A/N First and foremost, may I apologise for the huge mess I made of the last chapter. It was entirely my fault - in a rush to get my next chapter up for my lovely readers before I left for Cornwall, I uploaded the wrong chapter, therefore leaving you with two chapters exactly the same! Can't say sorry enough, really, but some of you got way mad!

Secondly, thanks so much to my ever-reliable Moonlight Silhouette, who saved my behind whilst I was away having fun on holiday. Thanks for uploading the right chapter. I'm glad you all could read the right chapter fairly quickly after I made my mistake. Thanks again, Meg.

Thirdly, thanks to you for reviewing. Please keep it up - don't punish me for my mistake!


Bulletin

From your Headmistress, Mrs Hollybridge

Due to the mishaps at the Halloween dance last Wednesday (namely involvement from a rival school, and an unprovoked attack against our star sportsman Bryce Martinson) there will be no Halloween celebration next year.

Also, those in Mr. Slater's sophomore biology class, please take note that your essays are due in Friday. He asks that some of you take more care in your studies than in your social lives, please.

Your headmistress,

Penelope Hollybridge

Chapter Twelve

Creationism is a religious belief that…

I groaned, and pressed delete for what seemed the hundredth time that evening. I had written this essay once already, yet in some temporary loss of sanity had managed to wipe it completely from my computer hard-drive. Now I was left to pick up the pieces from my dishevelled notes and whatever else I could remember.

There have been many arguments over the theory of intelligent design because…

Susannah kissed me.

I shook my head. Whereas my mind should be filled with Darwin's theories and the many speculations about evolution, all I could recall was that magical moment last night in Susannah's dormitory. She had kissed me – properly, on the lips. I still wasn't completely sure if I had dreamt it.

"Oh Jess," she muttered. "You're such a good friend."

I groaned. There was the rub. That little thing that had convinced me that I hadn't dreamt it after all. The pang of reality that had brought my head back down from the clouds. Susannah didn't love me – any more than in a friendly way. I was just her moment of weakness; the only one close to her in her vulnerable state…and I had taken advantage of it. I rubbed my forehead furiously and tried to settle back into my Biology paper. I didn't see much point it in really – Paul Slater's red F stamp would appear inevitably. But I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn't try at all.

"Knock, knock." I froze at the sound of soft knuckles on my door, and Susannah's sweet voice. "Anyone in?" I remained silent, falling victim to my cowardice. I didn't feel ready to face her yet – not with the embarrassment I was sure to face. She would demand why I kissed her back, why I didn't stop her. She would demand I tell her truth about how I really felt…

Finally, I heard her pad away, down the long corridor. I breathed out, slowly. I was safe – for now. I turned back to my laptop, and managed to tap out another 100 or so words. My heart wasn't in it; my passion for Biology consumed by my hatred of Paul Slater and more recently, myself. My best friend had needed me to console her, and I suppose I had just confused her even more. I was no better than the man I had previously prided myself on being so morally superior to.

My stomach rumbled, and I suddenly realised I hadn't eaten breakfast. I glanced at my digital clock – it read 2:00pm. I groaned again. The cafeteria would now be packed with over-zealous freshmen and their enormous appetites – I would be lucky if I could snag half a sandwich. I fished in my pockets for some change, and found a few dollars' worth. The vending machine it was.

Pushing back from my desk on my wheelie chair I slowly spotted how disgustingly untidy my dorm had become. There was even underwear on the floor! I hurriedly cleared the floor and opened my curtains, sighing. That would have to do for now. It wasn't like I was going to receive any visitors today. Slipping out of my door – first checking that neither Maria nor Susannah were coming down the corridor, I made my way stealthily to the living area, where half-stocked vending machines stood without queues. I exhaled in relief and helped myself to a packet of Cheetos and some Ring Dings. There were times when grease was the only food group to go.

Chewing thoughtfully, I mulled over the rambling content of my essay with distaste. It seemed like I was going to have to visit the library – or the science block at least. I discarded my Cheetos packet and dropped back to my dorm room – just to pick up a notebook and a few pens. I'd try the science block first – it always seemed more informative than the library any day. The most educational piece of work you'd find in Hollybridge library was Jane Eyre.

Once again checking my path was clear, I moved swiftly into the courtyard, before noticing it was completely empty. No shrieks of hyena-esque laughter bounced off the stone pillars, no empty chip packets fluttered across the stone tiles. It was completely empty. I proceeded into the science block more comfortably, yet not without being a little freaked out.

As soon as I entered the science block, however, I suddenly realised why Hollybridge was so deserted. The walls were plastered with angry orange flyers. I seized one and scanned it quickly – the bold print of CONCORD CARNIVAL – hurting my eyes after so many hours of being in the dim light of my dormitory. I stuck the flyer back to the notice board and hurried up to Room 201 – Professor Lipman had always been my most useful resource. Yet halfway up the stairs, I froze.

I had heard a familiar giggle.

Heart heavy, I crept up the remains of the stairs and peered into Paul Slater's laboratory, preparing myself for a sight that surely break my heart… Kelly Prescott making out with Paul Slater?

I gasped in surprise at the turn of events. Instead of spying Susannah with Paul – which was the situation I had been preparing myself for – I had found something that could work in my favour. I could capture this tryst and present to Penelope Hollybridge – finally finishing Paul's career and sending him out of our lives for good. My heart leapt with excitement as I fumbled for my camera phone, fingers slipping on the keys with anticipation. I shifted my body so that I could get the best picture possible – making it obvious that it was both Kelly and Paul in the photo.

Click.

I had to control my gag reflexes as Paul's hands travelled up Kelly's shirt. His brown fingers danced their way up her slim ribcage, and I held my breath as I moved my cell closer.

Click.

Another ripple of raucous laughter echoed through the lab, and I shivered. It was bad enough to hear Kelly's superficial giggling in Biology class – only God knew how Kelly Prescott had gotten through freshman Biology last year – but now when really I had a choice whether or not to endure it, it was even worse.

Click.

There – I had three photographs. That was enough to show Mrs Hollybridge; enough to convince her to fire Paul Slater. I closed my phone carefully, making sure the photos were saved first, and made my way back down the stairs and out of the science block, breathing heavily. My heart thumped loudly as my subconscious began to unravel what might have been – what if Paul had caught me snapping away?

Having never been called to the Headmistress' office, I was unsure of exactly where it was. I followed the path into the main building, following the visitor signs to the reception. They would have to direct me from there. I cleared my throat, and the pretty receptionist stood to attention at once.

"Can I help you…sir?" She fluttered her eyelashes. I raised an eyebrow.

"Where's the Headmistress' office?" I asked her, urgently. The receptionist fluffed her hair nervously, and checked a map on her desk. I tapped my foot irritably. Dios, this was taking more time than it was worth.

"You take a … right, and then a left…and then another right…I think," she replied, chewing a nail whilst half-heartedly studying the map. She laughed mostly to herself and handed me the map. "Here, babe, you take it. No wonder I failed Geography in High School!"

I smiled politely and took the map from her, to find that every direction she had given me was completely wrong. I took a left past the reception and kept on going, until I found a gold plate that told me I was in the right place.

PENELOPE HOLLYBRIDGE III

HEADMISTRESS OF HOLLYBRIDGE HEIGHTS

I took a deep breath, and knocked once with a shaking hand. For ten, long seconds I was greeted with silence, until suddenly a low feminine voice invited me in. I reached for my phone in my back pocket and inhaled again.

Twisting the doorknob, I pushed the door open.

"Mrs Hollybridge? I think I have something you need to see."


I breathed a sigh of relief, and closed the Headmistress' door behind me, my phone still in there to be kept as evidence. Penelope Hollybridge was on the phone to her board of governors right now, informing them of the controversial news. Next on her agenda was to fix an appointment with Paul…and fire him.

I couldn't believe my luck. Mrs Hollybridge hadn't questioned me at all, and instead examined my photos and admitted that they were indeed of Paul Slater and a student. She was heartily disappointed that one of her students could be so foolish, though she was impressed I'd had enough bottle to come to her with the evidence. That should give you some idea of how unbelievably suck-up-ish I felt after that.

Wandering back into the courtyard, I passed Paul Slater. Avoiding his gaze, I saw instead that several of his shirt buttons were undone. I shuddered – that had to be Kelly's doing. Mrs Hollybridge's voice sounded over the speaker, like Cee-Cee Webb's did every morning during the morning announcements.

"Can Paul Slater please report to the Headmistress's office? Immediately."

My stomach swooped – I wasn't sure if the feeling was nerves or pride. Either way, I watched Paul amble out of the courtyard and into the main building, knowing that I would never see him again. The sun appeared from behind a cloud – poetic really; it reflected just how I was feeling.

I sank into a wooden bench pensively. I hadn't spoken to Susannah for nearly a day – not a record, by any means, yet it still felt strange. I needed to clear the air.

But did that mean telling her how I felt?

"Jesse!" A low voice yelled my name cheerfully. Knowing it couldn't possibly be Susannah, but turning around optimistically nevertheless, I saw Mark Pulsford making his way towards me – on crutches, yet smiling. "Hey dude," he greeted me. "How are you?"

"How am I?" I asked, rhetorically. "What about you? You were the one who was stabbed." Mark winced at my harsh words, and he shook his head. Bandaging from his stomach wound was evident, as the tail of it dropped from underneath his sweater. He rubbed his forehead.

"I know, dude," he replied. "But I can't remember it. I mean, the nurse was like 'Oh my God!' and I even had the freaking police in to see me…but I can't remember who stabbed me, or why. Or even where!"

I patted his shoulder sympathetically. "No worries," I said. "I'm sure whoever did it is going to pay." Mark smiled.

"I told the cops to drop it," he informed me. "I mean, I'm fine, right? And no-one's going to be leaving me on my own for a while – I have my own personal helper until I walk probably – so no-one's going to attack me. It could've even been me who stabbed me!" He laughed whole-heartedly, his handsome face grinning in the wan sunshine. I smiled back, but then excused myself.

"I'm sorry, Mark," I said, patting his shoulder again. "But I gotta go see someone." He raised an eyebrow.

"A girl someone?" he asked, and I just stared back blankly. He looked impressed. "Nice to see Jesse De Silva is finally getting some action." I was stung.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded. Mark smirked.

"Everyone knows that you've been hung up on that Suze chick since you met her back in Carmel," he answered, shrugging. "I mean, it's written all over your face – even when you're not with her. Someone only has to say her name and your whole face lights up." I blushed.

"Thanks for enlightening me," I said, clapping him on the back. "But I gotta go."

"Good luck!" Mark called after me as I dashed across the courtyard. All of a sudden, my mission was clear. I had to tell Susannah how I felt – it was now or never. My heart in my mouth, I sprinted to her dormitory building. It was strange what I was feeling – excitement, fear…and also some sense of relief. The feelings that had been bubbling uncontrollably for too many years were finally coming to the surface. Finally I would know where I stood.

All too soon I was faced with the wooden door dotted with stickers and ruled by the whiteboard reading "Cassie + Suze". I hesitated before knocking – this situation was way more daunting than entering the Headmistress' office like I had done only half an hour ago. I raised my hand carefully, before knocking. Not to my surprise, the door was unlocked, and it edged open as I knocked politely. I pushed it open, already preparing my speech.

"Listen, querida-" I was stopped short.

"Ah," said Paul, with a sneer. "I was wondering when you were going to arrive."