CHAPTER 003
back to school party

January 8, 2005

VANESSA

"DO YOU KNOW what I find absolutely unbelievable?" Casey Lordan asked, gripping Vanessa by the arm, leading her through crowds of people.

"What?" Vanessa sighed.

"That we're in a room, full of big, hot, sexy rugby boys, and all you want to do is sit on the couch!" Casey exclaimed incredulously.

In order to cheer Aoife up from her breakup with Joey, Casey forced them all to attend Hughie Bigg's house party. It was one last celebration before school resumed on Monday. Since they were great friends with Katie, they all got a free invite to the Tommen party. It would be a nice distraction for Aoife, and a great way for Vanessa to meet new people, according to Casey.

"I was quite comfortable on the couch," Vanessa grumbled. She was having a perfectly great time chatting with Aoife and Katie, until Casey yanked her away.

Casey gave her an unconvinced look. "Oh come on, Nessa! Do you know how many people would kill to be in your position? Going to Tommen? Being in the halls with them?" she gestured to the guys.

  "Oh I know," Vanessa rolled her eyes. "You've reminded me countless times."

  "Then do yourself a favor, and get to know people from your new school!"

  "I know Katie," Vanessa countered. "and Hugh, and his little sister!"

  "Nessa, look," Casey rolled her eyes, putting her hands on both of her shoulders. "You have an amazing personality. And you're sexy! Literally Victoria Secret Model level gorgeous. I mean, have you seen your ass—"

  "I don't need a boyfriend, Case." Vanessa cut her off, just as the song 99 Problems by Jay-Z came on. It was quite fitting—she had 99 problems, and a man would not be one of them.

  "Okay, fine no boyfriend. Just know any guy would be lucky to have you," Casey relented. Then her face broke into a wide smirk. "But that doesn't mean you can't still have fun."

  "Casey..."

  "Seriously, when was the last time you even kissed a guy? It was Mike right? He was cutie."

  Mike. Her short-lived fling she met at the last party Casey forced her to go to months ago. His personality was plain vanilla, and nothing about him was appealing. No feelings, at least on her end, were involved. The minute he tried getting her in a bedroom, she bolted.

  "He was a bore." Vanessa corrected. "with a decent tongue."

  Casey snorted. "Well I bet these boys have plenty of experience. Hey, what about that guy?"

She gestured to a lonesome dark-haired boy, sitting on couch. It was clear he was part of the rugby team due to his athletic build, but he seemed unfamiliar. He looked close to their age, and his eyes seemed sad.

"He looks miserable, and like he was forced to be here." Vanessa commented. "not looking for hookup."

"Ugh, you're no fun," Casey sighed, scanning the room. Then when something caught her eye, she winked at Vanessa, "Watch." she walked right up to dark-haired Tommen boy.

  The next thing she knew, Bloodhound Gang's song, The Bad Touch, came on, right as Casey backed her ass up against the boy, feigning a stagger.

  Vanessa rolled her eyes, as the Tommen guy grabbed her hips to steady her—falling right into her trap. That girl was so predictable.

  "Thanks," Casey said, beaming up at him.

"No problem."

"What's your name?" she asked, taking a step closer.

"Patrick," he offered her a shy smile. "What's yours?"

Run for the hills, Patrick! Vanessa wanted to yell. You poor, innocent fool.

"I'm Casey." With one hand curled around his neck, she fisted his shirt with the other and tugged his big body close against her. "So, Patrick." Trailing her hand from his neck to his cheek, she pulled his face down to hers and beamed up at him. "What year are you in?"

  Since she was preoccupied with Patrick, Vanessa used this opportunity to escape, returning to the couch where Katie and Aoife were. She swiftly made her way over, plopping herself down beside Katie.

  "You snagged yourself a Tommen boy yet?" Katie teased.

  "Haha. Funny." Vanessa deadpanned.

  Katie laughed. "Oh come on, I'm sure I can talk to Hugh and—"

  "Katie I'm not looking for a boyfriend." she groaned. "and I definitely don't need your boyfriend setting me up with one."

  "Fine," Katie shrugged. "but rumor has it the captain is on the market."

  "Who? That Jimmy guy?" She could've sworn Joey mention him a few times. Something him being professional. She's also pretty sure she's seen him around Biddies.

  "Johnny," Katie corrected with a chuckle. "Johnny Kavanagh. He's good friends with Hugh." then she pointed at the guy Casey was with. "and that's Patrick Feely over there. He's like Hugh's best friend."

"And that's Hugh's younger sister, right?" Aoife asked, pointing at the stunning blonde with curls that were to-die-for. She sat on the opposite couch, dressed as Baby Spice. There was a blonde boy, dressed like a Malibu Ken doll. They seemed to be having animated conversation, full of laughter, light touches, and smiles.

"Yeah, that's Claire." Katie confirmed.

"She's a total sweetheart. And Shannon's best friend," Vanessa added. From what she could recall, Claire Biggs was the epitome of sunshine. And she was always there for her sister.

  Aoife narrowed her eyes at the boy next to her. "Wait a minute. I think I know that guy she's talking to."

  "Everybody knows Gerard Gibson," Katie chuckled.

  Vanessa blinked. "Who?"

  "He offered Joey a condom in Biddies once." Aoife recalled, with a hint of amusement.

  "Sounds very Gibsie-like." Katie bit back a laugh. "He's, uh, well, let's just say that he's one of a kind. He sort of lives in his own world."

  B*Witched's C'est la Vie started to play and this Gibsie boy pretty much levitated from the couch with excitement, dragging Claire along with him.

  "She clearly lives in that world with him," Aoife mused, a genuine smile crossing her face.

  Gibsie and Claire danced around the living room, throwing shapes like nobody was watching. He spun her out, then pulled her back to his chest as they stumble-waltzed to the music.

  "I'm guessing they've been together since forever, am I right?" Aoife asked.

"They're actually not together at all." Katie answered.

Vanessa stared at her surprised. "What?"

"Bullshit." Aoife scoffed, pointing to where they moved to the middle of the makeshift dance floor. "Look at that boy. He's clearly besotted with her, and she's staring at him all gooey-eyed like he hung the moon." she shook her head. "Nah, K, they're clearly doing the deed."

"I swear," Katie laughed. "They're really not."

Vanessa and Aoife both cocked a disbelieving brow as they watched them break into an impressive Irish dancing set jig. They were completely in sync with each other's bodies, and with their entire focus on the other. It was as if they forgot they were surrounded by their schoolmates. Either that, or they just didn't care.

"Oh wow," Vanessa choked out a laugh.

"The boy moves like lord of the dance." Aoife said amusedly.

"Pretty sure his mam made him take Irish dancing lessons in primary school," Katie giggled. "There's a bunch of medals on display in the cabinet in Hugh's front room from Feis competitions that they competed in."

"Who? Gibsie and Claire?" Aoife questioned.
  
Katie nodded.

  "Aw, they danced together?"

"Uh-huh." Katie laughed. "Until he hung his dancing shoes up for rugby boots."

As Aoife asked more questions about Claire and Gibsie, Vanessa's eyes wandered off, spotting a familiar blonde boy. Her eyes widened for a moment, realizing it's Joey, talking to some other blonde girl. He seemed pretty interested in what she was saying. But Vanessa couldn't see her face, and had no idea who it was.

  "I'm, uh, going to get another drink," Vanessa stood up abruptly, walking to the kitchen.

As she got closer, she instantly recognized the girl as Lizzie Young, another one of Shannon's friends. A sense of relief washed over her.

"Joey?" Vanessa called out.

Joey snapped his head in her direction. "Nessa?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Hughie Biggs invited me," Joey replied nonchalantly.

Vanessa raised an eyebrow, confusedly. "He invited you? And you came...willingly?"

"Yes, Nessa, because I would've died if I didn't." he deadpanned.

"Okay, Mr. Grumpy." Vanessa turned her attention to Lizzie, giving the younger girl a smile. "It's nice to see you again, Lizzie."

"You too, Nessa," Lizzie smiled back. "I was just telling Joey about people that could give you or Shan any trouble."

"Well let's hear it."

"Okay, so there's Ronan McGarry. He's a little shit, but he's relatively harmless," Lizzie spoke. "But honestly though, aside from the odd gossiper or queen bee, it's pretty mellow at Tommen. Of course, there's Bella Wilkinson to contend with."

The name seemed familiar to Vanessa, but she couldn't pinpoint how. Maybe it was a girl Aoife knew?

"Would I know her?" Joey questioned.

"Doubtful," she shot back. "You're hot, but you don't have the pedigree to get on her radar."

Vanessa snorted, while Joey raised a brow. "Wow. Thanks."

"Sorry, but you don't." She offered him a half-hearted shrug. "You're a BCS boy from a council estate, and she's a money starved, fame-hungry whore," she explained, scrunching her nose up in disgust. "You might be the next big thing for the GAA, but unless you come with all the trimmings—and when I say trimmings, I mean money, a flashy car, and a future playing professional rugby—then she won't look sideways at you."

"I'm distraught."

"Yeah, you really sound it." Lizzie laughed, slapping his arm. "Put it this way; she would get up on a razor blade if said razor blade came in the form of one of the Academy boys. But she's in sixth year and really doesn't bother with anyone from third year, so Shan shouldn't have any issues with her. Besides, none of the lads in our year are impressive enough to be on her radar. She's more interested in the older lads, the big-time rugby-heads with godlike status."

"Like Johnny Kavanagh?" Joey asked.

"Exactly." Lizzie nodded. "Or Cormac Ryan. They're both in The Academy."

"So this Johnny guy is a really big deal, huh?" Vanessa questioned.

Joey nodded. "I've seen them both play," he mused, rubbing his jaw. "That Kavanagh lad is seriously impressive, but that Ryan kid isn't going any further than The Academy."

"Want to hear a fun inside scoop going around the rugby circle?"

"Not really." Joey shook his head.

"Sure," Vanessa shrugged. Joey sent her an annoyed glance.

"What? I need to know the drama," she defended. "can't go in this school too clueless."

  Teenage drama was entertaining. Sue her.

"Well, I was forced to hear it, so you can, too." Lizzie smirked.

"Please don't." Joey groaned.

"Apparently, Bella's been sleeping with Cormac since before Christmas, even though she's meant to be with Johnny Kavanagh, but he's out on injury."

  "Damn," Vanessa commented, taking a sip of her drink. "poor guy."

  "Oh, the scandal," Joey replied flatly. "What life changing information I have been given about three people I couldn't give one single fuck about. How will I ever contain my excitement?"

  "You're sarcastic and blunt to the point of being cruel." Lizzie threw her head back and laughed. "I love it."

  "Well, it didn't take you long to jump back into old habits," a familiar voice sneered. Vanessa turned, seeing Casey glare daggers at Joey. "Having fun with your new sidepiece, asshole?"

Joey narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"You," Casey hissed, pointing a finger between him and Lizzie. "And this little slut."

"Did you seriously just call me a slut?" Lizzie interjected. "Are you insane?"

"If the dick fits, sweetie," Casey sneered, giving the girl a withering look, and sloshing wine over the rim of her glass in the process. "And it sure looks like it does."

"Don't call me sweetie, bitch," Lizzie warned, hopping down from the island. "Because you don't know who the hell you're dealing with."

"Alright, pack it in," Vanessa warned, quickly stepping between her sister's best friend and her own.

"Casey, trust me, it's not what you think," Vanessa addressed Casey calmly. "She's our baby sister's friend."

"Yeah, sure she is." she slurred. "Don't defend him, Nessa"

"Yeah, I am," Lizzie argued from behind her.

"You," Joey ordered Lizzie. "Walk away."

"But..."

"Walk away," he barked, waiting for Lizzie to storm off. He turned his attention to Casey.

"As for you," he snapped, tone laced with disgust. "I don't know what's after coming over you, Case, but you need to get your head out of the gutter."

"I saw you all over her!"

"She's a child!" Vanessa bit out. "Yeah, Joey can be an ass, but he would never do anything like that."

Joey gave his twin a sideway glance, before glaring at Casey. "Have a bit of cop on, will ya? Jesus! And keep your goddamn nose out of my business while you're at it."

Doing the complete opposite, she reached a hand up and slapped him across the cheek.

"Or what, huh?" She pushed at his chest "What are you going to do if I don't, asshole?"

"Casey," Vanessa snapped, pulling her off her brother. "That's enough."

  "Nessa I love you, but that brother of yours
is a—hey, let go!"

Vanessa held her waist, trying to back away. She had a firm grip, despite Casey's squirming and insistence to attack her brother—verbally and physically. It was clear she had quite a few to drink.

   "You're a dickhead," Casey continued her rant. "Aoife was fine with Paul. She was okay. Her life was stable. It was consistent. He was good for her. But you just couldn't leave her alone, could you? No, you just had to keep chipping away at her heart, until she threw it all away for you. And look where it got her."

  "Now, you listen to me," Joey seethed. "If you so much as think about trying to sink your toxic claws in Aoife, and twisting this into something it's not, then I swear to Christ, Case, I will lose my mind."

  "You lost your mind the minute you decided to break my best friend's heart," she snapped. "Aoife Molloy is the single best thing that's ever happened to you, Joey Lynch, and everyone knows it. She loves you, asshole, despite your reputation and all of the horrible things you've done in your past, and instead of treating her with the love and respect she deserves, you trample all over her with your bullshit."

  "You don't know a damn thing about it," Joey snarled, furious. "You have no clue of what's happening between us, so don't start harping on me about shit that doesn't concern you."

"I know that you fed her some asshole line about needing space, and then sauntered off without a backwards glance," she replied, sounding just as furious.

"Casey, stop it!" Everyone froze for a moment, turning to Aoife.

"Stop it right now," Aoife stepped over, helping Vanessa hold her back. "Don't do this."

  "He deserves it."

  "You don't know anything about it, now stop."

  "I know he hurt you."

  "Casey! I mean it. Let's go."

  "But he hurt you," Casey slurred, pointing her finger in his direction. "You're so sad, and eating all that chocolate, and it's all his fault."

  "It doesn't matter," Aoife bit out. With Vanessa, they supported Casey's weight, pulling her towards the door. Aoife never spared Joey a glance. "Come on," she continued to say, coaxing her. "I'll get us a spin home."

"Molloy?" Joey called out.

"Not right now, Joe."

  "Molloy."

  "No," she choked out, before hurrying out of the kitchen with Casey draped around her. "I can't do this right now, okay?"

  Vanessa spared Joey one last glance of sympathy. She heard footsteps behind them, recognizing he was following them out.

  "Patrick Feely is outside with the car," Katie greeted them, as they got outside. "He'll make sure that you guys get home safely. He's one of the good guys. You can trust him."

  "Thanks, Katie," Aoife replied, opening the back door, maneuvering Casey inside. "Sorry about this."

  After some convincing, Casey was finally driven home by Patrick, and Katie accompanied them. Joey also managed to convince Aoife to stay and talk. Once the car pulled away, a strained silence took over.

"Well, I'm gonna go back, and refill my drink." Vanessa announced. "You two...um...have fun." she began walking away, not wanting to get involved.

She loved her brother and her best friend, and would be there for both no matter what, but she wanted no part in their relationship drama. Especially if this ended with them sucking faces.

Right as she got inside, Claire happily approached her, dragging her boy friend along with her.

"Nessa! You're here!" she exclaimed excitedly, pulling the older girl into a hug.

"Hey, Claire," Vanessa smiled, hugging her back. "It's good to see you again,"

"I can't believe you and Shannon are going to Tommen!" she grinned. "Lizzie and I missed you guys."

"Well we missed you," Vanessa replied, then glanced at the boy to the side. He was silently studying her.

  After a moment, his eyes flashed with recognition. "Oh shit!" the blonde gasped, pointing a finger at Vanessa. "you're Lynchy's twin, aren't you?"

  Vanessa nodded. "You know, Joe?"

  "We've met a few times," Gibsie recalled. "He's a just a ray of sunshine."

  "That's one way to put it," Vanessa snorted. "I'm Nessa, by the way. You're Gilbert right?"

"Gibsie," he corrected with a grin. "Nice to meet you. So you're in sixth year?"

  "Fifth," Vanessa rolled her eyes. "got held back a year."

  "Well then I guess I'll be seeing you around then," he winked. "You're like Cap."

"Cap?"

"Johnny—my best friend," Gibsie chuckled. "he's supposed to be sixth, got held back, and kept complaining like a bitch about it. You know, I think you guys would be great friends."

"Okay..."

  This was the third time this Johnny Kavanagh got mentioned tonight. He must really be something.

"And don't worry about Shannon," Claire assured her. "Lizzie and I got her back. It's gonna be different for her this time. I swear."

  The girl's words eased the weight of Vanessa's shoulders. Though they were in the same school, it was hard for Vanessa to always keep tabs on her sister, since they were in different years. But at least she had friends this time. Vanessa could tell Claire's words were genuine. Shannon will be in good hands with them.

  "I really hope you're right, Claire."

LEXI NOTES !
a non-depressing filler chapter?? oh yea!!

johnny kavanagh makes his grand entrance next chapter btw 🔥🔥🔥

binding/redeeming era begins so trust things pick up 🙈🙈