SKINS – GEN 4 – SERIES 8 – EPISODE 1: KEN

We're back! WOO! After a lot of waiting and a lot of anticipation, Series 8 is finally here, with 10 more exciting episodes to wrap up Gen 4 and farewell these characters, which is so sad as I feel we've only just met them, but hey that is how Skins works and that's how I'm gonna work too. I've just started 3 weeks of holidays, so I've got plenty of time to write. Just last week I finished a production of Godspell in which I was John the Baptist/Judas and it was amazing fun, one of the best weeks in my life and I had an amazing time performing with my Godspell family, but now that it's over and it won't be taking up my time anymore, I have time to write and it's time to get cracking into Series 8! So welcome back and here we go!

Tammy slid her packet of crackers back into the pocket of the seat in front of her. Though she adapted to the Japanese cuisine, she had never really gotten use to their snack foods and would be keen to be eating some proper crisps when she landed back in England.

An Old Japanese woman sat to the left of Tammy gently humming along to the woolen headphones she had on. She could have been about 70, or she could have been about 30, it was always hard to tell. When Tammy had first arrived, she had accidentally addressed Mai's mother as her grandmother, and Mai had been the result of a teen pregnancy. Mai called it a common mistake, Tammy called it an 'All-round fuck up'

Tammy had never been all that big on Japan, but her parents had given her the opportunity to go there over the holidays to visit her online friend Mai. Reluctantly, Tammy had said yes, she knew it was just so they could get away for a bit of a second honeymoon, but she didn't care.

Now as she saw the city of London slowly approaching, Tammy realized just how much she was going to miss Japan. The thousands upon thousands of people, everything being pink and noisy, the lights and chromatic feel of it all, it was all just a bit exhilarating, mixed in with the oriental culture. It truly was another world.

The voice came in over the intercom, "We'll be landing in the International London Airport in about half an hour. Please fasten your seat-belts."
Tammy's seatbelt was already on, as was the ladies next to her, so she needn't worry. She looked out the window to her right, but she still wasn't close enough to look straight down upon London, it was just a few houses and fields at the moment.

She propped her book back up upon her knee and began flicking through. It was the best page turner she had ever had, but it occupied the time at least until the plane landed, though it was still not enough to distract her from what was going around her.

A few dings went off as air gently fluttered through the cabin and the plane slowly tipped. 'Are we descending?' she thought. 'Nah, too soon.' The last thing Tammy wanted to think about was the plane crashing, she got too skeptical in minor situations and so she was trying to prove something to herself. Though it wasn't exactly as if nothing was suspicious.

Because 8 men in suits in 2 of the middle rows, all got up out of their seats and walked to the back of the plane. The flight attendants tried to stop them, but the men motioned them to come with them.

'Pull it together, don't let your stupid paranoia kick in you idiot!' Back to the book, she tried shutting off everything other than what was on the page, but unfortunately reading about Anthony's train ride was not anymore breathtaking than being on a plane ride.

Tammy looked out the window, down below. London was slowly creeping beneath her, only know they weren't just tilted; several other people had seemed to notice. They were definitely descending and they were nowhere near London airport.

She looked for a flight attendant to ask what was happening, but there were none. All that seemed to be happening was a bunch of raised voices coming from the back of the cabin.

Tammy stopped and closed her eyes slowly gathering her breath. Whatever was happening, these people were experts at their jobs and they could fix it, more people died in car crashes than plane crashes.

There was a rumble coming from beneath the floor and other passengers had started to mutter. The lady next to her had taken her headphones off and had started to mutter to herself in Japanese.

Tammy ran her tongue across her lips, tapping her fingers together, she'd do anything to relieve the stress but at this point there was no going back. There was a loud bang from the back of the cabin and suddenly everyone was talking.

The men that had gotten up in suits before marched back into the cabin. Tammy grabbed for the wall and her heart started to beat as one just across from her raised a gun to the roof and fired a warning shot.

Tammy's ears rang as he began to shout orders in Japanese. The other passengers began to scream as the men raised guns towards them. Their leader raised a finger to his lips, but they were still panicking. It took another 2 warning shots to get everyone to remain quiet.

Tammy's eyes flicked back and forth to pick up every detail, as two men from the front walked into the pilots cabin. Tammy's eyes glanced out the window at the city below her, and her heart nearly leapt out of her chest, there was no way they were just flying now, no plane could have ever flown this close to the city, they were almost touching the tip of some of the skyscrapers.

Then it all clicked, all the crazy theories about the ongoing debacle with Japan on the late shows. It all made sense, they weren't just theories anymore, this was real and this was her end.

There was a loud bang below and the whole cabin shook. The men no longer bothered to keep the passengers under control as they all began to scream and jump out of their seats. Tammy sat virtually still, her heart pounding heavily, but it pulled in a bit when the woman next to her grabbed her arm and started speaking to her rapidly in Japanese. She saw tears streaking down the woman's face as she pleaded to Tammy. But Tammy had no idea what she was saying. The last person who could hear her and she wouldn't be able to understand.

There wasn't much point in it, the screaming, it wouldn't do anything and this was gonna be the last moments of Tammy's life, she wouldn't waste it doing that.

She put her arm around the frightened woman's shoulder and held her close as tears streamed down her own eyes. She shut them expecting to see her short, not even 17 year old life flash before her eyes, but it didn't come. There was just the screaming.

Tammy looked out the window to the bright shining sun and the city below, such a contrast to the commotion in the cabin. Then she saw what they were heading for, Big Ben itself, stood majestic and tall with the plane approaching it's center.

Tammy rested her head against the woman's head and closed her eyes.

The TV blared with a constant buzz that seemed to run through the room and make it seem hollow. Everyone felt empty as they listened to the horror that unfolded.

…There's still no word from the Prime Minister about what actions are to be taken, but the leading party and the opposition have both expressed deepest of sympathies to those who had loved ones or are feeling effected. For those of you tuning in just now here on BBC One, we are bringing you a news break with devastating news. A 741 Flight from Japan was piloted directly into Big Ben, killing everyone on board, and a total of 32 casualties on ground below, with 167 said to be seriously injured. The city has come to a gridlock and there is to be no entry at all. Traffic is advised to take the country route if they are returning home. It is believed the flight has been hijacked by Japanese terrorists after the recent political conflicts between Japan and the western governments. If you have been effected by the recent events or know of anyone involved, please call the hotline on the screen…

Tony flicked the TV off as the room sat in silence. They had watched it 3 times over, but that still hadn't been enough to let it truly sink in.

Most people stared down at their desk , chewing on a pencil or twiddling their thumbs. But Ken stared off blankly in the distance, completely out of what has happening in the class.

Tony tried to comfort the class, but no words would come out of his mouth. Eventually Paulie spoke up, "We had heard about it. We had all heard the theories, but nobody thought it would actually happen."

"I miss her," said a girl with curly brown hair in the back row.

A guy covered in piercings slammed his fists on the desk, "Why's shit like this gotta happen to us?"
Each member of the class began to chime in and argue, getting increasingly angry.

Tony looked up, "Guys, GUYS!" he shouted and the class fell silent. "Look I know some of you may feel upset and that it's a bit confronting… and you all know that Tammy Edison from this class was on that plane when it… well, she was on the plane. Look if any of you are feeling… upset or distraught, you can see me… or the councilor or…" Tony dropped into his chair and raised his hands to his head, "Fuck it, just go. Early mark, you can all go." Everybody sat still for a minute frowning at Tony before he looked up, "Go on!" he said.

Everybody took a while to move, but they grabbed their bags and headed towards the doors. As they slowly shuffled out, Tony pointed towards the door without lifting up his head, "Not you."

Gemma turned around and frowned. She stepped out of the crowd and waited till they had gone out the door. Gemma raised an eyebrow once they were gone, "Yes?" she said.

"Didn't expect to see you here today." Said Tony.

"What? Where'd you think I'd be? On the plane?" she asked.

"No…" said Tony shutting his eyes, "I'm not talking about the crash, I didn't expect to see you here at college after the commotion last term."
Gemma shrugged looking at her feet, "Still gotta come to college and you can't hold grudges forever."

"Well she's not here." said Tony.

"Who?" asked Gemma.

Tony raised an eyebrow at her, "Claire."

"Oh," said Gemma.

"Do you know where she is?" asked Tony.

"No." said Gemma.

"Ok," said Tony, "I wanna show you something," he said. Gemma moved close as he reached into his blazer and pulled out a sparkling silver ring.

Gemma took a step back, "Um, Tony… what are you doing"
"I'm not proposing if that's what you think I'm doing," he said, "But I am engaged."
Gemma shot up at him with wide eyes, "Oh my…" her hand clasped her mouth, "Holy shit! For real?"
Tony grinned, "Yeah for real."

"Haha!" Said Gemma, "That's… that's fantastic!"

"I wanted to tell you before I told the rest of the class, because… well because there's been a problem with the people who can come and I've talked this over and… I want you to be a bridesmaid."
Gemma suddenly froze from head to toe, "I… I can't take that honour Tony, it's honestly too much."
"I really want you to do this Gemma. You've earned it." Said Tony.

"Well if you think I should, then… Yes! Fuck yes! I'll definitely do it! Thank you so much." Gemma said as she slowly walked backwards towards the door.

Tony nodded and Gemma turned towards the door. "Wait a minute," he said. "I just wanna say quickly. What I said at the start of last year… I dunno whether it hit home, but I mean it more than ever this year Gemma, be careful."
"Ok," said Gemma nodding and heading back to the door.

"Oh and one more thing," said Tony. He got up out of his desk and walked over to her, giving her a hug, "Welcome back, it's good to see you again."
Gemma smiled hugging him back, "Yeah, you too."
"Now go on," said Tony, "Before I get in shits."
Gemma smiled again and walked out of the room. Tony leaned against the desk smiling to himself, as he twiddled the ring in his fingers.

"Here she comes," said Drew, "Madam Kaputs, the golden child. What did he want with you?" he asked.
Gemma moved into the group standing around in a circle on the green. "He was telling me to behave and not be a mega-bitch or it's my ass on a spike."

"You'd probably like that." Said Kelly cocking her head.

"Shut up," said Gemma. "What's the conversation then? Or were you all waiting around for me to start your conversation."
"Actually," said Kelly, "It was the plane crash."
Gemma nodded, "Hmm, the exact same plane crash that everyone else is talking about."
"People died," said Kelly grudgingly, "You could show a little respect".

"I don't mean any disrespect to them," said Gemma.

"Well how do you feel about the crash then?" asked Paulie.

"Well…" said Gemma, "It doesn't affect me, nobody close to me was on that plane crash, I don't think I ever even talked to Tammy, there's 3000 students in this college. It's a sad event, but you know shit happens, and people who don't need to be involved getting all mopy about it doesn't really help now, does it?"

"Totally considerate," said Kelly nodding sarcastically.
"She's gotta point," said Dean, "I mean, what good it's gonna do us or… anyone for that matter getting all sad about it."
Kelly went to talk but Drew shook his head and she closed her mouth again. They all stood around the circle in silence for a bit before Hayley spoke up. "So has anyone seen Claire today?"
"Nah," said Sam, "Give her a few days, she'll be back. She's probably just… recuperating."
"I hope she's ok." Said Paulie. Gemma looked down at her feet not getting involved in the conversation.

Dean looked over behind them to see Claire walking amongst the crowd behind them on her own. Though she wasn't wearing her usually pastel dress, or anything along those lines.

Dean was about to call out when he caught eye contact with her. A hand quickly grabbed Claire's and whisked her away into the crowd. Dean looked back among the group and remained silent.

Gemma was in the middle of talking when he came back in, "…well if it's any consolation, we could probably do with a bit of…" she stopped when she saw Sam looking up at her with a deep scowl.

"What?" said Gemma as she placed her hand on her hip, "What the fuck have I done to have already upset you Samantha, pray tell me."
"Never even talked to Tammy." Said Sam, "Never even talked…"
"Yeah, well I didn't," said Gemma, "Did I?"
"You fucked her Gemma!" said Sam, "You fucked her and you don't even remember! Cause I did talk to her, and she opened up to me. She got caught in the moment and like your usual patrons at some random party you fucked her and she was absolutely terrified of the thought that she slept with a girl it was driving her mad, she thought she might of even been in love with you Gemma, she was so terrified cause of what you did to her, now she's dead and you don't even remember talking to her."
Gemma stood there motionless staring at Sam, "Please tell me O'Keefe, that this is some cruel joke."
"Nobodies joking here Gemma," said Sam, "Nobody but you."

Sam walked off. Drew went to follow her but Paulie grabbed him, "Leave her man, she's got Ken."

Drew let out a sigh of breath and stood back in the circle. "More to the point," said Dean, "Does anyone actually know where Ken is?"
They all snapped back to attention and started to look around, he had definitely been in class, but Dean had a point. Ken was now nowhere in sight.

Ken walked briskly through the street, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead. His pace began to change rapidly as he swung about on the pavement. He grabbed hold to the black iron fence to his right and bent his knees. Ken paused for a moment, before a spray of vomit flung out of his mouth and down on the pavement below him. Ken's heart beat at a mile per minute as he stood there, his brain slowly fading in and out.

Now most of you are probably going, "WHAT THE HELL! WHAT JUST HAPPENED!" and that's probably good! Don't worry we're gonna get there, cause there's way more to happen this episode and tonnes to happen this series. Welcome back everyone! Chapter 2 up soon!