Chapter 24: Finally…

Sarah awoke from her slumber. She tiredly rose from the bed so as not to wake Mary, who was sleeping soundly. Sarah was grateful that the night had gone by without any further incidents. Orla had slept through the night. Sarah walked quietly down the landing towards Orla's room. She peeked inside to see if there was any movement. Only Coco Pops lifted his head as she opened the door. Sarah surveyed the room, looking at her daughter first, and saw the wains were all still asleep. They had all decided to stay over. They had collected their uniforms for the next day and turned their vigil into an impromptu sleepover. They were all gathered on the floor, while Michelle was snoring away in the armchair, but Marco was nowhere to be seen. Sarah lowered herself to nudge James awake.

"James?" She whispered. It didn't take much to stir the wee English fella.

"What is it, Sarah?"

"It's time yous were waking up. Try not to wake Orla, she's still sound asleep, son." Sarah whispered back. James understood. He started with Erin while Sarah went downstairs, followed by Coco Pops. She came into the kitchen and found Marco sitting at the table with a mug of black coffee, he weakly turned to see her.

"Morning, Sarah." He sighed.

"Morning Marco. Aww, have ye not slept well, lad?"

"I barely slept. I was too worried she'd wake up and the pain would start again." Marco admitted sadly. His eyes were red.

"Ach, Marco, ye sweet lad." Sarah rubbed his back with empathy.

"For the love of God, I hope they don't make a racket up there." Mary said, giving a sign of the cross for luck as she came into the kitchen.

They looked up at the ceiling, the floorboards creaked from the numerous footsteps that the others were making. Mary then pondered the fact that it was a strange scenario; she couldn't recall the last time when Sarah's house had this many people in it but thought it best to usher everyone next door so Orla wouldn't be disturbed. Marco went back upstairs to let the gang know what Mary wanted to do. James was just out of the bathroom and knocked on the bedroom door before walking in.

Michelle answered. "Trying to sneak a peek are ye?" making a failed attempt to lighten of the situation. Marco and James stared blankly at her. "Not the best time for that, hi?"

"Mary said we need to go next door." James said softly.

"Aye, ok. Girls, shift yer holes next door." She said. Erin and Clare followed her out the bedroom.

"Hold on." Marco said. The gang stopped as he walked inside towards Orla's bedside. He picked a soft toy up from the floor and placed it next to her. She was still sound asleep. James and the girls peered in as Marco gently kissed her forehead. He frowned sadly as he heard her breathing gently.

"Marco…. Come on." Michellle motioned him. Marco nodded, he looked again at Orla, he knew what he wanted to say, and now he wanted to say it so desperately, using every fibre of his being, he reluctantly got up.

"Stay here, will ya boy? Look after her." Marco signalled to Coco Pops who lay himself next to Orla. Stopping to pick up Orla's school bag, he glanced back one more time before he walked out the room. Breakfast was a quiet affair. Not only were they worrying about Orla, but Clare's bombshell was also fresh in their minds. Mary had only just been made aware of Geraldine's intentions by Erin.

"Sweet Jesus, but I wish the earth would just open up and let me drop through!" Mary gasped.

"Sit down, love. I'll make the tea." Gerry offered.

"H'oh! look at him, riding in on his fecking horse." Joe groaned to himself.

"Not now Da, what in God's name is going on? Between Orla, Geraldine and the school. It's like being in front of a fecking firing squad around here!"

"It's a little bit dramatic isn't it, Mary?" Gerry asked.

"Ach, telling her what's dramatic and what's not now, are ye? What would you know?"

"Well, I do know getting all riled up isn't going to change things, is it now, Joe?"

"Stop it, the pair of ye! Don't mean to raise our voices, Clare love, but it's sort of taken us all by surprise, so it has." Mary said.

"No problem, Mary. I'm not exactly thrilled about it myself." Clare said sadly.

"Has your mum already sold the house, Clare?" James asked, frowning.

"She's been trying to sell it since before Christmas, James." Clare revealed. "I had no idea."

"Can ye not try and talk her round?" Erin asked, clearly upset from the news.

"Erin!" Mary scolded, causing Erin to jump. She mouthed an apology to Clare.

"Ye got nothing to say, Michelle?" Clare asked, turning to see the feisty member cut a very quiet figure.

"What's the fucking point. I say something, I'm likely to get my ears chewed off." Michelle said, shrugging her shoulders as she scoffed a slice of toast.

"Come along now, you better be on your way." Mary urged.

"Ye best drive, son. I don't think it'd be wise looking at the state of 'im." Joe said to James, they both looked over at Marco.

"That's nothing, I'm more worried about him going up that ladder." James replied. He saw the uncertainty on Joe's face. "Don't worry, Joe. He'll be alright. Orla will as well."

"Thanks James, yer a good lad." Joe acknowledged the wee English fella with a warm smile.

Despite the previous night for the gang, it was business as usual that morning. Something that Sister Michael would have been pleased to see if she was there. But the tense aura hanging over the students couldn't be denied in morning assembly. There had been an announcement that all staff had to attend, the caretaker was indisposed so he asked Marco to go along on his behalf, as it was his day of coming in to clean the school windows. The gang acknowledged him as he stood near them alongside a row of staff nuns. As Jenny Joyce began preaching with excitement about the valentine's disco; Shannon, who was a few rows behind the gang, caught Marco's eye while he glanced around the assembly hall. She smirked at him, not carrying a hint of disdain, almost a suggestive hint. He shook the stare off and looked back towards the stage. Michelle was given a moment of acknowledgement by Jenny as the chosen DJ. But the Head Prefect appeared to be more elevated than she had in the past, as if she hadn't addressed the entire school in years, although it had only really been a few weeks. She spoke with her over embellishing voice echoing throughout the hall as she informed the school of the upcoming disco.

"And as Head Prefect. I am very pleased to confirm that, under the influence of Mr. Patrick O'Driscoll;" Jenny shot a wide smile towards the large man, who glanced impassively at her, but tilted is head up, with an arrogant smirk of his own.

"The Valentine's disco is going to be a co-hosted event. Our Lady Immaculate College and St. Joseph's Boys School are coming together in a bid to raise money for both our respective institutes."

"Raise money?" James questioned.

"And also… Just to inform you all…. It will not be necessary to ask any of the boys to be your date for the upcoming event. Because Aisling and I have taken the liberty to match you all with a suitable partner! You will find the list on the main bulletin board by the end of today." Jenny announced proudly.

"What?!" Clare whispered. Her astonishment was mirrored by the rest of their year and the others that would be attending. A mixture of dreaded gasps and despair was heard ringing throughout the assembly hall.

"What does she think this is? Blind Date or something?!" Erin whispered.

"Who the fuck died and made her Cilla Black?!" Michelle shot angrily as Father Peter walked up to the podium.

"Girls. I would like to address the announcement that Jenny has just made. The decision for this has been made by both schools, and under Mr. O'Driscoll's advice considering…. recent past events." There was a hush of uncertainty amongst the students. But Father Peter did not go into further detail as he lead the morning prayers. James looked up to the ceiling and felt a sense of impending doom approaching as he dwelled on Jenny's announcement.

By the time the first double lesson was finished; the posters for the Valentine's disco were visible all over the school. The gang stood and regarded the red themed poster before they had to part again like ships in the night. Michelle knocked on the nearby window that Marco was cleaning. He opened the door and came in the corridor to join them.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Take a peek!" Michelle answered, pointing at the poster.

"It's a bit weird, isn't it?" James said.

"What is?" Michelle asked.

"Well, this school's never co-hosted any sort of event before. I mean, not since the whole Friends across the barricade thing. Sister Michael hated the idea of us mixing. And that was outside of school."

"Aye, but they were protestants, James!" Clare said.

"Aye, at least in this case, we won't have to worry about any religious issues rising." Erin threw in.

"Isn't it all the same thing though?" Marco shot a question, the girls turned and stared coldly at him, causing Marco to flinch.

"Shhhhh. Do ye seriously wanna get lynched?" Clare whispered. Looking around in a panic. "Well, not that what yer saying isn't entirely false, but all the same!"

"Don't rile them up, Marco. Not this early." James suggested.

"Yeah, I think I'll get back to those windows." Marco sighed sadly. "I'll see ya."

"See ya later, mate." James called. "Something just doesn't feel right about all this." Turning back to look at the poster.

"Ach, What's wrong, Wank features? Ye worried Erin's gonna get paired up with a proper fella and dump ye on yer arse? whinng English prick!" Michelle shot as she walked down the corridor before he could answer, leaving the other three.

"Do ye reckon they'll let me to bring Laurie if I ask?" Clare chose to shoot a question. Erin and James stood silently.

"Come on, Clare. I'm not walking on my own." Michelle came back and pulled her arm. They left Erin and James staring at the poster. Just then the bell went for the next class.

"I've got to go." James admitted.

"Aye…. I've got a free period now." Erin replied glumly.

"Would you… like to go…. With me?" James asked, still looking at the poster.

"What about the whole pairing thing?" Erin asked.

"I take that as a No?" James answered sarcastically with another question.

Erin then smirked. "Ye know it's a Yes, ya great dose!" Still looking forward.

"Thanks." James smiled as he walked away.

"L.U.J" Erin answered, James turned and smiled back at their coded message. Erin grinned at her wee English fella.

"Um, was that a look of affection, I just saw?" Jenny Joyce quizzed, suddenly appearing next to Erin. "I don't think Father Peter or Mr. O'Driscoll will approve! You do know that's against the rules, Erin!"

"Catch yerself on, Jenny." Erin scoffed angrily, walking away. The head prefect scrunched her mouth tight as she watched Erin walk away.

Erin walked along with no real direction of where she was going. She thought of going to the library for her free period when Sister Josephine came up to her.

"Erin?"

"Yes, Sister?"

"Can you go to Father Peter's' office, please? The teachers have left some homework there for Orla to do." She said.

"Yes Sister." She made her way to the office, not failing to notice the usual looks of scepticism from the familiar crowd of girls. She scowled back at them. She knocked on the office and Father Peter invited her in. Erin froze at the sight of Patrick O'Driscoll sitting at the main desk instead of Father Peter.

"Ah yes, Erin. How's Orla this morning?"

"She were still sleeping when we left, Father." Erin answered.

"Ah, I understand. Good girl, Orla is. Well, there's a few things here…."

"Father! If you please…." Patrick snapped.

"Could you wait one minute please, Erin?" Father Peter turned to speak with Patrick.

Erin glanced around Sister Michael's office, and then at the two men who currently occupied it. She felt the feeling of injustice brewing inside her again.

-Sister Michael needs to be back here, like right now! She thought.

Her attention was then drawn to the window. The ladder clattered against the wall; it shook as Marco then came into view. He hadn't noticed the presence of Erin inside the office as he started to clean the first window. When he streaked the soapy water away, he glanced inside to see Erin wave mockingly at him with a Cheshire grin. Marco waved back, shooting a smirk back at her. As he cleaned the window, Erin began to pay attention to the two men. One of them seemed to have forgotten she was there altogether. But Erin couldn't help but hear certain things being said by Mr. O'Driscoll, who was on the telephone. Her intrigue was so heightened, she reached into her blazer pocket and pressed record on her Dictaphone. Her mind started to take a mental note of what was being said.

Fundraising…. School in debt… Oversights…. Past Failures…. Future school trips temporarily halted…. "What does this all mean?" She thought to herself.

She pressed stop and moved quietly over to the window. Father Peter and Patrick O'Driscoll's conversation was still going on when she saw that Marco was still outside.

"Oh, You alright, mate?" Marco asked warmly as he saw Erin open the window.

"Hiya, what about ye?" Erin asked.

"Well, I'm up here aren't I? What you doing in there?" He asked.

"Ach, Father Peter gave me some homework for Orla. He said he had something else but they're chatting away and I'm standing around like a forgotten statue."

"Do you want me to take it back? I'm gonna go see how she's doing." Marco said.

"Aye OK. There ye go." Erin handed the work over to Marco. He tucked the paperwork into Orla's rucksack which was with him. "Oi, how ye feeling?" Erin asked.

"Worried about her." He answered, his voice ruffled from lack of sleep.

"Aye, I know. Me too." She said, gently gripping his hand. "Ye look fecking knackered, Marco.

"Uh, excuse us!" Patrick shouted. Interrupting their conversation. "What in God's name do ye think yer doing, boy?"

Erin and Marco snapped their heads towards Patrick.

"You! Girl! Shut that window right now!" Patrick used the phone to point at Erin.

"Mr O'Driscoll, please! Sorry, Erin. There was one more thing." Father Peter quickly organised himself and pulled a floppy disc out from his desk drawer. Patrick O'Driscoll sat stewing.

"The teacher said this is part of Orla's Psychology class. Ye can borrow a laptop from the computer room, and she can do at her leisure." He said.

"Thank you, Father. But yer best to give to Marco, he's going by in a short while." Erin suggested.

"Oh excellent. If you would, Marco?" Father Peter asked.

"Yea no worries, Father." Marco obliged. "I'll swing down and get the laptop before I go."

"If you don't mind?! WE ARE TRYING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS HERE!" Patrick bellowed rudely.

"….. Alright, alright, keep your hair on! Oh sorry, too late!" Marco quipped, regarding the man's head. Erin barely supressed her laugh; Father Peter shushed them nervously.

"Is that supposed to be a joke, boy?" Patrick grimaced. Slowly rising from his chair, his face turned scarlet.

"No." Marco responded. Patrick went silent, he irritably lowered himself back into his chair.

"Someone obviously didn't get seconds this morning." Marco said loudly enough.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Patrick shouted.

"Bye!" Marco shut the window.

Erin covered her mouth and exited the office. Patrick O'Driscoll could be heard screaming at the top of his voice behind the now closed door. She thought it safe enough to let out her laugh. Erin then spotted that Miss Mooney was away from her desk. She suddenly felt the urge to do something daring, something bold, something that would have made Jessica Fletcher proud. Erin sneaked over and lifted the handset on the other telephone. She pressed record again on her Dictaphone, remembering that Mr O'Driscoll had been in the middle of a phone conversation. She didn't know what was being said, but knew the conversation was still going on.

Marco made his way towards the computer room, which was occupied by some students on a free period. The group of girls included Clare, and Shannon, who sported the same smirk that she had in morning assembly. She flicked her straight blonde hair and watched Marco the whole time he was in the room, her stare went unnoticed by Marco, but not by Clare. The bell went for the end of period. Marco spotted Clare walking towards him.

"Alright, Clare?"

"Hiya. Whatcha doing?"

"Don't worry, I'm not nicking it." He joked. "Just taking this for Orla. How you doing?"

"Bit mixed up, if I'm honest." Clare confessed.

Marco saw her unrest. "Come on, walk with me." They walked out the classroom and down the corridor amongst the other girls. They went at a slower pace while others rushed past them. "So… What's worrying you?"

Clare paused before she finally spoke. "Well, it's been really hard, these past couple of weeks. I wanted to tell you all about my mammy wanting to move, but there never seemed to be a right time…."

"I don't think there would have been a right time at any time." Marco responded.

"Aye, ye may have a point, but last night, Orla kinda cornered me, and I couldn't lie to her. I think it's safe to say ye know I'm not the best at deceit, not like Michelle; But I saw her face when I said we were moving. It shattered her, Marco. And I know everyone's being really supportive…. Ye have no idea how much that's helped since…..."

"I know….. and yes, I do know how much it helps." Marco said, his arm draped around her shoulder.

"Oh, aye. Sorry. I forgot…. Ye see? I can't imagine not being here with you guys! If I'm completely honest, I don't wanna move!" Clare confessed.

"Have you told your mum this?" Marco asked.

"….. I can't. It's been so rough for her….. I don't know what to do, Marco. And now, Orla's laid up in bed, and I can't help but think that it's my fault she started getting those pains in her head, and I was the cause of that!" Clare stressed sadly.

"Ok…. Calm down. It's not your fault, Clare. I don't know why Orla gets these pains, and I'm worried about her as it is, but it wasn't your fault." Marco said assuring Clare as best he could.

"Well Well Well…. what would Orla say if she could see this?!" Clare and Marco looked to see Shannon leaning smugly against the row of lockers. Clare scrunched her lips.

"Do ye mind, Clare? I was wondering if I could have a moment with Marco." He stopped as Shannon walked towards him, the same smirk radiated from her as she strutted up to him with her hands behind her back.

"What do you want, Shannon?" Clare snapped.

"Now, now, temper, temper." Shannon said teasingly. "I've been wanting to talk to ye for a long time, Marco. I don't think we got off to the best of starts, did we now?" Shannon said, ignoring Clare's presence.

"If you speak to everyone the same way you speak to Orla, I don't think I wanna talk to you." Marco shot as he walked past her, Clare quickly followed.

"Now hold on! Give me a chance to say my piece." Shannon halted him by grabbing his arm.

"Stop it, Shannon!" Clare argued.

"What's there to say between you and me?" Marco shot.

"Well, I'm…. interested in yer. I'd like to get to know yer, especially after you helped my sister with her wain…. Liam's fine, as it goes…. That were class, what ye did…. Sinead said ye were a real nice person to talk to." Her eyes were almost amorous as she stroked his arm.

"Ye know. The last time we had a do here at the school. Orla brought her Granda instead of an actual fella…." Shannon said mockingly.

"How dare you." Clare whispered under her breath.

"And likely, Jenny might just pair her up with him just to avoid the awkwardness, but even though ye don't go to the Boy's school…. I can put a word in, so ye can come with me!" Shannon said, bursting with arrogance. Marco was flabbergasted.

"….. Shannon, whatever it is yer trying to pull here, you're wasting your time." Clare struggled to remain amicable.

"Right. Listen, Shannon. I don't know what planet you're on, but Just leave me alone. I'm on my way to see Orla." Marco removed his arm from her grip and walked on with Clare. Shannon stood livid that she couldn't get past the threshold.

"Ye know ye can do so much better than her!" She shouted, causing Marco to stop.

"What did you say?" He asked, looking back at her.

"You heard! Ye can do so much better than being saddled with that pathetic eejit." Shannon arrogantly stated.

Clare grimaced "What did you call her?!"

"SHUT YER FUCKING BAKE, DYKE!" Shannon sneered.

"RIGHT! THAT'S IT!" Marco shouted as he marched back towards Shannon. The crowd of passing students had now stopped to watch. Shannon stood frozen as Marco began to unleash his pent-up anguish in one go.

"First of all…. Don't you EVER insult my mate with that word again, is that clear?!" He pointed at Clare.

"Now, I don't know WHAT your problem is with Orla…. What, is it cos you just think she's easy to pick on? Or are you just that jealous cos she's a million times the person you could ever wish to be? To tell you the truth, I don't care... But I do care about her getting picked on by some stuck up, self-centred, selfish little….." Taking deep breaths, he held himself together.

"…. Just do one thing, Shannon…. Leave, Orla, Alone! Because no matter what you think, there is nothing that you can ever say that will change the way I see her, and how I feel for her!" Marco said sternly. Shannon shamelessly scoffed.

"… Ach, catch yourself on. What? Did that punch from Danny give ye that much bother? Ye can't be saying what I think yer saying?" She chuckled.

"Oh, You want me to spell it out for ya, Do ya? Fine! I LOVE HER!" Marco declared loudly. Parts of the crowd gasped, including Clare, who then turned and looked with astonishment at what she saw, her gawk turned to a grin.

"And for your little invitation to go to the disco with you….. You can shove it up your hole." Marco's voice echoed throughout the silent corridor as Shannon stood speechless while other students gawked in amazement.

Marco shook with adrenaline as he tuned to see Clare's wide grin. He asked what was wrong, but Clare couldn't answer. She tilted her head and then pointed, Marco turned to look, his eyes widened as he saw Erin, James, Michelle…. and Orla standing in front of him. Her own face was gawking with shock, her large hazel eyes were locked on Marco. They stood silent for what seemed like an eternity.

"Right, the fucking show's over. Piss off, the lot of yer!" Michelle shouted, causing the crowd to disperse.

Orla and Marco walked towards each other. The two of them heaving short breaths of anxiety, mirroring each other. Erin and James couldn't hide their smiles.

"Ach, for fucks sake, will one of yers say something?!" Michelle shot, chuckling as she threw her arms up.

"How about we let them have a minute alone?" James suggested.

"Aye, good idea." Erin said. "Come on, Clare!"

"Aye, alright. I'll take the bag, Marco." She had taken it before he could react.

The gang left Orla and Marco alone, they were now standing in an almost deserted corridor. Marco was relieved to see Orla was back on her feet again. As if the previous night hadn't even occurred. Orla gulped before she spoke.

"You… love me?" She asked, peering into Marco's eyes, her eyes welling with tears.

"…..Yea. I do." He gasped. He frowned as he regarded Orla, who then closed her eyes and lowered her head. Marco started to panic, thinking she was going to have another case of pains. Orla slowly shook her head; she then sported the largest possible grin, she launched herself into Marco with the biggest hug. As she smiled, tears ran down her cheeks. Orla then took a deep breath.

"And I love you, Marco." She said, feeling him grip her tighter. It wasn't how he wished her to find out, but seeing her there, as if the previous night hadn't happened. It was almost…. Perfect.