Gerard's POV
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I'd been sitting in the music hall listening to the babbling of students for nearly half an hour now.
Shrill voices and giggling was practically the only thing I could hear.

Miss Coping or Bethany as I knew her better as was standing on the with Mrs Rhys (June) announcing who'd had gotten roles.

I'd been happy for the girls who got what they wanted but it really didn't interest me in the least.
The most annoying part was knowing how many of them I'd have to shush in sermon tomorrow.

There was no doubt they'd be talking about it for the next week.

"Edith Craig as Captain Hook." I sighed and looked at my phone, I had better things to do than sit here.

There was a long list of tasks I had the to complete and I needed to go into town, I definitely needed to have a shower as well.

"The student portraying Mrs Darling truly impressed us with her audition." I leant back and crossed my arms over my chest, my hair refusing to stay where it was supposed to and falling in my face.

Internally groaned in frustration and pushed my hair out of the way, causing some of the girls seated behind me to start giggling.

One thing I didn't get about the students here was their infatuation with me.
I could understand they would have some interest since this was an all girls school and I was the only, attractive male within a ten mile radius but they should be interested in someone their own age.

"So I will inform you all that our resident field-mouse Iris McCoy shall be our Mrs Darling."

Over half the girls here I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.
Hardly any of then understood good music for a start and despite this being a private christian school most would gladly she'd their clothes at a moments notice.

"Elyria Colfort shall be playing the role of Wendy." I immediately perked up after hearing her name, the one that could change my whole mood.

June had said it wrong though, her name wasn't Elyria, it was Lainey, it's what she preferred to be called anyway.

I wonder if Lainey's sitting in the room somewhere, silently fuming from June using he wrong name.

I turned around, trying to see her from my place in the front row.
The only sight was the long row of teenagers sitting behind me who instantly started chattering.

"Hello, Father Way." One giggled and I politely said hello I'm response before turning around.

I wanted to see Lainey, she was the only girl around the who I felt like I had some understanding with.
I'd seen the look on her face when I played David Bowie.
She knew good music when she heard it.

Besides, I also liked how she treated me. She didn't say Father Way all the time and seemed able to view me as a human being for once.

I think the part I liked most about her was her personality.
She was unafraid to speak her mind when the situation called for it.

Most girls here would walk on eggshells, refusing to say or do anything that could get them in trouble.

She'd told me to go fuck myself and didn't flinch once while doing it.
Of course I don't approve of swearing at someone but she got her point across.

I'd also enjoyed the look on her face when I said she had detention.
It was somewhere between pure rage and frustration which made her bright eyes narrow and look even more catlike.

She looked as if she'd pounce on me which I can't say I minded even though it was completely inappropriate for me to think that of someone her age.

After June had finished speaking Bethany took the chance to get her final words in

"Now we have one role left, Peter Pan. If there is one thing I haven't understood about the auditions it is that nobody here seems to be interested in playing this character, so..." Hmm, that's a surprise, I would have expected most of the girls to audition for that role.
After all he was the main character, aside from Wendy.

Bethany beamed out at audience of students and staff members as if she were making the announcement of a lifetime.

"We've called in the help of sister school Ironbark Boys Grammar and made good use of the schools most achieved actor, Luka Coping, my own nephew."

What?
Why was this not mentioned to me?

I have a hand in this and I should have been informed that there would be a boy playing the lead role next to Lainey.

The girls resumed their squealing once more, loudly talking about him.

I have to look on the bright side of things whether I like it or not.
Maybe girls will leave me alone now that they have a toy their own age to play with.
Maybe Lainey won't get along with him like I hope so much.

"I would like all students mentioned to come up here and take a bow." I had to force myself to close my mouth and not let it show how I felt over this.

I'm the schools priest, I would get in unspeakable amounts of trouble if anyone were to find out how I felt for a student.

Teenagers shuffled, standing up and slowly started walking down the stairs, heading for the stage.

One by one the filled on, one girl in particular catching my eye, just like always.

Lainey pushed her red hair behind her ear and crossed her arms as if angry.
I wouldn't be surprised if she was, she hadn't been the happiest of people when I suggested to June and Bethany that the play Wendy Darling.

"This is the cast of Peter Pan, each one carefully selected from the best auditions. Give them a round of applause and our soon to be actors, take a bow." At request the audience clapped, some meaning it and others forcing themselves.

The lanky blonde girl standing next to Lainey, Iris, went bright red in response to the clapping, obviously not being used to it.

Everyone on stage bowed at the waists, only one person refusing to do as asked.

Lainey looked at me, her green gaze not wavering for even a second, seeming to want me to look away first.
I lifted a hand slightly from my lap and waved at her, her eyes narrowing at me.

A smile tugged up the corner of my mouth, one that I've known since my teenage years could melt girls hearts from where they stood.
Instead of looking away she just appeared angrier which made me more determined to break her facade.

"You are a beautiful Wendy." I mouthed and Lainey immediately looked away from me, a grin coming to my face, feeling happy after getting a reaction.

It could have been anything, it didn't make me less angry at him.

"Thank you very much for auditioning everyone and we wish you luck for next year, you are all dismissed!" The people around me stood up with some of the students shuffling off thes stage, a few remaining.

Deciding that I should get to my tasked now I left my chair and walked down the row, heading for the aisle.
So many things, ugh.

Life's much easier when I don't have to add the schools play to my list of things to work with.

Pausing for a moment I decided to take one last look at Lainey, knowing I wouldn't see her for the rest of the day.

"Hey, you're going to be Wendy right?" I saw a boy talking to her and I immediately frowned, he must be the nephew Bethany was speaking of.

"I'm Luka, I'll be playing Peter Pan." He held a hand out wanting to shake it and I huffed out a breath, not liking this one bit.

"Ye-yeah, I'm Elyria, uh, Lainey. People call me Lainey." She shook his hand and her she stared at the ground, blushing slightly which was completely absurd.

He was nothing special, just an ordinary kid, brown hair, brown eyes.
He doesn't even have correct posture, what could she see in him that would make her blush?

"It's nice to meet you, you're an American." It made me angry to see them talking, especially with her acting all girly all of a sudden.

"I'm from Chicago." Her cheeks went pink once more and I put my hands on my hips, wondering how long this exchange would go on for.

"We don't have many Americans come to Ironbark or Rosehill, they think it's too strict." He chuckled and she smiled, almost looking delicate which was something I wasn't used to.

"Well I'm here now, can't exactly go back whenever I feel like it." He laughed again and put his hands into his pockets.

I bet this boy is an idiot, I've been to Ironbark Grammar, I know what those children are like.
They'd be lucky to pass a good grade.

"So you're Miss Coping's nephew?" Of course he is, he has her last name doesn't he?

"Yep, that's what I've been told anyway." He flipped his hair out of his face, alright so he's a pretty boy then, that's no surprise.

"Do you come to the girls school often?" She shuffled her feet, glancing at the floor against and nervously tucking her hair behind her ear.

Why can't I get her to act like that?

"No, I don't even think I know where the lavatories are." Oh just use the word toilet like a normal person.

"I could show you around if you like, I'm new here myself so I don't exactly know where everything is but I think my friend Iris could help." When did she suddenly become nice?
I was used to her being a sarcastic yet intelligent woman.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to get in the way or keep you girls from something you need to do." I think I want to throw up, this is absolutely ridiculous.

"Yep, it's no trouble. We can talk about the play as we walk if that helps any." He smiled at what she said and so could imagine the tumbleweeds blowing through his head.
He wasn't the brightest of people.

I don't think I have anything to worry about.

"Cool, in that case take me to your people." He put an arm around her and in seconds it felt like my stomach felt was full of fire and I saw red.

Bile rose in my throat and I clenched my jaw, trying to keep the thoughts running through my head to myself.

I watched as she walked across the stage with his arm around her, wanting to yell at him and give one of them detention so they'd couldn't spend time together but I couldn't do it, I had no reason.

Seeming to sense me watching her Lainey turned her head to look at me.
I didn't think she was going to notice I was still here.

Her pretty face was staring at mine and I had clenched my hands into fists, resisting the urge to tell him to get his arm off her.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before I left, I didn't want the image of them in my mind all day.

I opened my eyes and in one go flung all my anger onto the stupid boy who thought he'd have a chance.
I knew Lainey, he wouldn't be able to deal with her even if he tried.

Refusing to let myself look at her again I turned around and walked up the stairs, stuffing a hand into my pocket and pulling my mobile out once I was out of the room.

I felt so angry and I knew anger and envy were sins but I couldn't help myself, I just wanted to hit something with a baseball bat.

Walking across school grounds I growled swearwords to myself, clenching and unclenching my free hand while flicking the screen open on my cellphone.

I dialed the almost too familiar number that I'd memorized from a long time of calling it and hit send.
It rung a few tomes before the person on the other end picked up.

"Yo, what's up?" The voice as familiar as the phone number asked and I smiled hearing it.

"Hey, Frank. You and the guys free tomorrow night?"