Emjay and Tannii - Untitled Busted Fic

It was a sunnyish summer day; the sun beat down onto the tarmac of the school grounds as a bell rang overhead. No sooner had the first ring rung out than students began to spill out of every door. It was lunchtime, time for them to eat and have a gossip with their mates for an hour before the final lesson of the day. She stood by her door and looked around for a second, before smiling to herself and walking over to the trees at the edge of the school ground. The same place that she ate lunch everyday with her boyfriend Matt. 

Not a whole lot of people approved of her relationship with Matt, despite the fact that they'd been seeing each other for just about ever now. She was pretty with long hair and big eyes and he was gorgeous, with the mole on his cheek. That's probably why wherever she seemed to turn they were there making comments at her. Them being Ashlee Sanders and her two best mates, Simone Prince and Tannii Hanning. Ashlee had the hugest crush on Matt and she knew all too well that Matt would never leave Emjay for her, so she took it out on Emjay.

Emjay smiled as she finally reached the trees, Matt wasn't there at the moment but he'd been soon enough and besides, she was safe away from their comments here. As if Ashlee would ever want to be seen in a place as uncool as this. She sat in silence for a few seconds, fiddling with her iPod, looking for the track she wanted to hear and then she heard the voice above her. "Oh look, it's the freak!" Ashlee's voice was dripping with annoyance as she glared at the girl sat before her. She turned to her mates to make sure they were laughing, Simone was wetting herself as if it was the funniest thing she had ever heard, Tannii though simply gave a half smile. 

"Aww, are you all alone as usual?" Simone smirked. "I bet your waiting for Matt." She raised an eyebrow, the way she'd said Matt hinted that she doubted he'd actually turn up. Emjay sighed inwardly, she'd love to answer them back but she knew that all she'd gain from it was them laughing in her face, so why waste the energy on it?  "So, you'll be here for ages then." 

"Yeah." Ashlee giggled. "I'll bet he's off... erm..." She wracked her little blonde brains trying to think of an insult quickly, failing to come up with one she tossed a look over to Tannii. Tannii wasn't looking entirely comfortable during the most of the conversation sorta bit down on her lip and something flashed in her eyes. Was it possibly fear? Fear that if she didn't say something to Emjay then she'd be ridiculed for being a wuss and pushed out by her friends. 

"He's... he's probably off banging someone else." Tannii sneered, finding her voice. "Like he'd actually want a weirdo like you. You're just something that's there until he finds something better so don't hope to cling on to him." She gave a satisfied smile as Ashlee and Simone burst into hysterical laughter. 

"Oh? Have we walked in on a meeting of the coven?" A voice spoke behind them and a guy pushed in between Ashlee and Tannii. It was Matt's best friend, James Bourne. Matt himself was just behind him. They hadn't heard everything that had been said because they were chatting but they weren't stupid. They were both pretty popular themselves and they generally got on with the girls, but they had a feeling that the conversation they were having with Emjay was not a nice one. 

"Oh hi James. Hiii Matt." Giggle, giggle, giggle. Ashlee spoke. 

"Can we help you?" Matt raised an eyebrow at them. 

"Oh no, we were just talking to Cl-- Emjay." Simone simpered, looking at James, who was busy trying to get his lunch out of his bag. 

"Yeah." Emjay found her voice now that Matt was around, he gave her confidence. "Don't you have some lip-gloss to apply or some hair to fluff or something?" She raised an eyebrow at them. 

"Yeah actually. We'd better be off..." Tannii sighed. "We'll see you in English." They all turned and stalked off, leaving Emjay to enjoy her lunch with her boyfriend and mate. For now.

"Since when do they speak to you?" Matt demanded. "What were they saying to you?"

"Oh. It was nothing..."

~*~

Matt stood at the school gates with James waiting to meet Emjay and walk her home from school. He was thinking about lunchtime and walking up to her with those cows. He hadn't let on, but both he and James had heard that last comment that Tannii had said to her and it was making him feel ill that there was a tiny possibility that she'd believed that. He loved her so much and he'd never do anything to hurt her. He just hoped that she knew that and she didn't doubt him. 

"Hey!" Matt's thoughts were snapped away as Emjay came walking up towards him, smiling, she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss on the lips and smiled at James. "Jeez, you were lost in thought. What were you thinking about?"

"Yeah, I'd quite like to know that actually." James put in. "I've been stood here talking to you for the last ten minutes and all I was getting as replies were blank looks." 

Matt ignored him and smiled at his girlfriend. "I was thinking about you of course." They stood around for a few more moments until the crowds in the rush to get out of school had thinned down and they wouldn't get bashed about as they tried to walk out before they started walking towards the bus stop. "So? Are you going to tell me what they were saying earlier or not?" He wanted to see if she'd admit to them making catty comments.

"Oh. That." She sighed. "It was nothing. It was Simone and Ashlee mostly; Tannii was just stood there cracking a half smile every so often. And I thought she might actually be showing some human emotions for once, but then she turned round and told me that I shouldn't get used to you because you'll ditch me when someone better comes along. God, I hate that girl." She bit down on her lip and tried to look down, but Matt grabbed a hold of her and pulled her face up to his, pecking her lips. "There's never going to be anyone better than you. She's just a bitch, ignore her." 

"A total bitch." Emjay nodded, smiling. Slagging her off making her feel a bit better.

"A complete and utter bitch." James ended the conversation off and they all laughed, but James felt himself being pushed aside as a girl with her head ducked, brown hair falling over her face stalked in front of them, clutching her bag to herself. She was half running to get away from them. "Oh. Do you think she heard us?" 

~*~

“Perhaps you’d better lay off Emjay a bit?” Tannii edged towards Ashlee and Simone.

“And what’s that suppose to mean?” Both stopped, looking slightly confused.

“You’re clearly upsetting her” 

“The more we upset her, the more she’ll give in and let me have Matt, when will you see that Tannii?”  Ashlee sneered.

“She and Matt have been going out for as long as anyone can remember why are you going to ruin that for the sake of what you want?” 

“Matt doesn’t love Emjay; he’s just after her for a little bit of fun. Not that he gets it mind you” Ashlee and Simone sneered.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business to be honest.”

“Clearly it is as he should be mine, not Emjay’s” Ashlee moved towards Tannii. She knew fine well that Tannii was weak compared to her and with a little bit of anger, Tannii would stop. “You leave me to my own devices.” 

“Sorry, I just think its harsh that’s all” Tannii stuttered and tried ever so hard to give in, but with no such luck.

“Listen, if you have so much of a problem, you don’t have to hang around with us, I’m sure Emjay will like your company” Ashlee giggled at Simone and they both just smiled. “Do you want to stuck with us are not?”

“Erm, yeah” Tannii lowered her head, she’d given in.

“See, thought we’d lost our Tannii for a second then” Ashlee brought Tannii into a womanly hug and smiled. All Tannii could do was smile. 

Why was she giving in to people like this? She wanted to leave Emjay alone, it wasn’t like she got off on bullying, and she was just made to do it. No one knew about the crush on James that stayed secret. She knew fine well if Ashlee and Simone found out, there’d be hell to pay, and at this moment she really didn’t want that.

~*~

“You gonna tell me how long they’ve been picking on you?” Matt asked Emjay as they sat on James’s bedroom floor.

“No, not really” Emjay smiled, but Matt didn’t seem that impressed. “I’m ok babe, seriously” She lifted herself up slightly and planted a small kiss onto his lips.

As much as he’d like to dislike the kiss, he couldn’t. He knew fine well, that she was bullshitting, but perhaps the more he dug, the more she’d get upset.

“So, what are we up to tonight then?” James asked flopping down onto his bed.

“Up town? Seems to be the only place around here” Matt suggested.  

“Whatever, may as well” James agreed, not really caring that he had a free house. Emjay didn’t disagree more of just tag alone because she was told too. Due to the cold night, all three wrapped up in coats, gloves and scarves, the lads wearing the black beanies and Emjay; well she just used her hood. 

No matter how many hours they spent in town, they’d always end up near the river. No one ever seemed to visit at night, more of just spending time walking through. They couldn’t understand why so many people dismissed such a lovely place. James sat near Matt, talking about random boy stuff and Emjay stood near the riverside. She liked how it looked at night. The stars were playing the role of dim fairy lights and the sun was beaming in comparison. 

“So, I see we aren’t the only ones here?” Ashlee giggled.

Emjay turned slightly, noticing Ashlee, Simone and Tannii. “Just leave me alone”

“That isn’t polite now is it CLARE?” Simone put so much emphasis on Emjay’s real name. They gathered she hated it. 

“No, but when directed at who, it seems quite fitting” Emjay sneered and signalled to leave.

“Leaving so soon? We only stopped for a nice little chat” Ashlee mocked.

“I doubt very much it’ll be ‘nice’, now just leave me alone” 

At first no one stopped her, but just for dramatic effect, they let her carry on for about two more steps.

“Matt told me about you, you know” Ashlee shouted, not really loud enough for Matt to hear.

“And he told you what?” Emjay wondered as she turned around.

“Maybe next time you ought to suck, not blow” Ashlee and Simone giggled, Tannii just staring on from the background.

“Excuse me?” 

“I guess you haven’t mastered the real concept of blow job” Simone winked slightly.

“What did he exactly tell you?” Emjay wondered, no matter how much she knew this was wrong, she still believed Matt to have told them – being paranoid wasn’t a good thing. 

“If you want me to spell it out for you, You. Are. Crap. At. Blow jobs. He told his whole Math’s class. You really aren’t that special are you?” Ashlee and Simone giggled.

The more they laughed, the more it hurt. Did he really tell them all? Or were they just making it all up? Perhaps now she believed her thoughts. Going out with the popular guys wouldn’t work, no matter how many years you’ve know each other? Emjay stormed off, crying. 

“I see my work here is done” Ashlee rubbed her hands together. 

“Was that true?” Tannii asked, just after hearing everything.

“No, of course not – just proves she’s sucked him off though” Ashlee giggled and began to walk. 

~*~

“Happy now?” Emjay cried as she reached Matt and James.

“Babe, why are you crying?” Matt asked quite concerned, James worried also. 

“I trusted you” She sobbed and he really couldn’t understand what he had done wrong. 

“What’s wrong?” He asked for the second time. 

“I told you I was rubbish, you didn’t have to tell everyone” She screamed. 

“Tell everyone what?” Matt looked at James and James shrugged. He had no idea what she was going on about.  

“That I’m crap at blow jobs!”  Matt’s eyes widened. 

“I’ll leave you to it” James coughed and walked away quite fast, at this moment in time he really didn’t want to know.

“What’s this all about? I never told anyone about anything!” 

“So why is it that I’m getting Ashlee coming up to me, telling me you told the whole of your Math’s class?” 

“I’m not even in her Math’s class Emjay” He really couldn’t believe her.

“You’re not?” She wondered. Was he lying?

“No, she’s intermediate. I’m advanced. Even you should know that, you’re in my class” He coughed slightly.

“I…..but she said……I’m sorry” Emjay stopped and began to feel like such a turd. The mere fact she was already paranoid made the situation for her, much worse.

“Do you really think I’d tell everyone you sucked me cock?” He giggled softly.

“Well, you might want to brag” She laughed with him and he smiled. 

“Seriously, Emjay, why did you believe her?” He wondered.

“To be fair, who wouldn’t?”  

“Me, that’s who!” 

“Yeah, but she wants you and I can’t compete with that most of the time, she’s the popular one” Emjay sighed.

“But which one am I with?” He asked her and took her hand. 

“Me” She blushed.  

“See” Matt smiled and placed a kiss onto her lips. 

~*~

Tannii had conveniently lost both Ashlee and Simone and ended up sitting on one of the benches. Why do they have to put Emjay down so much? She couldn’t understand.

“You look a bit cold there?” James laughed as he saw Tannii sitting down.

“If you’ve come to take the Mick don’t” Tannii sneered and really thought it was Ashlee and Simone.

“I was being nice, but if that’s the thanks I get” James seemed quite annoyed. 

She looked up slightly and noticed the familiar black beanie and floppy blonde hair. 

“Sorry, I thought you were someone else” 

“Ashlee and Simone?” Tannii just nodded. 

“I don’t mean to pick on Emjay, I promise” She suddenly blurted out. 

“You honestly don’t understand how much it hurts her do you?” James asked and again, Tannii just shock her head. 

“I think you should apologize. Then ditch them two air heads of yours” James smiled. God, she loved that smile. 

“She won’t forgive me” 

“Emjay will she’s too nice not to. Probably won’t happen straight away, but she will”  

“Why are you being so nice to me? I’ve hurt your best friend” Tannii wondered and James smiled. 

“I know Ashlee and Simone well enough to know they influence” James told her “Just tell her you’re sorry” James finished and left Tannii sitting alone.

~*~

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
 Hey

Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
Erm hey?!

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
 It’s Tannii, please don’t block me!

Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
Where did you get my email from?

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
James, please don’t get mad at him! 

Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
The bastard! He had no right to!

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
I know, but please just hear me out!

Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
Why should I?

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
 I want to apologize to you.

Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
Jokes over now, it’s not funny.

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
It’s not a joke, just me and I’m telling the truth.

Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
Fine

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
I know sorry isn’t always as good as you want it to be, but really I am. Ashlee and Simone have no right to treat you the way they do.

Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
It’s not like you stop them though, is it?

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
No, that’s true, but I’m sorry.

 Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
You don’t understand how much it hurts me though. 

(*) T.a.n.n.i.i - I’d never rip your throat out, coz that would leave a nasty scar. (*) says:
I’m sorry either way, I’m just hope you can accept that. 

Emjay //xx - <3’s Matt xx :) says:
I’ll think about it.

Tannii didn’t have time to answer it was cut short, the fact that Emjay had blocked her, didn’t help. Maybe with time, she’d soften. The chat with James had helped, she felt so much better knowing that she had apologized, even if it hadn’t worked as well as she’d hoped. 

~*~

Emjay opened the door to her English class, rushing. She was gonna be late. Damn Matt and his lips. She heard a loud squeak and saw Tannii running towards class too, her black school shoes squeaking against the shiny tiles of the school hall. As she got there, she gave her a small smile and held the door open. She was rewarded by an out of breath grin. 

She walked into the classroom, Tannii just in front of her and found the only seat left was in front of Ashlee and Simone, Tannii was pulling a seat up to the table so she could sit with them. She sighed and sat down; this was going to be a long lesson. 

"Where did you piss off too last night?" She heard Simone positively hiss at Tannii. Who didn't appear to want to say anything.

"Yeah," Ashlee joined in. "We turned round and you were gone."

"Oh," Tannii sounded quite surprised. "Yeah, I turned round and you guys weren't there so I hung around the bench for a little while and then went home  and sat on MSN for a while."

"I was on MSN. You weren't on." Simone pointed out and Tannii just didn't reply. "Oh, I see. So it's like that is it?" Simone carried on, "So who were you talking to last night?"

"Um. Emjay." Oh God, Emjay thought to herself. Don't bring me into this. 

"THAT FREAK?" Ashlee snapped out. "Why were you talking to her. Why would you want too?!" 

"Coz..." Tannii trailed off and sighed. "You know what? Cuz I wanted to and I wanted to apologize for being a bitch. But I'm not the bitch, you are." 

Simone and Ashlee gasped in unison and Tannii clapped her hand to her mouth. "I'm so, so sorry I didn't mean to say that..." 

"Save it." Ashlee snarled, cutting her off. "You know, maybe you should be hanging around with her because she's a freak and so are you."

~*~

"Urgh, What do you want?" Simone's voice cut through the dining hall as Tannii put her tray down next to hers on the table. "What makes you think you can sit here?" 

"The fact that I've sat here everyday since like, primary school?" Tannii trailed off. She sighed. This wasn't going to be easy but she couldn't afford to lose Ashlee and Simone. She had no-one else. All of her other friends were people she knew through them.

"Yes." Ashlee groaned. "But that was before you turned psycho bitch on us."

"Bu-But I didn't mean to say that, I've said I'm sorry." Tannii bit down on her lip. These were meant to be her best mates, why were they acting like this?

"Yeah well, I don't think there's space for someone with an attitude problem as big as yours in this crew. So just fuck off, retard." Ashlee snapped.

Tannii stood up, biting her lip again and turned round and darted out of the dining hall. She kept on running, running past everyone in the playground until she got to the school gates. They were locked, there was no way she could get out, tears slipped down her face and her breathing came out in sharp bursts. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Tannii?" She whirled round and looked up. It was James. Oh thank the lord he'd seen her crying her eyes out with mascara dribbling down her face. "Tannii? What's the matter?"

"I-I had a fight with Ashlee and Simone. They told me I can't hang around with them anymore. And Ashlee called me a psycho bitch."

"Awww, Tannii." James reached out to give her a hug and she felt all warm inside for a second as his arms wrapped around her. But wait; what if there was someway to tell... that she, you know, just from hugging her. She pushed him away. 

"Please don't touch me you freak." Shit. What had she said that for?

James upper lip curled. "You know what Tannii? They're right. I try and be nice to you last night and today and this is all the thanks I get. You are one pathetic little bitch." 

~*~

“It hasn’t worked has it?” Simone sighed as she and Ashlee looked at Matt and Clare.

“No it bloody well hasn’t. I need a new plan” She hissed and thought about what she could do. “Tannii isn’t much help either” She finished as she saw her walk past.

“Yeah, well at least she doesn’t hang around with us anymore” Simone smiled and laughed as she saw Tannii sit on her own.

With much thought and some arguments later, Ashlee had an idea. She needed to break Matt and Emjay up, and she needed to do it now! 

“Party at mine – Saturday night” Ashlee finally blurted out and Simone chocked. 

“How is that going to break Matt and Emjay up?” 

“Well, I’ll invite Matt, ask him to invite a friend, James of course and make my move. If there’s no girlfriend, there’s no one to stop me” She laughed evilly and walked over towards Matt. He was on his own, thank god. Although, she was quite confused as to where Emjay was – they were joined at the hip.

“Hey Matt” She smiled to him, he choose to ignore it and turned around. “I’m trying to be nice here” She touched his shoulder, but he shrug it off. 

“Listen, I’m sorry I was so harsh on Emjay the other day, I didn’t mean to hurt her” She sighed softly and as much as he wanted to hate her for what she’d done, he couldn’t. He was the forgiving type.  

“Some of the things you said were a little out of order though” He finally spoke and she smiles inside, knowing fine well that her plan was on its way. 

“I know and I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything” He just stood there, he was expecting more. “I’m having a party on Saturday, was wondering if you and James wanted to come?” 

“What about Emjay?” Matt asked, he gathered she was still trying to get with him.  

“Oh, you know. I just don't think it would be her kind of thing” She reasoned and he knew fine well Ashlee was telling it like it was, but what Ashlee didn’t know, wasn’t going to hurt her. Right?

“I’ll ask James, see what he says” Matt finally ended and Ashlee smiled, at least it was working. 

“Great, hopefully I’ll see you then” She giggled softly and Matt smiled. 

To Ashlee, it seemed like the plan was complete. She’d get Matt on his own and do whatever she wanted to him and not have the annoyance of Emjay around them. Although, Matt had a plan of his own, he was going to invite Emjay.

~*~

"Matt, I'm not sure if this is such a good idea... I don't wanna come to Ashlee's party." Emjay sighed down the phone at her boyfriend. She couldn't believe that he was making her go along when she hadn't been invited. And she knew that all that would come from it was a load of screeching and arguments from Simone and Ashlee. Since they'd ditched Tannii a couple of days ago, since then insults had doubled because she wasn't their to drag them away every so often. Tannii, herself had been by herself since then. Every time Emjay had seen her she'd had her headphones in, head drooping down, sighing at regular intervals. 

"Tough, I'm going to prove to her that it's you I love for once and for all." Matt laughed from the other end of the phone where he was getting ready for the party. "But don't forget, don't come before 9 because I'm gonna come outside and wait for you, then."

"But Mat..."

"No Em, you're coming and that's that." He laughed as he heard her sigh and released that she'd given in completely. "I love you babe, I'll see you soon!" 

~*~

"Ash, will you sit down?" Simone snorted as her best friend walked around the room, nervously. Simone had never seen her so nervous before in her life. 

"But Monie, what if he doesn't come?" Ashlee was getting a little bit nervous about her plan, no matter how much she tried to convince herself that Matt didn't love Emjay and that he was waiting for her, but sometimes she doubted herself. Some time’s she actually thought that he might really love that freak. She sat down on the sofa next to Simone, who was locked at the lips to her boyfriend Charlie. She sighed to herself and looked up to see the dark haired boy walking towards her. 

"Hey Ashlee, great party."

"Matt! You came." She leapt up and grinned at him, dragging his arm off to the drinks table to get something to drink. 

"Course I came. You think I'd miss this?" 

"Did you bring James with you?" She looked over his shoulder to see if he'd bought his best mate along. Or if he'd bought her along. 

"Nope, I'm all on my lonesome." He pulled a mock sad face. 

She couldn't wipe the grin off her face. "Do you want to go someplace quite and talk?" He looked at the clock and saw the time, quarter to nine. 

"Yeah. Sure."

~*~

Emjay sighed as she walked out of her house and turned down the road. She really didn't want to go to this freaking party, but she had no choice. No way in hell was she going to leave that boy alone with Ashlee for a whole night. She'd do as he said though and wait outside, chances are if she knocked on the door then someone would slam it in her face and tell her where to get off. Something she really didn't want to happen. She started the long and lonely walk to Ashlee's part of town, walking past the river they'd been at on Friday and stopping for a couple of minutes. She looked at her watch. Five to nine. She'd better hurry.

~*~

"You've probably guessed Matt, but I really like you." Ashlee felt her cheeks go bright red. She'd sat there chatting to Matt for the last ten minutes and she felt really connected to him. By the end of this night Emjay was going to be history, she could just tell it. 

"Yeah. You kinda make it obvious," Matt laughed and looked at the time. Three minutes past nine. He leant towards Ashlee as if he was going to kiss her. "You know what? I threw up on the way here." She wrinkled her nose and moved away from him. "So, I'm just gonna get a mint or something. Can you meet me back downstairs in like, ten minutes?" 

She nodded eagerly.

He darted down the stairs, giving her bedroom door a quick back glance and trying to resist laughing. Loudly. How could she ever think that he'd want her. He walked outside of her house and sat down on her doorstep for a couple of minutes, coughing he told Simone he was going to get some air. He just got outside in time to see her walking down the path. "Babe."

"Hi." She mumbled, kissing him. "Sorry, I'm a bit late."

"Nah, you're right on time." He grabbed her hand and dragged her into the main party. Everyone, including Ashlee looked up as he entered. 

"Matt?! What's she doing here?" Ashlee spat, glaring at Emjay.

"I invited her. You did say I could bring a mate." 

Ashlee turned to Emjay. "You do know he was going to kiss me. I think that's proof enough that he wants me and not you, you freak."

Matt just snorted. "No, it's not. I love her, more than anything and if you think that I'd ever want you then you are sorely mistaken. All you are is a pathetic little bitch who no one actually likes. Everyone just humours you. You need to grow up because surely you should have guessed by now? I don't like you, I've never liked you and I never will. You're a minger. Come on Emjay, we're leaving." 

With that he turned round and grabbed her hand, dragging her out of the room. Satisfied by the laughter at Ashlee he could hear erupting from everyone. Ashlee turned and ran up to her room, closely followed by Simone. "Ashy, you okay babe?"

"No." Ashlee wiped the mascara tears out of her eyes. "The little bitch is going to pay." 

~*~

“Thanks to you, Matt humiliated me and for that you’re going to pay!” Ashlee screamed as she ran after Emjay.

Emjay didn’t really have much to say, it was more of the fact that she had to run to get out of their way. Why was it that no matter how hard she tried, Ashlee was always nasty. Emjay had many a thought about dumping Matt, but he had done so much for her, she knew she couldn’t. Then again, he would have Ashlee, Ashlee would have him and really no one would complain. She shook the thought of her head and ran as fast as her little legs could take it – it didn’t work. She tripped on a cracked bit of payment and landed flat onto her hands and knees. Bollocks. 

“You can’t run away from us Emjay” Simone sneered as they caught up to the hurting Emjay.
 
“You have the issue with Matt, not me” Emjay cried as she felt her hands curving from the pain. 

“Yeah, but you’re the one that’s preventing me from being with him and until then, we’re going to play with you a little bit, cause you a bit of pain” Ashlee laughed as she kicked Emjay in the side.

“Stop it!” Emjay cried as she felt hands grab onto her shoulders. 

“Why? This is fun!” Simone laughed and planted a punch right into Emjay’s eye. 

Emjay didn’t really have much to say it was more of the fact that she was yelping in pain. Blood slowly trickled from her nose, which Ashlee had just that moment punched, her eye hurt from what Simone had down and now she was seriously considering letting Ashlee have her boyfriend. Emjay closed her eyes, trying ever so hard to blink out what was happening. What happened next seem like such a blur, Ashlee and Simone ran off and a small girl came running towards her. 

“Emjay?” The voice spoke and Emjay just spluttered. “It’s me Tannii” They finally explained and for once, Emjay smiled.  “I think I better take you home” Emjay shook her head. 

“I want Matt” Emjay breathed and Tannii smiled in approval. 

“I tried my best to get here sooner” Tannii apologized, knowing fine well that Emjay needed some comfort. 

“I doubt there was much you could have done anyway”  

“I’m sorry anyway”  

“Thanks of this” Emjay smiled and tapped lightly on Matt’s front door. Ok, so maybe it wasn’t a good idea, being battered and bruised, but that’s were Emjay wanted to be.

~*~

“Matt?” Emjay started as Matt held a cotton wool bud towards her nose. 

“Yeah babe” He answered and smiled.

“I need to tell you something important” She sighed softly and he was getting a bit worried. 

“Go ahead”  

“I don’t want to be with you anymore” Emjay finally splattered out and Matt just laughed.  “I’m joking, I can’t take it anymore” She finished and Matt stopped laughing. 

“You can’t take what anymore?” 

 “Ashlee and Simone – Ashlee wants you so bad and I can’t keep competing with that, no matter how many times you say I’m the only one. Anyone would kill to be with her, so why choose me?” 
Matt didn’t really have much time to answer; he was still shocked at the fact that she dumped him. 

“Matt, I love you so much, like you wouldn’t imagine, but I really can’t take it anymore. I’m really sorry” Emjay breathed, kissed Matt one more time and left. God, how she missed him already.

~*~

Monday morning. Emjay had managed to avoid all of Matt's phone calls for the weekend and a couple of James', she knew she owed him an explanation but as far as she was concerned, Ashlee had won.

As soon as she stepped into school she was ushered into a corner. "Bloody hell James, what are you doing?" 

She looked into her friend's eyes, they were full of worry. "What's going on Emjay? Me and Matt are really worried about you, what happened?" 

Emjay just sighed. "That's nothing to do with you James, it's in the past."

"Yeah but I thought you loved him? I mean, he loves you so much Em, I don't even know if he's going to come into today if it means having to see you and knowing your not his anymore... You two were perfect for each other and what, you're gonna throw that away for the sake of a few comments?"

Emjay bit on her lip. "Look, James, please just leave me alone."

"But E---"

"Tannii!" She cut him off as she saw the short brunette walk into school. She smiled at her and Tannii walked up to her. "How are you?" She was deliberately ignoring James now; she didn't want to speak to him. She hoped that he got the message. As soon as Tannii saw James her body stiffened up. "Look, James. I need a girl’s perspective on it okay? I'll, I'll talk to you later." She grabbed hold of Tannii's arm and dragged her away from James, who stood there and sighed. Emjay couldn't help noticing that Tannii looked back and blushed when her eyes locked onto James's. 

They stumbled into their tutor group and for the first time, sat down together. "So... I heard you broke up with Matt?" Tannii looked at her new found friend awkwardly. 

Tears sprang to Emjay's eyes. "Oh. Yeah, I was just gonna tell you, how did you know?" 

"James has been telling everyone I guess, I heard Ashlee and Simone talking about it when I was hiding out in the loos."

Emjay sighed. 

"So why did you do it? I thought you guys were really loved up."

"Ashlee. And Simone. Ashlee wants him bad enough to make my life a living hell then she can have him. I love him, I love him so much it hurts but I wonder that if I'm going to get beaten up every corner I turn round then he's not worth it. I know he's not."

"But you love him right?" Tannii asked.

Emjay looked at her exasperated. "I just said that didn't I?"

"Then you can't let him go. I'm going to make it my personal mission to get you and Matt back together if it kills me. This will probably happen because Ashlee doesn’t like me at the best of times." She smiled at Emjay.

Emjay gave her a small one back. "No, honestly Tannii... leave it..."

"No. Now shush." Tannii laughed. "And... and I'll tell you a secret?" 

That got Emjay's "Oh? About?"

"Erm. Well being as we're talking love life’s, I'll tell you who I have had the biggest crush on for like, the past year...?" 

Emjay grinned. Wow, Tannii and her really were friends now weren't they? "I'm intrigued. Shoot." 

"You promise you won't tell anyone?" Maybe Tannii'd feel a bit better about the whole crush once she'd told someone about it and she could see that Emjay wouldn't tell anyone.

"I promise."

"Kay." Tannii blushed. "I have the hugest crush ever, on James."

Emjay snorted. "That's so cute but Tannii?"

"Yeah?"

"Get some taste, it's free." 

~*~

“Are you going to listen to me now? Or is a female prospective still better than the best mates?” James giggled as he noticed Emjay standing on her own.

“I’m not getting back with him James, no matter how you try and persuade me” 

“But you love him; he loves you, what is the god damn problem?” He cursed and snarled. 

“You know fine fucking well why, or does the fact I have a black eye prove nothing?” She answered sarcastically and James sighed. 

“You’re really difficult at this aren’t you?” 

“Even if I wanted to get back with him, I can’t. Ashlee knows she’s won and with time, I’m sure Matt will get with her anyway. Tannii heard them talking.”

“Matt won’t go with Ashlee and you know that, he’s been going out with you for 2 years for god’s sake.” James had a point, two years was a long time. 

“Good things don’t last for ever and perhaps this good thing had to end.” Emjay sighed. “I do love him though” She finally finished and James sighed.  

“Well then what’s your problem?” James giggled and brought Emjay into a hug. “He’s literally becoming a bum now, he won’t come in.”

As much as Emjay knew James was right, she didn’t really want to acknowledge that matt was becoming a bum.   

“James, I think there’s someone else that deserves your attention more than me” James was a little confused with this statement. Emjay pointed to Tannii, sitting nervously just wanting to get home. She didn’t really want to be in connection with Ashlee and Simone, that’s why she was so nervous.  

“Tannii?” He scrunched up his features. “Why Tannii?” 

“Lets just say, I know something you don’t.” Emjay giggled and James looked quite scared. “Just go talks to her”  

“What about Matt?” He wasn’t going to give up was he? 

“James, I know MJ, more than anyone, he’ll probably end up on my door step” She giggled. 

“And if he doesn’t, I’ll be the one to blame….” Emjay cut him short and smiled.

“Just shut up and go and talk to Tannii o.k.” 

~*~

"Psst. James..." James shoved another crisp in his mouth and hummed along to the Backstreet Boys, not being able to hear the voice that was hissing behind him. Well, til Matt poked him and he nearly dropped his iPod that was.

"Ow... Matt, what are you doing here? Do you want to get caught?" James said to his best mate as he saw him stood there. He had to admit to himself that Matt looked like a state without Emjay. His hair was unbrushed and standing up in the air. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses to hide his red rimmed eyes from the world and his shirt had a massive stain on it. 

"I'm waiting for Emjay. I want to grab her as she comes out of school and get a proper explanation." He sighed. "What are you doing?"

"I walk home with her everyday, why should today be different?" James shrugged and leant back against the gate to hide Matt from any passing teachers who should come and ask him why he was able to be out of school and not in it. They just didn't understand teenage broken hearts, when he heard the familiar giggles and looked up. There she was, walking across the playground with Tannii, chatting about some random thing. 

"Emjay!" Her eyes darted up as she saw Matt stood at the gate. 

She just shook her head angrily, how dare he come looking for her. "Urgh. Matt, I told you. It's over. Go away. Come on Tannii." She grabbed ahold of her arm and tried to drag her past Matt. 

"Emjay, come on. I need an explanation. I deserve one." 

"Go on, just talk to him." Tannii whispered at her and she sighed she knew she'd get no peace until she did. "I'll wait for you okay?" 

Emjay sighed and turned to him. "Isn't my black eye explanation enough?" 

"Well, yes, but baby... I don't want Ashlee, I want you." He sighed.

James walked over to Tannii while they argued. "You waiting for Emjay?"

All Tannii did was nod. 

"You live on Hill Road right?"

Once again, another nod.

"Oh, I live on Mill Lane. Wanna walk home with me."

"Sure." She smiled at him and they walked off together.

Back at Emjay and Matt, Matt was still arguing his case. She snapped at him with. "No, Matt. I'm sorry, but as far as I'm concerned Ashlee's won." She turned round and went to walk away, but he grabbed her arm. "Matt, let go of me! Your hurting me!" Tears sprang to her eyes as she felt his hand grip tighter on her wrist, she yanked away, turned and looked at him one last time and ran.

~*~

"Ugh! No way!" James wrinkled up his nose in disgust at Tannii. "How can you say Blue are the best boy band. It's so blatantly the Backstreet Boys."

"I don't see how you can like BSB!" Tannii laughed and rolled her eyes, smiling. God, she couldn't believe that she was walking home and talking to with James Bourne. The same James Bourne she'd had a crush on for Christ knows how long. 

"The Backstreet Boys are awesome!" He laughed, shoving her gently. 

She just smiled.

"Tannii!" Someone called out behind her and she turned round, just in time for Charlie Simpson, Simone's boyfriend kick her feet out from under her. "Did you have a nice trip?" He walked off laughing. 

"You alright?" James bent down to help her up. 

"Uh, no. You try falling into a bush." She sighed and rubbed a cut on her face. "Ow." 

"Come here." He pushed her hair out of her face and studied it for a second, making sure that none of the twigs had scratched her further. He sighed. 

"What?" She looked nervous, "It's cut me loads hasn't it?" She looked like she was going to cry.

"No, no, it's fine now." He muttered brushing another bit of debris out of your face. "You're fine." He leant towards her a little, and BAM. He was jumped on from behind by a crying, shaking Emjay. 

"What's the matter?" Tannii gaped, grabbing her friend and pulling her into a hug. Thoughts of what could have possibly just been about to happen pushed out of her mind. All that mattered right now was Emjay and making sure she was alright. And, more importantly, making sure she and Matt got back together... 

~*~

Emjay being the stubborn bitch she was, a week had passed and still they weren’t together. Matt had been standing outside of school every day and each time, she shuck him off and told him to go and leave her alone. She always thought about him and wondered why he spent so much time wondering why he had kept at trying to get her back, but dismissed the idea and cried. 

“What you doing round here?” Ashlee asked Matt as he stood against the school railings. 

“Waiting for Emjay” He told her bluntly and sighed. He knew fine well, that she wouldn’t buy it, but still turned away.

“Bullshit, I know she dumped you” She giggled softly and he didn’t even flinch. “She wasn’t with it Matt, you could have done so much better” She brought an arm close to his body and rubbed his shoulder. Why didn’t he brush it off? Perhaps he was missing the female attention or just the fact that he couldn’t be bothered to argue - Either way, he didn’t like it.

“Just leave it. I wanna try and make it up with Emjay” He tried so desperately to push her away, but being so persistent, it was hard. 

“Surely after a couple of weeks waiting, you’d have thought she’d be back, but Matt, she isn’t. Does that prove something to you?” 

“Yeah, that’s she’s scared of you. If you hadn’t of smacked her in the first place, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”  

“Mess? I personally see it as a good thing. Who needed her anyway?”  Ashlee sniggered and Matt just stood there, perhaps he’d lost all of his emotion. 

Ashlee spoke to Matt for what seemed like ages, he just kind of nodded or disapproved with everything she said. He knew it didn’t look good for him trying to make up with Emjay, but at the end of the day he had done nothing wrong – it was Ashlee. 

Emjay noticed them both standing together, and for a brief moment jealously swayed over her, but why should she have been? At the end of the day, he wasn’t with her anymore. He seemed to ignore all her pleas of staying away with Ashlee and hang around with her.

“You go see Matt, I need to see Tannii anyway” Clare snarled and left James standing in sight line of Matt. 

~*~

“She gets me so angry, its easier to see that she has him wrapped around her little finger” Emjay cringed as she stood into Tanniis house. 

“She has everyone wrapped around her little finger, not just Matt” Tannii smiled and just remember the times which she knew what to be friends like Ashlee were like. 

“Why is it though, she can make my ex-boyfriend go weak at the knees and not even feel guilty about it?” 

“Well, put it this way, that’s as far as she’ll ever get. She’s too frigid to do anything else.” 

“What you mean?” Emjay wondered. 

“She’s a virgin” 

“She is?” Emjay laughed. “Now, that has made my day” 

“None of them have, for as far as I know, it seems to be just you and Matt” 

 ~*~

"Tanniii!" She turned round, tossing her long brown hair over her shoulder, giving it all the attitude until she saw it was James walking towards her, so she let down her guard. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Me?" Her voice was a squeak, was James asking her what she thought he was? 

"Yes you. I'm sick of my two best mates being depressed fuckers, so I was wondering if you'd help me?" He asked her.

She nodded. "You mean Emjay and Matt? Sure."

"Right well," He leant into her ear and she could feel his hot breath on her neck as he whispered his plan into her ear. It took all of her strength not to turn round and kiss the boy, but there was no way in hell James would actually want her. His feelings for her were pretty clear, he still probably thought she was a bitch but tolerated her for Emjay's sake. 

~*~

"So, how are things going with James?" Emjay winked at her friend as she and Tannii walked towards the boy himselves house. This was Tannii's part of James' plan. He was lucky she'd agreed to do it, or it would have cocked up completely. He had this thing in his head that if he and Tannii could get Matt and Emjay in close proximity then they'd make up without a doubt and everything would go back to normal. 

"What things with James? We're just sort of getting to be friends..." Tannii shook her head and poked her tongue out at Emjay.

"Meh, but you wanna kiss him, you wanna hug him, you wanna fuck him, you think he's sexy!" Emjay sang, laughing and she watched Tannii's cheeks burn bright red. "Hey, I'll sit on the floor and leave you two his sofa, cuz then if he gets scared he'll grab your hand. I've lost count how many times he's done it to Matt." She sighed at Matt's names and Tannii gave her shoulder a little squeeze.

"You and Matt will sort things out, I promise." They turned up James' path and saw him staring out of the window. He turned round and started to frantically say something. Tannii guessed he was talking Matt into going somewhere else til Tannii and Emjay actually got into the house. 

"He's keen." Emjay remarked.

"Yeah, he just wants to cheer you up." Tannii smiled. "You know, he's really gutted about you and Matt, you can see it in his eyes. I think he's a tad scared that if you two don't ever make up then he could lose one of you, or worse, both." 

"James is one of my best mates, I'm never going to drop him like that. I care about him too much." 

"Hiya!" James had opened the door for the girls to step into the house. 

"Took your time opening it, didn't you? We saw you watching us." Emjay poked her tongue out at him and he just  shrugged laughing, holding the door open for the girls as they walked in. 

"You don't mind squeezing into my room do you? Only, we're having visitors later and Mum doesn't want us to fuck the carpet up in there." 

"No sure." Emjay and Tannii both nodded as they slipped upstairs after James, his room was a complete state. Posters of Blink 182, New Found Glory and other punkish-pop bands adorned his walls. Fair enough, but Tannii couldn't take her eyes of the big Backstreet Boys and Michael Jackson posters. Jesus Christ, how could someone so hot be so weird?!

They all settled down, all squeezed together on James' bed watching some random film he'd put on, neither of them paying much attention. Emjay because she didn't like horror, Tannii because she was sat on James' bed for Godssakes and James because he was waiting for the perfect moment. Which was about now... "Emjaaaay?" 

"Yeah?"

"You're nearest to the door, will you do me a massive favour?" He asked, completely ignoring the fact that Tannii was actually the one nearest to the door. 

"But... yeah, I suppose." She rolled her eyes. 

"Can you go into the bathroom and get my spot cream out of the cabinet please?" He gave her the puppy eyes. 

"You need your spot cream now because?" Emjay raised an eyebrow.

"I can feel a massive lurker coming in on my chin." He lied. 

"Ew!" Tannii put in but was quickly silenced by a look from James. 

"Fine," Emjay finally stood up and James let her walk out of his door. 

"Quick!" He grabbed Tannii's hand and dragged her outside the door. Matt was in the bathroom, he'd been let in on the plan and hey, if it made his girlfriend talk to him again then he was more than for it. As soon as Emjay entered the bathroom they both heard Emjay shout as she realised she'd been tricked and James shoved a chair in front of the door to stop her getting out. 

"What now?" Tannii asked, praying this plan would work. Emjay and Matt adored each other, they both knew it. 

"We wait, come on we'll go and watch a decent movie downstairs or something." He went to walk away then they both realized. They were still holding hands, he dropped her hand and they both looked away from each other, blushing. Things awkward then they heard Emjay squawk from inside the bathroom. "You two are gonna fucking pay for this! You're both dead!"

"Downstairs. Now." He pushed her and she laughed, running down his stairs, him chasing after her. 

~*~

"You knew about this?" Emjay turned to Matt and glared at him. "You let them lock me in a fucking bathroom?" 

"It was James' idea, he thought if you just talked to me then maybe, maybe we can sort things out?" 

She snarled at him. "You know full well that I said all I wanted to say to you the other night! Look, I'm still concerned that it's over between us. That's the end of it. Go for Ashlee, see if I care. I saw her you talking to her the other day!" She yelled, glaring at him.

"I was telling her that I love you and that I don't want her!" He yelled back. "I love you, you silly cow and you love me as well. I know you do." He moved towards her pinning her up against the Bourne's bath. "Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me."

She tried to avoid his eyes as best she could. But he put his hand underneath her face and made her look into his eyes. "Fine. I love you, alright?" She snapped and he pushed his lips against hers frantically, passionately. She thought about pushing him away but she wanted him just as bad as he appeared to want her. He groaned. "Are we back together now?"

"We'll see..." 

"God, I need you."

"I need you too, but we can't." She pushed him away.

"I want you and you want me, so why can't we?" He looked baffled. 

"Because for one thing we're in James' bathroom and we don't have anything." She said pointedly.

"Well for one thing James won't care and we do have something, James has got a box of condoms in here, I've seen them."

"James had condoms in here?!" Emjay looked at Matt in disbelief.

"Yeah, his Mum bought them for his sixteenth; I think she's hoping he'll discover something other than his left hand and a wad of Kleenex." Matt snorted and turned round to root through the medicine cabinet on the wall, finding the box of brightly coloured rubbers right at the back and holding them up to show Emjay. "Jesus Christ, he's actually opened them! There's one missing."

"He probably carries it round in his wallet. As if he'd have used it." Emjay just snorted as Matt walked back towards her, one of the rubbers in his hand and pushed her against the wall of the bathroom, his lips finding hers again, and her hands on his jeans and his pulling her skirt up and her knickers down. Her hand rubbed up and down him and he groaned into the kiss, pulling away from her and pushing himself fully up her. She cried out as he began to build up a rhythm inside her, sorter slow at first and then fast and reckless, listening to her groans mixing with his groans, frantic. God, he loved her so much and this felt so fucking good, he could feel the familiar tightening in his balls and he knew what was going to happen soon enough. He knew she was almost there too because her walls had tightened around his thick member, and sure enough she gave out one final groan, sending him over the edge and he shot his seed into the rubber around his penis. They both collapsed on the floor, fighting for breath and smiling dopily at each other. "I love you." He gasped.

"I love you too." She groaned as she arranged her skirt and Matt grabbed some tissue to wrap the condom full of spunk in the bin without James' Mum getting suspicious and cornering her son about it. Probably having a party for him too. Matt was sure that Maria was convinced her son was gay. Those condoms had been in the cabinet for about a year.

He settled back down on the floor next to the girl he loved. His girl. The girl who was going to be his forever if he could swing it and let her snuggle up against his chest as he stroked her soft hair. God, he was so happy. He had his Emjay back.

~*~

Tannii and James had been sat downstairs for about an hour and not once did they go and check if Matt and Emjay were fine. They presumed they were just because there was no smashing or breaking of glass, Emjay must have calmed down. 

“I guess I should say thanks” James smiled as he broke the silence. 

“For what?” Tannii asked playing dumb; she knew it was because of what happened. 

“I’d have lost my best friends if it wasn’t for you. Emjay is one fucking stubborn bitch” He giggled and used the sleeve of his jumper to drown out the sound. 

“O it’s ok, I knew how much they both mean to you and in all fairness I knew Matt wanted her back”  

“That’s true” He continued to laugh and they both sat in silence, not really knowing what to say to each other. They felt nervous. 

“James….” Tannii breathed trying to make conversation. 

“Yep” 

“I think you’re perfect” She blushed and he seemed to blush too.

No one other than Emjay knew about the whole James crush, so to say it was a bit of a surprise was a little bit of an understatement. James hadn’t really thought about the whole situation only because he thought she was a bitch, but ever since they spent time together, his opinion soon changed – he liked her and he liked her a lot.

“Eww god no, I’m far from perfect. Just ask Matt” 

“Shut up” She giggled softly and he smiled.  

“No really, thanks Tannii. And I can safely say the same about you” He leant in closer, not caring that he was being forward. His lips pressed lightly against Tanniis, he was actually in heaven. 

They stayed like that, lips pressed together for a couple of minutes until they heard a voice behind them say: "OH!", they sprang apart James blushing deeply to see his Mum stood there looking shocked for a few seconds until her face broke into a wide grin. She looked at James and pointed at Tannii. "She's a girl!" 

"Muuuuum!" He moaned, he couldn't believe she was saying this. "Of course she's a girl, this is Tannii. I've told you about her, she's Emjay's new mate." 

"Nice to meet you dear," she gave Tannii, who was sat looking at the floor a warm smile and then turned back to her son. "I'm sorry babes, I'm a bit shocked that's all. Me and your father always thought you'd be the gay one." 

"MOTHER!"

"Well, what do you expect?! Look at your brothers room and all his posters of Jordan. All your Backstreet Boy ones, James hunny, it's not normal."

"That's cuz Nick's a wan---" He was cut off by a death stare from his mother, then she smiled again. God she was thrilled that James was showing an interest in someone other than Michael Jackson. 

"I'll leave you two alone for a few minutes, but it'll be dinner soon. Would you like to stay dear?"

"Oh." Tannii smiled at Maria. "No thanks, I've got to get home soon but thank you for offering." Maria simply smiled and walked out of the room, they heard her walking upstairs and James turned to Tannii. "I'm so sorry about her, she's a bit odd." 

"She seems nice." Tannii smiled, laughing a bit. 

"ERM, JAMES?!" Maria's voice suddenly called out from the top of the stairs. 

"YES MUM?!"

"Why have you locked Clare and Matthew in the bathroom?!"

~*~

Tannii stood, surveying the school yard looking for them, she'd just had biology and she'd been forced to sit alone on the front desk with Simone and Ashlee somewhere behind her chatting shit about her and Emjay and how big cows they were all because Ashlee hadn't got Matt and now he and Emjay had gotten back together.

Matt was back in school today, his arm permantly wrapped around his girlfriend, kissing her neck and just loving the fact that he was with her and that she loved him again and wanted him. 

"Hey." A voice whispered in her ear and she felt a pair of arms wrap themselves her around waist, a pair of lips press lightly against her cheek. She turned round and let James' lips meet hers as she heard Emjay squeal behind her. 

"Okay, when the fuck did this happen?"

"And why did no one think to tell me?!" Matt looked a bit baffled and Tannii and James just laughed and kissed again. They all settled down for lunch, Emjay sat on Matt's lap, Tannii next to James leaning against a tree, her head resting on his shoulder. They were all sat there quite happily together, soaking in each others awesomeness, idlely chatting to about crap. 

"Urgh. Jeez, and there was us thinking that you guy's had taste." Simone's tones wafted over them and they all looked up too see her and Ashlee glaring at them as if there was something gross under their nose. 

Tannii rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Simone turned on her. "Well, we were gonna ask if any dogs needed walking, how about it, Tannii? Emjay?" 

"If you wanna take a dog for a walk, then why doesn't Ashlee have a collar on?" Tannii responded, simply. 

Ashlee snarled, "That necklace that she's wearing's the collar." She pointed at the chain that Emjay wore round her neck, hiding the fact that she had one quite similar to it around her. 

Emjay stood up and strolled towards her. "Actually, I think you'll find your the dog because you, Ashlee Sanders are nothing but a stuck up little bitch." She put as much emphasise on the last word as she could and Ashlee glared at her again. 

"Your lucky I'd never hit a retard."

"Oh." Emjay pulled a mock upset face. "Shame. Cuz I would." BAM! Her fist connected with Ashlee's eye and she fell to the ground. Simone's jaw dropped and she looked on in disbelief. Tannii looked shocked and Matt and James burst out laughing. Ashlee howver, stood up and looked at them, before turning and running off. Simone went to follow her but Tannii grabbed her arm. "Simone? Can we talk?" 

Simone looked at her for a second and merely nodded. 

"I'll see you in English, alright?" Tannii grabbed her bag and walked off. They walked a little way until they were out of sight of some people and Tannii turned to here, fishing around in her bag. "I've got some things of yours I borrowed, I thought it was only right to return them." She pulled out a necklace, a pair of socks, a CD and a couple of pictures of her, Simone and Ashlee. 

Simone just looked at her. "Nii, I don't see why we can't still be friends? You were my best mate once, you know that?"

Tannii shook her head. "No Simone, I never knew that. You let Ashlee treat me the way she did, let her bully me into bullying Emjay and that's something I regret. We were never best friends, I was just someone who was there to back up Ashlee and make her feel big. I'll see you around Simone." She turned to walk off and heard Simone shout after her. 

"Fine Tannii, go off with Emjay and be a reject. As if Ashlee and I ever liked you anyway!" Tannii just shook her head, looked at her watch and seeing that there were ten minutes of lunch left, walked off to Matt, James and Emjay. Her real friends.