Chapter 18 – Mocks.
Early the next morning the gang emerged from their dorms, eyes bloodshot and feet dragging as they made there way towards the dinning hall, and breakfast.
Djaq and Marian were feverously swapping revision notes while Dean and Much avoided each others eye and Paula gave Dean a knowing look.
"Did anything, happen, between you and Much last night?" Paula whispered to Dean, unheard by the others.
"May be," Dean said innocently, unable to stop the grin spreading across her face.
Paula smiled, turning back to the others who were all unable to eat a single bite of the toast and jam laid out in front of them.
"Come on guys, stop moping, it's only…" Paula began, unable to finish her sentence.
"…our Mocks?" Much finished.
"…the exam that will predict what we will get in our GCSEs," Robin added.
"I was looking for something more positive!" Paula said, rolling her eyes.
"Time to go," Marian said, taking a deep breath as they all headed towards there math's exam, equations running through their heads.
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An hour later they emerged from the hall, exhausted and unhappy, a buzzing filled the air as many students chatted about each question.
"Did you get really stuck on number 10?"
"What did you get for x …"
"Did you finish?"
Before Paula could get out of the door Allan grabbed her arm, "We need to talk," He said softly, pulling her down out of the crowd.
"I need to revise Allan," Paula protested weakly, trying to pull away.
"I need to apologize, Paula I'm sorry for kissing Sarah, it was supposed to be a decoy for getting one of those leaflets she and Davina made, nothing more."
"That's what they all say," Paula answered distractedly.
"What?" Allan looked confused.
"It's just that you're the same as every other boy," Paula started to become angry, "You lie and cheat, it's not fair, I really thought, I really thought we could be together."
With this Paula ran toward the dormitories leaving Allan standing alone and feeling utterly humiliated and helpless.
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By the evening everyone was revising again, Paula and Allan sitting at opposite sides of the room while the new couple, Much and Dean sat close together, discreetly holding each others hands while Robin watched his friends, unable to concentrate on 'The Napoleonic Wars'.
He'd miss this most, the laughing and joking in common room, the tension between couples who really knew they should be together, he'd miss his friends, most of all Marian, the touch of her hand on his cheek and her lips on his.
"Robin? Earth to Robin?" Will said, shaking a hand in font of his friends face.
"Yeah?" Robin asked, slightly dazed.
"You look very tired mate, and stressed may be you should go to bed," Allan suggested.
"Nah," Robin replied, knowing he couldn't keep his secret any longer, "Much can I speak to you please, in private."