James and Marco sat on the chairs outside the headmaster's office with Miss Mooney sitting at her desk. James rifled through the football magazine that Marco had snuck in but couldn't find anything that would distract him. He felt restless as they waited. Marco turned and saw the worrying look on James' face. He waited until Miss Mooney was out of sight. She entered the office and shut the door.

"Bloody hell, James. Keep your wig on, mate!" Marco shot calmly.

"What?" James looked at him with a long frowning face.

"You're stressing… relax. Take a deep breath." Marco attempted to calm him.

"It's easy for you to say…" James huffed "…It's not like you've been an awkward spot like this before!"

"…. Oh yeah, chatting with a solicitor and the funeral director were a blinding time." Marco replied sarcastically.

James scrunched his eyes with regret. Realizing what he just said. He turned to see the raised eyebrow on Marco's face.

"Sorry Marco." James motioned his hands and continually apologized. Marco's face softened and nudged James.

"It's alright. Don't get your knickers in a twist." He chuckled. With that, James relaxed. "The way things are going; I'll probably be in trouble sooner than later." He joked.

James smirked at what Marco just said. "Yeah… Bloody hell mate, you're playing with fire, you are." He joked quietly.

"Oh yeah…. You've slept with Orla too, have ya?" Marco shot back suggestively.

"No… Well, not in the same bed!" James paused with an amused annoyance. Marco started to laugh. "Bloody Hell!" James sighed.

"So, how did you and Orla…...?" James began to press.

"Bloody hell, Michelle's right, you ARE a pervert!"

"Oh, come on! Just tell me!" James shot back, smiling.

"Jim doesn't lock his backdoor…. Apparently." Marco started.

"What? And she just….." James implied.

"Yeah, while I was asleep." Marco said, James had a bewildered look on his face.

"Jesus! Coco Pops ain't much of a guard dog, is he... What did you do when you saw her in bed?"

"Well, I panicked and fell out the bed!" Marco revealed. James laughed out loud.

"Shut up, will ya?" Marco groaned with a smirked grin. "It weren't funny at the time…. Jim almost caught us. Not only that. Joe nearly caught us!" James exhaled sharply, still sniggering.

"Ah Marco…. Sweet suffering Jesus! Only you!" James exclaimed.

"And you can catch yourself right on!" Marco sniggered.

The two friends resigned to the hilarity of the situation and laughed together. James began to ponder slightly before he continued to press. Marco sensed more questions coming his way.

"What do you wanna know?"

"Well, I was just thinking, and all joking aside. Something that Orla said on the way here. About… not being ready yet."

"Yeah?"

"Isn't that awkward, you know, being in bed together, and not…... doing things?" He asked, James then saw Marco struggle to answer the question.

"It is awkward…. Isn't it?"

"It's not awkward. It's just…. Hard. I mean…..oh shit!..." Marco stopped himself. James sniggered again.

"I bet it is!" James joked.

"It's….. difficult, You know? Like you and Erin when you were just friends, but you liked her in that way…. but you felt that you were too scared to say anything?"

"….. Yeah, yeah I know what you mean." James understood.

"Mate, don't get me wrong. Just having Orla there is…. Incredible. She's incredible. And we have…. Kissed a lot, and…. stuff."

"Yeah, you know what? I think you could keep that to yourself." James stopped. "It's like listening about your own sister." He grimaced, slouching against the wall. He glimpsed for the first time why Michelle felt so awkward when she first found out about him and Erin.

"Sorry mate." Marco slouched back. James spotted one question he knew that he could ask.

"Do you love her?" He dared to ask. James' eyes widened happily when he turned to see Marco nodding.

"You do love her?!" James exclaimed. "Oh my God! Have you told her?!" His grin grew big.

"No…. Well, not yet but!" Marco answered awkwardly.

"Awwww mate! Look at you!"

"Well…. Have you told Erin you love her?" Marco shot back.

"She….. already beat me to it." James admitted with a shrug.

"WHAT?... When did this happen?" Marco cried.

Before James could say anything else, their attention was drawn towards the hallway. Cathy Maguire had finally arrived with Deidre. James shot up and beamed a smile of relief as he hugged his mum warmly. Cathy sighed with affection as she embraced him. She planted a motherly peck on him, causing her red lipstick to smudge across his cheek. She laughed slightly as he wiped it away with embarrassment.

"Mum!" He groaned.

"Ach don't be such a fruit, James." Deidre shot.

"How yer been, love?" Cathy asked, stroking his arms.

"I'm alright thanks, Mum." James answered.

"Got yer bodyguard with yer, I see, James?" Deidre joked.

"Morning Deidre." Marco replied.

"Hello Marco. How ye been?" Cathy asked warmly.

"I'm good, thanks Cathy. Good to see you." He smiled. Receiving a hug for himself.

"Awww look at you two. Thick as thieves. Inseparable ever since they were at school together, Deidre. They can't keep yer apart, can they?" Cathy said, glancing at them both.

James and Marco glanced bashfully at each other. Their discussion was then interrupted by a tremendous row emitting from inside the office. The door shielded the volume as the unknown male ranted and raved incessantly. The door was then flung open by MadStab who charged out. He stopped in his tracks as his red eyes came upon James and Marco, who shot a cold stare back at him. MadStab glared at the teens as his hand rested on his right rib. MadStab turned and took his leave. Father Peter and Miss Mooney were seen standing in the doorway, clearly shaken by the encounter.

"Miss Mooney. Could you…. Oh, you're here James. Ach, Good morning, Mrs Maguire…. Mrs Mallon." Father Peter's eye was then drawn to the sight of Patrick O' Driscoll walking down the corridor. His expression was somewhat different now, as was Mrs O'Driscoll's. The smugness was now replaced by annoyance as they walked towards Cathy and James. Patrick scowled at them as he strutted into the office without a word, barging past both Father Peter and Miss Mooney.

"Hmph… Cathy Maguire!" Mrs O'Driscoll paused and regarded her with disdain.

"Jeanette!" Cathy answered coldly.

"How do ye manage to show yer face!" Jeanette huffed as she followed her husband into the office.

"Please…. Do come in." Father Peter breathed heavy as he motioned Cathy and James inside. Deidre motioned that Marco couldn't go any further.

"Just sit tight, lad." Deidre said as she walked in. At that point, The three other officials filed in before Father Peter closed the door. Marco sat down with Miss Mooney who was now sitting back at her desk, still clearly shaken.

"So, what was that all about, Miss Mooney?" Marco enquired.

"What, with that other lad?" Miss Mooney asked. Marco nodded.

"Well…." She began.

After the first lesson of the morning, Erin, Orla and Clare sat in their usual spot. Erin's mind raced while Clare braided Orla's hair who was eating a packet of taytos. She could feel herself become more intense with no way of releasing the tension. An idea then flashed in her head.

"So, Orla; What was it like… ye know, sleeping with Marco?" Erin asked suddenly.

"Erin!" Clare was shocked at the question.

"Excuse me, Clare. I think after all these years of having all elements of my private life probed and broadcasted, I think I'm allowed to ask her a little personal question." Erin argued. She then turned to Orla who looked flabbergasted. "Well, Orla?"

At that point, Michelle then huffed up to them carrying a can of drink for each of them. She slumped into her chair in annoyance.

"What's wrong, Michelle? Why are ye raging?" Orla asked.

"I practically had to fight my way to the front of the vending machine to get these!" Michelle shot.

"Ach, yer only raging cos James weren't here for ye to order around." Clare said.

"Seriously, how the fuck does James manage to get these things so quick?"

"How do ye reckon he's getting on?" Clare asked, looking at Erin.

"Christ knows!" Erin said, not looking at any of them.

"We could try and sneak in and find out?" Orla suggested.

"Aye, Orla. You're quite the expert at sneaking around." Michelle smirked.

"Catch yourselves on!" Clare said, "No way, to the Jose!" She stated emphatically.

"Speaking of which, you still haven't answered my question, Orla!" Erin pressed. She could see her cousin blush.

"What question?" Michelle asked.

"Erin's asking Orla about her sleeping… just sleeping with Marco!" Clare cleared up.

"Aye, what were it like?" Michelle chimed in. Sitting at the edge of the chair.

"Like I said, it were nice." Orla repeated.

"Ach, come on Orla! Ye can't tell us that all ye did was sleep! I promise yer, we won't say anything!" Michelle pressed eagerly.

"Aye, come on Orla. Tell us about your big teddy bear!" Erin shot with a smile. Orla's face reddened more. All three of them were now listening eagerly. Orla's lips were pressed together as she sniggered with her eyes on the floor.

"Ye have done more than just sleep, haven't yer?" Michelle asked.

"All we've done is cuddle, and kissed, and kissed more, and…." Orla hesitated but smiled. She felt the same electricity pulsing through her as she reminisced her tender moments.

"And?" Erin probed.

"He's…. very gentle with his hands…." Orla shyly motioned her hands around herself, implying that he'd held her in places she never spoke of before but was unable to say the words.

"The wee randy ayetalian!" Michelle cackled.

"My God!" Clare exclaimed.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Erin asked, nudging her cousin.

"ABSOLUTLELY CRACKER!" Orla strained with excitement; her hands were shaking with ecstasy. The girls laughed in unison. Just then, they were interrupted.

"Hi Guuuuys!" Jenny Joyce descended upon them. Breaking the flow of their private conversation.

"Ach, those foetuses must have grassed me up!" Michelle whispered, more to herself.

"I was wondering if I might be able to enquire about something with you?" Jenny stressed joyously.

"Alright, I shoved them, but it was in self-defence." Michelle let out.

"I'm sorry?"

"What do ye want, Jenny?" Erin intercepted, wanting her to leave as quickly as possible.

"…. Well, I wanted to chat with you Michelle about an upcoming social event?" Jenny asked.

"What the fuck are ye talking about?"

"Well, as you know, next month is February, and we all know what happens in February!?" Jenny implied.

"Aye, it's Erin's birthday!" Orla exclaimed.

"She isn't talking about that, Orla." Erin snapped.

"Uhhh. I was going to say that it's the month of St. Valentines day!" Jenny corrected Orla.

"What about it?" Michelle quizzed.

"Well, as Head Prefect; I've heard that the school is putting together a Valentines Day themed disco…..."

"Ach, that's a grand idea, Jenny!" Clare beamed.

"That's right, suck up to her!" Michelle shot.

"And I was wondering if you would be interested in DJing the event, Michelle?" Jenny concluded. Erin looked astonishingly at Jenny, as did Clare and Orla. Michelle looked at Jenny Joyce with a stunned silence.

"Say that again?" Michelle asked in utter disbelief.

"Well, in truth, you would have to audition first, but you're only one of three other candidates, So, will you put your name forward?" Jenny clarified.

"Jesus, Michelle…. Ye look like yer about to shite the tights!" Clare joked nervously. Michelle shot her shocked look.

"Aye, Michelle'll do it." Orla said happily.

"What the fuck are ye doing, Orla?" Michelle shot.

"You're good. More than good, you're cracker at DJing!" Orla beamed.

"How do you know? Ye never even watched me?" Michelle shot.

"No, but Marco and James have. They told me about it. They said yer really good!" Orla answered.

"Ach, I'm gonna kill those English pricks!" Michelle grimaced.

"So…. Is that a yes?" Jenny quizzed.

"Aye, it's a Yes!" Orla answered for Michelle.

"Are ye fuckin' being serious?!" A familiar voice was heard. They all turned and scowled to see Shannon strut towards them. She'd been lounging long enough to catch the gist of their conversation. Erin zeroed her eyes on the mouthy girl who scorned her earlier that morning. Shannon strutted slowly towards them with an unopened can of drink in her hand.

"Ye seriously gonna let this mouth loose on a microphone, Joyce?" Shannon smirked, standing over them. Michelle's lips tightened with anger. Clare sat frozen. Orla and Erin scowled quietly at Shannon.

"Ye got a lot of balls coming here." Michelle snarled.

"Well, there's nothing stopping ye, Mallon. why don't ye just do something about it." Shannon shot, placing her can of drink down.

"Aye, and have ye go crying to the teachers like ye did before?" Orla stood behind Shannon.

As the two rivals stared each other down. Shannon shrugged arrogantly. Out of the corner of her eye, Erin saw Clare take Shannon's can of drink, her own face scrunched with anger, she started to shake it hard. Erin and Michelle stayed still as Shannon began to rant at Orla.

"Ye just don't know when you're beat do ya McCool?" Shannon gloated. "Let me ask yer; Do Ye know what a Da' is…. Orla? Ach, that's right. Ye never even met him, have ye now, Or-la? Lucky bastard dodged a bullet from having to raise a head case like you! Well…. My Da' has said he's gonna take every single one of ye out of this school. He says it's the likes of you, and the rest of yers that drag this school down for the rest of us! And he's gonna start with that wee English prick!" Shannon chuckled maliciously, causing Orla's glare to soften slightly.

"THAT'S IT! I HAVE HAD IT WITH YOU, YA SELF RIGHTEOUS BITCH! YE WANNA PICK ON MA' COUSIN? YER WANNA INSULT MY JAMES? WELL NOW YER GONNA HAVE DEAL WITH ME! YOU WANNA START SOMETHING O'DRISCOLL? SWING AT ME! I DARE YE!" Erin raged. Shooting out of her chair, she squared up to Shannon. Her eyes bulged like never before. Shannon stepped back.

"Oooooh, big talk, Quinn!" Shannon regained herself, grabbing her can of drink from the table. "Working class scum like you! Yer not my time! See yer later!" Waving her hand mockingly.

Shannon turned and strutted away, walking around the corner and out of sight. Seconds later, there was a tremendous scream. The girls collapsed with laughter, along with everyone who stood nearby. Shannon staggered back around the corner. The drink had exploded over her face, cascading mercilessly over her uniform. She screamed like a wain having a tantrum.

"WHICH ONE OF YOUS DID THIS?!" She yelled.

"Shannon O'Driscoll! What in Heaven's name has happened?!" Sister Josephine asked.

"…. It was them, Sister! ALL OF THEM!" Shannon whined.

"That's a lie, Sister!" Erin shouted back.

"Girls! Enough! This will simply not do…. Right…. All of you… come with me." Sister Josephine led them off down the corridor.

Back in the office. Father Peter stood by the window. He looked very solemn while James sat in the middle of the room with Cathy and Deidre sitting beside him. The O'Driscoll's stood behind Sister Michael's desk while the officials sat at the table which separated them from the wee English fella. The main official began to speak.

"Thank you for coming Mrs Maguire, I am aware that we have pulled you away from your business affairs…." Mrs O'Driscoll let out a huff of disdain.

"…. However, this is a delicate matter involving James here, and we have deliberated over this thoroughly…." He paused.

Patrick O' Driscoll furrowed his eyes, eagerly awaiting the decision.

"….. We have been very lenient with allowing James to attend Our Lady Immaculate on the grounds that he is English born. And James, to his credit, and yourself, and Sister Michael, despite a few misdemeanours, he has been a model student. Which is why it made things difficult to come to a final decision…."

"I beg your pardon… Mr Bailey, we discussed this and…." Patrick began; his feathers were clearly ruffled.

"…. Please Mr O'Driscoll…. I don't wish to drag this out. We have been unable to establish that removing James from the school would significantly reduce the likelihood of the other students being in danger. He has been here for 2 years now, and there have been no threats made whatsoever. However…"

At that point, Mr Bailey was interrupted as Sister Josephine walked into the office with a drenched Shannon, followed by Erin, Orla, Michelle and Clare. James turned and was bewildered to see the state of Shannon. His eyes then caught Erin's as Sister Josephine closed the door.

"Shannon? What in God's name happened to you?!" Mrs O'Driscoll shrieked.

"They did it Mammy!" Shannon shouted. The gang stood still.

"Father Peter, could you please assist me." Sister Josephine asked. "I have no idea who started this but…"

"Yer sticking up for them! They did it!" Shannon bellowed.

"This is preposterous!" Patrick's face went red instantly. "Ladies and Gentlemen, these five particular students are the prime reason why moral decency had declined in this school under Sister Michael's reign!" Patrick fired without hesitation.

"Don't you talk about my boy like that!" Cathy spoke up loudly.

"Who do you think you are, raising your voice to my husband!" Jeanette sniped.

"Mr & Mrs O'Driscoll! Can you please control yourselves?" Mr Bailey shot. The O'Driscolls went quiet. "May I remind you that although you are prominent members of the board, you are just members of the board, not in charge of it! Your conduct is not befitting of either of you! Now will you please let me finish?"

James stared gruntingly at the large man whose face contorted with rage, just managing to keep himself silent. Mr Bailey informed Sister Josephine to take the girls back out into the hallway so they could conclude the meeting. Father Peter suggested that Erin stay. This caused the blonde girl to shoot a cautionary look at James as she stood behind him. Erin braved herself and gently placed a hand on James' shoulder.

"As I was saying…. It is our decision, that for the time being…. until other matters have been settled, we will allow James to remain at Our Lady Immaculate…." Erin let out a loud breath of jubilation. She squeezed James' shoulder, making him smile. "However, if there are any breaches of the rules which are to be laid by Father Peter, there will be swift repercussions, with no exceptions. Is this clear to you both?"

"What does that mean… sir?" James asked.

"What it means, James…. While we cannot stop you and Erin from having a relationship outside of school, we must set a moral standard for the other girls. Which means we must now… forbid any public showing of affection whilst you attend this school, including the holding of hands." Father Peter's words struck James and Erin like a knife in their hearts. The one thing they were permitted had now been taken from them. The smirk returned to Shannon's face.

"What?" Erin despaired. "But…. That's just unreasonable! That's not fair! We've been sticking to the rules! How can ye take this one thing away from us?!" Erin's voice went higher with each question. Deidre stood up and calmed her down.

"I can understand that you are upset. But these are the rules. Miss Mooney will be informing your parents of these changes later today, Erin. This includes everyone; As we understand that there are also some girls here who are open, and not so open about their sexuality…. But we must uphold a moral standard in accordance with the catholic church." Father Peter concluded begrudgingly.

"Revolting." Jeanette turned her nose up; Deidre's eyes burned a hole through the lady.

"But, Father Peter, James and Erin have been conducting themselves properly. Do you not think that this is too extreme?" Cathy asked. While Erin glanced a smile at Cathy; James spotted Patrick scowling at his mum, which boiled him inside.

"If James wishes to remain at this school, he must conduct himself properly in accordance to these rules, as must you, Miss Quinn. We simply cannot allow…. Fraternizing of an intimate nature. There have been many other incidents that have lead up to this. The same applies to anyone else. If this is too hard for him, we can then easily look to move him to the all-boys school." Mr Bailey said sternly.

"No!" Erin shot with a panic.

"It's ok, sir. We understand." James answered with reluctance. Cathy reached and placed her hand on Erin's.

"Very well. That concludes the meeting. Mrs Maguire, thank you very much for your time. James." Mr Bailey and the other officials rose and filed out of the office. Father Peter moved towards the desk. Cathy and Deidre stood and left along with the officials. Cathy quickly hugged James and said she will be at home when he finished school.

"Sister, can you send the girls in, please?" He asked. The collective walked back into the office. Shannon marched to stand next to her parents. She was clearly still wet. Father Peter regarded her state.

"So, can anyone elaborate on this?" Father Peter asked. Just then there was a knock on the door. Miss Mooney entered.

"Sorry Father, but I think there is someone here who might be able to help clear up exactly what happened here with the girls."

"Oh really? Who?" He asked. Miss Mooney stepped aside, and Marco walked into the office.

"Who are you?" Patrick snarled. Marco ignored him. Orla shot a smile at her fella as he walked to stand amongst them.

"Yes? Can I help you, young man?" Father Peter asked.

"Yeah, I thought it might help to let you know that I was nearby when some of this happened." Marco began. Pointing his finger in between Shannon and the girls.

"What's he doing?" Clare whispered quickly to Michelle. "Shuddup." Michelle answered.

"And you are?" Father Peter asked.

"Oh sorry, Father. Marco." He said, offering his hand.

"Ah yes. James' friend. Nice to meet you, finally. So, how did you see this, Marco?" Father Peter asked.

"He's lying! This is Orla's boyfriend! He's gonna try and pin this all on me!" Shannon shouted.

"Father Peter, remove this boy from the office, this doesn't concern him!" Patrick shouted.

"Mr O'Driscoll, please!" The man was stunned by Father Peter's request. "Son, how did you see what happened to Shannon?" Father Peter asked.

"Well. Miss Mooney was showing me around the school; I understand you need a window cleaner to come in once a week? I've just been offered the job." Marco said. The gang shot looks at each other.

"Anyway…. No. I didn't see what happened to her. But I did see what she was doing before." Marco explained.

"What was she doing?" Father Peter asked.

"Well, to be honest, she was rowing with the girls here, and she said a few things that were a bit out of order." Marco said.

"You insufferable liar!" Patrick stated.

"Don't, Orla!" Erin whispered. Feeling her cousin wanting to move. Marco stared coldly at Patrick as he reached for his pocket.

"Well, If I'm a liar; Sir! Maybe you'd like to hear what was said instead of taking my word for it." Marco shot back. Holding his camcorder up. The girls were awestruck. James grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"You… recorded it?" Father Peter asked.

Marco opened the camera and pressed play. Handing the camera to Father Peter and Sister Josephine, together, they watched the footage. Shannon's diatribe was heard. Word for word. The camera was focused on Shannon's vile words towards Orla. They saw Orla's expression to her verbal attack. They saw Erin fire back. They watched Shannon walk around the corner. The video then stopped. The priest and nun turned to see Shannon stunned, her mother grimaced without any word of defence. Patrick's face was a long gawk. Father Peter took a deep breath.

"Well, I think that I must take a leaf out of Sister Michael's book. And say that we must draw a line under this right now. Since both Erin and Shannon are engaged in a verbal conflict, and I am aware of previous incidents involving Shannon and Orla. Yet there is no physical contact being shown here, so I can't establish how this happened to Shannon. So, I will turn a blind eye, but only this once. If I hear that any of you are in breach of the rules. You will suffer the repercussions. This is the last time I want to hear of this. Is that clear?" Father Peter declared.

"Yes Father Peter." The girls answered.

"Shannon?" He asked.

"Whatever!" She sulked and stropped out of the office, followed by her mother. Patrick O'Driscoll stayed.

"Right. Now I think you all need to get back to class." The priest said. "Thank you for your help, Marco."

"No worries. Father." Marco half smiled as he walked towards the door with James and the girls.

"I would tread very carefully if I were you!" The large man growled fiercely. The gang stopped.

"I'm sorry?" Erin shot back. Astounded by such a crude statement.

"I was speaking with Father Peter, young lady!" Patrick said angrily. "Now kindly leave this office!"

"Well, I hope you tread carefully too, sir!" Marco said.

"I beg your pardon?" Patrick asked.

"Tread carefully, cos if you fall over, you're likely to fall straight through to China." Marco shot, he then slammed the door closed, Patrick O'Driscoll was left stunned.