The Girls were on their way to the school dance. Things were quiet in Gerry's car, but Erin was being her typical nervous self. This didn't go unnoticed by her wee English fella.
"Something on your mind, Erin?" James asked while keeping his eyes on the road.
"What gave ye that impression, hi?" Erin asked nervously.
"I've definitely known you long enough to know when you're looking for information" James retorted.
"I was just wonderin' if...," she trailed off a moment. "If you's knew yer Ma was slowin' up?"
"I was just as surprised as everyone else," James answered. "I thought she'd only be showing up for graduation. She told me she wants to stick around till then."
"Really?" Clare asked. "But, gradation is a couple weeks away. What about her sticker business?"
"She makes stickers?" Laurie asked.
"She calls them self adhesive labels," sighed Erin. "But, it's apparently doin' well."
"She said she has people to handle that for her," answered James. "She wanted to spend more time with me. I'm sure that's hard for you all to believe."
"I mean... it is a little," Erin admitted. "But, ye did say the two of you's had been gettin' on way better since that day..."
"What day is that?" Laurie asked.
"Long story, tell you's later," answered Clare.
"Thanks to her business doing better, she can afford to call more often," James said with a warm smile. "I doubt she'll be moving back here, but I think she plans on visiting a bit more often."
"That really is grand!" Erin exclaimed, squeezing her wee English fella's free hand.
Meanwhile, in Fin's car, Niall was seemed a wee bit nervous.
"You's alright there, Niall?" Orla asked, holding one of his hands.
"Just a wee bit nervous," he admitted. "First proper school function and all, hi."
"Jesus, Niall, ye survived an explosion and 5 years in prison," Michelle said bluntly. "A school dance'll be a walk in the fuckin' park."
"Walks in the park are grand, they are," said Orla with a bright smile.
"A wee bit... um... harsh soundin' there, Michelle," Fin said in his usual fidgety tone.
"Not to worry, Fin," chuckled Niall. "She's been a mouth since she could talk. Jesus, but the stories I could tell."
"OI! You's keep that fuckin' hole shut, hi!" Michelle exclaimed. "Or ye might just lose some more fingers!"
"It's not too late to run away, Finnegan," Niall joked. "We'd all understand."
There were chuckles from both Orla and Fin. Michelle flipped her older brother off, and while he couldn't see it, he knew she was smirking.
They parked at the school and made their way into the gymnasium. The place had been decorated with white Christmas lights, shiny silver balloons and stars.
"Not so bad, I s'pose," commented Michelle. "Sounds like they got a decent DJ for this."
"Oh my god!" Erin exclaimed. "The DJ is David Donnelly! Christ, but I hope he's not awkward around me after I blew him off!"
"Seein' as that Russian bitch blew him off in her own way, I think he's grand," Michelle retorted.
"Honestly, Michelle," sighed James.
"Ukrainian," replied Erin. "But, aye. I s'pose that helped him move on."
"That's the girl you accused of bein' a prostitute, right?" Niall asked.
"Aye, but she wasn't," replied Orla.
"Jesus, Michelle!" Erin exclaimed. "How much did you write about us to Niall!?"
"Had to keep him entertained in prison somehow," Michelle shrugged.
"MOTHERFUCKERS!" a familiar voice shouted.
The group turned to see Grady, the youngest Mallon sibling, standing in front of them with a big smirk. He was in a black suit jacket, white shirt, black necktie, a green and yellow plaid kilt, with black dress shoes and knee high black socks.
"Grady? What the fuck are you's doin' here?" Michelle asked. "And are ye are wearin' a fuckin' skirt!?"
"It's a kilt, Michelle," Grady replied. "And these are colors of the Clan Mallon."
"That's class, it is," replied Orla.
"Ach! Whatever," Michelle scoffed. "That still doesn't explain why ye're here."
"I came with me girlfriend," Grady shrugged.
"When the hell did you's get a girlfriend?" Michelle asked.
"About a year ago," Grady answered.
"Did ye fuckin' know about this, Ball Ache?" Michelle asked James.
"He's mentioned it once or twice," James answered.
"Why the fuck didn't you's say somethin'!?" Michelle asked with clear annoyance in her voice.
"I figured you already knew," answered James. "Aunt Deirdre and Uncle Martin knew."
"What the fuck?" Michelle said to nobody in particular.
"So, Grady, who's yer wee girlfriend?" Orla asked.
"Evenin' there, Girls," another familiar voice chimed in.
Walking over to Grady, they saw none other than Tina O'Connell, the classmate Michelle attempted to bully a few years back. She'd had a wee growth spurt, looking to be about Orla's height. She was in a simple little black dress, with her hair tied in fish braid. She immediately grabbed Grady's hand, who gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Holy shit," Erin whispered.
"Ye're girlfriend is Tina fuckin' O'Connell!?" Michelle exclaimed.
"That's right," Tina replied with a smirk.
"Oh shit!" Niall exclaimed with a chuckle. "Is this the wain ye lot threatened to beat up for a bus seat!?"
"Aye, so she is," Orla nodded with a big smile. "Grand seein' you's again, Tina."
"It was more like attempted bullyin'," replied Erin.
"It was Michelle that did the threatenin'!" Clare retorted. "We were innocent bystanders!"
"Ach! Catch yerself on, shite the tights!" Michelle exclaimed. "Ye're not riskin' a fuckin' detention right now!"
The oldest Mallon sibling took a couple steps forward to meet his little brother's girlfriend.
"What a small fuckin' world this is," said Niall, reaching out for a handshake. "I'm Grady and Michelle's big brother, Niall."
"Aye, I remember," replied Tina, reciprocating the handshake. "Sister Michael introduced you's on Monday. Gotta say, ye look way nicer without the beard."
Orla then stepped forward and grabbed Niall's arm.
"Best watch yerself there, Tina," she said rather aggressively. "You's already got yerself a Mallon fella."
"Fuck-a-doodle-do! Orla's jealous!" Michelle chuckled.
"Relax, McCool," Tina smirked. "Just givin' yer fella a compliment. You's look real class yerself tonight."
"Oh, aye, thank ye very much," Orla blushed. "Ye look really class too."
"Fucks sake," Michelle groaned.
"We're gonna have ourselves a wee dance now," said Grady. "See ye lot throughout the evenin', hi."
The young couple walked off toward the dance floor, leaving most of the Girls there with dumbstruck looks.
"I cannot believe Grady is datin' that miniature mitherfucker," groaned Michelle.
"She's not so miniature anymore," said Orla.
"How the hell can ye all be so nonchalant about this?" Michelle asked.
"I mean, that whole incident happened almost 4 years ago," replied Clare.
"It's not like she's really held any sort of grudge against us," said James.
Michelle didn't really have a proper response to either friend's replies. Just then, Fin grabbed her hand.
"Let's just go enjoy the dance now, hi," he suggested, giving her hand a wee kiss.
"Well... I s'pose ye do make an excellent point," agreed Michelle, now sporting a smirk.
The others had a slight chuckle at how easy Fin could put Michelle in a good mood; not that they were going to complain.
Everyone except Orla and Niall walked towards the dance floor.
"Do ye wanna dance yet?" she asked.
"Maybe after I've been here a wee bit longer," he admitted. "But ye can go ahead and dance, I'll just wait for you's at a table."
"Ach! Catch yerself on!" she exclaimed with a chuckle. "I'm not makin' me boyfriend sit alone!"
"Alright then," he replied with a light smile.
The two made their way to an empty table, holding hands the whole time.
"So, how do ye like the look of the place?" she asked with a big smile. "Pretty class, hi?"
"It's 'bout what I expected a school dance to look like," he shrugged.
"That a good thing?" she asked.
"Aye, it is," he replied. "Sides that, I got cracker company."
This remark made the quirky Derry girl blush, who then leaned in to kiss her fella.
"Well, well, well. Look what we got here," a female voice said in a particularly harsh tone.
The young couple looked to see Myra Callahan, standing with her date, some random fella, plus her little group of friends.
"The mental case and the Provo are havin' a wee snog," she continued in her harsh tone, a smug smile plastered on her face.
"Evenin' there, Myra," Orla greeted, ignoring the comments. "Bout ye?"
"Guessin' this is the infamous Myra Callahan," Niall said, not asked.
"Aye, she is," replied Orla, not taking her eyes of Myra.
"She not hear what ye just said?" Myra's date asked.
"McCool's too thick to get when she's havin' the piss taken out of her, Declan," some other girl said.
"Nice to see you's as well Filomena," Orla greeted. "Yer brother's here somewhere with me best friend, Michelle."
"That'd be my little sister, hi," Niall chimed in. "And, for the record, I'm an ex Provo. You's can call me Niall."
"You's bein' a smart hole with us?" Declan asked.
"Listen here, lad," Niall replied, still sitting. "I survived an explosion and 5 years in a maximum security prison. I ain't gonna feel intimidated by a wee bunch of entitled cunts."
Niall's remark got some audible gasps from the group of would be bullies. Orla was herself shocked by the word Niall just said, having only heard it a handful of times. She wasn't a big fan of that word, but she oddly didn't hate hearing him say it.
"Hi guys!" Jenny Joyce exclaimed, seeing what all the fuss was.
The valedictorian was in a flowing red dress with puffy sleeves, with her hair tied in a braid. Aisling was right behind her, wearing a black dress with full sleeves, hair also braided.
"How's everyone doing on this fabby dabby night?" the ever chipper girl asked in a sing song way.
"Grand, we are, Jenny," replied Orla. "You's and Aisling look really cracker, ye do!"
"Aw, than you so much, Orla!" Jenny exclaimed, placing a hand over her chest in gratitude.
"What the fuck do ye want, Jenny?" Myra asked through gritted teeth.
"I just couldn't help noticin' Orla and... Niall was it?" Jenny asked him directly.
"Right ye are," Niall nodded. "Orla was correct by the way, you's two are lookin' cracker."
"Well, aren't you's sweet!" Jenny exclaimed, shaking his hand. "I can see why Orla fancies you!"
She then noticed the annoyed glances from Myra and company, figuring it was time to get to the point.
"Anywho," she continued. "I couldn't help noticin' Orla and Niall lookin' rather uncomfortable around yer lot. It's not something I see often from Orla. Wouldn't you agree, Aisling?"
"Aye, it's very much not like her," Aisling agreed.
"This isn't any of yer fuckin' business, Jenny," Filomena chimed in.
"I'd have to disagree with that, Mina," Jenny retorted. "I am, after all, head prefect, plus valedictorian, and leader of the committee who put together this little soirée. So, I think it's very much my business to check on the welfare on those who look distressed."
Michelle was out on the dance floor with Fin. They started off on a faster song, but were currently swaying to a slow one. She had her arms around his neck, while his hands were on her waist.
"You's can take those hands of yers a bit lower if ye want," she said in a sultry tone, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Pretty sure... um... Sister Michael would greatly object," he fumbled. "Grand as that sounds."
"I s'pose there'll be plenty of touchin' later this evenin' anyway," she winked, making her fella blush brightly. "If you's want to, of course."
"I... um... think that'd be... r-r-real cracker!" he exclaimed, making Michelle chuckle.
Finn then noticed his sister among a group of other girls standing in front of Orla and Niall. Michelle noticed her fella's concerned look.
"What's wrong?"she asked.
"Filomena, that Callahan girl, and some others appear to be givin' Orla and Niall a hard time," he answered.
The fiery Derry girl whipped around to see what her fella was going on about. Sure enough, there was Queen Bitch, Myra Callahan, with her eejit posse, standing in front her best friend and oldest brother. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could tell Orla was uncomfortable. She then saw Jenny Joyce and Aisling walk up, looking like she was trying to defuse the situation. Michelle noticed Fin's sister mouth off to Jenny, she knew this wasn't gonna just stop.
"OI! What the fuck is this shit!?" Michelle exclaimed as she walked towards the table, with the others following.
"Here we go," Niall said under his breath with a chuckle and grin.
Others were beginning to notice the disturbance.
"Mind yer business," Declan chimed in.
"You's best stuff yer fat fuckin' hole, wank features!" Michelle shot back.
"Fuck off, bitch!" Declan exclaimed.
"Oh shit," Erin and James quietly shouted.
"Ye don't fuckin' talk to her like that!" Fin exclaimed, getting right up in Declan's face.
"Sweet Jesus," Clare said quietly.
"The fidgety ginger fucker grew a pair?" Declan snapped back. "S'pose foolin' 'round with that goer'll have that effect!"
"Motherfuck...," Michelle began to say.
"What in God's name is goin' on here!?" Sister Michael exclaimed, appearing seemingly out of nowhere.
The music seemed to instantly die, there was utter silence in the entire gymnasium, even Jenny was silent.
"Somebody had better start talkin'," she said in a quieter, but still stern tone.
"Nothin', Sister Michael," said Myra. "I was just sayin' hello to Orla and her date here, and Michelle just comes over and started mouthin' off."
"That's complete balls!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Miss Mallon, please calm yerself!" Sister Michael exclaimed, who then drew her attention to Orla. "Now then, Orla, please tell us yer side of this."
The quirky Derry girl was looking very nervous with this kind of attention on her. Niall squeezed her hand a little and it helped calm her some.
"Niall and I were just sittin' here, Sister Michael," Orla began. "Then Myra and her friends came over here, callin' me... a mental case... and Niall a Provo. Jenny and Aisling were tryin' to intervene, then Michelle came over."
"I see," Sister Michael said while looking at Myra and her friends. "Miss Callahan, I assume you were at school Monday?"
"Yes, Sister Micheal," Myra timidly answered. "B-but they...
"Then you must also be aware of the warning I gave," Sister Michael interrupted. "About students harassing Orla and her friends?"
"Yes... Sister Michael," Myra answered.
"Because this is your last dance, I'll let you off with a warning," Sister Michael continued. "But, let me be perfectly clear to you and everyone else in here. If any more disturbances like this occur tonight, any at all, you will be forced to leave, and you will serve a week's detention. Is that clear!?"
"Yes, Sister Michael," everyone said in unison.
"Very good," Sister Michael said with slight smirk. "Carry on with yer dance now."
The headmistress walked off towards the punch bowl, as the music suddenly started up again. Nearly everyone went back to dancing or chatting, while the two conflicting parties stared at each other a wee bit longer. Finally, Myra stormed off, with her date and other friends following. Jenny was still standing with the Girls.
"Fuckin' arseholes," Michelle groaned.
"Phew! That was quite the ordeal there!" Jenny sighed. "So sorry Myra and her friends gave ye all a hard time again."
Jenny was caught off guard by Orla suddenly hugging her, the second time this week.
"Thank ye so much, Jenny!" she exclaimed while bugging her tightly. "That was real class what ye did back there!"
"Aye, can't believe I'm agreein' here, but Orla's right," Michelle admitted. "That was real fuckin' class of you's."
"I 'specially wouldn't have expected it to happen twice in the same week," said Erin.
"Aw, you guys!" Jenny exclaimed as Orla broke from the hug. "I just hope ye all will show up to the after party!"
"To fuckin' right we will!" Michelle exclaimed.