loved those few chaps fanda, more please.

really good please carry on soon

ohh, i really liked that one!

The three girls left the school grounds with Fletch trailing behind them. ‘Your aunt can be a right stuck up cow sometimes.’ Michaela said to Lauren, ‘she’s not as bad as Kathy Barnes though, did you know she slept with your Rhys to split him and Sarah up?’
‘Um no, is Kathy Barnes Amy’s mum?’ Lauren asked.
‘Yeah your Rhys used to go out with Sarah, Amy’s older sister and Kathy Barnes didn’t like it so she got Rhys to sleep with her so she could split them up, I don’t know why he did though she’s like well old she’s like forty or something errrrr.’ Michaela spoke quickly and pulled a face, ‘She’s well stuck up she hates Amy being friends with me ‘cause she thinks my family is too common, everytime Amy gets in trouble she blames me its not like Amy’s so perfect on her own. She’ll probably try it on with your Josh next, Kathy I mean.’
‘Yuk. Josh did say Amy’s parents don’t like the two of them being together, I don’t think that my aunt likes it either though, I’m not sure why.’
‘Yeah well Amy isn’t all sweetness and light.’ Michaela said cattily.
‘Yeah she’s messed Josh around loads, she’s been a right cow to him and she embarrassed him in front of everyone at Hannah’s eighteenth.’ Fletch added catching up with the girls to join their conversation.
Michaela turned round, ‘Shut up, that’s my best mate you’re talking about. Anyway Josh embarrassed himself writing that stupid soppy song and singing it in front of everyone.’ Michaela turned her attention back to Lauren, ‘it was hysterical he looked a right idiot, actually so did Fletch here, Josh ran off after Amy and left him singing it, it was well sad.’
‘Yeah well he’s my best mate; best mates do stuff for each other even if it means looking stupid in front of everyone.’ Fletch said defensively.
‘Do you know how gay you sound; have you been taking tips from our John Paul or something? Look around you Fletch, Josh isn’t your best mate he is your only mate, I don’t see anyone else queuing up to walk home with you. The only reason you’re here now is ‘cause the Ashworth’s made you promise to see Lauren home so just stick to walking behind us and keep your mouth shut that way no one has to know your with us.’
‘Shut up Michaela.’ Fletch muttered, he hung back and resumed his place behind the girls, he didn’t feel like arguing with Michaela McQueen, he kicked at a stone on the pavement in front of him, it probably didn’t mater if Lauren thought he was a loner or gay now anyway Josh had already made it clear that he didn’t have a chance that morning but he still wanted Lauren to like him, she was too good to be hanging round with Michaela he thought to himself, is aunt was right about that.

Lauren looked over her shoulder and smiled sadly at Fletch, he looked so sad she thought. Lauren felt bad for not saying something to stick up for him, Michaela had been quite mean. She got the impression Michaela wasn’t someone she wanted to get on the wrong side of so she bit her tongue instead of speaking up, she reasoned with herself that it probably didn’t matter, Josh had probably already turned Fletch against her, he probably didn’t want to be walking with her anyway and was probably only doing it because her uncle had asked him to. Besides she could apologise later, right now she needed to make her own friends.

Michaela and Sasha had continued to talk and Lauren realised she had no idea what about she had been so lost in thought.
‘Over there look.’ Michaela exclaimed.
‘Sorry, what am I meant to be looking at?’ Lauren asked trying to figure out where Michaela was looking.
‘Over there on the other side of the road up ahead, by the park.’
Lauren could vaguely make out a small group of lads. She crooked her neck to try and get a better view and was suddenly spun round by Michaela.
‘Don’t let them see you looking.’ She hissed. ‘the one with the short dark hair is Martin Andrews, he’s the one who whistled at you in class before, he thinks he’s something special but he’s not, I used to go out with his half brother Wayne he’s in the year above, he’s over there too in the black hoodie it’s pathetic really he still fancies me but there’s no way I’d go out with him again. The other one in uniform is Ian Morrissey, he’s in our class too, total loser. To be honest none of the lads in our class are worth bothering with, they’re all too immature.’
‘And the guy who has just come out of the park is my brother Sonny.’ Sasha added.
Michaela had been so busy telling Lauren about the lads she hadn’t noticed Sonny. ‘Sonny? Where? Oh yeah!’ Michaela said smiling to herself whilst discreetly trying to smooth down her hair and catch her reflection in the windows of the parked car next to them.
‘Michaela, what are you doing?’ Sasha asked.
‘Wha-oh nothing just thought something fell on my head, must of imagined it.’ Michaela shrugged and wondered if she would be able to put on some lipgloss before they reached the lads without Sasha getting suspicious.
‘If we stay on this side of the road and walk quickly we might be able to get past without having to talk to them.’ Sasha said linking her arm through Laurens.
‘Alright boys!’ Michaela called out across the road.
‘Michaela what are you doing now?’ Sasha hissed.
‘Come on.’ Michaela forced her way between Sasha and Lauren taking them both by the arm and guiding them across the road. ‘time for Lauren to meet some more people.’
Lauren smiled weakly. ‘At least she’ll know who to avoid.’ Sasha said under her breath.

Fletch hesitated by the curb not sure whether to hang back and watch from the other side of the road. Lauren could probably look after herself but if she couldn’t…, well those guys could be cruel, he knew that from experience and if anything happened to Lauren, if they were mean to her or whatever and his aunt found out he stood back and watched…he took a deep breath and made his way across the road, better to have that lot call him a few names than face his aunt in a bad mood.

fanda I loved that. I'd be more scared of suzanne ashworth too. lol

I love fletch, he's so sweet. I so hope they get together.

sorry I'll stop ranting on your fic now.

it's ace.

rant away Dotty!!

it's nice to get feedback!

The four boys stared as the girls approached.
‘Hellllllooooooo’ Wayne said smirking, as the girls got closer. ‘Who’s the hottie with your sister and Mcqueen?’ he asked Sonny.
‘I’ve got no idea mate.’ Sonny said sneaking a sly look at Michaela.
Ian pushed himself up from where he had been slouching ‘It’s Lauren innit? You were in our class earlier with poncy Peters.’
Martin stepped forward, ‘Alright darlin’ how you doing?’
‘Um hi I’m fine thank you.’ Lauren replied nervously Martin was standing a little too close to Lauren for comfort.
‘I’m fine thank you’ Ian imitated Laurens voice, ‘sound’s like we’ve got a right little princess our hands here lads.’ The group laughed adding to Laurens feeling of discomfort.
‘Leave off her Ian, she’s alright aren’t ya Loz, she just talks funny ‘cause she’s from down south.’
Lauren smiled slightly, grateful that Michaela was sticking up for her.
‘Well you can go down south on me anytime you like princess’ Martin leered and the lads laughed again.
‘Shut up, god Sonny could you find more pathetic friends.’ Sasha scowled.
‘Oi sis don’t be dissin my mates.’
‘Whatever Sonny.’ Sasha pulled at Michaela’s arm, ‘Michaela can we just go.’
Wayne stopped her, ‘hey easy now, we’re just getting to know Lauren here.’
Lauren was feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the way the boys were looking at her. ‘Actually I really do need to get going.’ Lauren said weakly.
‘Ooo one must get going’ Ian imitated her again, ‘you think your too good for us or something?’ he was standing way to close now Lauren could feel his breath on her face it smelt of stale cigarettes. Before she could think of a response Ian was falling back into the wall behind him. Lauren blinked as she registered what was going on.
‘Just leave her alone Ian.’ Lauren looked round and noticed Fletch was beside her, she realised he had pushed Ian.
‘Who the hell do you think you are pushing me?’ Ian said getting up quickly.
‘Where’s ya boyfriend today Fletch, aww he’s dumped ya for that tart Amy Barnes hasn’t he.’ Martin stepped forward and Fletch began to look nervous.
‘Oi that’s my best friend you’re talking about.’ Michaela said sticking up for Amy.
‘Stay out of this McQueen.’ Ian snarled his voice becoming more aggressive.
Wayne laughed ‘I reckon he wants a piece.’ He nodded towards Lauren indicating exactly what he thought Fletch wanted.
Martin smirked, ‘Reckon you’ve got a chance with the little princess do ya Fletchy boy.’
‘As if.’ Ian said getting close to Fletch’s face. ‘The only thing you stand a chance of getting a piece of is my fist in your face.’
Fletch swallowed ‘I I’m s-sorry I didn’t mean to push you Ian.’
‘Funny ‘cause it felt like you meant it’
‘Yeah and it looked like you meant it.’ Martin stood just behind Fletch leaving him with nowhere to run.
Fletch looked scared. Lauren bit her lip nervously, she didn’t want Fletch to get beaten up on her account, how the hell was she going to stop this, she looked at Sasha pleadingly.
Sasha saw the look on Laurens face and turned to her brother. ‘Sonny do something. Stop them’
Sonny sighed and shook his head, he’d rather not listen to his sister go on at him for the next week for standing by and doing nothing. ‘Come on lads, just leave it yeah he’s not worth it.’ He put an arm over Wayne and Ian’s shoulders. ‘Anyway, violence in front of ladies, not cool is it.’
‘Michaela McQueen a lady, yeah right.’ Wayne laughed then stopped when he saw the look Sonny was giving him.
‘Watch what you’re saying mate cause that’s my little sister and her mates stood there.’
‘Yeah ok I didn’t say anything about your sister did I. Come on Martin let’s go.’ Wayne began to walk away and Martin and Sonny followed.
Ian lingered for a moment in front of Fletch. He stepped back and as looked as if he was about to walk away he lunged forward and grabbed Fletch by the collar. ‘You ever do anything like that again and you’re a dead man.’ He hissed in Fletch’s ear then ran to caught up with the other boys.

‘Come on lets go.’ Sasha ushered them along but Fletch stayed standing still.
Lauren looked at him and reached out to touch his arm, she could feel him shaking, ‘Come on lets go.’ She said softly. He looked at her blankly; she thought he looked like he was in shock. ‘Come on Fletch, before they change their minds and come back.’ She smiled sympathetically at him and finally he responded, he smiled weakly back and began to follow the girls.

The girls carried on chatting as they made their way home and Fletch continued trailing behind them, Lauren glanced over her shoulder every now and then to make sure he was alright. Once they got close to Drive ‘n’ Buy they all said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Fletch stayed quiet and as soon as the other girls had gone Lauren stopped and turned round to talk to him. ‘I hope you’re not planning on walking behind me all the way back to the Ashworth’s because I’m really not sure which way I’m meant to go next.’
She was smiling at him and Fletch couldn’t help but smile back. He caught up to her and they continued walking.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t say something to Michaela when she was being nasty before.’ Lauren spoke quietly but sincerely.
‘It’s alright I’m used to it. That’s just how Michaela is.’
‘I still should have said something.’ Lauren paused ‘And I’m sorry you almost got into a fight because of me too.’

Fletch couldn’t help thinking how vulnerable she looked, she was biting her lip and she looked sort of nervous and worried, a bit like she had earlier when Ian was getting too close. He wanted to put his arm round her and tell her it was ok, that’s what had happened earlier, he like he wanted to protect her so he had gone and almost started a fight with one of the hardest blokes at school. Probably not his smartest move.

‘Look what you did earlier was really brave, I really appreciate it.’ Lauren looked at him waiting for him to say something.

She thought he was brave! Maybe it had been a smarter move than he had thought, he hadn’t even had to get hurt and she just said she appreciated it. As the thoughts whizzed round in Fletch’s mind he smiled proudly.

‘Okay you’re meant to say something back now.’ Lauren was still looking up at him and her expression was changing to one of confusion.
‘What, sorry, its ok it doesn’t matter those guys are creeps anyone would have done what I did.’ Fletch did his best to act cool.
‘Well like I said I really appreciate it. Thank you.’ She smiled earnestly
‘It was nothing.’ Fletch hoped she wouldn’t notice the colour rising in his cheeks. Her smile made him feel another surge of pride. He felt warm inside.
‘We’re nearly there, that’s the house just over there isn’t it?’ Lauren said pointing down the road; pleased she was beginning to find her bearings in her new town.
‘Yep.’ Fletch replied hoping he didn’t sound as disappointed as he felt, he wished the house could be further away then he could have Lauren to himself for just a bit longer.

really good cant wait for more

The weekend passed by fairly quickly Lauren had spent Saturday shopping with her aunt Suzanne and her cousin Hannah and on Sunday they had gone to visit Grandpa Ashworth, it had been quite a while since Lauren had seen him but he seemed to like his new place at the old people’s home. Now Lauren stood in the middle of the room she shared with Hannah looking at herself in her new uniform, the blazer and tie had been Hannah’s but the shirt and skirt were new. Lauren was fiddling with her hair when Hannah appeared in the doorway.
‘You look fine, better than I ever did in that stuff.’ Hannah said watching her cousin studying her reflection enviously.
‘I don’t know what to do with my hair do you think I should wear it up or down? And do you think this skirt is ok or should I change into the pencil one.’ Lauren twirled and the A-line skirt she was wearing flared out then fell back into place its hem settling just above her knees. She was feeling nervous about her first day at school and her new uniform felt strange and unfamiliar.
‘You look great in both of them, just wear the one you’ve got on.’ Hannah said trying to usher Lauren from the room.
‘What about my hair? Do you think I should take it down?’ Lauren had scraped her hair into a messy ponytail whilst talking to Hannah; Hannah thought it looked nice the tendrils of hair that fell around her cousin’s face framed it nicely.
‘Lauren, leave it, it looks nice, you look nice now go downstairs and have some breakfast before the boys eat everything and leave me to get dressed.’

Lauren left the room and was halfway downstairs when she realised she had left her schoolbag on her bed. She turned round and headed back up the stairs and knocked on the bedroom door and waited for Hannah to answer.
‘Hang on’ she heard a muffled voice from the other side of the door. ‘Ok come in.’ Hannah called.
‘Sorry I forgot my bag.’ Lauren said making her way across the room to pick it up. ‘Right I’ll be out of your hair now, sorry Han.’
‘It’s fine just go before Mum starts shouting you.’ Hannah looked relieved as her cousin left the room, Lauren didn’t notice, perhaps if she hadn’t been so nervous about her first day in a new school she would have spotted the food wrappers poking out from under Hannah’s bed or the trace of chocolate on her cousins lips and the wrapper she was hiding in her hand.

I loved those couple of chapters fanda. and nice touch with the hannah thing sneaking in there.

big thumbs up

Lauren’s first day wasn’t nearly as bad as she had thought it might be. Ian and Martin had made a few comments and continued to call her princess but this hadn’t really bothered her, she had spent time at break and lunch with Michaela and Sasha and began to get to know Amy too. She was even beginning to find her way around Hollyoaks and was starting to feel a bit more confident. She had already made plans to go shopping with Sasha at the weekend too.

Over the next three weeks she became firm friends with Sasha, Michaela and Amy and spent most of her free time with them, she was particularly close to Sasha who always made Lauren feel better if she got homesick or missed her mum. School wasn’t to bad, other than Ian and Martin’s new nickname for her and their habit of singing whenever she walked by, she got on with everyone and everything fairly well. Ian and Martin had recently gone from calling her princess to calling her ice queen after the repeated knock backs they had received from her, and to go with her new nickname they had taken to singing ‘ice ice baby’ whenever she was anywhere near them. Though this didn’t really bother her. She was even getting on with Josh, at least to an extent. Her first month in Hollyoaks was flying by, next week was the last week of term, there was a non-uniform day on Wednesday and a disco the same night. Lauren found herself looking forward to both and after that it would be the Easter holidays and she would get to visit her mum.

I'm still loving it, but feel slightly uneasy, dunno why but I sense drama approaching. lol

great as always hunni.

Apologies that the next few bits will be quite short but I need to move the story on a bit.

Fletch hadn’t got to spend anymore time alone with Lauren since that first Friday. He had spent as much time as possible at the Ashworth’s which wasn’t much since Josh was always with Amy lately but whenever he was there Lauren always seemed to be on the phone, probably to the boyfriend Josh had told him about. Even though he knew he didn’t have a chance he still wanted to be around her, he couldn’t explain it and he hadn’t told anyone, not even Josh…especially Josh.

His favourite day of the week had become Wednesday when he sat behind her in French, he’d spend most of the lesson staring at the back of her head and imaging running his fingers through her hair. Next week would be the end of term; Fletch hoped Josh wouldn’t spend the whole three weeks with Amy. He sighed as he thought how perhaps Michaela had been right a few weeks ago when she said that that Josh was his only friend, there were a few other lads he spoke to and hung around with a bit but mainly it was just Josh and he was never around much these days. Even his parents didn’t seem to want to be around him that much; they were both going away ‘on business’ again this weekend. He sighed again feeling sorry for himself as he finished packing his bag and got ready for another weekend with the Ashworths.

oooh lots of nice chapters waiting for me!!! great job!

thisreally great stuff fanda! im now all caught up and want more! lol! loving it!

Lauren spent Saturday shopping with Sasha and Michaela, Amy was meant to come to but had dropped out at the last minute, no doubt for some secret rendezvous with Josh. The girls were all looking for something to wear for both the non-uniform and the school disco. So far Sasha was the only one to buy anything and all she had got was a plain t-shirt. ‘I can’t find anything!’ Lauren complained.
‘At least you’ve already got load’s of nice clothes.’ Michaela retorted, ‘I haven’t got anything decent, if I don’t find anything I’m gonna have to nick something off one of my sisters.’
‘So why don’t you just do that then?’ asked Sasha.
‘Because if I get caught I’ll get killed.’
‘So don’t get caught!’ Lauren laughed; she linked one arm through Michaela’s and the other through Sasha’s. ‘Come on, we’ve still got a couple more shops we haven’t looked in lets check them out before we give up all together.’
‘Ok, but lets not take too long Calvin wants me back by four.’
The girls had more success in the remaining shops; Lauren brought a jacket, two dresses and two pairs of shoes, Sasha found some jeans and a couple of tops and Michaela managed to get herself two new outfits she was very pleased with.
‘Right lets head back then.’ Lauren looked at her watch, ‘You might just make it on time Sash!’ The girls laughed and made their way home giggling and gossiping all the way.

When the three girls got close to Sasha’s House they noticed quite a drama unfolding outside Drive ‘n’ Buy. Mike Barnes and Suzanne Ashworth were having a full-scale row outside the shop. Mike had hold of Amy’s arm and the girls could see Josh in the door way to the shop Fletch, it appeared had arrived just before them and was stood by the phone boxes. The girls headed over to him to find out what was going on.

‘KEEP YOUR SCHEMING SON AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER.’ Mike bellowed.

Michaela sidled up next Fletch, ‘What’s going on?’ She whispered.
Fletch turned and noticed the girls next to him, he smiled when he saw Lauren. ‘Hi’ he greeted them quietly.

‘YOU’RE NOT BLAMING THIS ON MY SON.’ Suzanne screamed back at Mike.

‘I said what’s going on?’ Michaela asked again, growing impatient she prodded Fletch’s arm.
‘Oi….oh.’ Fletch realised he had been staring at Lauren; luckily she was too distracted by the argument to notice.
‘So?’
Fletch realised Michaela was still waiting for an answer, ‘oh, um I don’t know really I just got here as it all started.’

‘WHAT’S THAT MEANT TO MEAN?’ Mike shouted back.