Authors Note: This chapter also takes place during the first episode. It's mostly some of Freddie's musings on Effy. If also include some other characters and their thoughts on Effy. I figured that since Katie had already heard about Effy then other people would have too.

Chapter Time Line: Episode 1 (In class, after Effy leaves)

Chapter Two: Shadows

With a flash of dark hair and attitude, Effy Stonem was gone. Her hollow eyes and full pout marched far, far away; to the nurse's office apparently. Doubt and even a tinge of anguish creeped up inside of Freddie as he watched Cook exit the room leaving a smug trail of arrogance in his wake. The urge to reach out and smack the smirk off of his face was much stronger than it should have been. Freddie decided not to dwell on his anger and yes, jealousy. He decided to focus on the image of the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. She was gone now but, he could still picture her perfect face.

"Waxing poetics so soon?" The voice interrupted his thoughts and for a moment, Freddie worried that he had been dreaming out loud. But the gentle smirk on Naomi's face let him know that she was simply inferring based on his previous statement.

"Maybe." He shrugged carelessly. Cook had once told him that his careless attitude and mysterious persona was what drew woman to him. He wasn't sure if Cook was right but, he had to admit that he'd never had trouble attracting a girl. Until Effy that is.

"You've set your bar pretty high you know." She continued, turning around to face him. The teacher had given up on conducting any sort of lesson. They were supposed to be talking amongst themselves and getting to know one another.

"Oh please, I hear she'll let anyone and any thing up her vagina. She'd even let you fuck her Naomi." Katie interrupted. Her earlier worship for the school's unofficial queen bee seamed to have disappeared now that she was no where in sight. Replacing it was a bitter sort of envy, leaving the thick residue of jealousy smoldering in the air.

"How fucking original you slag." She replied rolling her eyes. Freddie fought the urge to tell them all to shut their petty little mouths. There was a reason girls weren't allowed in his shed; it was sacred. Besides, he couldn't stand most girls long enough to walk them through the door.

"I thought you like, wanted to be Effy's best friend or something." Emily chirped from her spot in the corner. She had strategically waited for the right moment to intercept her sister's argument with Naomi. Her timing had left her remark looking casual and off handed.

"Look, just because I'm friends with the girl doesn't mean I'm about to glaze over all her fault. She's a fucking whore. And that's that." Kate defended. A blotch of red appeared on her noise, as it always did when she was feeling trapped or embarrassed. Emily was the only one to notice.

"Friend." Naomi mutter, shaking her head and chuckling.

"Yeah, that's right. We're friends." Katie replied in a challenging manor. "What's it to you?" She continued.

"Effy Stonem doesn't have friends. The closest thing she's got is that odd ball Pandora. She's a loner, likes it better that way, you see." This time Naomi spoke to the entire group. At that point almost everyone was listening anyway. Freddy squinted his eyes and spoke before he could think things through.

"Why?" He questioned simply.

"I don't know, not really anyway. Some people claim she's got a few screws loose in the head." She shrugged helplessly. It was like they were all gathered around a camp fire, listening to a mysterious tale of a historic myth.

"Her parents are real pricks though, aren't they?" Emily wondered out loud.

"Yeah, and her brother was pulverized by a bus last year or something. I hear he got his fucking brains so scrambled he couldn't remember his own name. He's like a retard now." A boy in the back called out.

"You know, she almost died last year. Yeah, she ODed and spent loads of time at the hospital. Her brain was probably cut off for too long, now there's permanent damage. I mean, no wonder her parents are such pricks. Both of there kids are brain damaged." Katie exclaimed. The storied became more and more outrageous. Some were based on bits of truth, while others were flat out lies.

"Fuck." Freddie muttered to himself. He was utterly flabbergasted at the sheer ignorance people his age could often display. What business did any of them having, sitting around talking about Effy's life like that?

"Alright there Freddie?" JJ questioned, noticing the distressed look on the dark eyed boy's face.

"Sure." He muttered in response. Naomi looked over to shoot him a doubtful glance. She was a bit more perceptive than the rest of them. The turmoil was rolling off of Freddie in waves and she was catching every rise and fall.

"Uh oh. Freddie darling, you don't like that we're all talking about your little princess, do you?" She teased, raising and eyebrow.

"Fuck off Naomi." He bit back. "I just don't see why no one has anything better to talk about then Effy Stonem and her fucked up life." He continued seriously. They all paused for a moment before looking at him like he was nutters.

"Jesus Christ Freddie, snort a chill pill will ya?" Katie chuckled.

"Yeah, we were just having a laugh there, no need to turn your balls blue." Another voice added. Shaking his head, Freddie turned away from the group. Sometimes he felt like he was much older than the people around him. Much, much older.

"Hey, I don't like my class. Can I be in this one?" Freddie turned to see Effy's odd friend Pandora entering the classroom. He watched as she continued to babble away with the teacher. Her appearance in the room had barley registered on anyone's radar. Not like Effy. When Effy walked into a room, not a soul could take their eyes off of her.

"Where's Effy?" Pandora's words brought the attention of a few students. Even Effy's name could call attention. She was born for the spotlight but most of the time she yearned for the shadows. Freddie could understand the appeal of shadows. Maybe one day the two of them could sit together, in the shadows, in the light, wherever. Just as long as they were together.

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