After a few days back at college they felt like they had never left. It was exactly the same as the previous year only with more work and, of course, JJ the new girl. It was first period after lunch on Wednesday and it was time for their first life skills class with Kieran. He looked as unhappy about it as they did. Jesse was sitting in the free seat next to Effy; much to Katie's displeasure as she had been hoping for an opportunity to convince the girl she was the cooler twin since JJ had obviously taken quite a shine to her sister.
"So what do the Js stand for then?" Effy inquired raising her eyebrows at the red head.
"Why do you need to know?" She countered with a smirk.
"Just curious." The brunette shrugged. There was something about this girl that intrigued her; a story hidden behind her blue eyes.
"Curiosity killed the cat." She said pointedly then shook her head. "That's not actually true, I killed the cat because it kept asking what the Js in my name stood for."
Effy laughed. Katie strained her neck to look behind her to see what they were laughing about. Though she had made her peace with Effy over the Gobbler's end incident she still felt wary of the girl. Not because she was liable to hit her over the head with another rock, that would only happen if Effy was high on shrooms and Katie had her hands around her neck, but because she had the ability to take away everything that was important to Katie.
"Alright then at least tell me why you don't want everyone to know. I say everyone because Emily knows so it must be a selective thing. It can't be that bad, I mean Jessica is a pretty average name." She mused.
"It's not Jessica, just Jesse." She shook her head. "And I'm not telling because I don't want to." She smiled at Effy with an impish glint in her eyes.
"Alright folks." Kieran drew their attention. "Today we have to joy of learning about...the importance of working in a team." He rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. "And oh good there's a booklet."
He passed the booklets around to everyone.
"Now what am I supposed to do?" He said reading his instructions from a sheet provided by Doug. "Read the booklet and complete the team building exercises provided." He read monotonously.
"Well I'm not doing that." He scanned the sea of faces before him. "You, son of Picasso, yeah you read the first page to the rest of the class." Kieran leaned back in his chair as the boy read the first page.
"In the real world you will be expected to work as a member of a team on a daily basis. Working as a member a team is important as it insures the efficient functioning of..."
"So are you coming out with us this weekend then?" Effy tuned out the boring passage the boy was reading and turned her attention to more interesting things, like JJ.
"I don't know." She shrugged. The group of friends had been genuinely welcoming towards her over the past few days but she didn't want them to feel like they had to invite her places because she didn't have any friends. She did, just none of them attended Roundview. "I might have plans."
"You might have plans?" Effy raised an eyebrow, picking up on the sceptical tone in her voice.
"Yeah, with my girlfriend. I'm not sure though a lot of plans I've been making with her recently have been getting cancelled." She tried not to sound bitter about it.
"Well if you're not doing anything you should come out. It will be fun." She gave Jesse a devilish smile. JJ couldn't help but notice how enticing it looked.
"Maybe." She gave an equally devilish smile.
-
"Ready for the weekend boys?" Cook asked excitedly, running his hands together in anticipation. "Cook's annual return to Roundview party!"
"I don't think you can describe it as an annual even when you didn't have one last year and won't be here to hold one next year. It's really more of a one off return to Roundview party." JJ explained. Cook stared at the boy and just shrugged and shook his head.
"It's a party man! Who gives a fuck about the technicalities?" He rolled his eyes. "Freddie man you were in charge of the invites, is everyone coming?"
"I think so." He shrugged. He wasn't really too bothered about the whole thing so he just started a half hearted rumour about there being a party in Cook's house and trusted the Beauty Therapy girls to spread it around.
"Excellent! Is that new girl coming?" He asked licking his lips. "I'm gagging to get stuck into her, know what I mean?" He winked and made indecent gestures at JJ who looked disturbed.
"I don't think that's going to happen Cook." He said doubtfully. He was sort of glad it wouldn't happen; he didn't want the girl who shared his name to hook up with Cook.
"Why not?" He sounded offended.
"Weren't you listening the other day when she was talking?" JJ asked. Cook's blank stare answered for him.
"She's gay!" Freddie sighed, knowing it probably wouldn't stop him making a pass at the girl.
"Really?" He looked giddy at the thought. "Threesome." He smirked.
"Not going to happen." Freddie rolled his eyes.
"We'll see." Cook loved a challenge.
-
By the time Friday rolled around the whole year was talking about Cook's party, his friends however weren't so enthusiastic. They were afraid it would turn out like his birthday party the previous year. They gathered round a table at lunchtime on Friday, Cook was absent as he had important things to take care of for the party; no one had really argued when he excused himself.
"If I hear one more BT chick babble about the Cook's fucking party tonight I will not be held accountable for my actions." Naomi growled as she took a seat with everyone else.
"I know!" Katie rolled her eyes; even she was fed up with it. "It's probably not even going to be that good anyway."
"Yes but it's a party." Effy mused. "And there's not a lot else happening round here since the new girl turned out to be so lacklustre." She smirked at JJ whose jaw dropped in mock indignation.
"Well if I'm so lacklustre how come you're so desperate to get me to this party?" She raised an eyebrow at the brunette at the other end of the table.
"Like I said, there's not much happening around here." She smiled and something flashed in her blue eyes. Naomi watched the back and forth trying to figure out whether they really were flirting or if she was reading too much into the conversation.
"Are you coming Jay?" Emily asked her new friend.
"Don't know yet." She replied dismissively. "You don't have to keep inviting me to be polite you know."
"Don't be stupid we want you there." Katie scoffed. Naomi's head snapped around to looked at the now brunette twin. Katie was being genuinely welcoming to a newcomer and Effy was soberly flirting with girls; she was definitely through the looking glass.
"Well in that case I might just show up. Couldn't turn you down now, could I Katie?" She winked at the girl.
"A word of warning if you do come...Cook's going to be trying it on with you all night." Freddie gave her a friendly word of advice. Jesse looked confused.
"Doesn't he know I'm gay?"
"He does." JJ answered matter-of-factly. "But that hasn't appeared to deter him."
"Yeah his ego is big enough to make him believe you will turn for him." Freddie laughed. Jesse chuckled slightly; even if she was straight the chances of her sleeping with Cook would be slim.
"Well thanks for the heads up." She smiled at the boys. The bell rang signalling the end of lunch and they got up to go their separate ways.
"Maybe see you later." Jesse smiled as she walked away.
A/N: I know this chapter was a bit on the short side and a bit filler-ish but I wanted to publish something in case I don't get an update out befoe Christmas! The next chapter - the party will make up for it hopefully! =]
