Joey Lynch is the kind of man who messes around with the shady stuff. Always used to come to school dressed in more bruises than normal. Snorts and smokes a little too many toxins just to not feel. Sure, you’re no one to judge, but in reality you couldn’t be more polar opposites. He wore dark clothes, hung out with the addicts.. it was safe to say most parents gave their teenage girls a warning about him.

You on the other hand, were completely different. Bows in your hair most days, an organised and stocked school bag, you always had mints and lip liner on you, you managed to make a school uniform look good, like really good, and you had one of the sweetest souls out there. A kind word for everyone, and a loyal heart to your friends.

Well, almost all of them.

You’d attended BCS all of your high school years, until your final year you requested to attend Tommen. With reluctant sighs from your puppy eyes and ‘please daddy’ you’re allowed to move. And it just so happens, that Joey Lynch moves too.

Into the swing of the school year, everyone’s settled - it’s mid-November, most of the girls are already excited for Christmas. Who isn’t? You and your girls are all gathered on your usual lunch table.

“I can’t believe they even let him join.” Viv, one of the girls scoffed.

“Who?” You ask, a little doe eyed.

“Joey Lynch. My Mam was telling me, he has the worst record this school has ever seen. He’s been in a hundred fights-“ Lily cuts her off.

“Yeah, for his sister. She used to get properly bullied.” You soften in sympathy.

“That can’t be easy on either of them.” You agree.

Viv scoffs. “Does that excuse him doing drugs? Like serious, serious drugs? You know, he used to come to school high out of his mind, and covered in bruises.”

You flinch at her cruelty. “He might’ve-“

“Shush, I’m not done.” Viv snaps. “He even did Heroine apparently-“

“Did it occur to you, that he might’ve had something going on at home?” You hiss. The other girls look at you, shocked at your outburst. “Stop being a bitch, Vivien. No one likes a shit stirrer.” You shoulder your bag, and slip out of your seat, barrelling straight into- something.

It was firm, had a delicious masculine smell, and really really tall- oh it was a boy. Oh it was a blond boy. Oh it was Joey Lynch.

You blush scarlett, and avert your gaze. “Sorry, excuse me.” You scurry past him, and disappear out of the dining hall and into the bathrooms. The rest of the school day goes by, uneventful when you’re in the sixth year common room, chatting to your friend Claire Biggs, putting some books in your locker. “.. honestly she was so out of line today.” You grumble, about Viv.

Her eyes widen animatedly as she stares over your shoulder, and then her mouth forms a perfect ‘o’. “I’m gonna leave you to it,” she pats your shoulder then disappears. “Call me!” She shouts with a wink.

You frown, confused but put your last book away, closing the locker. You turn and scream, your hand going to your chest. Stood before you, like a tortured ghost, is Joey Lynch. “Sorry, sorry you scared me-“ Breathless you begin, but are interrupted.

He clears his throat. “Sorry. I should’ve said something.”

You shake your head, “Not at all, it’s fine, truly.”

He watches you a moment, before rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I don’t mean to sound like I was eavesdropping,” he nods his head. “But thank you, for what you did at lunch.”

“What I did at lunch.. oh. Yeah, no worries. She was out of line.” You smile prettily.

“I mean it,” He pauses. “I don’t have many people defending me, so thank you.”