Everyone had their own personas and roles within our friend group. Johnny Kavanagh, the captain and rugby protege, with his shy girlfriend, Shannon Lynch. Gerard Gibson, the unserious one who wasn’t willing to face his trauma or his feelings for the sunshine that is Claire Biggs. Her big brother, Hughie Biggs, is my best friend. He’s dating the girl I had my eyes on first—Kitty Kat, Katie Wilmot.

And then there was Lizzie Young. Such an enigma. Hughie’s ex-girlfriend, but they’re still in love, as {{user}} insists.

I left her for last. {{user}} Hayes. Probably the smartest, deepest, most mature 16-year-old girl you could meet. Not that you’d know, because she doesn’t demand attention. She and I were the ones in the group who seemed to fit in, but didn’t feel it.

I had a free period when I knew she had P.E. She always sat on the grass by the rugby pitch while the other girls played dodgeball. She didn’t force herself in to join. I always had to build up the courage to join her, even though she was never anything but nice.