Different Read Free

grudges."
    "Why did you ask about the Alex and Carl,” Jay asked. “Something's bothering you isn't it?"
    "Yes, I'm wondering if they were hiding in one of the cubicles and spying on us while we were getting changed. It's the sort of thing they'd do."
    "The pair of lousy creeps,” Jay said. “Oh, I'm sorry Sophie. You and Alex are..."
    "Not anymore,” Sophie said. “He's blown it, this time."
    "You can do better than him, anyway,” Jay said. “Even I could do better than those two."
    "What if they were spying on us,” Mary asked. “They'd have seen..."
    "Yes, they'd have seen us undressing but so what? That's all they're going to have to remember us by,” Sophie said. “They're history as far as I'm concerned."
    It wasn't a great surprise when Mary won the contest and the award. Sophie came second and Jay was third.
    "Dad says we ought to have a combined birthday and celebration party tomorrow night after school,” Mary said. “You'll come won't you, Jay?"
    "Of course I will. I'll sleep over if you like. Are you going to invite David?"
    "Yes and a few of our other friends."
    "Great, it sounds ace!"
    "Right, I'll see you tomorrow,” Mary said. “Dad's waiting for me over there and your grandparents look as though they're waiting to go too."
    "Right, see you tomorrow,” Jay said.

Chapter 2
    Carl and Alex waited for Sophie by the pedestrian shortcut that ran between the houses of their estate. She came hurrying in their direction carrying her backpack, but slowed her pace when she saw them waiting for her.
    Alex wondered why she was looking so mad when she finally reached them.
    "It's not my fault you didn't win,” he said quickly. “I didn't even know Slymonds could sing.” He slid an arm around her shoulders intending to kiss her, but she shrugged him off.
    "We're finished,” she said. “I can guess what you and Carl were doing in our changing rooms."
    Alex flinched. How had she learned about the photos?
    "You were spying on us getting changed,” she said. “Well, I hope you got a good look because that's all you'll be getting from me. We're finished. I'm dumping you!”
    She didn't know! He breathed a sigh of relief. “You've got it all wrong,” he said. “We saw this guy coming out and we..."
    Sophie cut him off. “You're a liar, and must think I'm stupid!” She pushed past him, but he grasped her coat, stopping her.
    "No one dumps me,” he growled.
    Sophie laughed in his face. “They do now."
    He didn't know what to do. He wanted to bash her. Hurt her, but most of all he wanted her to be his again. But somehow knew he couldn't, that Sophie meant what she'd said. They were finished. He felt as though his insides were tearing apart, and his anger at the thought of her being with some other boy, made him suddenly want to hurt her. He was strong for a seventeen-year-old and he shoved her hard into Carl who automatically grabbed her.
    "Hold her for me,” Alex snarled, seized a handful of her hair and yanking her head back, he drew back his fist; intending to smash her face in so badly that no one else would even look her
    "No,” she cried.
    "Yes,” Alex said.
    But Carl grabbed his wrist. “Pack it in,” he said, releasing Sophie. “Are you crazy? Do you want to get us done for GBH?"
    Alex jerked his head back just in time and Sophie's fingernails missed his eyes and clawed his cheek instead. He doubled up in agony when her knee rammed into his balls, the pain was incredible.
    "Bastards!” she hissed. “I'm going to report you two to the police!” She snatched up her backpack and ran.
    Ignoring the pain, Alex half straightened and went after her, shouting threats of what he was going to do to her when he caught her. Carl was following along behind, shouting at him to let her go.
    Alex ignored him and continued the pursuit. He was breathing awkwardly but the pain was lessening with each stride, he was gaining on her. All notions of making up with her had gone. Now he wanted to crush her, to