more bearable.

Because Nicki didn't have a car anymore, Tom had offered to give her a lift to the restaurant. Relieved, she had agreed gratefully.

As she walked to the place where Tom was parked, waiting in his car, Nicki automatically smoothed her hair down, trying to make herself look more presentable.

'Thanks for the lift again,' she thanked him as she got in the car.

'No problem,' smiled Tom.

Grinning, Nicki quickly looked into the mirror in front of her. Her hair was okay… her makeup was okay…

In no time at all they had arrived at the restaurant.

By eight o'clock, all of the teachers were pretty tipsy and were laughing together while they drank more. Nicki was so glad that she'd agreed to accompany them here; it made a nice change from worrying all the time. However, as the night progressed, people started to leave until just Nicki, Tom, Michael and Sian remained.

Nicki's throat was dry from giggling. Never before had she had such a good time.

'Um…' Sian started, 'I think we'd better leave you two then, ey Michael?'

'What?' Ask Michael before Sian kicked him hard under the table, 'ow! What?' Trying to be unnoticed by Tom and Nicki, she jerked her head towards the two of them who were deep in light conversation.

Finally getting Sian's point, Michael caught on, 'oh, yeah. Okay.'

Neither Nicki or Tom acknowledged the two of them leave. Instead they just talked and chuckled with each other, not worrying about a thing.

'Thanks for inviting me,' sighed Nicki. After a few more sips of her drink.

'S'okay,' answered Tom, 'wouldn't dream of not inviting you.'

'Really,' replied Nicki, raising one eyebrow, 'and why would that be?'

'Because you, Miss Boston, are amazing,' grinned Tom, nudging against her softly.

At midnight, the two of them made their way to Tom's house. As soon as they got in, Nicki grabbed Tom and started to kiss him passionately, all thoughts of the PRU and Scout and Barry gone. He responded enthusiastically and they ended up holding each other on the sofa as they continued to brush their lips together.

Nicki loved it. She loved him kissing her neck. She loved him holding her body close to his.