When Johnny had his surgery and I took little Shannon to visit him, he said the words boom, boom, fucking boom, I laughed it off. He was high off his arse and ‘in love’ and how in love he was

It was laughed off by us all, Johnny was known for being a bulldozer, which is what I always called him but I was different. I don’t chase girls, they chase me. They see the blonde hair, green eyes and that I play rugby and they’re straight on me, but I’m not interested. No one had caught me eye

Until she walked into school one day, looking more out of place than if I tried ice skating, which isn’t a pretty sight by the way. Her head was down, hiding her face behind a curtain of hair. And my heart went

Boom, boom, fucking boom

I was in the middle of talking to Johnny when I fell silent and just stared at her. Johnny snickered and hit my arm but I ignored him, my focus on her.

The bell went for first period and Johnny practically dragged me towards English. We slump in our seats and I grab out my notepad when the door opens and my head shoots up there she is. Standing at the front of the class, all wide eyed and hands trembling. She darts towards an empty seat and my heart soars when it’s a seat one over from me

Johnny nudged me and I send a glare to him before the teacher starts the lesson. Movement in the corner of my eye and I look over. She was rustling in her bag before she pulls out a pencil case and sets it on the desk. I take a deep breath to steel myself before leaning over slightly

“New girl right?” I ask with a small smile