The One and Only Read Free Page A

if it was us, Eve. I’d mind.
    ‘Piss off, Luke. No, he doesn’t mind. He thinks it’ll be great for me.’
    I stared at her. Then I moved my foot out of the way and she slammed the door shut in my face.
    I talked to Ryan about it the next day at school. He was as relaxed about the idea of Chloe moving away as she had been.
    ‘It makes sense, Luke. She hates school. And you know your mum does her head in. Anyway, we’ll still see each other at weekends.’
    I didn’t understand them. How could they not mind the idea of being more apart? Mum wasn’t bothered about that, of course. She just kept going on about Chloe throwing away her education.
    ‘She should be going to university, Luke,’ she kept saying. ‘She’s so bright. She got great GCSE grades. She’s just wasting her talents.’
    But Mum might as well have saved her breath. Chloe had everything planned and nothing was going to stand in her way. She decided to move out the day after term ended – a Saturday. She and Ryan and loads of our friends were going out to this new club in town the night before.
    ‘You gotta come, Luke,’ Ryan told me. ‘It’s a new place. It’ll be a whole new experience.’
    And it was. Though not exactly in the way Ryan meant.

 
3
Hayley
    Our fake ID worked like a charm. The club was heaving. The music was great. The atmosphere was buzzing. Everyone was in a good mood. Even I was enjoying myself.
    I was standing at the bar, watching Chloe and some of her friends dancing in their sexy club gear. They were taking the piss out of the group of girls next to them . . . copying their moves. The other girls hadn’t even noticed. I laughed as Chloe waved her arms above her head and made a silly face.
    Despite her moods and the way she was always arguing with Mum, I was going to miss her. Ryan wandered over and stood beside me, watching them too.
    ‘Are you really cool with her going?’ I shouted over the music.
    Ryan smiled into his beer. ‘Course I am. It’s what she’s gotta do. Anyway, we’ve talked about it. We decided it was the right time to take a break anyway.’
    ‘Take a break?’ I stared at him. How could he sound so laid back? ‘You mean split up?’
    ‘Not exactly. More like just saying we could see other people too.’
    ‘See other people?’ I said.
    Ryan grinned. ‘Is there an echo in here? Look, Luke, I know you’re all heavy about Eve and stuff, but it’s not like that for everyone. Chloe and I’ve decided. We’re both too special not to share round a bit.’
    His grin deepened.
    I shrugged and turned back to watch Chloe and her friends.
    Whatever, Ryan. Whatever works for you.
    A few moments later a high-pitched, girly squeal sounded over the top of the music. I turned to see Ryan flinging his arms round a girl with a mass of red, curly hair. The bonfire girl. In high heels and an extremely tight dress.
    ‘Hayley, you made it,’ Ryan shouted.
    Hayley disentangled herself, checking the little glittery clips in her hair were still in place. She smiled shyly across at me. ‘Hi,’ she said.
    ‘Hi.’ I glanced at Ryan.
    ‘Luke begged me to invite you,’ Ryan grinned.
    I frowned. Jesus, Ry. ‘Er . . .’
    Ryan whacked me on the arm. ‘Ooops. Sorry, man.’ He winked at Hayley. ‘Guess I’ll leave you two alone together.’
    He sloped off towards the girls on the dance floor.
    Thanks a million, Ryan.
    Hayley smiled again. ‘D’you want a drink?’ she said.
    ‘Cool. Thanks.’ I watched her lean against the bar, trying to attract the barman’s attention.
    It didn’t take long.
    Ryan had been right about the hot body. Hayley’s dress was so tight I could see every curve as I followed her outline all the way down. God. She had the fittest bum . . . And she was buying me a beer!
    I decided to talk to her.
    ‘So how d’you meet Ry?’ I shouted over the music.
    Hayley handed me a bottle of beer. ‘At the cinema. I was with some friends and he just came over and started talking to me.’