Lavender - i wondered where you had gone. i thought you had thrown yourself off a cliff for that last chapter lol

The first day of secondary school is always frightening for any pupil and for Marian, Robin, Djaq, Much, John, Allan and will it was no exception. They sat in their assigned classroom waiting for the teacher with their other classmates, each at a different desk since they didn't know each other. Whilst waiting, Robin, Much and Will had got to talking and agreed to become friends. John and Allan were soon to follow. Marian sat by the window and decided to join a lonely looking girl at the front to try and make friends. The girl introduced herself as Djaq and they were soon talking about school, family and boys.

The gang of boys had already analysed everyone in the room and decide the two girls sat at the front were the hottest of the lot. As soon as the bell rang for the end of registration Djaq and Marian compared timetables and found they both had history together and were walking out the door. A young Robin seized the opportunity to talk to one of the girls he particularly liked.

"Hey watched where your going" Marian rubbed her arm as she was pushed into the wall

"Sorry didn't see you, did you want to swap insurance details? Name? Number? Marital status?" Robin asked leaning on the wall in front of her, blocking the path.

"Freak" Marian answered ducking under his arm and walking away with Djaq.

"She so wants me" Robin reassured the gang as they watched them walk away.

After 3rd period was lunch and Marian and Djaq had found a bench to meet at since they had different teachers for maths and had no one else to sit with. Marian walked towards the far end of the yard and was relieved to see the bigger kids were sat on the other side but she till had to walk past them.

"Hey baby fancy a shag" an older boy with greasy hair asked her. Marian was shocked. She had never been spoken to like that and didn't like it at all. "I'm Guy, king of year 9 you might hear about me around. Don't forget the name" Marian hurried over to the bench almost in tears of what she heard. She sat down and took a few deep breaths before the rude boy from this morning was by her side.

"Piss off" if you can't beat 'em join 'em

"That's not very nice," he said pretending to be hurt "I was just going to say hi and I'm sorry for before. I was kind of a jerk" Marian was shocked that he would give her an apology but she accepted "and if you want you and your friend can come and eat lunch with us. We scored a great place on the field."

"Erm ok thanks"

"I'm Robin by the way," he said holding out his hand "Robin Locksley"

"I'm Marian, Marian Fitzwater. Please don't laugh at the stupid name" she took his hand to shake but he kissed it gently

"Why would I do that milady?" Marian blushed

"Sorry I'm late I got lost again" Djaq came up looking flustered "what's he doing here?"

"Djaq this is Robin, Robin this is Djaq" she introduced them and he took her hand like her hand Marian's

"Charmed I'm sure" Djaq answered giving Marian an approving look of the gentlemanly quality of him.

"Robin asked if we would like to join him and his friends for lunch"

"Lead the way" Djaq said hoping there were more where he came from. Marian and Djaq followed Robin as he escorted them over the field to the waiting boys.

"Much, John, Allan, Will, this is Marian and Djaq" he pointed around the circle "Will has a thing for you" Robin whispered in Djaq's ear. Instantly her face blushed and so did his. He had noticed her in geography that morning but it would take three years for him to work up the courage to ask her on a date.

They all got on famously and on the way home Marian was walking by herself as Djaq got the school bus home. She was remembering the events of the day and smiled as she remembered the flirting she did with Robin and the fact he insisted he walk her to every lesson even if it meant being late for his own.

"Need a bit of company?" his voice came from behind her

"Are you going to follow me everywhere?" Marian asked amused by his persistence.

"To the ends of the earth" he took her hand and walked her home.