Rae woke, surprisingly, fresh but lonely. She frowned as her brain caught up and made her realise that her bed mate was no longer beside her, she wondered where he'd got to. She sat up, yawning before blinking a few times; making sure her mind was in tact and fully awake.
She then threw the covers off herself and climbed out of bed, she wandered out of the bedroom, down the stairs and into the living room; where the gang - minus Finn - was having a clean up with tiredness in their eyes and hangovers on their faces; the remaining partiers long gone by now. Al noted Rae and gave her a gentle smile, walking over and giving her a light peck on the lips as he mumbled a "Mornin', gorgeous", As he pulled away, she smiled and asked, "'Ow long's everyone been up?" Al shrugged, "Dunno, no more than an hour. There's bacon butties in the kitchen if y' want one", "Cheers", Rae looked around and frowned, "Where's Finn?" Al gave her a clueless look, pouting his bottom lip as he looked around before saying, "Chop! Where's miserable arse?" Chop shrugged, "Dunno, he was with Izzy this morning and them she came to wake me up, we came down and he was gone", Rae rolled her eyes, typical Finn; always long gone before the words 'Bin bags' Are even spoke.
Chop then walked over to Rae with a little cheeky but a, somewhat, innocent smile. Which she playfully sighed at and asked, "Wha', Chop?" "Y'know cause y' love me, will y' do the dishes for me and I'll buy y' a pint later?" She playfully glowered before leaving for the kitchen, in which Chop shouted after her, "Cheers, babes!"
Al, miraculously had now finished and filled his bin bag. So, he swiftly left through the house and for the back garden; where he put the bin bag out. He then wandered back inside and into the kitchen, where Rae was - attempting to - cleaning the never ending pile of dishes. Chop being the lazy bugger he is, had left them to build up as Izzy hadn't been round as she'd been doing some last minute exam cramming. So, you could imagine how bad it was with Chop being an nineteen year old lad, plus friends camping out in his house for the entire week.
There was a pause, before Al then asked, "So, are y' gonna tell me wha' happened between y' and Finn last night?" Without looking up from the dishes, Rae coolly responded, "Just talked", Al scoffed, "Tha's bullshit", Rae widened her eyes, she never realised how blunt Al could actually be. She continued with the dishes, "Think wha' y' wanna think, Al", He then snapped, "So considerin' it's true, if I asked Finn then he'd say the exact same?" She huffed with impatience, she sharply looked at him and snapped, "Like I said, think what y' wanna think, Al but at the end of the day y' forgetting that Finn is my best friend and I knew 'im before I knew y'. Ok? All we did was 'ave a chat about somethin' that 'appened yesterday, to do with him and Chloe. Go ask Chloe, if y' don't believe me", She then scoffed and turned back to the dishes before huffing, "Y'know wha', I can't be arsed with y'. So, if y' wanna argue then save it and fuck off", His knuckles turned white with anger, he then pushed his tongue against bottom lip and spat, "Whatever", Before leaving the kitchen.
Rae turned back to the sink, placing her hands back in and began angrily scrubbing the dishes when she froze and then stared at the dirty dishwater and the bubbles that floated below and slowly closed her eyes, letting the hot water soak into her skin. Maybe if she just turned the heat up a little more... "Raemundo!" Chop shouted in her ear, purposely causing her to jump. He then jumped up onto the kitchen unit, swinging his legs a little - like an overgrown child. He laughed a little before asking, "'ow are y', me little treasure?" She smiled, "I'm good, 'ow are y'?" He shrugged, "I'm not too bad!" His accent and just him overall, always put a smile on her face. He was always in his own little world, always cracking jokes - terrible jokes - and talking bollocks. That was Chop for you.
He was itching to ask her something, she could tell by the way he swung his legs and looked around the kitchen. So, it was no surprise when he blurted out, "So, what's goin' on with y' and lanky legs?" Lanky Legs being Al's nickname within the group as he was the tallest out of them all.
"Nothin', why?" Chop then shook his head, "Nowt, y' just looked a bit pissed off. Tha's all", She sighed, not looking up as she continued to clean, "Yeh, we're fine. Well, I'm fine. Just 'ad a little tiff tha's all", Chop then nodded, taking it in before he asked "Y' still letting 'im tickle y' kidneys then?" She grimaced and flicked dishwater at him, "Don't be so vile!" "Ay now! Be nice, I was just askin'!" She giggled, "It's a mystery 'ow Izzy puts up with y' sometimes", He then beamed, "Cause she loves me", "Someone has t'! Now get out me kitchen!" She then flicked water at him once more in which he laughed and jumped down, holding his hands up as he left the kitchen whilst shouting, "Alright, alright! I'm gone!" She then giggled as she turned back to the sink and continued with the dishes.
One person she could rely on to snap her almost instantly out of her darkening mind, was Chop. Like it was written just before, he was always in his own little world. Sure, he may have been a little thicker and more gulliable than the other lads - but he still was a laugh and always brought the banter to the table. There was nothing ever miserable and bad about him, he was just one of the lads.
Arnold John Peters, or known infamously as 'Chop'. Born and raised in a small town known as Grimsby that laid on the outskirts of Hull, up until the age of 11 when he moved down to Lincolnshire with his uncle Al as his mum had left and his dad was unable to care for him. He wasn't the best of looking men, well not compared to the other lads within the group, but he was funny - and that was all that mattered. Sure, he did wish for straighter teeth and his hair could do with a wash every now and again - but he meant well. Everyone within the group sometimes wondered how he got into college, when he talked a load of waffle most of the time - but he did. He still had a little bit of childish chub around his face, which consisted of two big and brown eyes, a bit of a wonky nose that was left funny after a BMX incident when he was twelve, his jaw wasn't sharp like Finn's and his skin wasn't clear or tanned like Archie's - but he still got girls. He was still in his "Chav" Phase, he wore the tracksuits, gold chains and his accent didn't help either. But he was kind-hearted and always there with a big extra cheesy pizza if you needed him. For someone who ate so much, he was a little whippet. Well, a tall whippet. After Al, Chop was the tallest and stood at 5' 11". But unlike Al, Chop's frame looked more gangly and lanky. Aside from college, he had a little side job in a garage that he worked in that belonged to his Uncle Al. Anyway, Uncle Al was... Well, was a bit of a dickhead. Although he spoke with advice on the atomy of women, he was an utter prick - especially to Chop. Chop was his little 'Joey' And being as gulliable as he was, Uncle Al could get him to do whatever he want. Chop didn't like it, but kept his mouth shut as Uncle Al took no shit and could give a good whip round the head if he wanted.
After everyone had cleaned, ate some more, they all departed. Johnny left to go and do his Friday shift in the pub, Izzy left for her mid-morning lecture at college, Al took Rae for breakfast, and Chloe and Archie left for college with Izzy. The only one left was Chop, who decided a shower and smoke before his shift at the garage was needed. After everyone left, Chop made his way into his bedroom and decided to pop in Blur's Parklife album tape into his radio and blast it as he stripped down to his boxers. He wandered over to his back garden, giving his balls a scratch and letting out a yawn. His bedroom was in the far right of the house and over looked the back garden. Same old, same old; overgrown grass and a broken trampoline. He made a mental note to ask Uncle Al about getting the grass cut.
He stretched and shook his limbs, waking himself a bit more. He checked his arm pits and he certainly wasn't fresh compared to yesterday. He lazily dragged himself into the bathroom, switching on the shower; praying the hot water hadn't run out. Finn was a bastard for using all the hot water. Which was evident as Chop put his hand under the water after five minutes, to snatch his hand back as the freezing cold water danced over his hand.
Deodrant definitely wouldn't do today, so he was going to have to suck it up and get in. He stripped off his boxers and socks, rolling them into a messy bundle and chucking them into the washing basket. He stood in the bathtub and sharply stood back as the icy water pierced his skin. He took a deep breath before standing underneath the water once more, it literally took his breath away. Moments like this he really despised Finn, the selfish git.
He gave his body a quick scrub with some Radox, leaving his hair as he had washed it yesterday. As quickly as he could, he washed all his bits before shutting the shower off and climbing out. He tied a towel loosely round his waist before making his way back into his bedroom. The house phone began to rang out, he lowered his radio so that the music was just background noise before he then answered picked up the house phone from it's stand on his bedside table; putting it on loudspeaker. "Yooo?" He called out, "Alright, lad? Listen me, Al and Rae are going to the caf' in about twenty minutes as I'm not due in work for another hour or so. Y' up for it?" Johnny breathed down the phone, in which Chop checked his clock on top of his chest of drawers for the time before throwing his towel into his washing basket, pulling out fresh boxers from his drawer and chucking them on, "Can't, mate. Got work", "Alright, cool. See y' in a bit, mate".
The pair hung up and Chop went over to his wardrobe, scanning through his very little amount of clothes. He decided on a plain black T-shirt, hoodie, jeans and some trainers as it was pouring down out. He chucked them on, sprayed some Lynx and decided he was ready. He switched off his radio and made his way out his room and downstairs.
Once he had everything; his walkman, wallet, keys, etc, he then left the house. With each step he took, the more he dreaded it; he couldn't avoid Uncle Al forever. It was bittersweet that the garage was so close to his house, a ten minute walk to be precise. Sweet that he wasn't in the rain long and bitter that he it wasn't long enough for him to make up an excuse to Uncle Al of why he was late.
"Oi, soft shite!" Boomed a voice from the garage office above as soon as Chop step foot into the building. Uncle Al's car repair garage was the most famous and oldest throughout the whole of Stamford. Chop inwardly winced as soon as that familiar gruff voice bellowed out. Uncle Al, not the thinnest of men, waddled down the iron steps and onto the ground level of the garage. He walked over to Chop, cigarette behind one ear and his coffee in his hand. His beady little eyes were in amused slits as he homed on his prey that was Chop.
Uncle Al was that typical Cockney, East End geezer. Thought he was the dog bollocks in his Addias tracksuits, beer belly, hairy knuckles and slicked back, thinning hair. Despite being three inches shorter than Chop, Uncle Al still overpowered him and managed to make Chop feel about five inches small. Growing up in the north of London, Uncle Al was a Cockney bitch and thought the world was his oyster; when in fact he was just a bully and a prick who was a hardcore BNP supporter.
"Thought I told ya to come home in for half ten?" Uncle Al snapped at Chop, who cowered and stuttered, "S-sorry, Uncle Al. I woke up late", Uncle Al scoffed, taking a sip of his coffee as he eyed Chop, "You're an idiot, d'ya know that? I had to do the paperwork all by meself this mornin', then again ya would've probably mucked it up. Ya sucha waste of space, you are. Dunno why I even bother with ya, now go get changed as there's cars that need fixing and money that needs making", Chop took no time into scurrying off into the changing rooms in the back. Chop was used to this kind of treatment from Uncle Al, used to his harsh words. When he first moved in when he was younger, it would often wound Chop but now; it meant absolutely nothing and Uncle Al might as well have just been telling him what the footie scores were.
"Oi, soft arse. Someone's 'ere to see ya", One of the lad's Chop worked with called out. Chop came out from underneath the bonnet of some old banger he was repairing and was greeted, surprisingly, by Izzy. He wiped the oil from his hands onto the dirty rag that was in his pocket before he beamed and gave Izzy a kiss "Alright, baby girl! What y' doin' 'ere?" She shrugged, "Nothin', was just passin' and thought I'd say hello", He smiled, Izzy always put a smile on his face. Then again, she always made everyone happy; it were as if she had the constant colour of yellow around her.
He leaned against the car, tucking his hands underneath his arms as he crossed them across his chest, "So, where'd y' get to after this morning?" "College, but got let off on an early lunch as my tutor could see I was fallin' asleep", He laughed as she giggled. They then fell into silence, and by the looks of the way she kept on looking around and fidgeting; there was something bothering her. And so there was, as she then asked, "Chop, can we go somewhere more private? I need to... I need to tell y' something", She nervously glanced around, feeling as she if she was walking on thin ice.
Saying no more questions, he took her up and into the office. He closed the door behind them and told her to take a seat on the office chair. He made them both a cup of tea, she breathed a nervous 'Thanks' Before placing it carefully down on the desk, in which she began picking at her nails with anxiety.
"What's up then, gorgeous?" He asked, taking a sip of tea. She took a deep breath before confessing, "I did somethin', Chop... I did somethin' really fucking stupid".
How can something so little, turn into something so fucking big? How can your Friday morning go from being so normal to this? Chop was sat in the pub with everyone, thinking over today's events whilst sipping his pint. He'd got up, showered, dressed, left for work, just did normal things and then Izzy... Izzy had come in and told him news that flipped his world on it's head; but told it so calmly that he wasn't sure he'd heard right.
"What's wrong with y'?" Asked a voice as Chop felt a shove against his knee. He snapped out of his dazed state and looked to see the shove and voice belonged to Archie. Now noticing he was back with the group, he continued, "Cheer up, y' look like someone's took a piss in y' pint", Chop laughed slightly, shaking his head as if trying to shake his thoughts out of his brain, "Sorry, I'm so out of it today. I'm fuckin' knackered to be fair", Archie then rolled his eyes at his response and turned back to his conversation with Rae.
He just couldn't believe what Izzy had told him this morning... How could she.. When did she... It just didn't make sense. Chloe then rose to her feet, clapping her hands together as she asked everyone, "So, it's my round! Wha's everyone want?" Everyone, aside from Chop, gave in their orders, "I'll have a snake bite and black", Chop heard Izzy pipe up, and without thinking he snapped, "But y' can't", Everyone turned to Chop, confused. Izzy grew pale and gave him a sly glare. Chloe frowned at him, "Why can't she?" Izzy, realising his mistake, stuttered, "I... She... Well, she's on anti-biotics and well y' not supposed to drink as they make y' sick", Chloe rolled her eyes and everyone went back to their conversations, "Oh she can have one", Chloe argued before turning and heading to the bar.
Izzy, making sure no one was looking, gave Chop a glare and head shake. Chop mouthed a 'Sorry' Before drinking some more of his pint and then involved himself in a converstation with Johnny and Al about Pammy Anderson's arse. It wasn't long before Chloe came back over and asked Chop to help her with the drinks, so he rose to his feet and joined her at the bar; but with Chloe it was more than just helping out.
"So, wha' was tha' all about?" Chloe quizzed, Chop, not making eye contact, began collecting his half of the drinks, "Wha'?" She rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Don't play dim, I'm not stupid. Now, as Iz's best friend I have a right t' know", Chop then snapped, "Well then ask 'er", He went to walk back with the drinks, when she pulled him back, "Chop, I'm just concerned alright? She is my best mate and if she's in trouble, then I just wanna know. I just care about 'er, tha's all", Chop, not believing it for one second, looked her up and down whilst curling his lip, "Whatever", He then pulled away and back over to the table, handing everyone their drinks; Chloe in tow with her own half - face like thunder.
"No, no, no The Queen Is Dead shits all over Wha's The Story Mornin' Glory", Rae boomed, which Archie glared and argued, "Wha'!? No chance, man! Sure, The Queen Is Dead has a few good tunes but every song on the Mornin' Glory album is fucking incredible and has more meaning!" Rae scoffed, "Yeh, and I'm the next Bond Girl", Al then jokingly quipped as he rolled a cig, "Y' fuckin' wish", Which everyone, even Rae, laughed at, "Nah, mate. Seriously, The Queen Is Dead is a classic album. Y' can't beat it!" Rae argued, once more, "Piss right off", Archie scoffed, Rae snapped back, "Just cause y' don't know good music", He rolled his eyes, smirking, "Get to fuck!" Rae smirked at him over her pint as she took a swig before putting it down, "See! Y'know I'm right and-" Chop then cut Rae off, "Raemundo, I'm gonna 'ave t' butt in and agree with Archers and say is it fuck better than Mornin' Glory", Rae then scowled at Chop, "And since when d'ya know about music y'? Y'know as much about music as me mum", Chop rolled his eyes at Rae's protest, knowing Rae weren't giving in as Rae was such a stubborn little shit; especially where music was concerned.
Despite the debate becoming so heated, that Chloe had to intervine; it still wasn't enough to stop Chop's mind wandering. He watched Izzy, he watched her laugh and act as if everything was normal and not a single thing was out of place; how could she be so... Chill? Now, he knew Izzy was a laid-back and happy little thing, but he never realised how much. Maybe it was a front, but it was a bloody good front; considering the shit she was in. Another thought then crossed his mind;
Where the fuck was Finn?
After a few more pints, Chop was far past tipsy and in need of some nicotine. He walked, well stumbled, out the pub and into the beer garden; sloppily lighting a cigarette. He leaned against the brick wall of the building and shut his eyes as he took a drag, exhaling all tension from his body as the toxins pulsed within his veins. He was so fucked.
"Chop?" A voice piped up, he looked up and lazily grinned as Rae stood before him, but his smile quickly faltered as he saw a worried look on her face, "What's up?" He asked, a slight slurr to his tone. She leaned sidewards against the wall, "What's up with me? More like, what's up with y'? Y've been acting weird all night".
He didn't mean to come out with it, but he needed to tell someone. He needed to let it out, otherwise he felt as if his brain was going to explode and his chest was going to burst; and it simply came out. Just like that;
"Izzy's pregnant", He heard Rae let out a sharp gasp before stuttering, "Wh... Wha'?" He took another drag and exhaled, "Izzy, she's pregnant and y' wanna 'ear the best part? It's not mine it's-", Chop was cut off by, "Chop, what are y' doing?" He and Rae sharply snapped their gaze to the pub back door, to see a pale-looking Izzy, Chop's gaze softened and he suddenly felt sober, "Iz, I-" Her eyes brimmed with tears before she hiccuped, turned and went back inside.
"Well goin', knobhead", Rae scoffed before turning and following Izzy. Chop took another drag of his cigarette, exhaled and then chucked it. He smacked his palm against his forehead, slurring, "Idiot".
He was torn between going inside and facing the music, or going home and recieving a shit ton of questions from everyone the following morning. He chose the second, as he could deal wtih the questions from the boys. He let out a sigh, stumbled properly to his feet and steadied himself; preparing himself for the long walk home.
"Where'd y' get to last night?" Archie asked as he flopped onto the armchair in Chop's living room, Chop was sprawled out on the couch. Chop shrugged, "Home, felt a bit sick and just couldn't be arsed stayin' out", Archie, not taking his eyes off the TV, sighed, "Fair enough", It was a Saturday meaning neither of the boys had college or work today and Archie or Finn always came round of a Saturday morning; just to watch Soccer AM and chill out.
But Chop was in no mood for small talk, he just wanted to sleep this sickness off and not speak to anybody today - last night's events drilled into his brain. But Archie was having none of it, especially since he knew something was wrong and wanted to get to the bottom of it. There was a pause, before Archie asked, "What happened with Rae and Izzy last night?" The mere mention of Izzy's name was enough to make Chop's stomach turn, he fidgeted as he had suddenly grew uncomfortable, "Nothin'", Archie rolled his eyes, "Didn't look like nothing", "Yeh, well it were. So, just drop it alright?" Chop snapped.
Archie widened his eyes at Chop's strop and exhaled, "Alright, whatever, man", The pair then fell into silence, once more. But once again, Chop broke it, "Wha's the plan for tonight then?" Archie shrugged, "Dunno, didn't know we were doin' anythin'", Chop scoffed, as if it were obvious, "Course we are, it's a Saturday. When 'ave we not done anythin' on a Saturday?" "True".
Once again, silence. Only the results of Thursday's match between Manchester United and Chelsea were to be heard. The house phone then rang out throughout the house, in which Archie mumbled, "I'll get it" Before rising to his feet and left for the kitchen. Chop tuned in and only caught Archie's responds of, "Mmhm", "Yeah, three?" "Yeah", "Ok", "Alright, see y' at three".
A moment later, Archie returned back into the living room and took place back onto the armchair, "Looks like we're going out", Chop looked over his shoulder at Archie, frowning, "Y' what?" Archie smiled, "Johnny wants to do some band practice and then go the pub, so cheer the fuck up as tonight, Chopper, my friend, we are gonna get fucking steaming!" Archie beamed, in which Chop laughed and shook his head.
Another night of drinking? Fuck it, go on then.