"Aaaaah" I exhaled while dumping my backpack of scribbled notes and a walkman on the floor.

I lay down on my back under the bleachers stretching out my white chucks to reach on the edge of the seat rail. Breathing in that classic New York City smell, 1 part pollution, 2 parts fast food, I closed my eyes. It was gym period - so of course - I was dead to the world. Having snuck round the back of the outdoor baseball courts I could hide out here and if things got really desperate, scale the fence to plot my escape from this hell hole.

I reached around in my pocket and uncovered a pack of gum and cigarettes. Delicious. I lit one up and stared at the sky pretending to be some rock star - although i think the horrific bright green gym shorts killed it slightly. Throwing on my denim jacket, to regain just a spec of street cred, i brushed my long brown hair behind my ear.

"BOO!" I load voice awoke me from my blissful mid-class dose.
"Danny! You idiot!" I rubbed my eyes, staring up at the towering figure, "move your blocking my rays man."
"Sucker." he replied.
"Moron." I stuck my tongue out as he sat down next to me.
Danny was one of my close friends, if you hadn't realized already, and if i got the notion to ditch class he'd never take much convincing.
"Nice shorts babe." He poked me.
"Nice haircut babe." I poked back harder, knowing he'd tried to cut it himself and it looked almost like a bowl-cut now.
"Shut up."
"I'm not insulting you dude I'm just describing you." I joked, flashing a smile. He tutted in response. I handed him a cig. Ahh friendship.

"LOLA!" I heard my gym coach yell at the top of his voice. I shuddered, sliding further under the seats with Danny to be completely submerged.
"hey shut up!" I whisper/shouted at him as he shook with suppressed laughter, I put my hand over his mouth to stop him giving us away. I could hear Coach coming in our direction.
"Cover for me - i cant be in detention again - ill get kicked out" I begged Danny.
"Fine - but you owe me." He slid out, "Hey Coach Tanner, whats up?" I heard him say which made me burst out laughing - he was the worst actor ever.
"Hey why are you behind the seats?" Coach snapped back. There was a dramatic silence then i saw a shadow approaching. Shit.

/////

20 minutes later

"Oh fuck. We really didn't think this plan out did we." I half laughed,half grimaced to Danny as we walked down the familiar hallway to detention.

"Yeah man - great way to start the term." He laughed.

"You guys are stupid you know that?" The coach pushed us forward from behind, "do you want to fail your tests? Do you really want to be high school drop outs? Is that your goal?"

"Actually yes," I smirked to Danny quiet enough for the coach not to hear.

We rolled into the detention hall, where all the usual suspects sat chewing on pencils, staring at the floor and just generally mucking about. All with the same dead-inside expression on their face. Me and Danny slid into desks next to each other.

"If you really think I'm letting you sit together-" coach piped up, me and Danny feigned indifference,"MOVE - YOU SCUMBAGS!" he yelled. A hint of a smile played on my lips. I know its bad but it was kinda fun to wind him up.

"Okay - two essays for you Danny and just a reasonable four for you Lola."

"But sir - that's - " i stuttered, "discrimination!"

"Get on with it. Ill be back in two hours." and he slammed the door.

I felt a big paper ball hit my head. For gods sake. What now.
I shriveled round and unwrapped the ball - it read: SUCKER

Then I glanced at Danny's seat, which was empty, then to the window, which was wide open. That little shit.