Free Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O'Porter Page B

you got any respect for anyone when you piss around in class distracting us all from lessons? With
no
due respect, Renée, the only thing you have any respect for is thinking you are IT.’
    Limbs fly everywhere as I drag her to the floor. At first I am on top, pulling at her uniform, trying to win the fight without actually hitting her because despite my brazen move I can’t bear the idea of whacking another human in the face. I wrestle like a dog playing, all teeth and thumping paws but no claws. And then she punches me. Right in the eye. It really hurts.
    ‘Sally Du Putron, what on earth are you doing?’
    Miss Anthony is standing over us. Her timing is impeccable.
    ‘She attacked me, miss. I was defending myself,’ says Sally, nursing her sore fist.
    ‘Well, that isn’t exactly what I saw,’ Miss Anthony suggests.
    Almost everyone in the classroom nods.
    ‘But miss,’ continues Sally, ‘she pulled me off the desk and started attacking me. I had to punch her to get her off.’
    ‘Punching someone in the face is unacceptable, no matter what the circumstances. If Renée was attacking you so badly why didn’t one of the other girls try to get her off you? I’m going to issue you with a detention, Sally. Fighting is unacceptable at Tudor Falls.’
    ‘But miss, I have never had a detention. I would never start a fight,’ Sally begs.
    ‘You did start it,’ I hiss. ‘You and your big, nasty mouth.’
    ‘OK, Renée, that is quite enough. You have a detention too. Both of you stay behind after school next Wednesday. I will be writing to both of your parents – guardians, that is,’ she says, looking at me, ‘to tell them why.’ Miss Anthony walks towards the front of the class. ‘Right, now, please can everyone take their seats. I have some very sad news and I need your full attention.’
    Sally and I head for our desks. The temptation to pull her chair out from under her is hard to resist.
    ‘You may have heard that Flo’s father has passed away,’ begins Miss Anthony.
    Sally’s face drops as the position of ‘news breaker’ is hijacked by someone with more authority.
    ‘He was found yesterday afternoon at his home,’ Miss Anthony continues.
    ‘He was in his front garden. He was wearing his slippers,’ Sally interjects, desperate to be involved in the storytelling.
    ‘Yes, Sally. Thank you,’ says Miss Anthony, silencing her. ‘Flo and her family are obviously devastated at his sudden passing and so I ask you that when Flo comes back to school, when she is ready, that you all respect her and handle the situation with care. The funeral will be held on Monday, and if any of you feel that your presence will be useful and supportive for Flo, then I will happily excuse you from lessons that afternoon.’
    Sally’s hand shoots up. ‘I will be going, Miss Anthony. I am Flo’s best friend.’
    ‘Thank you, Sally. I will make note of your absence. As Flo’s best friend I hope you realise how important you are to her right now. At times like these, friends and family are everything. So take good care of your friend.’ Miss Anthony nods her head as if to close that conversation. ‘Right, you had all better make your way down to assembly. Renée, Sally, please come to the staffroom at lunchtime to get the confirmations of your detentions. You are all excused.’
    Sally’s smug look sweeps back across her face. I feel even more sorry for Flo knowing that she is stuck with that as her support system.
    The rest of the day is weird. Most people are acting normally, but I can’t see how they can. I keep thinking about Flo, and what she must be going through. Wondering if Julian is being nice to her, if he is OK too. Is her mum realising that she loved their dad after all? I think if Pop died Nana would die on the spot. She might be terrified of him but she can’t survive without him. He keeps her alive. I don’t have anyone in my life that I couldn’t survive without. I have no idea if that is a good