Orla awoke early as she always did. But for her, 6:40am was exceptionally late. She smiled as this one morning already felt so different from the mornings of the past 3 months. As she lay in her bed, she smiled whilst her mind spun as if she were still in a perfect dream. With Christmas just around the corner, she felt a sense of excitement she'd never felt before. But just then, a thought flashed. Her eyes darted everywhere as she heard her own mind argue with itself over whether, or not the events of yesterday even happened. The pain in her head began to swell. Yesterday had been so perfect to be real. It couldn't have been real, could it? She had to find out.
Orla shot out of bed and darted towards her window, dodging the assortment of trinkets and clothes that were strewn across the bedroom floor. But her luck ran out. She let out a cry of agonizing pain as her bare foot trod on a square piece of LEGO. She knew at that point she was awake for certain. Shaking the pain away, standing in her hot pink onesie; Orla threw the curtains open and peered down onto the street.
Orla was relieved to see that It was all real. The Renault Clio was where she last saw it. Marco really was back in Derry.
But then another thought flashed in her mind…. MadStab… Shannon… the threat they made to her, Marco, and the rest of the gang. She closed her eyes and held her head, which swelled with pain again, she took deep breaths and thought to herself "I'm not gonna let'em hurt 'im." Just then, she heard barking, Coco Pops! She looked outside and opened her window. There he was.
"Marco!" She cried happily. Leaning out her window. Marco's eyes shot up and smiled warmly in return.
"Morning! You alright?" He called up to her.
"Aye!... Wait there!" Orla called. As she sprinted towards her bedroom door, she trod on another sharp object.
"Agh! Shite... Ok…. Alright… I get the hint. I'll clean my fecking room." Orla grimaced as she spoke to herself, pointing her finger upward.
Orla swung her front door open and jumped into Marco's waiting arm. Coco Pops barked with excitement. Marco shushed him before he woke the whole house up. Orla reached down and cradled the excited pup. She put her arm back around Marco for another embrace.
"Nice pyjamas." Marco chuckled. Orla blushed.
"Ach…. It IS real. All of it." Orla sighed happily. Marco smiled and rested his forehead on Orla's.
"Did you sleep ok?" He asked.
"Aye… How about yourself?"
"Yeah, too good. Forgot where I was." Marco replied, causing Orla to furrow her eyebrows.
"Yer weird, ye know that?" She sniggered, raising her eyebrows at him.
"….. You have no idea!" Marco deepened his voice.
"Ach! You've seen The Lion King, haven't ya, Hi?" Orla sniggered.
"Yeah, it's a good one, isn't it?"
"Aye it is so!" Orla laughed. Marco smiled and frowned as he looked into her eyes.
"I missed you so much." Marco admitted.
"I missed ya too. All I've thought about was you, and this." Orla said as she folded her lower lip.
"I'm just sorry I wasn't here when all this stuff went on." Marco sighed.
"Everything's gonna be alright now, hi?" She asked.
Marco wasn't sure what to say. The interview was beginning to weigh on his mind, among other things. His chest pounded hard, and his feet felt cold. Orla saw how uncertain he looked, with his eyes looking so distant, she pulled Marco in for a soft kiss.
"Oi. I said everything's gonna be alright now. Do ye hear?"
"OK." Marco whispered.
"Cos ye here now, and I'm not gonna let anything happen to ya!" Orla stated. Marco looked at her adoringly. Orla then giggled as she felt Coco Pops nuzzled her. The sight of the pup nuzzling her warmed Marco.
"I think he likes you, just a little bit." Marco laughed.
"So, where were ya heading?"
"Just gotta take little legs here for a walk, then get back and get ready for the interview."
"Are ye nervous?" Orla asked.
"Well… remember the state I got in when I did that reading in church?"
"Aye?"
"Well, I'm not as nervous as I was then." Marco laughed.
"Ach grand. Will ya be over later?"
"Yeah! I'll give you all a lift to school if you want?"
"Ach, Aye! That'd be so class!" Orla beamed with wide eyes.
"See you in a bit, then?" Marco said, Orla nodded happily.
"Aye, Ye better crack on. See ya Coco Pops." Orla quipped, she pecked both the pup and Marco.
Marco walked back down the path. He looked back and saw Orla wave him off. They beamed a large smile at each other before Orla went back inside to get ready for school. First, she darted about her room, tidying up the scattered pieces of clothes and bits and bobs off the floor. She placed used clothes in the wash basket before making her way back upstairs to shower. Her hair was still wild, with just a single ponytail on top as she finished dressing for school. The time was now just before 7:40am when she walked into Erin's, who was making her own way downstairs as Orla walked in.
"Alright, Orla?" Erin quizzed.
"Aye!" She beamed.
"Christ! Ye look like the cat that got the cream!" Erin quipped.
"What?"
"I mean ye look really happy." Erin said softly. Orla beamed a warm smile.
Ast they walked into the kitchen, Erin was startled to see James already sitting at the kitchen table with Mary and Gerry, reading the Derry Journal.
"Morning, girls." He said.
"James?!" Erin gasped.
"Aye, that's his name, Erin." Gerry chuckled at his startled daughter.
"Ye here?"
"Of course, I am." James said.
"No, I mean, why ye here so early?" Erin laughed nervously. As James got up and kissed her forehead.
"Can't stand being away from ye, so he can't." Erin blushed as James laughed.
"Remind ye of someone, Mary?" Gerry laughed.
"Ach Gerry, catch yourself on." Mary smirked, blushing herself.
"Fecking Creep." Joe mumbled from his seat at the table.
"Morning James."
"Morning Orla…. Did you see…."
"Motherfuckers!" Michelle stormed in from outside.
"Ach, Jesus, that girl!" Mary gasped.
"Ach…. Christ No!" Came a moan from the kitchen cupboard.
"What's wrong Orla?" Erin asked.
"There's no more pop tarts!" Orla moaned.
"That car is absolutely fucking class!" Michelle said excitedly.
"Oi, will ye mind yer mouth, girl!" Joe snapped.
Michelle simmered down and sat to eat some toast while Orla ambled towards the table with disappointment.
"There's not even any chocolate spread." Orla moaned.
"Aye, well ye had the last of the pop tarts yesterday, so ye did, Orla love." Mary informed her as she placed tea on the kitchen table. James and Erin then sat down.
"For God's sake Orla, don't be such a melter." Erin scoffed, rolling her eyes as she watched Orla slouch into a chair.
"Marco say he was taking ye all in this morning, James?" Mary asked. James nodded.
"All I can say is thank God that fog's finally shifted." Gerry changed the subject.
"You must have loved that yesterday, another excuse to sit on ya lazy arse all day instead of actually working." Joe scoffed. Gerry turned toward Joe and gawked.
"Echo 3 to Echo 7, Han old buddy, do you read me?" A crackling voice was heard. Everyone's heads darted around the room.
"What the fuck was that?" Michelle asked, looking around, Mary grimaced and scrunched her eyes.
"Echo 7 to Echo 3. We got a code red here." Everyone turned and saw James talking into a Motorola Walkie Talkie.
"Look at that J' These things still work! What's a code red?" Marco asked cheerfully. Orla gawked.
"Code red means No Pop Tarts or chocolate spread." James laughed, looking at Orla who pursed her lips together and lowered her head that went red with embarrassment. Erin and Michelle sniggered.
"…. Oh I see…. right! I've got some Nutella over here. I'll bring it. Over and out." Marco laughed. The line cut off. James, Erin and Michelle laughed at Orla's red face.
"Stop, will ya?!" Orla shouted at them, slapping James's leg. Which only made them laugh more.
"Ach, Wind ya neck in, Orla! Just cos ya fella's got ya all lured!" Erin teased. At that point, the door opened, and Clare came in.
"Morning everyone…. What's the craic?" Clare asked.
"Orla's going all broke again." Michelle teased.
"Ach, ignore them, Orla." Clare sat down next to Orla, rubbing her shoulder with sympathy. The door opened again, and Coco Pops could be heard as Sarah then walked in, followed by Marco.
"Ach, morning love." Sarah said. Kissing Orla's forehead. Coco Pops bounded in and barked with excitement, which made Anna smile happily. Erin picked Coco Pops climbed up but was ordered by Mary "Uh. No dogs at the table." Erin frowned at put Coco Pops down, who made his way over to where Anna was.
"By Christ! Look at the handsome fella in the suit here!" Joe called out, nodding towards Marco.
They all turned and regarded Marco; he was wearing a dark grey suit, a dark red tie, and a white buttoned shirt, ready for the interview.
"Oi Oi! Here he is!" James lead the playful taunts from the household.
"What's the apprenticeship for Marco? Chef or Model?" Gerry quipped.
Now it was Marco's turn. He smiled with embarrassment as everyone took turns bashing him jokingly. But Orla's eyes shot wide as she gawked at her fella. She felt butterflies rumble deep inside her, she felt her cheeks burn, her knees were wobbling as she got up and moved towards him. She'd never seen him look so… alluring.
"Hiya…. You alright?" Marco quizzed.
"Ye…." Orla wasn't sure what to say as she ogled Marco. He saw her eyes sparkling.
"He looks like a proper ride, Hi Orla?" Michelle threw in. Erin burst out laughing. Orla then buried her face into Marco's shoulder, unable to handle any more embarrassment.
"Aye. Proper handsome he looks. Does he not, Orla?" Sarah piped up.
"Mammy!" Orla giggled.
"Looking for this?" Marco smiled. Holding the jar of Nutella up.
"Ach, thanks." Orla smiled.
"All set, are ye now, Marco?" Mary asked, placing a tea for him at the table. Marco nodded quietly as he sat.
"How ye feeling, lad?" Gerry asked.
"…. A bit nervous…." Marco admitted.
"Ach, you'll be alright son." Joe said.
"Yeah, you're gonna smash it." James said. Nudging Marco's arm
"Well, ye better finish up wains. Ye must be shifting soon." Mary said.
As the gang ate breakfast, They filled Clare in about the new car that belonged to James and Marco. Clare was ecstatic as Michelle took her to the window to confirm it wasn't a joke; Michelle then quickly called shotgun which caused a slight argument amongst the group, which Marco settled quickly. "She called it. You can't argue!" While Michelle gloated, Erin motioned James to glance at Orla. Who was staring intently at Marco while she ate her Nutella coated toast.
"Is she alright?" He whispered.
"She's absolutely lured!" Erin whispered back.
"That must be how I look every time I see you." James smiled.
"Catch yourself on." Erin laughed. Her cheeks reddening. She then shot in quickly and gave him a kiss.
Their attention shifted after Clare was told that Marco was going to drive them to school. She began to feel slightly uneasy given the size of the group compared to the size of the car.
"Ach, Christ, what are ye shiteing the tights for Clare?" Michelle asked annoyingly.
"I am not! I'm just…. Well…. it's more of a concern than anything. I mean, what if we get pulled over for having too many people in the car or something? Or what if the car tips over and we like all perish…. that's not exactly the way I want to go, I mean, it's nice we'd all be together and all…."
Clare's rant continued as they all looked at each other. Mary regarded the big clock, and silently motioned that it was time to shift. They gathered themselves together. The only thing that could be heard was Clare voicing the possibilities of what might happen to them if they got caught in an overloaded vehicle. The parents waved them all as they allowed Clare to spout. They walked down towards the car. Michelle glanced at Marco as he opened the car's back door. Michelle stood in front of Clare with her arms crossed as she rattled on.
"…. BUT…. If it is necessary, I want it to be known for the record that I was totally and utterly against the idea of having us all in the car at the same time and I want no repercussions to come my way if we get into any sort of trouble…. Is that understood?!" Clare asked loudly.
"Fine! If we get pulled over, we'll say ye had nothing to do with it…. Just get in the fucking car, Clare." Michelle exasperated as calmly as she could.
"Fine. Grand so." Clare gathered her breath, gave the sign of the cross, and shuffled into the middle of the back seat.
Erin sat in the back on James's lap, Orla sat in the last back seat. Michelle took her place in the shotgun position. She had tuned the radio into the local stations. Once the car started, Gangsta's Paradise blared loudly from the sound system. The group agonised over the level of noise, shouting at Michelle to turn the music down, who threw her head with laughter. Marco pulled out and they drove off towards Our Lady Immaculate college. Michelle bopped her head to the music while Clare's head, darted everywhere, on the lookout for any roadblocks. James smiled contently at Erin as she rested on him, their fingers, intertwined, happy.
"Oi. Yous two better not be feeling each other up back there!" Michelle snapped.
"Ach, looks who's talking!" Erin shot back.
"What are ye talking about Erin?" Clare asked.
"Michelle had a little liaison last night… with Jason…. At her parent's house." Erin stated.
"Michelle! What if ya Ma had caught ya?" Clare gasped.
"Ach, I'm always two steps ahead of the game." Michelle gloated.
"I thought ye seemed more mellow this morning." Clare regarded Michelle's smirk.
"So, how was he, MIchelle?" Orla asked out of the blue. Erin and James gawked at Orla's blatantness. Marco spurted out laughing.
"Well, I got no complaints, Orla!" Michelle winked. Orla grinned
"Jay, I hope you ain't gonna throw up back there mate." Marco chuckled.
"Can we please change the subject! I don't really wanna hear this." James squirmed.
"Oi, don't be such a ballache, James!" Michelle shot.
"Ach, it's alright for you, Michelle. Ye don't have everyone breathing down yer neck every 5 minutes…. The way things are, I'll still be a virgin when I'm 30!" Erin groaned.
"I don't think James is gonna wait that long for ye, Erin!" Michelle joked.
While Michelle's quip began a squabble among the group. They came to stop at a set of traffic lights. Marco stole the chance and slid his hand down the right side of his seat, Orla spotted what he was doing and slid herself forward, shielding Marco's hand from sight, she smiled as Marco stroked his fingers along her calf. As they neared school, James spotted the chance to change the subject.
"Do you reckon Sister Michael will be in?" James asked.
"Probably be too hungover." Erin snorted.
"I honestly thought she could take more than two fucking glasses." Michelle scoffed.
"That's another thing! What if she holds that against us?" Clare panicked.
"What's it gotta do with us, Clare? We didn't get her drunk." Michelle protested.
"Well, Marco's part of the group now, so if one of us goes down, we all go down. We're pack animals, we are so, Michelle." Clare spoke quickly.
"Why are ye calling Michelle a wee arsehole?" Orla spoke up suddenly, Everyone, except Marco rolled their eyes.
"Not arsehole Orla…. We…Are….so." Clare said more slowly.
"I know…. I was just being sarcastic." Clare giggled.
The gang all turned and gazed at Orla with astonishment.
"Since when do ye know how to make sarcastic jokes like that, Orla?" Erin asked, startled.
"Yeah…. You've never said anything like that before." James quizzed.
Orla bit her lower lip and looked out the window, avoiding eye contact. The group then cast their suspicious gazes towards Marco.
"What? What you looking at me for?" Marco asked innocently. They all squinted their eye knowingly as Marco pulled up outside Our Lady Immaculate college.
"Right… See you all later." Marco said nervously.
"Good luck mate." James said as he held his hand out. "Thanks, Jay. Marco replied. As they clasped hands, James kept his grip on Marco's hand and turned it sideways. The girls all put a hand in, making a pile. "Thanks, all of yer." Marco said.
"Fucking smash it, you." Michelle punched his arm.
"Good luck mucker." Erin smiled, rubbing his striken arm.
"I got something here for ye, Marco." Clare said.
Clare quickly pulled out a small see through bag, with a rainbow pendant inside it. The same pendant that the gang wore in support for Clare, which had now become a symbol of their pack.
"It's for luck." Clare said as she snapped it onto the lapel of his suit jacket; Marco smiled at the pint sized blonde and held her hand gently. "Thanks mate."
As they filed out of the car, Orla quickly jumped back into the front passenger seat. The others moved away to give them some privacy.
"I got some things for ye too." Orla said. She reached into her blazer pocket and pulled out the same soft monkey toy he'd given her when he left. Now sporting a rubber band. She wrapped it around the rear-view mirror, so it dangled down. Marco smiled at the gesture.
"Is that for luck as well?" Marco asked.
"No. That's for decoration…. This is for luck." Orla smiled.
She leant in and their lips met. A gentle kiss, that turned into a slow snog, which then became more rapid. Neither of them wanted to stop. Marco relished Orla's lips tasting of sugar and strawberry sweets. They both gasped as they pulled out.
"Fucking hell!" Marco gasped happily.
"I didn't get a chance to say earlier…. But ye look fecking gorgeous, ye do." Orla whispered, stroking his tie, Marco chuckled.
"Have I told you that you look beautiful today?" Marco shot back, stroking her wild hair back. Orla smiled.
"Mind yourself. Hi?"
"Yeah. You have a good day too."
"Ok…. Good Luck." Orla said softly, gently squeezing his wrist.
"Thanks, see you later." Marco smiled.
They shared one last kiss and Orla jumped happily out of the car. She quickly zig zagged her way towards the gang who chuckled at her elation. As she joined them, she turned, and they waved Marco bibbed his horn and drove off to Strabane. He thought to himself that he was going to close the chapter on one story, with the means of starting a new one. The gang wondered down the corridor towards the main hall, everything seemed normal.
"Hiiiiii Guuuuys!" Jenny Joyce, on que, intercepted them. Michelle's stomach churned.
"Alright there Jenny? How bout ye?" Orla beamed.
"Fine, I am so. Ye look especially bouncy today, Orla!" Jenny regarded.
"That's not hard to believe." Erin quipped.
"How's that?" Jenny asked.
"Ach, she's just horny for Marco, that's all." Michelle shot. Orla and Jenny looked abashed.
"… Uh…. well. Any hoo!" Jenny quickly shifted the subject.
"Yes, seriously. Any hoo!" Erin shot, wanting to move past what Michelle had just said.
"Have any of yous seen Sister Michael this morning?" Jenny asked.
"We literally just walked in, Jenny." Clare shot.
"No…. we haven't seen Sister Michael, Jenny." James answered sensibly.
"Fine an' dandy! Well in that case…. I was instructed to give ye this." Jenny handed a sheet of paper to Erin.
"What is this?" Erin quizzed.
"Oh Christ! It's a summons or something!"
"Will ye stop cacking yerself Clare!" Michelle barked.
"It's the meeting schedule from the careers officer. Some girls have called in sick, so you'll all be seeing the careers officer throughout the day. These are your time slots." Jenny confirmed.
"Ach, well, thanks Jenny." Clare relaxed. She was very excited about seeing the careers officer.
"Well. Bye for now." Orla waved as Jenny skipped away. The group walked on.
"God Michelle, do ye have to broadcast everything like that?" Erin snapped.
"What?" Michelle asked defensively.
"Orla's just horny for Marco!" Erin mimicked.
"I am though, Erin." Orla admitted nonchalantly with a cheeky smirk.
"Orla!" Clare gasped. Michelle sniggered.
"Aye we all know that Orla, ye were practically drooling over him at breakfast." Erin stated.
"Oi! You're just the same with Dicko over here." Michelle said.
"Well, thanks for that Michelle." James said.
"Aye, but I don't tell everyone about it!" Erin strained comically.
"Are ye horny for James right now, Erin?" Orla asked.
"'Course she is! Her cheeks are going red." Michelle chimed in. Clare pursed her lips together, spotting Erin's flushed face.
"Can we please not discuss mine and Erin's horny-ness in the hall?" James asked, taking Erin's hand.
Just then, Shannon O' Driscoll and her friend Anna now stood in front of them. Shannon squared up arrogantly to the much taller Orla.
"What do you two fuckos want?" Michelle snapped.
"Well… Well… Well…. So, the mental cases are back together again. With about as much brains between them as a wet lettuce." Shannon mocked, but Orla was unphased. Michelle quickly shoved Anna out of the way and squared up to Shannon.
"Just say one more word, ye fucking mouth!"
"Michelle, don't!"
"Stay out of it, Dicko!" Michelle shot to James.
"Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God!" Clare gasped in sheer panic.
"Calm down, Clare!" Erin snapped.
"S'alright Michelle. I can handle this." Orla said calmly, patting her shoulder. Michelle backed down slowly. A crowd of students had begun to form around them.
"Ye got something to say to me then, have ye, Dose?" Shannon sneered.
"Why don't ye just say what ye gotta say, Shannon. Because ma brain, seriously, can't handle this much stupidness in one go." Orla said in a monotonous tone.
"Huh, Yer brain can't even handle a light switch!" Shannon shot, Anna and a smidgen of the crowd reacted at the quip.
"Well, if ye keep rolling yer eyes back, ye might just find yer brain!" Orla shot. The group and the crowd laughed at Orla's quip. Shannon wasn't quick enough to fire another pun back.
"Ye know Shannon, It must be so sad looking in the mirror each morning, knowing yer the reason God created the middle finger!" Orla shot again, this time flipping the middle finger at her.
Shannon stood shocked as the gathered crowd of schoolgirls laughed at the put down. The girls gawked with utter amazement that Orla was effortlessly holding her own against Shannon. James smiled as he spotted something familiar. Just then, they saw someone approaching them.
Shannon was clearly rattled. She reared up, pointing her finger in Orla's face. "Ach, all full of it now that ya little Italian fella's back, are we? Well just remember what my cousin Danny said!" She yelled.
"No…. Why don't ye remind me what ya cousin said?" Orla calmly suggested. Anna turned her head and made a quick exit when she saw who was standing behind Shannon.
"I would be most interested to hear what he said as well !" Shannon spun round and saw Sister Michael standing behind her with her arms crossed. She'd been caught in the act…. Again.
"Morning Sister Michael." Orla smiled and waved.
"All of you, away! NOW!" She boomed to the crowd which quickly dispersed.
"Miss O'Driscoll…. I've been waiting for this moment. You will be in my office before school ends, without fail! And I'll be making a call to your parents, especially your father. Just in case you have any ideas of skiving off again. Now off with you!" She bellowed. Shannon's lip quivered with anger as she stormed off.
"Feeling…. Well, this morning, Sister?" Clare squeaked. Trying to break the tension.
"…Yes, thank you. Miss Devlin…. Carry on." Sister Michael replied, and we walked off.
The group were shocked. No summons to her office, no detention, no hangover…. Clare let out an enormous sigh of relief as they all looked incredulously at each other. Michelle took charge and led them into the hall for assembly. The day wore on without any further incident as they took their turns to visit the Careers Officer, Miss Wells. Clare was the first to see her after lunch.
Clare spoke about her interest in studying Law. She voiced her ideas of becoming a Barrister, working her way into being a Solicitor or Lawyer. Wanting to earn her stripes in her chosen field. Miss Wells regarded her bravery for coming out as a Lesbian, and even suggested she could be an Activist for Gay Rights. Something that stirred a thought in Clare's mind.
Erin voiced her aspirations about Literature and Journalism. She began to map out her possible plans of being an investigating reporter, and if that didn't work out, she could always fall back on working on her novel. Miss Wells marvelled at her passion, but not so much her time awareness, Erin had spoken for much of her time before Miss Wells could begin to guide her on what prospectives were available to her.
Michelle was nonchalant, preferring to keep her aspirations about becoming a DJ to herself; Miss Wells mentioned that she knew her mother, which made Michelle change her tune, she came clean and said that she wasn't sure yet. Miss Wells suggested a possible career in psychology, perhaps even Nursing, but Michelle was dismissive.
James spoke about his aspirations to do Film Studies, in addition to Business Studies. Sighting it would be a useful tool to have, his own private misgivings about being employed in Derry coming to the forefront. He then wondered if being English might hinder Marco's chances in his apprenticeship interview. Miss Wells assured him as best she could.
Orla reverted into her own little world and began mentioning her favourite confectioneries. But once Miss Wells gave her the true gist of why she was there, Orla spoke passionately about her dance classes and her likeness towards History, mostly Oliver Cromwell, and Art.
The group congregated in the corridor as school finished. As they made their way towards the exit. They discussed where they might go to study their chosen career paths. As they walked out of the school, James's blood suddenly went cold. Erin looked and saw the colour drain from his face, almost like he'd seen a ghost. She looked onward and felt herself go cold. One by one, the girls spotted MadStab walking towards them, flanking a bigger older man, a demure petite lady dressed in a dark blue navy suit, as well as a young blonde girl, Sinead O'Driscoll.
MadStab leaned towards the bigger man who was dressed a light silver suit. His head was balding with grey hair around the back and sides; sporting a large round bellied build. MadStab whispered something to him.
"Excuse me!" The large man said sternly as they approached the group. "I would like a word with yer."
The group stopped as the man stood before them. MadStab glaring at James. The large man raised his nose and looked upon the five friends with a snobbish distain.
"Am I to understand that one of yer has been harassing my daughter?" He snapped.
"I'm sorry…. Who are you, sir?" James asked innocently.
"I… am Patirck O'Driscoll. Shannon's father, not to mention, a member of the Board of Governors for Our Lady Immaculate College." He snapped again. The group stood in shocked silence. Clare's eyes shot wider than the others.
"Sweet merciful Jesus…." She whispered.
"And I am fully aware that many of the events of the past two years that have occurred within this school have occurred with you five have always at the forefront! And now, you've taken to harassing my daughter Shannon, is that right?" Patrick grimaced.
The group stood without a word of defence. It was true. They had been at the forefront of many of the recent misdemeanours that had occurred within the school, the only exception being the lie about them harassing Shannon. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Erin felt the urge to protest immediately at the injustice of Mr O'Driscoll's accusations. James quickly took her hand, as a way of halting her.
"Patrick, shouldn't we be speaking with Sister Michael about this?" The demure lady said calmly.
"Aye Da, shouldn't we find out-"
"Quiet Sinead!" Patrick snapped aggressively. "I am waiting for an answer here! Which one of ye is it?" He demanded through gritted teeth.
"We haven't done a fucking thing to yer daughter…. Shannon's the one who's been giving shit to Orla!" Michelle piped up, refusing to be intimidated.
"Ye mind yer tongue when ye speak to me, young lady!" Patrick's eyes were bulging with anger.
"Mr and Mrs O'Driscoll. It's yourselves…. Again." Sister Michael walked up to them.
"Ye better have a good explanation for this, Sister Michael!" Patrick snapped.
"Explanation? For what, may I ask?" the nun was unmoved.
"Putting our daughter in detention again, while letting these five delinquents walk away without any sort of punishment!" He shot. Pointing at the group.
"I think you'll find… that on this occasion; it has been your daughter who has been the instigator for this whole thing Mr O'Driscoll. She has shown a total disregard for my authority, as well as relentlessly picking a fight with Orla here, a fight that she certainly did not instigate. I have this on very good authority, Mr O'Driscoll!" Sister Michael scowled, defending the group for once instead of scolding them.
"That is a total lie! Maybe it's your lacklustre attitude towards running this school that's the real problem here!" Patrick spewed, his double neck wobbling from frustration.
"Patrick, please. Not here." Mrs O Driscoll said shyly.
"Rightly so, Mrs O'Driscoll. Come with me, please. On your way now, all of you." Sister Michael calmly said to the group as she walked back inside the school with the O'Driscoll's following her.
"Alright, Sinead?" Orla asked nervously.
"…. How bout ye, Orla?" Sinead smiled as she walked past them. MadStab stayed, still glaring at James.
"So…. Where's ya little boyfriend English?" Stab taunted him.
"None of ye fucking business." Michelle shot.
"Michelle, what are ye doing?!" Clare whispered in panic.
"Heh, I guess he really is as stupid as this one here!" Stab pointed at Orla. "Looks like I'm gonna have to introduce myself to your little fella."
"Well, that's no problem…. I'm right here." a voice came.
MadStab snapped his head around. He clapped his eyes on Marco for the first time, who stood before him. Orla smiled as Marco walked closer up to MadStab and the two stood face to face. MadStab flinched slightly as he regarded the elusive teenager. MadStab may have been slightly taller, and older than the younger lad, but while James was certainly not a skinny lad by any stretch. MadStab couldn't escape the fact that Marco was more built than he imagined. MadStab quickly regained himself.
"So…. Yer the one I've been hearing about, hi?" Stab growled sinisterly. Marco stood silently.
"Just watch yourself, mate." James leaned in.
"Shut the fuck up James!" Michelle snapped quietly. Her own fists were clenched.
"Do ye know who I am, Boyo?!" Stab leered.
"…. Yeah. I know you who you are…. you're shorter than I expected." Marco replied calmly. Michelle sniggered while Orla smiled.
"Ach, so ye wanna start something do ya? Well then let's have it then…. Ye and me. Right now!" Stab growled. His eyes were like wild animals. Marco remained calm.
"Just walk away…. Just walk away." Clare thought to herself, completely panic stricken. Erin gripped James' arm tight, who watched intently at his friend. Orla swayed from side to side. Marco glanced at his friends, and then back at MadStab.
"… No thanks. You ain't worth my time." Marco said. The group breathed a sigh of relief as Marco walked towards them, turning his back on MadStab.
"DON'T TURN YA BACK ON ME, YE FUCKIN' ENGLISH BASTARD!" MadStab yelled, he reached and grabbed Marco's arm, but Marco quickly freed his arm and shoved MadStab to the ground. James launched himself forward and stood by him. Erin and Orla stood in awe; Michelle groaned as Clare grabbed her. MadStab jumped back up, seething; he took a step forward.
"DANNY! What the fuck are ye doing?!" Sinead shouted as she stepped between them.
"Stay out of it, Sinead!" Stab was incensed, as he stared at Marco.
"For Fuck sake Danny! Why do ye have to be such a Dickhead!... Ach, hiya Marco." Sinead said with surprise, turning to face Marco.
"Hello again." Marco said, astonished when he realised who it was.
"Ye know this prick?!" Stab was now confused.
"Aye, that I do…." Sinead shot back.
"Stall the fucking ball. How do ye know HIM?" Stab demanded.
"This is the lad I told ye about yesterday… The one who stopped our Liam from being run over." Sinead stated.
The group stood, shocked at the revelation. MadStab now shot a look of confusion towards Marco. Who mirrored the same look.
"Look, just go to the car, and stop being such a fucking embarrassment!" Sinead grimaced. Michelle sneered at the sight of MadStab being ordered about by a much smaller person.
"You…. This is not over." Stab said, as he walked away.
"Christ. I am soooooo sorry about my cousin. I really am." Sinead apologized to the group as she left.
James let out his breath with relief. He dropped his head on to Marco's shoulder, who let out his own sigh of relief. Orla walked up to Marco, burying her head into his shoulder. As he hugged her, he could feel her shaking.
"Everyone alright?" Marco asked. Glancing around at his friends. The group assured him they were. They were truly stunned by what they'd seen.
"Christ Marco! Please…. Don't do that again!" Clare begged, hugging him as well.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be fucking sorry Marco… That was fucking class! That arsehole had it coming!" Michelle barked loudly, still pumped with adrenaline.
"Alright Michelle, calm down." James said.
"Can we just get out of here?" Erin suggested. They all nodded and silently made their way to the car.
They walked in silence. But despite everything that had just taken place with MadStab, Orla would not be deterred from the important issue.
"Marco?" Orla said.
"Yeah?"
"…How did it go?" She asked eagerly.
The others all stopped, eager to hear the news. Marco stared blankly at Orla, and then at the rest of the gang. He stayed silent. They all frowned, wondering why it was taking him so long to answer. Orla looked at him dismally, not wanting to believe the worst thing had happened. His blank expression slowly grew into a warm smile. Orla was barely able to contain her excitement as her own smile grew.
"I got offered a spot." Marco answered.
The group exploded in sheer ecstasy. Orla embraced Marco with a tremendous hug. Tears ran down her cheeks as the group moved in for another group hug. Orla shook from sheer joy. Her fella was back in Derry, and he wasn't going anywhere this time. James and the girls congratulated him.
"Marco, that is absolutely cracker!" Erin exclaimed.
"Ach. Yer officially one of the pack now, motherfucker." Michelle beamed.
"So… I guess that officially makes him a Derry girl, right?" James asked mockingly. Embracing his best friend with his arm around him.
"Aye it does so!" Clare said cheerfully.
"Not quite…" Orla spoke up. The group turned to look at her.
What do ya mean, Orla?" Erin asked.
"He has to say it." Orla said mischievously, pointing at Marco, who paused for a moment and took a deep breath.
"…I'm a motherfucking Derry Girl!" Marco stated. James and the girls all cracked with laughter as Orla launched in and kissed her boyfriend tenderly. Erin walked round to James, where they shared their own tender kiss. The group walked cheerfully back to the car and back to the Quinn house to spread the good news.