Erin twitched nervously as she sat on the edge of the bed. She bit her lower lip and felt her knees knocking together. She had managed to somehow endure the whole ordeal, but she felt as if she'd been taken close to the breaking point. Michelle stood just outside Erin's bedroom with the door open and loitered on the landing. As the petite blonde sat in her room, Erin flashed back to New Year's Eve when she shared her first ever midnight kiss with James; they had gazed lovingly into each other's eyes amongst the jubilant chaos in the streets of Derry as they said "Happy new year" together. If only she could have known what James and Marco would have encountered on this day….

The day after New Years Day; James and Marco had gone down to watch Laurie train with her football team. After Laurie had introduced them to the team and suggested that the duo were thinking of joining them; MadStab, a prominent member of the squad, became incensed and spoke up, flat out refusing to let them join. First, he threw the cliché of them both being English, but this was only one of many reasons that he spoke out; he went so far as to accuse Laurie of deliberately undermining the team, which stirred her terribly. The two were then engaged in a shouting match, arguing about their recent plight in form, with MadStab blaming Laurie for the dip. Before they knew it, a challenge had been laid down. A rite of passage into the football team if James and Marco were to win a game of Rugby Sevens. In an astonishing twist of fate, Laurie accepted the challenge on their behalf. To say that the boys were shocked would have been the understatement of the year, which was only 3 days old. When the girls found out, they might as well have walked through the gates of Hell.

"Are yer FUCKING INSANE?!" Erin screamed at them both. Her eyes bulging larger than James had ever seen.

"No, Erin. Not as far as I know." Orla said, prying her eyes away from her bag of sweets.

"We're not talking about you, Orla!" Erin snapped.

"Ach, OK."

"What is ye girlfriend playing at?!" Michelle shouted at Clare.

"I don't know, I wasn't there, it wasn't my idea! Boys, How could ye be so STUPID!" Clare shrieked.

"Well, we should have expected this." James shrugged.

"Oh, and I thought they'd be angry." Marco quipped back.

"Oi, Mouth! Watch it or I'll lamp yer!" Michelle threatened him for the umpteenth time.

"How is it you're upset over this, when only a few months ago, you four wanted me to lamp MadStab for those Fat Boy Slim tickets?" James asked, astonished. "What is the difference?!"

"What he said." Marco chimed.

"Aye, we did that, so we did." Orla spoke up.

"Whose side are ye on, Orla?" Michelle snapped.

"Theirs! Christ! I ain't supporting MadStab's team! Wise up Michelle." Orla said, looking disgruntled.

"I give up." Michelle threw her hands in the air.

Erin marched up and punched his arm angrily. "Different set of priorities, Marco! …Argh feck!" she exclaimed, holding her hand as if she'd punched a brick wall.

"OW!" James screamed.

"Don't be such a pussy, James!" Michelle snapped.

"What was that for?!" Erin cried, turning to Orla.

"Yer punched Marco, so I punched James." Orla explained.

"Honestly, Orla!" James shook his head in despair.

"OK… CLEARLY we need to have a voice of reason here!" Clare spoke up, stepping between Erin and Orla.

"This isn't a little scrap we're talking about here, boys. This is Rugby! There's a big difference with getting a scratch or the odd bruise to being ploughed by some giant beast man!" Clare stated.

"Doesn't sound too bad from where I stand!" Michelle couldn't resist.

"Not now, Michelle! People get injured playing this game, like seriously injured! My Da used to watch Rugby, I sat and watched it once with him, and I swear, I saw this one tackle where the fella looked as if he'd been folded in half!... BACKWARDS! There's also the tiny fact that yer both ENGLISH! They're gonna zero in on yous two like wolves in a FEEDING FRENZY!" Clare stressed, going into a frenzy of her own.

"Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, Clare. That's great." Marco said, patting her shoulder.

"Aye, that's really class, Clare." Orla said smiling. Marco and James rolled their eyes.

The game was set for the following week on Saturday morning before the gang went back to start the spring term. Thankfully, Laurie discovered there were some members of the football team who were glad to partner up with the boys; their names were Finn, Donald, Shawn, Jimmy, and John. They had their own reservations about MadStab, and all five of them had younger sisters who went to Our Lady Immaculate College and knew of James through their siblings, who had all said nice things about him, despite being English. Laurie arranged for the lads to meet up every other night. Finn took the position as Captain. On the Friday night before the game, Erin, Michelle and Clare decided it was time to let Mary, Deidre, and Sarah step in to "persuade" James and Marco into changing their minds at the eleventh hour.

Mary, Sarah, and Deidre stood on one side of the kitchen table at the Quinn house that evening. The Ma's stood over James and Marco; continually voicing their disapproval of the stupid situation that the boys had gotten themselves into while Erin, Michelle and Clare stood behind them like armed guards. Mary was like a judge presiding over the court. The only thing missing was the wooden spoon as her Gavel as she scolded them for letting their "foolish man pride" get the better of them. Michelle hurled insult after insult, mostly in James' direction, which caused Erin to fluctuate between arguing with Michelle, while scolding them both herself. Clare's lips quivered as they always did, feeling like an accessory before the fact; seeing as it was Laurie who put James and Marco in this mess. Orla just sat to their left with a bag of sweets in her hand. However, she was more upset with the loud shouting than the boy's predicament.

"I actually thought you two lads had some brains between the pair of yer!" Mary shouted.

"How am I supposed to explain this to yer Mammy, James?!" Deidre snapped.

"I should have known he'd be a bad influence!" Sarah remarked, pointing at Marco, which caused Orla to frown.

"Sarah… please, Marco didn't just say yes to this. We both did." James threw out.

"Will ye shut ya bake, Dicko?! Yer in enough shit as it is!" Michelle barked, slapping James' shoulder.

The girls and Mammies continued to voice their concerns, along with their disapproval. James and Marco sat helplessly amongst the shouting match that somehow had turned in on itself. Whilst everyone bickered, Marco spotted that Orla was curled up on the chair, covering her ears again. Seeing her in agony, Marco ignored the shouting and walked over to cradle her. James spied a shrug of the shoulders from Gerry, who knew better than to speak out. But then, James felt a hand rest on his shoulder, he turned to see Joe who finally had had enough. He slammed his rolled-up newspaper onto the kitchen table hard.

"ACH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! WILL YER GIRLS ALL JUST PIPE DOWN?!" He shouted.

They all stopped and looked towards the older McCool who came to the defence of James and Marco. Joe truly was fearless in facing such a hostile situation, but he stood against the mob of Derry ladies with his chest out.

"Mary… If the lads wanna do this. Then just let them get on with it!" Joe stated empathically.

"What are yer saying, Da?" Sarah looked puzzled.

Deidre stood flabbergasted "Yer not seriously encouraging them, are ye now, Joe?"

"Aye, that I am, Deidre." Joe said.

"Da, they could get hurt!" Mary fired back. "Gerry! Say something!"

"Mary…. " Gerry braved.

"Don't you be taking their side, ya wet lettuce!" Joe shot.

"I was just about to say that it's their choice, Joe!" Gerry protested.

"Ach, grown a spine now, have yer?"

"Don't change the subject, Da!" Mary shot.

"Well at least these lads have got some backbone in them! Unlike some…." Pointing at Gerry. "For crying out loud, they're not wee uns. They're 17. Soon enough, they'll be men!"

"That's debat…" Michelle stopped herself as Marco shot her a look.

"Ye can't keep mothering them, girls! A bit of rough and tumble will do them some good!" Joe picked up his newspaper and walked back to his armchair with a huff.

The stunned silence from the huddled mass gave Marco and James the chance to glance at each other. They shot a knowing look at each other. They knew there was a good chance they would be coming up against some hostility tomorrow, but at least they wouldn't face it alone, they had each other. James and Marco left early the next morning. Orla had made the effort to see them off, hugging them both for good luck. Joe drove them down to the park, while Gerry waited for the girls to gather themselves before making their own way down to watch them. As she wrapped herself up, Erin then spied a letter that had been left on her bedside drawer. Amid the mass hustle to get ready, she had almost missed it. She quicky opened it, it was a note from James.

"Dear Erin…. I felt that I needed to write this, so I have it clear in my own mind as to why I'm doing this, and maybe it will help you understand. I've lived here for over 2 years now, and I wouldn't change it for anything. Derry is my home, and I am truly thankful for everything I have now. Especially being with you. But since I moved here… I've had to live with the fact that some people are always going to hate me just because of the way I talk. But everyone, from my family, your family, Sister Michael, and Marco… The One thing I've learnt is that sometimes, you need to push back against those who want to persecute you…. You said yourself that injustice is something you've become accustomed to…. And I cannot begin to imagine what your parents have endured because of unfair prejudice. But in a strange way, I think I can. If I walk away from this, if I let them think they can just carry on with the same old 'status quo' of persecution, I might as well just pack up and leave. And If I back down… Injustice will win again…. I know that might sound a bit over the top, but I'm not prepared to accept that, because I know that you wouldn't either. I am proud of who I am. I am a Derry Girl, and I'm damn proud of it. Plus, don't worry too much. I won't be alone out there. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't have Marco with me. I always feel like I've got this shield around me when he's near. I guess that's the 'big brother' coming out of him. See you later at the game. I hope.

Your wee English fella, James.

XXX"

The sound of James' voice echoing inside Erin's head, and the eloquence of his letter stirred a deep sense of pride for her boyfriend. It was just as inspiring when she was standing on the touchline with Michelle, Orla and Clare watching James charge down the field. Erin had moments to true admiration for her wee English fella. James' unknown abilities as a rugby player had elated Michelle's opinion of him, which was at an all-time high. During the midst of huddled bodies being grabbed and hurled to the muddy pitch; the girls stressed whenever they saw James going to ground, but Marco, true to James' word, was there at every tackle. He stood over James and protected their possession of the ball, acting like a human shield. Erin smiled thankfully when she saw Marco protecting James.

Yet, the sight of seeing them both being tackled roughly was just heart wrenching. But James had managed to showcase his speed as a winger, scoring a few of the tries during the game while Marco showed he was more than capable of fending off the opposite teams' relentless attacks, which caused MadStab no end of frustration, shouting and hurling insults at his team mate every time their attack was stalled. The two best friends had clicked well with their other 5 teammates, despite trailing by only one try; their continuity had been instrumental in keeping them from losing by a larger margin.

Michelle took immense satisfaction when she saw either James or Marco thwart the opposite team and made them know about it at every chance. Clare was equally as nervous as she was impressed. She watched with pride as Laurie served as referee, not taking any shit from anyone. But Clare wasn't just nervous for James and Marco. Clare had spotted a solitary figure on the other side of the pitch. A tall middle-aged man with a long face. He stood there with his hands in his pockets. He was wearing a dark blue tracksuit. She recognized his face but dared not to say a word, as Gerry and Joe were right next to her. The tall man was paying attention to the game as the wee English fellas and their team had endured a continuous onslaught from MadStab and his six loyalists. But with only the score of one try separating them, the game wasn't won or lost yet.

Orla's emotions fluctuated between being happy and being worried like a child playing with a light switch. She gritted her teeth whenever Marco was tackled, but she smiled exceptionally when Marco would glance over at her and kissed a multicolour beaded bracelet that she'd made for him. It was his signal to let her know they were alright. Joe and Gerry were loud in his support for the boys, as was Coco Pops, who barked relentlessly. But as the game entered the final minutes; James & Marco's team had been unable to break through MabStab's defence.

Just then, it became too much for Erin when she saw MadStab mow James down with an intense shoulder tackle to his gut, spearing him hard. Again, they couldn't break through. MadStab had tightened the defence well. Erin flinched and started to walk away. But Orla ran after her and wrapped her arm around Erin.

"Don't go, Erin!" Orla begged.

"No, that's it! I can't watch this anymore, Orla!"

"No! Come on! Ye have to staaaay! Ye gotta be here for Jaaaames!" Orla said with desperation.

"Don't walk off now, Erin! They can do it! They're only down by one try!" Clare had abandoned her nervous disposition and had gotten into the game. Her adrenaline was pumping, without the assistance of a single energy drink.

"Oi! Where the fuck d'ya think yer going?! Don't ye even think about walking out on James, or Marco! They can do it!" Michelle snapped at Erin. The petite blonde stood still as her mind drifted.

"Oh my god. She's right…I can't be like his mammy… She abandoned him…. I can't abandon him... I WON'T abandon him!"

"Girls, look!" Orla exclaimed. Pointing back towards the pitch.

The girls turned to see that despite the vicious tackle; James started to slowly get back up. Erin gawked in amazement as James breathed heavily through the pain, he was hunched over on his knees with his hands on Marco's shoulders, who was willing his best mate to get up. Erin's face muscles contorted with anxiety and anger. Erin shook her head and marched back to the touchline next to her Da and Granda, followed by the other members of the gang.

"Come on J'…...You can do it…. Get up, bruv…. Get up…." Marco whispered as he heard James grabbing gasps of air, wincing in pain.

"…. GET UP JAMES!" Erin suddenly exploded. Shocking the girls. At that moment, with Erin's voice ringing in James' ears. He shot to his feet. Surprising Marco. The team rallied behind him.

"Fucking yes!" Marco yelled.

"Fuck me! Do ye think he heard ye, Erin?!" Michelle laughed.

Orla, Clare, and Michelle joined Erin and cheered the boys on. Time continued to tick down. But just then, their fortunes turned. MadStab took a chance to take the glory for himself, but Marco finally saw an opening and charged through MadStab, he took the bigger man down with a hard spear of his own, causing MadStab to fumble the ball. With no one else there to protect the pocession; Shawn picked up the fallen ball and sprinted with John and James. As MadStab winced in pain on the ground. Marco let out a primal like roar. Releasing his pent-up anger in one moment on MadStab. He watched as James had now taken the ball and sprinted to the goal-line. He threw himself to the ground, scoring the equalizing try. Orla screamed a battle cry at the top of her lungs, mirroring Marco.

"MOTHERFUCKERS!" Michelle screamed as the girls applauded wildly. James clasped Marco's hand. The team came in for a huddle in celebration.

Laurie looked down at her watch. One minute remained. She blew the whistle and play resumed. As the final minute ticked down. Finn rallied the team to get the ball back. Fate was on their side again; they regained possession and passed the ball down the line, advancing closer to the goal line. Donald passed to Finn, to Jimmy, to John, to Shawn, to Marco, who ploughed through the defence. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as Marco saw MadStab coming for him. Suddenly, James was on Marco's right, Marco knew he was going to take the hit, but he knew James could break free for the winning try, as MadStab was close enough; Marco launched the ball to James who caught it perfectly…. his way was clear…. the try was inevitable…. The girls held hands and braced themselves for the winning moment.