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time. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t, would I? But I spend a lot of time with her and sometimes it’s nice to take a break from being Hannah, Katie’s best friend. In PSHE I can just be me.
    Of course, just being me means talking about boys and sex with the girls – and boy – on my table. Tilly and Rahni don’t really get out much – I never see them at the park. Tilly has a boyfriend, but their relationship brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “taking it slowly”. They’re practically taking it backwards. I’m not sure whether Rahni has even kissed a boy. It’s the same with Gideon, although I know he’d rather it wasn’t. Still, whatever our expertise, we’re all equally happy talking about it.
    “Have you heard about Fletch?” Rahni asks as soon as I sit down and I see a meaningful glance pass between Gideon and Tilly. Rahni was off all last week when I gleefully gave the other two the dirt on my last hook up with Fletch. They don’t know that tonight I’ll be doing a lot better than that greasy little spunk stain.
    “What about him?” I ask, as I take my books out. I wonder which rumour she’s heard? I hope it’s the nipple one, that’s my favourite.
    “I heard someone say that one of the guys thought he saw Fletch having a” – she mouths the word wank – “in the school showers.”
    Her eyes grow wide and I can’t stop myself from opening my mouth in a total OMG moment.
    That rumour isn’t even one of mine. Operation Embarrass Fletch has officially gone viral.

FRIDAY 9 TH OCTOBER
    HANNAH
    My boobs hurt. They sometimes do around my period and I’ve checked that I’ve got some tampons in my bag, but I seriously hope it doesn’t turn up tonight.
    “You look way good,” Katie says glancing not-so-subtly at my tits. I have broken the unwritten rule: Katie does boobs, I do bum.
    “So do you.” I stare meaningfully at the hem of her skirt swishing up slightly as she walks. There isn’t much room for error in the swish.
    “Easy access.” She shrugs and loops her arm in mine.
    “Same here.”
    Katie finds me funniest when I say something she would and she cracks up at this.
    “Do you think Rex has broken up with that posh girlfriend he has?” she says, once she’s recovered.
    “So that’s why you’re making such an effort!” I don’t know what to make of this. Katie used to be very rude about Rex, but lately I’ve caught her looking at him thoughtfully.
    “No. I don’t dress for anyone but me.” Katie hands me her bottle as she gets out a cigarette and pauses, turning against the breeze to light it. My hand is cold and my knuckles are white as I grip the glass. Inside is some vodka mixed with a splash of coke. There’s another in my bag.
    I can’t shift the feeling that my best mate is up to something.
    “Hello? Calling occupants of Hannah’s brain?”
    I hadn’t realized I’d zoned out. Katie’s offering her pack, with a filter beckoning me towards it.
    Sod it. May as well.

AARON
    I doubt anyone will notice that I’m wearing the same clothes I wore last Friday. I have different boxers on, but that fact is between whatever God there might be and me.
    Rex waves me over to the tyre swings. The park is heaving tonight. Almost everyone from our year is here, even the ones I thought would be snubbed. I sit down on the soft rubber of one of the swings and put down a six-pack. There’s a chorus of appreciative grunts from the basketball lads and Tyrone slaps me on the back and tells me I’m not bad. Again.
    I take one of my own cans and crack it open. Drinking is the fastest way to fit in without having to talk to anyone – and one beer won’t do any harm, especially not this piss water I’ve bought.
    Conversations rise up around me and the group starts to unfurl as boys pair off with girls. I scan the rest of the crowd, looking for familiar faces, and I’m surprised to see Anjela Ojo standing with some of the girls from our Spanish class, including Nicole –