There was no way I could miss this out, so again I had to steal dialogue, which I hate doing. I can't even express to you how much I hate it, it's like cheating, and I hate that, but I want to include some of the WR storylines, and this one was a must. It's a long one, but it was always going to be, enjoy =]
Education – Part 2
The explosion had destroyed the Waterloo Road canteen, and had put a lot of lives in danger, but by some small miracle, there had been no fatalities, though there had been several injuries. Weslie Connor suffered a deep cut to the head, which resulted in seven stitches, and a badly bruised hip bone. Paul Langley broke two fingers, sprained his wrist and suffered multiple cuts and bruises to his face and neck. Davina Shackleton inhaled copious amounts of smoke and spent three days having a machine breath for her. Rachel Mason took a nasty blow to the head and suffered burns on her chest. A handful of other students, including Bolton Smilie were treated for smoke inhalation and minor cuts and bruises, and no one knew what had happened to Stuart Hordley.
It was only a stroke of luck that it had happened on the last day of term and caused no disruption to anyone's education, and the builders had the entire summer break to repair the damage made to the school.
Bolton had been fine. Paul and Weslie had been taken to hospital straight from school, where they had been seen by doctors and were both bandaged up. Paul's fingers had been x-rayed and subsequently strapped up to support them whilst they healed. Weslie on the other hand, had had to have her head stitched, which was not something she enjoyed. She sat and complained the whole time, whilst Paul stood at the foot of her bed, sniggering at her.
Davina Shackleton was brought in not long after. They saw her being wheeled past, completely unconscious, with an oxygen mask strapped to her face, paramedics and nurses working on her frantically, rushing past them. Pauls laughter died away instantly, neither of them smiling anymore. Weslie's parents arrived just a second after Davina was rushed past them, her mother in tears. Apparently all they had been told was that she had been involved in a fire at the school and had been taken to hospital
When the first day of the new term rolled around, the canteen had been fully restored and Waterloo Road was ready for its students to come back. Weslie, who had recently turned 16, was sitting in the back of her fathers' car, her head back, watching the houses passing by as the car slowed to a stop. She didn't move, but stayed slouched in her seat.
Her father turned to look at her 'Are you sure you want to go back princess?' he asked. She'd been shook up worse than he'd ever seen after the explosion, she knew she and Paul had been literally seconds from death, and it had played on her mind all summer, he wasn't sure going back there would do here any good.
She looked at him after a long minute nodding 'Yeah' she said, sitting up and picking up her brand new and expensive bag, which he had bought her in Greece 'Yeah I'm fine, I'm going in' she said getting out, she stopped in front of his window.
'Call me if you want to come home, okay?' he said, handing her a twenty. She nodded and walked away. She walked in with her head down, the chattering students all milling around her, meeting up with friends, laughing and sharing their stories from the summer. She saw a few familiar faces, Chlo and Donte, Janeece and Maxine, but didn't stop to say hello to any of them.
She was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she didn't notice Paul running up behind her, until he grabbed her around the middle. She screamed and squirmed, spinning around to find him behind her, laughing at her reaction, her face split into a wide grin and she threw her arms around his neck, giving him a bear hug.
He hugged her back, picking her up for a second 'Missed me then?' he said once he put her down, she smiled nodded, incredibly thankful to see him. She'd barely seen him all summer; she'd spent a few days at home during the first week before they flew out to Greece for a month. They were home for the last week of the holidays, but she had been too busy to see her friends. She had been busy buying her new uniform, getting back into singing again and helping her older brother Thomas move his stuff into his new university flat. She had spoken to them both on the phone and on the internet, but hadn't seen either for weeks, and had really missed them both, especially Paul.
She smiled, the two of them turning to walk in together 'Why wouldn't I' she said, linking her arm with his.
'Fair point' he agreed 'But look at you' he said, looking her up and down, impressed 'nice tan Weasel' he nodded.
'I know' she agreed, peering down at her own legs 'I look fabulous' she smiled, shaking her hips from side to side to make her skirt sway.
'That you do' he agreed.
……
The morning went smoothly; they had an assembly, during which they welcomed back Rachel Mason, and she welcomed back her students, along with the usual new faces. At the end of it they were ushered off to their forms, where they would be given their new timetables.
'Ere y'ar' Bolton said, nodding towards a group of people making their way inside with Miss Mason. There was a short redheaded woman, and what looked to be her 5 children. Four of them boys, three of them teenagers, but one only early in his teens, and a baby. The only girl was also a teen and looked to be the middle child 'who d'you reckon they are?' he asked.
Weslie shrugged her shoulders, watching them as almost everyone else around was. One of the boys, one of the older ones but the shorter of the two glared at Weslie and the boys until they were out of site 'new students maybe' she suggested.
……
They didn't encounter any of them again until morning break. They were hanging around near the lockers, the boys fooling about as usual. Paul had hold of Weslie's ankle and was pulling it around, laughing as he watched her struggle to stay on her feet 'Let go of my damn foot!' she said for the fourteenth time. Paul laughed again and shook his head, Bolton kept jabbing his finger into her side, trying to knock her over.
When Paul finally let her go, she went for him and the two of them wrestled, Paul grabbing her wrists an wrapping her arms around her, she stamped on his foot hard and wriggled free, Bolton laughed and shoved Paul. Paul stumbled backwards and into the shorter of the new boys, who they had found out, was called Earl Kelly.
'Sorry mate' Paul said to him, backing away.
'What the hell you playing at?' he snapped aggressively, rounding on Paul and squaring up to him, Paul stepped backwards out of his way.
'I said sorry, it was an accident' he explained, still backing away. Weslie and Bolton shared an anxious glance and she shrugged slightly, as if to say she had no idea what he was on about. Bolton widened his eyes to show he was just as surprised as she once.
'No, once is an accident!' he spat, still stalking closer and closer to Paul, who kept backing away from him warily 'you done it deliberately this time' Bolton stepped closer, coming up behind Earl.
'Alright just calm down' Weslie said, trying to defuse the situation.
'What do you mean 'this time'?' Paul asked, perplexed.
'I don't even know who you are man' Bolton said, stood beside him. Weslie stepped up next to him, but Bolton held his arm out and pushed her gently backwards.
'Well carry on like that and you soon will!' the shorter boy snapped.
Bolton turned aggressive 'Well maybe you should get to know who I am before you go shouting your mouth off new boy' Bolton said, looking down at him.
'Yeah' Paul agreed, backing off again. Earl looked at him with an icy spiteful glare.
'Where do you think you're going?' he asked, grabbing the front of Pauls jacket and pushing him backwards, slamming him against the lockers. Paul cried out in pain, Weslie and Bolton both lunged forward to help their friend, but Earl wasn't affected by their move and held Paul firmly 'do you think this is finished?' the hate in his eyes was so plain and obvious that it sent a chill down Weslie's spine.
'Get off him man!' Bolton exclaimed.
'Let him go!' Weslie demanded, Bolton still holding her back, away from the danger.
'Or what?' Earl said, still staring at the pined and squirming Paul.
'Or you'll have me to deal with, now move!' Tom Clarkson's voice said as he came down the stairs.
'Don't think this is finished' Earl whispered as Paul slipped out of his grip and the three of the fled down the corridor.
'Are you okay?' Weslie asked him, rushing in front of him and turning round to face him, walking backwards.
'I'm fine!' he snapped, pushing her away irritably 'let's just forget about it' he said, hiding his face from them, embarrassed.
……
Paul wasn't himself for the rest of the day, he was quiet, reserved and wanted more than anything to forget what had happened and stay away from Earl Kelly. Weslie could understand why he wanted to do so, there was something about that boy that just did not sit right with her, something that put her on her guard around him, and it was something she really didn't like.
'What does it matter?' Paul said, when Bolton pressed the matter during their lunch hour.
'You're the one making a big deal out of it' Bolton said.
'I just wanna keep out of that new kids way alright?' Paul said, agitated 'I think he's a bit of a-'
'A bit of what?' Earl interrupted, appearing behind them with his little brother. The three of them looked back but kept on walking, Earl and his brother following them.
'Nowt' Paul grumbled, avoiding Earls eye.
'Look' Bolton said, as calmly as possibly, stopping and turning to Earl 'I don't know what your problem is man'
'I don't have a problem' he said quickly, in a calm voice Weslie didn't trust 'I just wanna show you summat' he said in the same calm voice.
'Show us then' Weslie said bravely, determined not to look weak in front of him.
'Not here' he said, shaking his head 'come on, I think you'll like it' Bolton and Weslie both started walking, but Paul hesitated. He reached out and grabbed Weslie's elbow just before it went out of reach, tugging her back.
'No it's alright' Paul said 'we've got stuff to do'
Earl stopped and look at the two boys curiously, ignoring the fact Weslie was there, slightly amused 'Do a lot of stuff together do you boys' he mocked, laughing. No one spoke; Paul looked down, wanting to be anywhere but there. Wes knew he had a deep rooted dislike for confrontation, due to his past and abusive uncle, but she knew they'd be safe with Bolton 'Well okay' Earl said, putting his friendly tone on again 'if you want to be left alone with your boyfriend that's up to you' he started to walk away again.
'Well alright, it better be worth it' Bolton said, following him again, Paul stood still again.
'Bolton, no!' he hissed.
Weslie reached out behind her and grabbed his hand, dragging him with her and spreading her fingers out wide, letting him slip his into the spaces between 'Come on Paul' she said 'he was calling you gay!' he sighed and followed, admitting defeat. They followed Earl back inside and into the boys changing rooms, which where deserted. Paul lingered at the door, but followed Weslie inside when she dropped his hand.
'So what's the big deal then?' Bolton asked, the three of them following Earl round the other side of the changing stands. He turned to face them, pulling a gun out of his waist band. Weslie stopped so abruptly that Paul walked into her.
'Oooh' Bolton cooed, impressed.
'What the hell have you got that for?' Paul demanded.
'Let me see this' Bolton said stepping closer to him.
'You look with your eyes, not your hands' Earl snapped.
Bolton looked at it for a moment. Paul pushed Weslie behind him and felt her grab on to the back of his jacket, gripping hard 'it's not even real is it?' Bolton said.
Earl put on a fake laugh 'isn't it?'
Bolton's smile faded 'Why have you even brought it to school?' Weslie asked.
'Why do you think?' he sneered.
'What?' Paul asked 'protection?'
But Bolton wasn't fooled 'Or maybe you just want us to think you're a bit gangster, instead of the tosser that you are' he said, in a mocking voice, riling Earl.
'Look' Paul said, reaching behind him for Weslie's hand, which he found and held onto tightly 'this is stupid, I'm off' he said, turning to walk away, taking Weslie with him. She usually didn't take so well to being dragged around, but this time she didn't object. His voice was shaking, she knew he was scared. He made for the door, but Earl was faster, taking the shorter way around, he held the gun up against the wall beside the door, blocking their exit. Weslie grabbed for Paul's jacket with her other hand.
'You're going nowhere' Earl said menacingly.
'I won't say anything, to anyone, I, I just' Paul stammered.
'What?' Earl said, unfazed by Pauls blatant fear and discomfort. Weslie stepped aside, away from Earl and the gun and stood beside Bolton, taking hold of the arm of his jacket 'what's wrong?' Earl asked, faking concern.
'I just don't want to be here alright?' Paul said, clearly in discomfort. Weslie didn't like the look on his face, she could see how terrified he was, how much this situation was bothering him. Paul started to back up, Earl following him.
'What's up? Are you scared?' he asked, in the same fake concerned voice that didn't fool any of them, still following Paul, himself followed by Weslie, Bolton and his brother.
'Stop it, just leave him alone yeah?' Weslie said as calmly as she could, still clutching Bolton's arm, desperate to be out of there.
'You are aren't you? Earl continued, ignoring her and waving the gun around 'scared it might just go off in my hand'
Paul was breathing heavily and turned away 'No' he said defiantly.
'BANG!' Earl shouted, laughing as Paul jumped and exclaimed that it wasn't funny and asking to be let out again.
'Just let him go!' Bolton said, with more confidence than Weslie when she last spoke. Earl turned, pointing the gun at the other two, a malicious look on his face.
'What are you going to do about it if I don't?' he asked calmly. No one spoke. 'That's what I thought' he said, smiling.
'Move, now' he said, grabbing hold of Weslie by the shoulder and shoving her to stand next to Paul, who caught as she stumbled 'you too! Get over there' he said threateningly to Bolton, who stood on her other side. Paul took her hand again, lacing his fingers in with hers.
'You thought you were really funny this morning, bumping into me' Earl said, pacing in front of them.
'I told you' Paul said, still breathing hard 'It was an accident'
'Not laughing now though' he said with a grim satisfaction.
'Cause there's nothing to laugh at anymore' Bolton added.
'This is stupid' Weslie said, Paul squeezing her hand hard when she spoke, trying to tell her not to speak, not to get herself in any more danger 'this won't end well, just let us go' he stared her in the face, his eyes cold and empty. He shook his head.
'Look, I'm really sorry' Paul said.
'And' Earl added.
'And it won't happen again, I promise' he assured him 'just let me go, please' he almost begged.
He shook his head 'not yet, I mean, you say you're sorry, but I'm just not feeling it'
'He is' Weslie said, her hands shaking 'he didn't mean it'
He ignored her 'perhaps you should show me how sorry you are'
'What are you on about?' Bolton asked.
'On your knees' Earl said coldly, looking directly at Paul.
;Just leave him alone man!' Bolton exclaimed as Paul started to get down, letting go of Weslie's hand 'Paul don't do it!' she hissed.
'Don't listen to them, they've got you in enough trouble already' Earl said 'just get down, say you're sorry, and we'll call it quits' he said, speaking calm and slowly, the gun pointed directly at Pauls face the whole time. Paul stared at it, terrified. Weslie reached down, holding onto his shoulder.
'I'm really sorry' Paul said, his voice shaking, but staring at the gun in his face.
'That wasn't hard was it' he said. He looked down at Paul for a second longer, then up at Bolton 'your turn'
Bolton shook his head 'No way man' he said stubbornly. Earl stepped closer to him, the gun pointed directly at Bolton's face.
'On your knees' he said 'Now!' he looked at Weslie, pointing the gun at her 'you too'
He walked around the back of them once they were on their knees 'Now, say sorry' he said, picking up Weslie's long ponytail and spinning it once around his finger, flicking it away.
'I'm sorry' she whispered, her voice also shaking, silent tears on her cheeks. He looked at Bolton, whose jaw was clenched hard, but he still managed to mutter an apology. Earl started pacing again, walking in and out of the three of them, all on their knees and all silent.
'Now, what to do with you' he said, considering it. Weslie stole a glance at her friends, Paul terrified and Bolton furious. Earl stopped walking and faced them 'I know' he said, smirking 'My trainers are a bit dirty'
'You said, if I said sorry' Paul started, but was interrupted by Earl.
'Put a shine on them whilst you're down there will you?' he said, still perfectly calm, in control. Paul looked up at him, then at Bolton, who didn't move, and finally at Weslie, who pleaded with him silently to make it all go away, this wasn't the first day back reunion she'd had in mind. Paul went down onto all fours, pulling the sleeve of his jacket over his hand and starting to scrub Earl's shoe with it.
'You're gonna be sorry you did this' Bolton muttered, looking up at him, his jaw set hard and his face angrier than Wes had ever seen him.
'Am I?' Earl asked, pulling his foot from under Paul and walking to stand directly in front of Bolton 'Am I really? Y'know, I reckon you could put a better shine on them. With your tongue' he spat.
Bolton shook his head 'No way mate, it's not gonna happen' neither moved, both of them staring the other down hard. Paul saw his moment of opportunity and in one swift moment had picked his bag up, grabbed Weslie by the hand, pulled her to her feet and fled from the changing rooms, pulling Weslie along with him.
Bolton caught up with them a second later as Paul was half dragging Weslie down the corridor, clutching her hand so hard his knuckles had turned white and her fingers had gone numb, he was close to tears and Weslie was busy wiping her own from her face.
'I'm sorry I left you' he said as Bolton caught up with them 'I just couldn't-'
'Shut up man and just keep walking' Bolton snapped, hurrying them outside.
……
Weslie sat on her bed with the TV on, she wasn't watching it, she didn't even know which channel it was on. She'd had the worst day of her life. Things hadn't gotten any better after they'd left the changing rooms. Paul had slipped a note under Rachel Masons door telling her there was a gun in the school and the entire building had been evacuated. But Earl was smarter than that and planted the gun on his brother, who had been taken away in a police car. And he knew it had been them who'd told Mason.
She sat on the bed, leaning her side against the propped up pillows, her face buried in her hands. She was breathing hard, her hands still shaking, remembering the way he had held the gun in their faces, the calm look on his own, she had no doubt he'd use it.
Downstairs she heard the doorbell ring and her mother answer. She heard muffled conversation and the door shutting, whoever it was had been let in. She ignored it and pulled her knees tighter into her chest. She heard footsteps coming up the stairs and a minute later a knock on her door, which she ignored.
Another knock and it creaked open 'Weslie?' it was Paul. She looked up at him and beckoned him in, saying nothing. He shut the door behind him quietly.
'I can't stop thinking about it Paul' she said, turning back to hide her face in her hands, shaking again.
'I know, I can't either' he said, sitting down on the edge of her bed with his back to hers. The room was dimly lit, only a small desk lamp and the TV giving off any light.
She said nothing, and he had no choice but to sit and watch her. He saw her shoulders start to heave and heard her sobbing. He turned around to face her properly and moved across her bed to where she was sat, coming up behind her, he pulled her to sit between his legs, her back in his chest and wrapped his arms around her as she cried.