An hour later, Davina and Maaka were in the middle of another lesson. The free lesson they'd had, hadn't done anything to fix the tension between them. As soon as they'd left the office, Maaka had disappeared for the whole hour, only re-appearing when the bell went.

Not wanting to cause any more trouble, Davina sat at the back of the classroom, observing. The topic of the lesson was supposed to be History related. But, once again, it had turned into a lesson based around the life of Maaka Lacey. Sure, it was... interesting. But was it historical and on topic with the GCSE curriculum? No.

Of course, she didn't dare challenge Maaka now. Not after he'd accused her of being racist toward him. It was unfair really, since she'd done nothing of the sort. All she had done was inform him of Waterloo Road's policies on homophobia.

She watched, cringing as Maaka demonstrated some kind of ritual from his culture to the kids. There were mixed reactions in the room. Some of the kids were bored and unimpressed, others were mesmerised. But they all clapped when he'd finished, which only seemed to boost Maaka's ego.

"Ka Mate is a Haka, and it's over 200 years old. It means the celebration of life over death" Maaka explained

"Sir?" Karla spoke up, placing her hand in the air

Maaka ignored her, about to continue speaking. But Karla cut him off.

"We should be doing the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany" she informed him

"Please don't interrupt, that's very rude" Maaka scolded, glaring at her

"I'm not being rude; I'm just stating a fact. The Maori Culture is not on the History GCSE syllabus" she replied

"Well, that's your loss. Today we're going to be learning a little about MY heritage" he shot back

"If it's not on the syllabus, there's no point" she answered back plainly

Maaka glared at her again

"You are a very ill-mannered young lady" he snarled

Davina had, had enough.

"Excuse me, Mr Lacey, Karla doesn't mean to be rude,"

"Thank you, Miss Shackleton. When I need your advice, I'll ask for it" he barked, cutting her off

The class erupted with laughter as Maaka stormed over to Karla.

"Let me tell you something, young lady. If the Maori Culture isn't on your syllabus, then, to coin a phrase, IT BLOODY WELL SHOULD BE!"

Karla flinched

"And when I'm in charge, I'll tell YOU what is and isn't on the syllabus!" he added

"It's not up to you what is and is not on the syllabus... it's up to the exam board!" Karla rushed, her whole body trembling

Davina stood up, walking over to Karla to try and calm her down.

"Sit down!" Maaka barked at her

Davina ignored him, kneeling down beside Karla

"It's alright, Karla, you are absolutely right" she reassured

"Miss Shackleton, sit down! I haven't finished!"

"But you can't," she stuttered

"NOW!" he yelled

Davina sighed, trying her best to calm the fury that was rising within her.

"Can I have a word with you Mr Lacey? Outside please" she requested through gritted teeth

"OOOOHHH!" the entire class murmured, banging loudly on the tables

Davina flung the classroom door inward, stepping out into the corridor. Maaka followed behind, a bored look on his face.

"Karla has Aspergers. Do you even know what that is?" she spat

"No, we've never heard of 'Aspergers' syndrome where I come from! Care to enlighten me?" he shot back sarcastically

Davina rolled her eyes

"Look, I've watched you for most of the day. You haven't taught these kids a thing!" she huffed

"Don't you dare tell me how to teach my classes!" he hissed

Davina scoffed with a scowl

"Teach? You can't teach! But talking about yourself? Oh yeah, you can do that!"

"I don't want you back in my lesson!"

"Well, that's not your decision" she shrugged

"Yes, it is, you're out" he growled, walking back into the classroom

Davina sighed angrily as the bell rang. She wished she'd never agreed to shadow Maaka Lacey for the day.

...

Meanwhile, in Tom Clarkson's classroom, his Year 11 English class were settling down for their lesson.

"Right, come on, quick as you like!" he grumbled, ushering them in

Earl walked over to his desk, eyes glued to his phone. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. He hadn't entertained his classmates for a while...

He pressed the record button on his camera, pointing it at Mr Clarkson.

"Anyone want to see Mr Clarkson do one?"

Tom looked up, seeing the phone in Earl's hand. He rolled his eyes, storming over to him.

"Give me the phone" he demanded, holding his hand out

"What phone?" Earl frowned innocently

Tom sighed angrily. He was tired of these stupid games. It was an endless battle with Earl Kelly.

"I'm going to ask you once more... hand over the mobile phone!" he growled

Earl smugly switched it off, putting it into his pocket. But Tom wasn't giving in. He pushed his hand further toward Earl. Earl smiled triumphantly, standing up and walking out of the classroom.

Tom turned his attention back to the class, who were all staring at him.

"Right, get your coursework files out. I'll be two minutes" he instructed, exiting the classroom

He stepped into the corridor, looking left and right. There was no sign of Earl, not that he'd expected him to hang about.

The noise in the classroom had increased in volume in Tom's absence. He sighed, popping his head round the door.

"Two minutes!" he reminded them

He turned left, stepping through the door that led to the main corridor of the second floor. He'd find Earl Kelly, even if it killed him.

...

In the study room, Maxine and Janeece were working quietly. It was their only free lesson of the day, and they were making the most of it. Well, Maxine was. Janeece was looking at photos of sparkly acrylic nails on the computer.

Maxine's phone buzzed in her pocket. She sighed, pulling it out. Earl was ringing her. Maxine was both confused and curious.

"Hello?" she answered, putting the phone to her ear

"Hey babes! You ok?" Earl spoke

"I'm fine. Why aren't you in class?" she questioned

"It was boring old Clarkson. He tried to take my phone off me, so I walked out" he explained

Maxine scoffed

"No way! You're going to get done, Earl!" she exclaimed

"I don't care. Just come and meet me" he requested

Maxine sighed, she couldn't resist him. And besides, someone had to persuade him to go back to class.

"Right, where?" she asked

"Downstairs, outside Science" he told her

Maxine huffed, putting the phone down. Janeece was looking at her, demanding an explanation.

"Earl just walked out of Clarkson's" she giggled

Janeece rolled her eyes. She frowned as Maxine started packing her things away.

"Where are you going?" she asked

"He's asked me to meet him"

Janeece rolled her eyes again

"He snaps his fingers and you just run" she mumbled

"I know it's dead weird, innit? I never really know where I am with him" she laughed

Janeece scoffed

"And that's a good thing?"

Maxine just nodded, blushing as she exited the library.

Janeece sighed heavily. She couldn't help but feel like she was losing her best friend to Earl Kelly. Maxine was isolating herself from everyone. The last few weeks, Janeece had hardly seen her, because Maxine had been with Earl.

Earl brought out behaviours in Maxine that Janeece hated, because Maxine wasn't usually like that. She was never late for school or lessons; she got her homework done on time, and never skipped school or abandoned Janeece like this.

She just wanted her best friend back.

...

Earl waited for Maxine by one of the stairwells on the far side of the school building. He smirked as he remembered the look on Mr Clarkson's face when he'd walked out. He was so easy to wind up.

He didn't care about the consequences. School was a waste of time. He'd learn more in the outside world than he ever would in this dump.

He grinned when he saw Maxine walking towards him, shaking her head in disbelief.

"You're mental, you are! What's going to happen if when Clarkson gets you?" she huffed

"Don't know, don't care" he shrugged

"You'll get thrown out!" Maxine scoffed

"Thought Mason wasn't throwing anyone out... so"

"Don't you care about your education? Exams and that? You're dead clever!" Maxine questioned

He raised an eyebrow at her playfully, fiddling with the collar of her coat.

"Yeah? A lot cleverer than most of the teacher's in this place!"

He shoved her, grinning as she fell into the double doors. She stared at him, a little shaken. He walked towards her slowly, grabbing her waist as he kissed her passionately.

"God, I love you" she breathed, pulling apart from him

"I hope you do" he smirked, leaning in to kiss her again

She put a hand to his mouth gently

"Do you love me?" she asked

He looked her up and down with a devious grin.

"Come on, I'll show you... I can't wait for tonight" he smirked, pushing her forwards to get her to walk faster

"Yeah, and what does that mean?" she squealed with a giggle

"Shh" he responded simply, pushing her into the boy's toilets.

...

In Rachel's office, Maaka Lacey was back. And he was furious.

Rachel had watched as he'd stormed into the office, throwing himself down on the chair opposite her desk angrily. Somehow, she'd managed to stay calm.

"Maaka, what's going on?" she asked

"I'd like to make a formal complaint about the student teacher you saddled me with" he spat

Rachel sighed

"Davina? What's happened now?"

"I've tried, Rachel. I really have, but I've never met anyone so obstructive or unhelpful. I'm telling you, she's one narky piece of work" he explained angrily

Rachel stared at him in disbelief.

This couldn't be right, could it?

...

Tom was at his wits end. He'd searched every corridor, every classroom, even the playground for Earl Kelly. There was no sign of him. He was growing angrier by the minute. He had a class to teach, he shouldn't be running after Earl Kelly.

His last option was the boy's toilets. Without hesitation, he went inside.

Three out of the four cubicles had their doors closed. Tom pushed the first one, which opened with ease, then the second one, which did the same.

The third door didn't budge, and there was sniggering coming from the other side of it.

He looked under the gap in the door, recognising Earl's shoes straightaway.

He stood up, knocking on the door.

More sniggering.

"Kelly. Open the door. Either that, or I kick it off its hinges" Tom demanded as calmly as he could

The door opened, revealing a smug looking Earl and a blushing Maxine.

"Erm, thanks, Max... for sorting that itch" Earl said casually

Maxine smirked

"Cooler, now" Tom demanded