Hello ladies! (and gents if there are any :L) It's been MAD. I'M SO SORRY! I'm doing my A levels at the moment and have had two, two hour exams in the past two days jesus.

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME!

HERE!

Ps, in this story- Chop still goes to school :3

SHIT! SORRY I FORGOT! SHOUT OUT TO chidarkcy for being the first to guess correctly ;) xx

(What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Chapter Eleven:

"Back To School"

"Alright, Rae." I said to myself. "You can do this. This is College. It ain't like school. It's only College."

It's only hell.

The thought of starting lessons, having teachers piss and moan about unfinished homework, and not getting any freedom for the nine weeks until half term began, was a little more than upsetting.

Fuck me, it was horrific.

As I ate my cornflakes, my mind played different scenarios of the day ahead. Me, bursting into the classroom- all the boys who had previously mocked me for being a 'whale' would stare at me gobsmacked- realising just how fit I was, and jump my bones on the teacher's desk.

Well, that's what the day would 'ave went like- if I wasn't still fat.

"I'm going now!" I called up the stairs, hand on the door.

"Wait!"

My mother ran down the stairs, her dressing gown clung tightly around her. She ran past me and into the kitchen.

I sighed. "Mum, what are you doin'? I'm gonna be late!"

She came back smiling, and handed me a Caramac bar. "Good luck on your first day." She said, kissing me on the cheek.

"Thanks." I sighed quietly, stuffing it in my pocket.

She then ran back upstairs- presumably to resume whatever oral foreplay she had put on hold.

I hope she washed her hands before touching that Caramac.

As I walked down the street, I thought about how utterly uncomfortable I was.

The navy blue blazer wasn't big enough, I could barely move my fucking arms. The striped blue and white tie strangled me- and as for this grey skirt-

Jesus, fucking Christ.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

Down the road, there they all were- dressed in all their finery, well, school uniform- were my friends.

Izzy had jumped onto Chop's back and was screaming like a lunatic- a grin plastered to Chop's face as he spun her round. Archie stood with one hand in his pocket, the other gestured to the air as he spoke to Chloe and Finn. Chloe looked, well- gorgeous, as always, her hand was resting on Archie's shoulder. And Finn was lent up against someone's garden wall, both hand stuffed in his pockets- fag behind his ear.

They all had roles.

The Joker.

The Beauty.

The Brainbox.

The Cutie.

The Hunk.

I wondered what my role would be.

"Hey! Look, it's Rae!" Izzy called from Chop's back, and the group turned to face me- smiling.

"Raemundo!" Chop bellowed.

"'Ello." I greeted. "God, I can 'ear you lot half way down the street."

"Hi, Rae." Chloe smiled. I think all was forgiven. At least, I hope.

Upon seeing me, Finn turned his head and smiled- pulling the cigarette from his ear and lighting it.

"Alright?" he smirked.

"Yeah, you?"

"I'm smashing, thanks." He grinned, blowing out smoke everywhere, I grinned in response.

"Right, lads." Archie clapped his hands together. "We doing this?"

A silent nod fell across the group.

"If we must." Chloe sighed.

"Onwards and upwards, lads!" Chop charged off- Izzy in tow.

Everyone followed suit.

"So, you excited about school then?" Finn offered.

I gave him a look.

"What?" He laughed, taking another toke from his cigarette. "Just making conversation!"

"Yeah, I 'spose- it'll be a laugh this year."

"Plus," Archie chimed in, "We've got the freshers party this weekend!" he winked.

"Hah!" I chucked. "It's like summer never ended."

"Rachel Earl?"

Chloe, Izzy and I were currently piled in the assembly hall with the rest of the first years, getting assigned our tutor groups.

"You'll be with Mrs Watkins." A short woman with frizzy hair announced.

I jumped up from my seat and gave the girls worried glance as I made my way to the group.

"Ben Keegan?"

"Yes, miss?"

"You're over there with Mr Young." She pointed to an old looking man, in a shabby suit.

"That's the last of tutor group P-PW." The frizzy lady whispered to Mrs Watkins.

She nodded in response. "OK guys! Follow me."

As we walked down the hallway, I peeked into the various classrooms, only to see Finn- in what was presumably music. He had his guitar in hand as he stared at the teacher who was visibly talking.

He didn't see me.

That was probably best.

"File in guys. And sit anywhere!"

We walked into a bright classroom, painted in white.

I sat down in the second row of the classroom, and a small mousy Asian girl sat next to me. She reminded me of Tix.

"Right, guys. None of this 'Mrs Watkins' shit. I'm Paula- and I'll be your guide for the next two years."

I think most of us were taken aback at her use of language. School wasn't like this.

"Now, let's warm ourselves up. Turn to the person on your right- and introduce yourself." The class moaned in protest. "I know, I know, bullshit. But it's bullshit I have to impose. So, get on and do it!"

I turned to the girl on my left.

"Hey, I'm Rae." I said quietly, she looked like she would jump at any sudden noise.

"I'm Mina." She said, even more quietly than I had.

"So, do all of your friends go here?"

She shook her head. "No, I don't really have any." She chuckled slightly.

"Don't worry- it won't take long." I smiled, and she returned it.

"Do you have many?" She asked, a little less timidly than the last time.

I thought back to Chop, and Izzy and Finn and Chloe, and smiled. "I have enough."

We were silent for a moment. "You can sit with us at lunch, if you want- that is?"

Her eyes brightened, and she nodded. "Thank you!"

"Ha! It's fine!" I thought back to Chop. "Please don't be intimidated by the lads though. They're just- well, lads really." I laughed.

"You talk to boys?" She asked, obviously shocked.

"Are you fucking joki-"

I was interrupted by a firm, hasty knock at the door.

A man in a tweed suit popped his head round the side of the door, must be the head or something.

"Hello, Mrs Watkins. Um, Rachel Earl?" he asked in question, gazing around the classroom.

Oh, fucking hell. Do I ever get a break?

"Hello there, Rae." He said, creepily, gesturing for me to sit down.

"Um, hi?" I said, pulling the chair out.

"I'm Mr Muggeridge. And I am the Deputy Head."

I sat there. Did he want me to look impressed?

"So," He cleared his throat. "Mr Allen has written to me and informed me of your… situation."

Situation? What the fuck does he think he's banging on about?

"Who's Mr Allen?"

"You're physiatrist."

"You mean Kester?"

He looked at me in annoyance.

"Quite."

"So, your…situation."

My blank stare must have told him that I hadn't a clue where he was heading with this conversation.

"Er-" he shifted his weight uncomfortably in his seat, "It is to my knowledge, that you've been experiencing some, health problems- shall we say?"

It didn't take me long to catch on.

"Oh, you mean about me being in hospital. Well, I'm fine. It's all fine. Kester say's I'm getting better- so no need to worry." I pushed myself off the chair, "Are we finished? OK, bye."

"Ra-" was all he managed to get out before I closed the door behind me.

As I wandered back to lessons, I saw a boy standing in the hallway- talking to himself.

He looked like a giant, standing at least 6'3. My first thought?

Phwaor.

I recognized him from the hall, but I hadn't realised what a hunk he was- until now.

Yes, not the most dignified but, I'm a girl. I have hormones.

He was muttering, something along the lines of 'Just tell her. Go on.'

"You know talking to yourself is a sign of madness?" I said, walking towards him.

He jumped, and turned to face me. Fucking hell. "Yeah?" he smiled. "Who says?" he folded his arms in jest.

I hadn't seen this boy before. Fuck me, I wouldn't forget a face like that.

"My physiatrist." I smiled, faintly.

He guffawed loudly. "You're funny."

"Thanks." I replied. "Are you new?"

"Just started."

"So you're hanging around the corridor near the end of lesson?" I asked sarcastically.

"It's just- well it's like,"

"Spit it out?" I laughed.

"I – I saw this girl. She was in my tutor group, and now she's in my lesson. I just moved and I down the street from her. It's like fate or something." He waffled.

"Are you mental?" I asked,

"My name's Ben, not 'mental'- cheers." He said, scratching the side of his face.

"Well, 'not mental' lesson's gonna be over in," I looked at my watch, "now."

The bell rang, and a large commotion came from inside the classrooms.

"Shit! She can't see me!"

"For Christ sake." I muttered.

I saw Archie walking down the hall from his own class. "Hey Arch."

"Rae." He smiled, leaning against the wall. "Who's this?" he said, gazing at a dazed Ben- who was currently staring at the door which held this 'mysterious' girl.

"Straight." I mumbled, when I noticed Archie giving him a once over. "This is Ben!" I said aloud.

"Pleasure." Arch replied, when Ben did not respond.

Finally the door jerked open, and Ben flinched when the girl exited.

Honestly, I should have known- I should have guessed. Every single bloke in the entire universe, would shag Chloe- I don't see why this poor defenceless new boy would be any different.

"Oh, that lesson was hell." She sighed, throwing her blazer in her bag.

"Yeah?" I smiled, gazing back over to an open mouthed Ben. "You know her?!" he mouthed.

I merely nodded in response. "Chloe!" She raised her eyebrows in response. "Have you met Ben over here?"

Turning, she looked at him. Jesus, I've seen that look before.

Here we go.

"No- I haven't." she smiled, twirling a piece of hair between her fingers.

I gazed at Archie incredulously, who smirked.

"Um, we've just had the same lesson." He stumbled.

"Oh, really?"

I rolled my eyes. Typical.

I tried to keep up with their conversation, that was until I felt a poke in my side.

"Oi, Oi." I turned to see Finn smiling cheekily at me.

"'Ello." I smiled brightly in return.

"Yous coming to lunch?" he asked, gesturing to us.

"Yeah, I'll be along in a minute- said I'd wait for Chop." Archie smiled.

Finn nodded, and turned towards Ben and Chloe. His eyes moved over to me, and gestured with his eyes to Ben.

"He's Chloe's new squeeze." I whispered.

Finn's eyes widened and he nodded in amusement. "Right- well I 'spose it's just you and me then!" He held out the nook of his arm, "May I?"

I slung my arm through his. "You may!" I exclaimed, laughing like I was on loon tablets.

"Fuck. They sell chips?"

Finn nodded. "Too fucking right they do."

The dinner lady piled them on top of his plate as he held his plate out.

"Hello, lads. I've come for food." Chop pushed in the queue and held his plate out, Izzy and Archie smiling behind him. The dinner lady huffed and slung some on.

"Cheers m'dears." Chop winked at her, popping a chip in his mouth. Bet she didn't think I could see her blushing. Chop induced that sort of thing in the ladies.

I was finally about to get some for myself when I saw Mina standing awkwardly at the back of the line, and remembered my earlier promise.

I pondered now, that she didn't just remind me of Tix. She reminded me, of me.

"Mina! Over 'Ere!" I called, and she moved forward timidly in the line.

When she spotted Finn, well let's just say her eyes lit up like it was Christmas.

Can't blame the girl, I've seen him.

"Finn, this is my new mate, Mina." I said.

"Alright?" He smiled, with a mouth full of chips.

"Hi." She almost sighed, and Finn smirked at her like she was mad- his eyes went back to me when he noticed she wasn't breaking eye contact.

"So, anyway!" I said awkwardly, "Chip, anyone?"

So many things to happen? Where did Ben and Chloe get off to?

Is Mina going to be a minor annoyance in the Rae/Finn saga?

How will the Fresher's party go?

All that and more- next time! Again, apologies for the MAJOR MAJOR lateness, I'm a dick- I know.

PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

-Laura xxx