The Boyfriend Bet Page 7

“Aw how sweet. So nice of you Riley, looking after my little sister. Looks like you were doing the babysitting instead of Charley!” Ella took a seat on the sofa behind Riley and then he shifted himself up and sat next to her. Great.

  “Did Charley come and ask for your help, all alone in the dark?” Ella was mocking me.

  “He came round here!” I snapped. I was getting really wound up now.

  “Actually Jay told me to come and check on Charley. He said she was home alone.” Riley was once again offering an explanation to Ella and I was starting to get really pissed off.

  “Jay?” I asked slowly. That was weird, why would Jay care?

  “Yeah,” Riley answered, “So? I was grateful to get away from him to be honest.”

  “Tell me about it.” Ella agreed. “Siblings can be so annoying!”

  I was too busy thinking of what Riley had just said to react to Ella’s bitchy little comments. Riley is such a liar. He had said he was home alone and then he’d just said Jay was there.

  “I thought you said you were home alone?” I questioned Riley just as all the lights and the T.V. came blaring into life. Oh my god, just how close was Ella sitting next to Riley; she might as well have just climbed onto his lap!

  “Bloody hell Charley! Haven’t you sorted your hair out yet?” Ella was smirking at me. I narrowed my eyes at her.

  “How did Jay know I was home alone, well apart from Peter?” I carried on questioning him. It just didn’t add up.

  “Because your mum told us.” Riley said, as though it should be totally obvious.

  “When did you see my mum?” I was more confused than ever.

  “When she came round to get my dad.” Riley explained.

  “What?” I shrieked at exactly the same time as Ella.

  “Your mum went to the cinema with my dad, on a date.” Riley shrugged.

  Oh dear. So Mum’s back on the dating scene and with the father of the boy me and my sister are fighting over. Somebody kill me now!

  Asking for trouble...

  “You actually snogged Riley Jackson?” Sarah was almost hyperventilating. After our marathon texting session last night, Sarah and Bex had grabbed me outside the school gates and started the conversation all over again.

  “Yeah, but I’m not sure if it means anything.” I muttered. I hadn’t been so optimistic about it all since I’d woken up this morning.

  “I can’t believe he snogged you and you have orange hair and a black eye!” Sarah was still going on.

  “It’s not that bad!” I shook my head as I touched my eye. “It’s just a slight bruise and cut, anyway it was dark.”

  “Ah, that explains it.” Bex nodded.

  “You know, I’ve got to go,” I snapped. I think even the thought of isolation was better than the thought of listening to those two continually insulting me. I was still wearing my hat but without the glasses. It was a bit too dark yesterday wearing sunglasses inside and trying to read and write.

  Just what I needed - I noticed Mr Harrison was sitting at the desk at the front of the isolation room and worse still, I spotted Molly Andrews sitting at the back. You’d think someone with the name ‘Molly’ would be feminine and girly but this isn’t the case. She’s nearly six feet tall, about fifteen stone and she’s harder than anyone I know, seriously. Nobody messes with her and why would you? The worst part of it is she hangs around with Zoe Ryan. She idolises her. She’s not one of Zoe’s usual dumb girl types she has for friends, but Zoe’s not so stupid and realises that Molly’s obsession with her can be used to her advantage. And this is why nobody dares to mess with Zoe Ryan.

  Mr Harrison was sorting out loads of his papers and had strewn them across numerous desks, so the only two left for me to sit at were either next to Molly or directly in front of her. I foolishly decided to sit in front of her, the theory being that I wouldn’t have to look at her.

  I don’t usually get on the wrong side of Zoe (or Molly) because I find avoidance is the best strategy. Lately however, since Zoe seems to have a sudden infatuation with Sam, I seem to be a target for her bitchiness and receiver of snidey corridor-comments and jibes.

  On more than one occasion I felt like screaming at her that I wasn’t with Sam anymore and in fact he was the one who cheated on me. I didn’t shout at her of course - I didn’t want Molly Andrews to knock me out or worse still, sit on me!

  I could feel someone (or should I say Molly) lightly tapping me on the back, over and over again. I think she must have been throwing something at me, but I just pretended to get on with my work as Mr Harrison was totally oblivious, sorting through his mountain of books and papers. I could tell it was going to be a very long day.

  You know that feeling you get when you just know that a bad day isn’t going to get any better? Well that is exactly how I felt and I was completely right by the looks of it because mid morning we had got another visitor in isolation.

  “Jay Jackson, what are you doing here?” Mr Harrison looked ever so slightly peeved at the unwanted interruption. “You’ve only been at this school for five minutes and you just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.”

  “Wasn’t my fault.” Jay shrugged. He was now passing a note to Mr Harrison, obviously from his previous teacher, explaining what he had done.

  “Take a seat and get on with some work,” Mr Harrison sighed. “I don’t know, you kids these days have absolutely no respect,” Mr Harrison was muttering to himself. I stifled a laugh as Mr Harrison is known to go on a bit.

  “Is something amusing you, Charley?”

  “No,” I sighed.

  “The only thing that is funny is your hair and your face!” Molly said as she was poking me in the back with a ruler.

  “That’s enough! I’m just going to put these books in their rightful place. Can I trust you three to get on with your work in silence?”

  “Yes Sir,” Molly chirped as Mr Harrison left the room with a pile of books in his arms that were taller than him.

  “Why have you got all chewed up paper stuck to your back?” Jay asked. He’d obviously taken the other remaining seat next to Molly Andrews.

  “Dunno?” I shrugged uncaringly, turning to face Jay, “Because Molly is chewing paper up and spitting it at me?” I’ve always thought that with people like Molly Andrews it’s just best to act like she completely doesn’t bother me, even though I’d secretly been eyeing the heavy looking flowerpot in the corner of the room and imagining crushing it over her thick skull.

  Jay shrugged and then lounged back in his seat. He didn’t look like he was planning on doing any work. “And this doesn’t bother you at all?” Jay asked.

  “And what’s she going to do about it?” I could tell Molly was grinning even though I refused to look at her. “I could smash her face in.”

  “Does that answer your question?” I turned and smiled sarcastically at Jay. I wondered how many days I would have to tolerate Molly Andrews in isolation.

  “Um....yeah,” Jay said slowly; he was looking at Molly out of the corners of his eyes, his eyebrows raised. I think maybe she terrified him too; then I realised she was actually smiling at him!

  “You must be new, right?” Molly said. She was staring at Jay and had totally forgotten her threats at me. “You must be, because I would remember a cute face like yours.”

  I wanted to laugh so much because Jay looked completely horrified at Molly, twirling a loose piece of hair around her fingers and acting all girly. Normally Molly is so manly. As much as I wanted to roll around on the floor in hysterical laughter, I also didn’t want to get my head kicked in. Instead I turned around and pretended to get on with my work.

  I could hear Molly questioning Jay and at one point I had to fake a cough when Molly asked Jay if he was single. Finally Mr Harrison came back. I bet Jay was relieved! “Molly, your mum is here. You’ve got an appointment with your therapist, apparently.” Mr Harrison nodded to Molly as she stood up and chucked all her stuff into her bag. I could hear Mr Harrison mumbling, �
�no one ever tells me anything.”

  “Anger management.” Molly informed Jay and he just kind of nodded. “I’ll be back soon, so don’t go anywhere.” And then as she got to the door she actually turned around and waved at Jay. I could not contain it any longer and I let out a loud snigger as the whole mobile classroom shook while Molly thumped down the steps outside.

  “That’s enough, Charley.” Mr Harrison looked up. “Be quiet, and no talking whilst I’m gone.” He had now laden himself with another pile of books and was walking carefully out of the classroom.

  “I cannot stay in here all day.” Jay was muttering, but I think it was more to himself than to me. “Everybody in here is nuts.”

  “Cheers!”

  “I can’t be in here when that psycho comes back.” Jay was staring at Molly’s empty seat.

  “Aw, you were really in there.” I said with a smirk. “And at least she’s not threatening to kick the crap out of you.”

  “It’s what else she is planning to do to me that’s starting to worry me.” Jay was standing now. “’I’m getting out of here while I have the chance.”

  “I think Harrison might notice.” I shook my head at his stupidity.

  “And...just because you’re too scared...I dare you!” Jay smirked at the challenge he’d now put in front of me. I must admit I didn’t fancy the rest of the day stuck in here with Molly Andrews either but then again, could I really afford to get in any more trouble? And more to the point, did I actually care?

  “Didn’t think so.” Jay laughed and he was already heading out of the door.

  “Wait up!” I called on impulse. I dumped all my stuff in my bag and followed him out of the door. Well, I couldn’t let Jay Jackson think I was a wimp, could I? I headed after Jay towards the school gate. I had no idea where I was going to go but I couldn’t hang around here.

  “Oi! Where do you think you two are going?!” I could hear Mr Harrison shouting. Despite my better judgement I turned around to look. He was standing at the steps in front of the mobile classroom, balancing yet more books. I wondered if he had actually gone in to fetch more books and not even noticed we had gone. Well either way, he’d certainly noticed now.

  “Run!” Jay laughed. Obviously this was a great game to him. For the first time ever I didn’t argue back and I started to run. I still couldn’t help looking back behind me. Mr Harrison had now dropped his entire mountain of books onto the ground and had started to attempt to run after us. His horrid patterned pink and purple tie (the one I always laugh at) was flapping over his shoulder behind him.

  You’d think this would make me panic. I’m not sure entirely what had got into me but instead of running faster, I actually just stopped and stared at Mr Harrison nearing closer. He was huffing, puffing and almost spluttering now, with his hair that he usually combed over the top of his head now hanging on the wrong side and exposing a rather bald head, glistening with sweat. It really was quite hilarious.

  “Charley, come on!” Jay was already out of the gates by now.

  “Wait.” I smiled a very devious little smile at Jay. He was shaking his head but I still stood rooted to the spot.

  “Charley!”

  I waited until Mr Harrison was no more than about five metres away. I could see the beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, I could hear him wheezing with every puff and I could see the pure anger in his eyes and then just at that moment, I chose to turn and run. I ran as fast as I could and I knew he had no chance of catching me. I’m a pretty fast runner and Mr Harrison was clearly not.

  I had one last sneaky peek as I got out of the school gates. Mr Harrison had already accepted defeat because he was doubled over, his hands on his knees as he gasped for breath. I couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “You’re in so much trouble Charley Wallis....and you Jay!” Mr Harrison called after us as he wiped his sleeve across his glistening forehead.

  What on earth had I just done?

  Out of my league?

  “That was evil!” Jay was shaking his head at me. “You’re absolutely mental.” He carried on. I shrugged; it was so worth it though and such a rush to wait to the very last minute before I legged it, just to see Mr Harrison‘s face.

  “What now?” I shrugged. Once the buzz was over I wondered where and what the hell I was going to do. And I was with Jay Jackson of all people! What was I thinking?

  “I’m going home.” Jay muttered.

  “But my mum might be home,” I sighed. I couldn’t risk going home when Mum was more than likely to be there.

  “My dad’s at work. Suppose you could hang out at mine.” Jay shrugged. Oh my god, was Jay Jackson attempting to be nice to me? Maybe he had actually realised that this was all his fault. I would have never have run off like that if it hadn’t been for his crazy ideas. Not sure if I was entirely excited at the prospect of being with Jay for the rest of the day, but I didn’t want to hang around outside either. I only had my tiny leather jacket on and the weather was getting cooler and ready for some rain by the looks of it. On the plus side I would be going into Riley’s house. I could have a nosey around!

  “I suppose I could,” I said, in a way that I thought was making it perfectly clear that hanging around with Jay was at the very bottom of my priorities. “Totally risky don’t you think? My mum might see.”

  “So you just totally wound up Mr Harrison by running out of school right in front of him and you’re already excluded and now you’re telling me that you’re scared of your mum?”

  “No, guess not.” I shrugged. Anyway I’m sure Mum was going to find out sooner or later. I didn’t say much else to Jay as we walked back. I don’t think I’d even had a civil conversation with him since I’d first met him.

  I half expected Mum to be having a nose out of the window as I walked up to Jay’s front door - that would be completely typical of my luck - but she didn’t. There were still some boxes in Jay’s hallway and the wallpaper had been half stripped off. The lounge was the only room that looked respectable, so I sat down on the sofa and Jay sat on the arm of the sofa - don’t think he wanted to sit too close to me, ha!

  “That girl from isolation...she was pretty scary and nuts.” Jay said, breaking the silence.

  “Oh, Molly...yeah she is.” I agreed.

  “I take it she doesn’t like you much or is she just like that with everyone?”

  “She’s got it in for me because...” And then I stopped because I didn’t really want him to know the whole Sam story.

  “What?”

  “Because....her best friend Zoe doesn’t like me very much.”

  “Why?” Jay was relentless.

  “Because she’s suddenly got a ‘thing’ for someone I used to...to know.” I stuttered.

  “Ah, over some guy?” Jay was nearly smirking already. I shrugged.

  “It’s so dumb, I’m not even with him anymore. I don’t even know why she’s started this.”

  “Who is he?” I just knew Jay was going to ask this and I could tell he was dying to know.

  “Erm...” I started to think, as Jay watched me, waiting for my answer. He just wants to judge me, I could tell. “It was William,” I said, trying to hide a laugh. It was my turn to wind Jay up. He thinks he’s so damn clever.

  “William who?” Jay raised his eyebrows.

  “William Sheldon-Harvey.” I nearly had to look away because I could tell from Jay’s reaction he had indeed met William Sheldon-Harvey. You would remember him, believe me. I could hardly keep a straight face.

  “Really? All this arguing over him?”

  “Uh huh.” This was all I managed in reply. Jay was lost in thought.

  William Sheldon-Harvey is probably the strangest boy ever to go to our school. He is so posh and extremely clever (academically) but without an ounce of actual common sense. I think he used to go to a public school before he came to our school. Apparently his dad’s money had all run out and things weren’t exactly legit (as the rumours go) and he was then forced to come t
o our school. He is absolutely hilarious though. Sometimes it’s like he’s speaking a different language or from a different planet and that’s just from the weird clothes he wears. He definitely has never had a girlfriend. I don’t think he’s even realised that girls exist yet.

  “So you know him then?” I asked.

  “Yeah, he’s in my form.” Jay nodded slowly. He was still staring at me, probably wondering what a crazy person like me and William Sheldon-Harvey would ever have to talk about.

  “So you two had a lot in common, did you?” Jay hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

  “Um...it was purely physical.” I barely managed to keep a straight face. That was a good one!

  “Oh.” Jay said and then we sat in silence for a couple of minutes. Jay still had that strange expression on his face...bet he was wishing he’d never asked about my ex now, ha! I was trying to stop myself from just bursting into uncontrollable fits of giggles. William Sheldon Harvey! As if that would ever be possible! When William actually discovers the opposite sex (in least ten years from now, I should imagine) I don’t think his mummykins would be too impressed with me and vice versa. I don’t think he’s really my type.

  “So...um...”

  “Yes?” I faced Jay. I knew he wanted to know about the William Sheldon-Harvey ‘relationship’. Oh, this was so much fun. Jay thinks he is so much cleverer than me and here he was totally confused by me.

  “Um...how did you get together?”

  “Oh, William invited me to his manor house one Sunday.”

  “His manor house?” Jay frowned, “What, round this way?”

  “Well, the other side of town...the posh side, obviously.”

  “Obviously.” Jay said slowly.

  “And then we had afternoon tea and I met Mummy Sheldon-Harvey...”

  “Mummy?” Jay interrupted.

  “Yes,” I huffed, pretending to be annoyed by his interruption, “Posh people always call their mum’s ‘Mummy’ even when they are like forty or something.”

  “I thought you said it was purely physical?” Jay interrupted again.