Teach Me Dirty(82)

“I am. At least that’s what Mr Roberts tells me.”

Lizzie rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. I thought you were all sweet and innocent.”

I smiled. “Not anymore.”

“And you’re really not wearing any underwear?”

“Really.”

She tugged at my blazer and I squeaked and dived away. “Come on! At least let me see!”

“No way!” I laughed.

“Spoilsport.” Lizzie dropped her cigarette, and then she sighed. “Incoming, Hels. Behind you. Lover-boy-reject at twelve o’clock.”

I followed her eyes to find Harry Sawbridge heading down the alleyway towards us, but when he saw me there, he held back, pretended he hadn’t seen us. I felt surprisingly embarrassed when he turned around and headed in the opposite direction.

“Shit, I forgot about Harry.” I sighed. “At least it seems he’s forgotten about me, too.”

Lizzie pulled a face. “Something weird about that, he was well keen.”

I shrugged. “Just as well he isn’t.”

She shrugged, too. “Just as well.” She started walking. “Is it draughty under there?” She yanked at my skirt and I thumped her arm.

“Stop it!”

“You are absolutely no fun anymore, Hels Bells, no fun at all.” She poked her tongue out. “So, this is really it, huh? First day in school as an official thing with Mr Perfect.”

“Feels weird.” I smiled. “Good weird. Great weird. Still weird, though.” I pulled my blazer tighter. “I’m so nervous.”

“Nervous?! You f*cked the guy, bled on his sheets, then took his spunk in your eye, and let him wash your privates in the shower, and you’re nervous about sitting in a classroom with him?”

“Something like that.”

“Gotta love your brain, Hels.”

“It’s just… different. He’s my teacher here.”

“See how much of a teacher he seems at lunchtime.” She smirked. “When do I get my status update?”

“This evening.”

“Walking home?”

I shrugged. “Maybe, I dunno.”

She rolled her eyes again. “Well, let me know when I get some teacher-time castoffs.”

“It’s not like that!”

“If you say so.”

We arrived at the gates and I pulled her back by her elbow. “You’re not a castoff.”

“Chill, Hels, I was messing around. It’s all new and shit, I get it. It’s no big deal.”

I fixed her in a stare. “But it is a big deal. You’re my bestest forever.”

“Glad to hear it.” She fumbled around in her bag. “I’ve got so much shit to do today, it’s probably for the best you’re not around.”

“Shit like what?”

“Homework.”

I laughed. “Slacked off at the weekend? Scottie’s got a lot to answer for.”

Her face turned dark. “Not Scottie, that * Ray.”

“Ray? Was your mum away again?”

She nodded, and her eyes were dark. “She’s always f*cking away at the moment.”

“Nan’s sick though, right?”

She shrugged. “So they say.”

“They wouldn’t lie about that.”

“Maybe she just wants out from us both.”

I squeezed her arm but she shrugged me off. “That’s not how it is, Lizzie. That’s crazy.”

“Is it?” There was a flash of upset in her eyes, but she buried it. “Doesn’t matter anyway, I’ve got Scottie, and I’ve got you.”

“Yeah, but she’s your mum…”

“Doesn’t act like it.”

“But you’re close.”

“Used to be.”

“You still are, Lizzie, she’s just… got stuff on.”

“Yeah, well, she can piss the f*ck off.”

“You don’t mean that…”

“How do you know what I f*cking mean? Were you there this weekend?” Her eyes were angry, and they took me aback. “No, you f*cking weren’t, so don’t tell me what I do and don’t mean. I know what I f*cking mean, Helen.”

I held my hands up, but she was walking away. I caught her up. “Lizzie, just stop a minute.” I had to grab hold of her satchel, pulling her back as the bell was ringing for beginning of class. “Stop, Lizzie!”

She spun around, and her anger had gone, there was just calm, cool Lizzie again, with a smile on her face. “Shit, Hels, I’m sorry. I was goofing around. Must be my time of the month.”

An uneasiness stirred in my tummy. “It was more than that, Lizzie…”

She shook her head. “No way! Seriously, I’m good. I always get this hormonal crap.”

But she didn’t, not in the whole time I’d known her.

“Just forget about it, Hels, seriously. ”

I didn’t smile. “I don’t want to forget about it. I want you to be ok.”

“I am ok.” She groaned. “Don’t be such a drama llama.”

I folded my arms. “Is there something going on with Ray?”