Reeealllllly shouldn't be starting a new story, but ohhh wellllll! Going to chuck it out of my head as what I think on the Barry story arc after the season 9a finale, before the season commences in the New Year.
All I own is Stacie Phillips
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Part One: Still Human
~~Waterloo Road~~
The soft splash rung out across the beach as Barry Barry threw another pebble into the sea. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't know he was no longer alone on the beach. He crouched and picked up another handful of stones.
"If you're trying to skip stones, you're going about it all wrong." An unfamiliar female voice said from behind him.
"What's it to you?" He said, his voice rough and dry. He didn't turn, but instead threw another stone.
"You're the squatter from the flat across from us." She said, nonchalantly
Barry whipped round "And what business is it of yours?" His eyes narrowed, his jaw set
"No need to get so defensive, I'm no snitch. But you're really young for a squatter."
"Who says there's a minimum age requirement for squattin'?" He asked as he turned away from her towards the sea again
"You should be in school, not scraping by surviving." She said, shoving her hands firmly in her pockets
"You're one to talk, you look like you should be in school too, not 'avin' this chat with a stranger."
She scoffed "I got kicked out last term, dad's trying to get me a place somewhere else. Havelock won't touch me though."
"What about Waterloo Road?" He said regretting saying the name of the place where he'd lost his family
"Sent an application there, apparently they're more accepting of those with troubled pasts." She said, almost mockingly "Sounds more like a dumping ground for the world's juvenile scum."
Barry whipped round, the remaining stones in his hand clattering as they dropped to the beach "'Ow dare you! You don't know it." His steely glare softened "It's all right there"
"So why aren't you there now?" She asked, her face forming a wry smile
"They don't want me." He looked away and dropped to the ground "Even they have their limits."
"Did they say they didn't want you, or is it you who doesn't want them?"
"They don't 'ave to. After what I did, it's better off I don't go anywhere near that place." He leant his arms on his bent knees and stared into the horizon.
The girl took a few steps and sat beside him "You're still a human being though. Even one so strong willed can break."
"Where you get that from?" He asked
"My head. It's called having a bit of common sense." her mouth twisted wryly again "What's your name?"
"Barry. Just Barry."
"Well, 'Just Barry', I'm Stacie." She held her hand out for him to shake, which he did with uncertainty "It's nice to get to know your neighbours." She grinned at him
Barry swallowed "Did you follow me?"
"Would it make a difference if I had?" She retorted
"I don't know" He said, his voice regaining some of the previous gravelly quality
"Come on, I'm sure you're hungry. I'll buy you lunch." She said getting up
"What time is it?"
Stacie glanced at her watch "Half three. But from the looks of things you haven't had a decent meal in a while."
"I don't need your charity." He said roughly
"Yes you do." She said with equal force, giving him a look, daring him to deny it. Strangely, Barry felt himself getting up and following her up the beach. They ended up in a small cafe in town. They didn't talk much, but Stacie made sure that Barry ate what she bought him. "So how have you been getting by?"
"There was stuff in the fridge and freezer, some tins in cupboards. I had some money, but it's mostly gone now."
"How'd you know the flat was empty when there was food in it?"
"Slept on sofas the first few days, noticed there was no-one about it."
"Friends sofas'll only get you so far." She commented
"Wasn't really a mate. More of a- business associate." He said, bitterness in his voice
"You hesitated. When you were describing your 'associate'. Why? What kind of business?"
"Bad stuff." Barry said, burying his head in his hands "Stuff that'd get me banged up."
"Bad enough that you'd rather squat in a flat with barely any food, at the risk you could end up getting nicked."
"It'd be a slap on the wrists." He said, not looking at her
"You're going to go to school." she stated, flatly, lightly placing her hands on the table. He shook his head. "It wasn't a question." She set her jaw and stared firmly at him. "You're not throwing your life away."
"I already 'ave." He snapped "You don't know me." His face twisted in disgust "Thanks fer the grub." he said, his accent strong as ever. He stood and left.
Stacie remained where she was. She had just got the money out to pay the bill when someone slumped down in the seat Barry had just vacated. She looked up to see a girl with curly blonde hair and more make-up than necessary. "'Ow d'you know me brother?" Her accent as strong as the young man who had just left
"He's my neighbour." She said, shortly, Her jaw tightening. At this rate she'd get lockjaw or something.
"So he's got a place to stay then." The girl said, folding her arms and leaning back
"If you can call it that." Stacie said "I'm going to pay my bill and go home."
"Typical Barry, cheapin' out on a date." The blonde Liverpudlian smirked
"If you must know, he has no money and that was probably the first proper meal he's eaten in weeks. It wasn't a date, it was a concerned person making sure her neighbour doesn't waste away."
"It'd be no more than he deserves." The blonde girl spat back
"What did he do that was so bad?"
"He hasn't told yeh?" The girl asked, her face pulling into a smirk as if she was honing into a juicy piece of gossip. "'E stole from our sister. She 'ad a fund to go to a boxin' camp in America. 'E nicked nearly 10 grand. Me mum don't want us to 'ave anything to do with him no more."
"Doesn't look to much like he has ten grand to me."
"He gave it back, but 'e's a bad egg. You need to stay well away. First it's lunch, but it'll be more and then he'll take yeh fer everythin' yeh've got."
"Thanks for the warning, but I can look after myself." Stacie said injecting as much poison into her voice as she could.
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
Two days later
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
"Back again?" A voice he barely recognised sounded behind him, giving him a sense of deja vu.
"What of it?" He said
"You need help" She said
"No thanks."
"I wasn't asking."
"You're so sure of yourself. What's it gonna take for you to leave me alone?"
"A lot." She said "So the pier this time. Hope you're not thinking of jumping off."
"Not like it'd matter." He said harshly
"What about your family? I met one of your sisters the other day."
"Which one?"
"I dunno. Never said her name. Was loud and well made up."
"Dynasty." Barry said so quietly, she almost didn't hear him "How was she?"
"She warned me away from you. Apparently you stole money from your other sister's boxing camp fund."
"Nearly ten grand." He said without emotion. He'd cried those tears. After a few minutes of silence he spoke again "She's right though. You should stay well away. I'm bad news."
"Shouldn't I be able to make that choice on my own?" She leant on the pier wall beside him. "I'm not a little kid, I know the world has bad people in it, but that's just it. They're people. Everyone forgets that. Barry, you're still human."
"I don't deserve to be called that." He said, his voice breaking, betraying his attempts to keep his emotions in check.
"You are though." She gently pulled his arm so he was facing her "You are a human being." She locked eyes with him "Like I said before, you can still break."
A traitorous tear escaped down his cheek and she stepped closer, pulling him slowly into a hug. She stumbled slightly to catch him as he collapsed and broke down. His life had only begun to fall apart the moment his mother had disowned him.
Kasey Barry turned back and finished her run back to school, her mind reeling with what she had witnessed.
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
The Next Monday
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
Stacie stared uncertainly at the sign reading "Waterloo Road". What she had heard about this place had sounded fairly chaotic. She jumped as a hand tapped her on the shoulder. She whipped around and saw a scruffy girl a year younger than her standing chewing her lip.
"Can I help you?" Stacie asked a little more forcibly than necessary "If you're wanting directions I can't help you it's my first day."
The girl shook her head "H-how's Barry?" She asked in a soft Scouse voice
"You must be Kasey." Stacie said and the girl smiled sadly and nodded. Stacie gestured for her to follow her to somewhere more private. They reached a quiet area of the playground. Stacie contemplated what she was going to say and chose her words carefully "He's pretty low." She said, eventually
"Why has he not come back to school?"
"He can't face it." Stacie said not looking at Kasey "He lashed out at me when I said he should come show me round. He doesn't feel like there's a place for him now." The two fell into a silence. Stacie broke it and said "How did you know I knew your brother?"
"I saw you with him at the pier. I was on a training run during Lunch. I take a different route every day. I sometimes go by the beach. He's there every time I do."
"Don't you ever stop to say anything to him?" Stacie asked with a little more force than she intended
Kasey hung her head "I did once. He yelled at me to shove off and leave him alone. I go by the beach as much as I can to make sure he's still around."
"You care about him." Stacie stated
"Of course I do." Kasey said "Despite what he did, he's still me brother, he's still family. I'm givin' 'im the space he wants but keepin' an eye out. He gave the money back. I did me training and I wanna tell him about me time in America. Can you-" Kasey swallowed "Can you talk to him? Get him to meet me?"
"I can't promise you anything." Stacie said "I'll talk to him, but if this makes him stop talking to me, I'll have your head."
Kasey smiled in relief. "Thanks so much."
"Now, where's Mrs Mulgrew's office? I have to go there first."
"I'll take you there." Kasey said her smile increased to a grin
"Thanks." Stacie said, as they set off
"You never said your name." Kasey said "You obviously know mine from Barry."
"Stacie."
"Nice to meet yeh, Stacie. Good to know there's someone lookin' after Barry."
"Still not making any promises, Kasey."
"I know." Kasey said "But you're a good person. That's rare to find round here."
"Hope that's not directed at anyone in particular, Miss Barry." A strong Scottish accent sounded behind the two
"No miss." Kasey said to the head teacher as the two girls turned to face her "This is Stacie, the new girl. She-" Kasey stopped and was cut off by a look from Stacie
"I'm sure she can tell me all about what has you singing her praises, despite her academic history." Christine turned to Stacie "This way to my office."
Kasey winced at Stacie as the older girl was lead off "Sorry" she mouthed. Stacie waved her off and followed Mrs Mulgrew.
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
Stacie sat in the chair opposite Mrs Mulgrew. After a few minutes of silence, the door opened and a curly haired man entered. "Stacie, this is Mr Lowsley, the Deputy Head. Mr Lowsley, this is Stacie Phillips, new Year 12." Stacie shook the hand offered to her "Now, based on your previous behaviour reports and your current grades along with being permanently excluded from your last school, we will be placing you in our Pupil Referral Unit to begin with. After a period of time, you may be reintroduced to the mainstream." She paused "You'll probably say no, but do you want to talk about your conversation with Kasey Barry?"
Stacie frowned and set her jaw. Deciding she should not make too much trouble on her first day, she compromised "Not today."
Christine noticed a shadow pass over the girl's face, but decided to file it away for later. "Ok, no problem." She said, smiling "If you'd like to wait outside, someone will come to show you to the PRU. Sonya could you have Miss Boston send someone down please?"
"I could show 'er if you like. It'll only take a couple of minutes, besides, I got to take some things down that way anyway." The perky Londoner gestured to a pile of folders on her desk.
Christine nodded and smiled the two out the door. "What conversation peaked your interest so much?" Simon asked, having been silent throughout the few minutes he'd been there
"One that brought a smile to Kasey Barry's face and caused her to say that a reportedly troublesome pupil was a rare nice person."
"Really?" Simon was shocked. It was the third week of term and Kasey Barry had been inconsolably miserable being the only Barry at school. Dynasty was off at university, and who knew where Barry had ended up? "Should we keep an eye on this Stacie? We don't want Kasey to be left vulnerable. Nikki was saying that she has been throwing herself into her boxing training, she spends every lunch time out on a run. Their one on one training is getting intense. Apparently she's not been talking and only focused on the boxing."
"Could be because of the camp."
"Nikki says it's more than that. It's like how she was when it was more of a coping mechanism for her. We don't want this new girl to come in and cause problems."
"We'll keep an eye on them both." Christine said in a tone that let him know he was dismissed.
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
Two weeks later
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
Kasey was sitting with Lula and Harley at their usual lunch table. She was eating quickly before she left on her run. The trio was surprised when a fourth person set a tray down beside Kasey. "Mind if I join you?" They shook their heads and she sat down "I'm going to run with you today, Kasey." The newcomer said. Lula and Harley were surprised and intrigued when Kasey simply nodded. Kasey's Lunchtime runs were her private time. "I'm Stacie." The girl introduced herself, and a few minutes later, the two girls had finished and left the canteen.
"What was that?" Lula asked Harley
"I dunno." He replied "Kasey always goes on those runs on her own, now this total stranger shows up and says she's joining her and Kasey just agrees? Something's well wrong there."
Lula just nodded.
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
"You have no idea what it took for me to convince him to do this." Stacie said, as the two girls jogged closer to the beach. Luckily, Stacie had no problem keeping up with Kasey, as she had her own fitness regime. The two slowed to a walk as they approached the spot where Barry would meet them. He was already there on a bench. Stacie took the lead and sat beside him. Kasey awkwardly followed, but stayed standing. She watched as Stacie placed her hand on her brother's arm and whispered in his ear.
He nodded and she stood and walked away. "Alright, Kasey?" He said, his voice a mere imitation of the Barry she was used to.
She flashed a smile at him and joined him on the bench. "How have you been?" She asked, delicately
Barry paused and glanced to where Stacie was standing "I'm a Barry I'm doing what I can to get by."
"Stacie wouldn't tell me anythin', said it wasn't her's to tell. Where have you been livin'? All she said was that you're her neighbour."
"She's right, it's not 'er's to tell." Barry cleared his throat "It's mine. But I don't want to tell you."
"Why not?" Kasey asked with a nervous laugh
"I don't want you to know me like this. I want the Barry in yer head to be the same Barry you used to 'ave a kickabout with. The same one you terrorised teachers with." Barry hung his head "I don't think you should call me your brother. That guy's dead. This is all that's left. I stole from you and I can't take it back."
"Maybe we can start over. Put all that grief behind us."
Barry smiled sadly at her "Innocent little Kasey. You don't know, do you? I 'ate to tell you this, but the world don't work that way." He put head in his hands and said "You should both get back to school."
"Come back with us." Kasey said
Barry shook his head "I can't. Term's half way through now."
"We're only a month in. Besides, you're probably bored out of your skull." Kasey grinned conspiratorily "No-one to terrorise." She sighed "Come on, please Barry, school's boring without you there."
"No Kasey. Minute I set foot in there, I'll get kicked out."
"I forgive you Barry." Kasey said "Anyone has a problem with it, they'll 'ave me to answer to." Kasey grinned, as she quoted a favourite line of her brother's
"Isn't that usually what I say?" He asked jokingly
"You've been a great big brother, now it's my turn to look out for you."
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
Waterloo Road
The words were almost mocking him as he stood in his reacquired uniform. He had actually decided to bother with the tie. Stares followed him as he made his way inside. Kasey and Stacie had ganged up on him and made him come back. He had agreed to let them talk to Mrs Mulgrew when they went back after lunch the previous day, and had organised for him to come for a meeting first thing. He looked beside him where Kasey walked in step with him, her head held high. Before he knew it, they were sitting in the school office.
"Mr Barry. So good of you to show your face. Only halfway through the fourth week of term." Mrs Mulgrew said, her lips pursed "You know where the PRU is. You're on probation for your truancy, and you also need to catch up on what you've missed. We'll review your progress at the end of next week."
Barry knew he was probably not going to get another chance after this. He had already run out of chances with his family. As much as he wanted to go home, he knew he no longer had a place there. Despite Kasey's communication with him, he knew she was just a naive young girl. Her outlook on the world was full of hope and he was determined to do what he could to keep her that way.
He hadn't noticed his surroundings until he was at the PRU. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and quietly sat in one of the chairs at a table that was completely empty. Miss Boston paused for a second when he came in, but continued when he sat down. She finished speaking then allowed the pupils in the PRU to get to work. She joined Barry at his table.
"Kasey spoke to me yesterday. I got a pile of work from all of your teachers so you can catch up on what you've missed, but first we're going to take a little walk."
"Miss?" Barry asked, trying to sound like his normal self, but not quite all there
"Come on." She stood and addressed the others "You lot have enough to be getting on with. I will be back shortly, so no slacking off." The warning in her tone enough for them to know to behave. Barry followed his teacher uncertainly. Before he knew it, she was holding open the door for the pastoral care office, an unreadable expression on her face. He sat at the table and she said "I'll be back in a minute." The door opened a few minutes later. Barry paled when he saw Mr Lowsley enter with Miss Boston. They both sat down to face Barry.
"What's this about?" Barry asked, trying to keep his voice steady and detached
"Where are you living?" Mr Lowsley asked quietly
"Why's that any of your business." He snapped at him
"So we can send out your reports and any mail we need to get to you. From what we saw last term, sending it along with your sister's things would not reach you." He returned
"I asked Kasey, and she confirmed you're not living at home anymore." Miss Boston said "And you're not at the school house."
"Wouldn't touch that place if it were the last on earth." Barry said venomously
"It could be better than whatever you're doing now." Miss Boston said "You should give it a chance."
"No thanks. They'd all be whisperin' behind me back, starin' at me. I don't wanna be somewhere I'm hated, might as well be back home."
"We need an address, Barry." Mr Lowsley cut in "Purely administrative."
Barry was silent for a few minutes, his mind obviously in overdrive "Just send me post with Stacie Phillips, the new girl's."
"Do you live with her?" Mr Lowsley asked
"Thought it was only administrative." Barry retorted then decided he'd give them some semblance of the truth, there'd already been too many lies. "I don't live there, but I'm round there a lot. Her dad said I could have stuff sent there and he'd sign for packages for me if I needed."
"Barry." Miss Boston began "Do you have somewhere to live?"
"I'm doin' ok." He said, looking out the window, trying to be his usual bored, nonchalant self. "Can I go now, I've already missed four weeks of lessons, and keepin' me out longer'll only make it worse."
"Of course, Barry. Make you way back to the PRU." Miss Boston said "I just need to pass on your address information to the office."
Barry got up and left, not doing the usual look he would give anyone when he was leaving a room. "What are your thoughts?" Simon asked Nikki when they could be sure he was gone
Nikki shrugged "Keep an eye. He's trying to keep up his usual appearance, but his heart's not in it."
"Do you think he's sleeping rough?" He asked in return
"I don't know. It doesn't look like it, but he's definitely lost weight. He's paler, though he was to start with, it's more gaunt than pale. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I don't want to do nothing and him slip through the cracks."
Simon nodded, cogs already turning in his brain. "Perhaps we should ask the new girl about him."
Nikki laughed "If I know Barry, he's sworn her to silence."
"And knowing Barry he's probably got something he's holding over her head to keep it that way." Simon finished with a grimace
"I better head back past the office, make sure he's made it. Make sure the PRU hasn't turned into a bombsite."
"I'll go by the office. I've a free period now."
"Cheers, Simon." Nikki said and went on her way
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
Stacie looked up, with most of the class when the door opened. Mr Lowsley put his head around the door and her face reddened when she was called out. Her legs shook as she stood and walked out to join him in the hallway. The classroom opposite was empty, so he gestured for he to go in there.
"Now, Stacie. Don't worry, you're not in trouble. Please." He gestured for her to sit at the desk in front of the teacher's desk, which he leant against. "I just want to ask about Barry."
Those seven words caused her to go into a panic "W-what about him?" She stammered, trying to do her best not to
"Do you know where he's living? He gave your address for post, but says he doesn't live there." Mr Lowsley folded his arms and surveyed the obviously panicking girl in front of him "Would you be able to tell us where he does live, in case he's screwing us around and isn't just looking for an excuse to not get his post."
"Send the post to us, we'll make sure he gets it." She swallowed "I do want to tell you, but it's not for me to say." She paused again considering her words with precision. "Have you seen the state he's in?" Simon nodded "When I first talked to him he was worse. I bought him lunch in a cafe in town. Practically forced it down his throat when he said he didn't need my charity. He left and his sister, Dynasty sat in his chair. Told me to stay away. That he was bad news. Told me about him nicking all that money from their other sister."
"Kasey's boxing fund."
Stacie nodded. "I met Kasey my first day here. She'd seen us at the pier on a different day. Neither of us saw her, I didn't tell Barry, don't think she did either. He's terribly proud. He didn't want to come back but we made him. Didn't want the stares and whispers."
"You don't know Barry, you don't know what he's like."
"Except that I do." Stacie said, her voice firm "He's told me everything. And I mean everything. I think he was doing it to push me away, but it'll take more than that."
"Even his family doesn't want anything to do with him."
"They're too close. They're too familiar. I'm someone he can be clean slate with. I told him and I keep telling him. He's only human."
Her words sunk in and Simon guiltily realised what he'd been doing, what they'd all been doing to Barry. Somewhere alone the way they'd forgotten he was human, just like them.
~~WR~~WR~~WR~~
AN: I want to add a cover to this one, any suggestions for who should play Stacie are welcome.