Chapter 2

Jodi: I woke up early, from the sunset. My watch said it was about 5:15am. It took me a little while to realise where I was and what happened last night. But then, as I looked around and saw a small bottle of vodka (nearly empty) and some cigarette butts on the floor, it all came flooding back to me. I had ran down the street to the local off licence. The shopkeeper knew our family so I told him I was getting the vodka for my dad, he pitied us, he didn't charge me for it because he knew I'd get a bollocking if I went home without it. Oh God I'll pay for that one later, he's bound to mention it to my dad. And now I was laying underneath the school bleachers, I need to get out of here before school starts.

I walked down the street to the pay phone, luckily I had some loose change with me. I couldn't decide who to phone at first. We didn't have a phone at home, well we did but my father broke it last week, so I decided to phone the only number I could remember; Claire Standish.

Claire is John's girl, he made me memorise her number just in case, she had a private line to her room too so her parents wouldn't find out. When she answered she told me her parents had already gone to work so I was welcome to go round. I had a shower at hers and chucked my clothes back on. I needed to go home and change.

John: When I got up it was 8:15am, Jodi usually wakes me at 8 on the dot. Hm, I guess she's not home yet then. I got up, threw my clothes on and just as I was about to leave I heard a tap at the window. It was Claire, my princess.

"Hey sweets, what you doing here?" I asked as I opened the window. That's when I noticed Jodi was with her. "Jodi! Where the heck have you been man?"

"I was.. Uh.." She started.

"She was at mine John, my dad doesn't know" Claire said.

Hm, I can't tell if she's covering for Jodi but I don't wanna doubt my girl.

"Alright, climb in"

"You sure your dad won't notice?"

"Nah just be quiet" I leaned in and gave Claire a huge kiss, God I missed her last night.

"Erm.. Yeah.. Guys I'm just gonna go get some clean clothes.." Jodi said, we laughed.

Claire: I had to cover for Jodi, her and John get a hard time at home. John tries to cover it up and act strong, but I know he's worried about Jodi really. But I think she'll be fine, she's strong, they both are. It's weird, they're so alike yet so different. They look alike, yet John has a sort of rough edge about him, Jodi however is naturally perfect. She wears no make up and everyone still finds her beautiful. I wish people would see me like that.. Anyway, Jodi is a lot smarter than John. They share the same laid back 'I don't give a shit' attitude but Jodi seems to be naturally brainy too, she's hardly in class and still getting good grades. I mean Jodi even got moved forward a year, and John held back a year so we're all in the same grade now. She's good at art too, whereas John prefers music. I feel like a big sister to Jodi. John's had to act like a father figure to her, and I don't know much about their mom but from what I can gather, she isn't much better than their dad.

Jodi: We managed to get out of the house without waking mom or dad for once, but we still sent Claire out the window, just to be safe. We walked to school and met up with Andy, Allison and Brian. I thought it would be weird being friends with my brother's friends, but I must say they're actually pretty cool. It wasn't awkward at all, I seemed to fit right in and I've pretty much caught up with everything now.

Of course John and Claire have a thing going on, I think Andy and Allison tried to have a thing but they mutually agreed that it wasn't working. I was kinda glad about that. I liked Andy, you know, as a friend..

Andy: I like having Jodi hang 'round with us. She's cute. But she would never like a stupid jock like me. She's beautiful. She could get anyone she wanted.

Brian: It's cool having Jodi with us now. It used to be me, Allison and Andy always slightly separate to John and Claire. But now, Andy talks to Jodi more, I think he likes her. It gives me more time to speak to Allison, she's really interesting and I just want to get to know her better. I don't want her to think I'm just a nerd. I can be more than that. I can be a lover.

Allison: Jodi's cool. I didn't have many friends, so anyone who doesn't think I'm totally weird is cool by me.

Jodi: When we got to school, Richard 'Dick' Vernon wanted to speak to me. He's our principal, everyone called him Dick. Well everyone who was like us anyway, God I think John even started it.

"Ah, Jodi Bender. Follow me, I need a word with you in my office" he caught me the moment I walked in.

"Oh c'mon Dick. Is there really any need?"

He stared at me, so reluctantly I followed him..

Richard: Wow, she actually followed me quite easily this time. Jodi Bender wasn't the easiest kid to deal with, but I guess she's not as bad as John. I don't know how their parents put up with the!, little shits the both of them. Anyway, I have to find a way to tell her this without her kicking off..

"Jodi. After school yesterday, Carl and I did a locker search-"

"Yeah and? Get on with it Dick."

"We found this in your locker" I pulled out the bag of dope from behind me and showed it to her. She stared at me. Usually, Jodi Bender would have come out with some witty comment or insult. She wasn't speaking so I continued, "well of course this means detention, miss Bender. 7am sharp Saturday. Don't be late." I opened the door for her and she just walked out, no reply, no fight.