Update: Tut Tut

meddlesome_

Sent: Today (Sunday), 9:00am

To: BradleyY; DavisA; GaffneyJ; GermaineG; GoldbergG; KekovichL; MendozaL; MillerJ; MoreauC; TylerR; ThatcherS;

Salut mes amis!

Well, well, well. One of our Bash Brothers has been spotted lying on a park bench at 5:00 this morning. What's up Dean? Alcohol a bit much for you? But the big bad Bashman wasn't the only one a little under the weather after Nadia's party. Audrey Davis was also nursing a sore head this morning. I couldn't help but notice that she was getting a little too close to Joel, and I just can't work out whether it was due solely to the cherry liquor, or if our little artist was getting bored – watch out Captain Duck, don't let her get away.

On that note, Miss Thatcher might like to tighten the leash on Joel too – what's this I hear about our favourite baseball player carrying Danni Porter to the change rooms last week after the big game? Tut tut. I didn't think that you liked cheerleaders Fitzy.

Well, Eden Hall's annual April picnic is on in just a few short hours, and I've got a few things to do – I'll see you there!

XOXO

Meddlesome Mademoiselle

TP POV

"No way! Audrey and Joel weren't flirting last night, were they?" Sophie asked in shock. She twisted around on her chair so that she could properly see her room-mate.

"Not that I could see" Linda replied, sitting up in her bed.

"Then this Meddlesome Mademoiselle has gotten it all wrong. I mean, Joel didn't carry Danni into the change rooms" Sophie continued. Linda coughed.

"Uh...well, actually...." she began "he did. But it was raining, I mean, he could have just had some sort of..."

"Streak of insanity? Linda, Joel hates cheerleaders! Why would he care if one of them got their feet dirty?" Sophie exclaimed. Her black bob jiggled as she got up and leaned against the chair. Her friend shrugged.

"I really don't know. It's not like him to take pity on a cheerleader, but then again, we can't immediately believe the worst just because MM said so." Sophie sighed in agreement.

"You're right. I 'spose I'll ask him about it at the picnic. You know, you really should get up, the picnic starts at 11 O'clock."

*

Charlie's POV

Adam and I were strolling down the hall that moment, laughing about some past incident when we turned the corner and saw the newest poster on the notice board.

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meddlesome_

XOXO

Meddlesome Mademoiselle

"You've got to be kidding me! Who the hell really wants to know about us? Who is this chick?" I exploded. Seriously, this was too much. Adam nudged me.

"Well, looks like some people really do want to know." He indicated to a small group of girls writing down the e-mail address in notebooks and diaries. "But I'm with you. This Mademoiselle girl is unbelievable," he shook his head in disgust "but anyway, let's get going."

*

When we got to the Centenary Garden (a large, leafy green area filled with all sorts of garden lamps and park benches) many students had arrived in cocktail dresses and freshly ironed khaki trousers. I subconsciously tried to smooth my creased shirt whilst Banksie and I wandered around, looking for the refreshment stand.

A pair of hands grabbed me from behind, and I started in surprise. Adam snickered as Audrey beamed up at me. "Hello!" she said brightly.

I kissed her on the cheek. "Hey there. You're looking happy." I commented.

"Guess what!" she cried excitedly.

"What?" I said dramatically, playing along.

"I got a place at Isabel Bishop Art Summer School!" she squealed.

Her excitement was soon squashed when Cindy and Danni walked by, arms linked conspiratorially. "Oh dear Danni, you've got some unexpected competition" smirked Cindy.

Her companion laughed. "Nothing I can't handle" she replied, as the two walked on. Audrey glared after them, squaring her jaw as she did so. I didn't understand what that was all about, so I asked her. She shook her head, "It's nothing. They're just trying to stir up trouble. Don't listen to them." She kissed me on the cheek and dragged me off to greet Fulton and Yvonne.

*

TP POV

"Hey! Joel, you coming or what dude?" shouted Kev as he checked himself out in the bathroom mirror. Joel groaned. Wanker.

"Yeah yeah, I'm coming" he replied. He readjusted his collar and followed Kev down the hallway, mentally clubbing over the head whoever had decided on putting him in the same room as the egotistical jerk walking in front of him. They soon made it into the gardens and Joel made his escape, backing into a nearby gazebo.

Turning around, he collided into someone, who was promptly thrown to the floor with a thump. "Ouch! Hey, would you look where you're going?" the disgruntled voice grumbled.

Sighing, Joel outstretched a hand and helped the girl off the floor. "I'm sorry about that". He turned to leave, but realised that the girl still hadn't let go of his hand. "Danni, come on, just let me go."

The cheerleader laughed. "But Joel, I haven't even thanked you yet!"

*

Adam put his arm around Linda's waist. "So, enjoying yourself?" he asked her. She nodded.

"Yep, best picnic yet" she gloated.

Adam chuckled. "That wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that that you've finally convinced the catering staff to use 100 percent recycled serviettes, paper cups and paper plates, now would it?"

His girlfriend laughed "Just a little." The two continued chatting, winding their way around clans of people sitting on tartan blankets, gradually making their way to where Connie, Guy and Kenny were sitting. The two former were sitting close together whispering, whilst the Little Bash Brother leaned against a tree, half asleep.

Portman strolled up from behind them, shadows still underneath his eyes. "Sup man?" He asked Adam, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

"Not much. Looks like you had a rough night" the centre commented.

The enforcer groaned.

"Well next time you go to a party, don't get so intoxicated that you're forced to sleep on a park bench!" said Linda in frustration.

"Huh?" said the two guys.

"Wait, how did you know that?" asked Portman.

Linda sighed. "I got an update from Meddlesome Mademoiselle this morning telling me all about it."

Portman frowned. "Meddlesome who?"

The girl groaned. "When was the last time you bothered to check your e-mail?"

"Uh...about a fortnight ago, I think."

While Linda patiently tried to explain their new stalker, Adam leaned against the side of the gazebo. Turning his head slightly, his peripheral vision encountered something he most definitely did not expect. Joel, and the conniving cheerleader that was known as Danni, were kissing.

Jerking his head away, he dragged Linda to where the other three were sitting, Portman following on from behind. "Man, what's wrong?" the Bash Brother asked as they sat themselves down on the blanket.

Adam shrugged. "Sorry, I...I thought I saw Nadia, and you know how overbearing she can be." He quickly lied. Portman gave him a strange look, and then continued to listen to Linda, who finished her explanation with the help of Connie and Guy. Banks lay down and looked up at the sky. What the hell was he supposed to do?

*

Charlie's POV

Audrey chatted away about Art School to Yvonne as Fulton and I strode ahead in front of them, making our way over to the tree where the rest of our friends were congregated. We could see Sophie plonk herself down next to Portman and start arm wrestling, and Averman was busy dangling an iced donut in front of Goldberg. Honestly...

Banks was laying down staring at the sky. I sat down next to him. "Tired?" I asked. He grunted. I sighed. "Wait, you didn't have a fight with Linda did you?"

He sat up. "No, nothing like that." He stared into space for a while. Joel appeared and sat down next to Sophie, running his hand through his hair irately. Adam spoke again. "Hey, can we talk?"

I nodded, and followed him to the ice rink. "Come on, Banksie, why so secretive?"

" 'Cause no one's around to overhear us. It'd spread quickly, and that'd upset Sophie – she's a nice girl, I wouldn't want that to happen to her."

I frowned. "Sophie?"

" I was walking past the gazebo with Linda and Portman, when I saw Joel and Danni kissing. The others didn't notice it, and I made sure they didn't get a chance. Should we tell her? Or confront Joel? I still find it so hard to believe, but I know what I saw..." he trailed off hopelessly. I was confused as well. Joel, the same Joel who compared lip gloss to drool, and considered pom-poms as the symbol of stupidity had been kissing a cheerleader?

"Confront him," I answered, "before Sophie finds out in some other way. We have to find out what made him do it" Adam nodded.

"Then let's do it."

*

When the two of us returned to the others, Joel and Sophie were talking quietly to each other, chuckling every now and then. He couldn't have been telling her about what had happened. But maybe he would in time. We could only hope. And if we were to drag him away and confront him at that moment, Sophie would get suspicious. So Banksie and I left him alone. If only we hadn't...

A/N: The green button is not far away. Reviews would be very much appreciated.

Btw, sorry about the format, but fanfic isn't allowing me to use some of my symbols, so one day I might be able to make it look a bit prettier...