“No.”
“You have to answer honestly, Biggsie.”
“I did,” I deadpanned. “And it’s still no.”
“I saw that girl in Irish trying to talk to ya.”
“Yeah, I saw her, too.”
“Jesus, she was a bit of all right that one.”
“She was hanging off his every word.”
“She asked me for a pen.”
“And your number. I heard her.”
“Did ya give it to her, lad?”
“That would be another no.”
“Aw, come on, Biggsie,” several of the lads chorused. “She was hanging off ya in class.”
“Lad, that girl was stunning.”
“Too right.”
“Jesus, she can have my number if she wants it.”
“Don’t bother with Biggsie, lads. He’s sworn off all the talent at school,” Pierce guffawed. “Because he’s inlove.”
“Why don’t you shoot your shot with her,” I challenged, locking eyes on the dopey bollocks in front of me. “Or are you too much of a pussy to actually walk up to a girl and speak to her?”
“I’m not interested in your sloppy seconds, lad,” Pierce laughed. “Although, I would absolutely make an exception for that girlfriend of yours.” Waggling his brows, he teased, “Be sure to pass her over when you’re done.”
“Oh my Jesus, you shouldn’t have said that,” Feely groaned, dropping his head in his hands.
“Youreallyshouldn’t have said that, lad,” Robbie Mac added grimly. “Bad form.”
“Yeah.” Roughly shoving my chair back, I jerked to my feet and moved for him. “You really shouldn’t have said that, asshole.”
LATE-NIGHT PHONE CALLS
Lizzie
AUGUST 30, 2000
IWAS BITTER ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS IN LIFE, BUT TODAY’S BIGGEST REASON WAS THEfact that I should’ve been starting first year with my boyfriend andnotfifth class with his sister.
I felt left behind as a child when I had been held back in specialist schools, instead of getting to attend mainstream with peers my own age. I felt it even more when my sister left this world and, now I was feeling it all over again.
Because Hugh was going on and I was staying behind.
It pissed me off so bad because some of the sixth-class students that had graduated from Sacred Heart last summer were even younger than me. Now, they got to head off to secondary school, while I remained in primary for two more years.
It was so fucking embarrassing because not only was I going to turn fourteen in sixth class, but I would befifteenby the end of first year, while everyone else in my class would only be entering their teens.
Twelve and a half starting fifth class.
