Kayla was sitting at one of the computers round the corner, typing away at a 'piece of coursework' that was actually a story she was writing.

The careers library was more or less unknown to most and the year 12 and 13's weren't allowed at lunch. Only one other person was round the corner, another tenth year that had his head in a book.

Attempting to be surreptitious, she peeked over her shoulder. His black hair, scruffily arranged, nearly fell in his clear blue eyes. He was pale, but not unhealthily so, and had not an inch of fat on him.

He looked up at her and smiled. Flushing, she looked away. She knew about nice boys, and knew they weren't always nice.

He wasn't new, he had been at this school for a year now, and she had seen him before. He was always hanging out with that 'ladies man' Mitch, who had broken so many hearts.

Resuming her typing as a fresh wave of inspiration hit, she didn't notice him close the book and leave.

After lunch had ended, Kayla headed up to her form room. Getting there she met her best friend Jess, and her other friends, Emily and Hannah. They were very excited.

"Kayla!" Emily squealed before saying something that was supposed to make sense but didn't because it was too high pitched and way too fast.

"Repeat slowly" Kayla intoned. Hannah interrupted her;

"There's talk of a Christmas dance this year! We think we should all go and dress up as book characters! Emily already has dibs on Alice from 'Twilight' and I have dibs on Lucy form the Narnia stories. What do you guys want?"

"Oh, I want Shiraz from 'Diary of a Chav! I've wanted the excuse for ages!' Jess gushed excitedly.

Kayla deliberately said nothing. She knew about the dance, she had overheard some girls in the changing rooms after PE.

She also knew she wouldn't go. They would call her a spoilsport and she would tell them her mum didn't like her out late. That wasn't the real reason though.

The real reason was that Kayla hated parties. Because to come as she really wanted would scare the crap out of everyone.

And land her in deep trouble with her parents.