I can't tell you how pathetically emotional - well, more chuffed, but that didn't sound as good - when I see that this fic, that started off on a 'we'll see how it goes' basis has received 7566 views in it's little life. I have so much more to add to this that I'm confident that number will triple, or it won't and I'll just end up writing this for the next year (not kidding) with no readers.
I'm sorry for such a delayed update! I took a few days off to prepare for going away - my gorgeous cousin is getting hitched on Saturday. X
I will probably attempt an update whilst I'm away, if not, I will see you all back here on Wednesday.
Bex - Aww, thanks hun! Not to worry though, as I said above, this story has so far to go yet. I have a lot of things planned for Kevasty before they leave Waterloo Road (which is where the story will end) so we've got like a year and a bit worth of drama to go.
Loveistheprotect, Guest - Thank you very much.
LisaT - Aww thank you, and for the shout out too. I suppose it does help that I'm writing about the language I hear daily. The characters are only a little younger than me. I studied a lethal combination of Media and English Language at college, which basically means I just can't help automatically analyzing the language when I watch TV. WR has such distinct characters that I've noticed little things each character does with their speech that hopefully I've managed to copy.
Right, anyone else think the first page is getting a bit Lorikki central! Let's throw some Kevasty on that.
Chapter Twenty Eight.
Dynasty scowled with disapproval as Kevin kicked the living room door closed behind him with a crack and ragged his tie from around his neck.
"How was it?" Dynasty asked, flipping the page of her book aggressively.
Kevin dropped his bag beside the coffee table. He eyed Dynasty suspiciously as her features softened into an utterly bored expression and she turned her attention back to her book.
"It was fine," Kevin lied, settling himself on the sofa opposite his girlfriend.
He ignored the heavy tension in the air and stretched back in his seat for the tirade that he was sure awaited him.
Dynasty's eyes did not leave the novel in her hands, nor, however, did they move across the page. Kevin knew that she was no longer reading. She was waiting; waiting for him to lie again.
"So, you didn't see Barry then?"
Kevin's lip twitched.
"Connor. Imogen. You," Kevin surmised.
Dynasty twisted in her seat towards him and discarded her book on the coffee table between them with a thwack.
"Why are you even talking to him?" Dynasty exclaimed, her eyebrows drawing together in an exasperated frown.
"He attacked me," Kevin argued.
He shook his head and undid the top button of his shirt. Stretching his neck, he met Dynasty's gaze with tired eyes.
She shrugged.
"Yeah?"
Kevin shook his head to dismiss her question.
"It was nothing," he muttered, resting his throbbing head against the back of the sofa. He winced as the lump that had formed there met the rough cord.
Dynasty pressed her lips together and nodded to herself.
"Yeah, you're right. It's nothing, that's why you're here during your lunch break," she announced sarcastically, rising from her seat.
Kevin noticed how much easier this simple action had become for her and smiled warmly.
Her dark jeans were worn and beginning to hole, whilst the sleeves of his old maroon jacket fell inches past her manicured hands. Despite the fabric that bundled around her, Kevin admired the soft curve of her spine, the way her hips gave way to long, shapely legs. As Dynasty turned her hard faced expression on Kevin he was mesmerized once again by the sunlight that filtered through her freshly washed hair, a halo of damp golden curls.
He missed her, in the way she had said she missed him. One night was all they had ever shared and Kevin had convinced himself this far that that was enough, that love was enough. But now, as he swallowed back the desire that even her most disheveled appearance stirred in him he wondered if Barry had been right.
Perhaps he had pushed her too far, or perhaps he had not tried hard enough. In truth Kevin could only admit that he was afraid of her rejection.
"What? Am I not allowed to miss you?" he replied, teasing her, testing the boundaries of her resolve.
He had chosen his moment poorly, he realized, as Dynasty scrutinized him with cold, blue eyes.
After a moment, however, Dynasty rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips.
"So how long you got free?"
Michael squeezed the rough edge of the desk firmly and studied the two sullen expressions of the boys before him. In an attempt to appear impartial, he had invited Connor to join Barry in the Cooler, though from his understanding of the morning's events, he had been only a witness rather than a participant.
"Violence is not tolerated at this school; both of you should know that by now," Michael addressed his students sternly.
"Here, Sir, I'm a victim in all this. I've got bruises where that runt kicked me," Barry insisted, his eyes ablaze as he leaned forwards on his desk.
"Oh shut up, Barry," Connor blurted, his eyebrows rising in disbelief. "You smashed him against the lockers."
Michael pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, fighting the dull ache that stretched across his forehead vindictively.
"Connor," he warned quietly.
Connor shrugged and leant back in his chair.
"Is that true?" Michael continued, fixing his gaze on Barry.
Barry pointed a steady finger at Michael.
"I was provoked, alright? That kid pushed me too far," Barry growled angrily.
Michael nodded to Barry's outstretched hand with raised eyebrows until the latter retreated and Michael turned his attention to Connor.
"Connor?"
Connor shook his head silently and crossed his arms resolutely.
Michael sighed and gestured towards the door.
"Get back to class."
Connor gathered his bag from the floor and left without a word.
"Not you," Michael amended as Barry smirked and slung his jacket over his shoulder. "Sit down."
Michael pushed himself away from the desk and dragged Connor's vacant seat towards Barry's desk. He sat down, whilst Barry eased himself lazily into his own chair, and rested his forearms on his legs, leaning towards Barry like a wordless threat.
"After the conversation I had with your mother, Barry, I'm sure I don't need you to tell me what your little scrap with Kevin was all about. I'll tell you what I told her. Dynasty's well being is the school's priority, and we will not act as a battlefield for your family's feud with Kevin Chalk. I will not stand for fighting in my school, Barry, and I can assure you now that if I hear of this again, I will throw you out."
Michael did not allow his gaze to waver, nor leave Barry's hard glare for a moment.
Barry smiled cockily and nodded to himself.
"Yeah?" he sneered.
"You can count on it," Michael ground out lowly. "Now get out."
