I trudge home solemnly after a miserable day at school. I had stormed out of maths again. I just can't bear the fact we will all be dead and all of this will be gone yet we are being told to focus on negative, fractional indices. I put my headphones in my ears and blast some Amy Winehouse. Concentrating on the wet grey pavement I jump as I'm pulled out of my thoughts by warm large hands landing on my waist. Ready to punch I swing round to find Arron's warm face beaming at me.
"Where were you this morning?" He grins.
"I was getting more clothes from mine and got caught by my parents." I sigh remembering the screaming from earlier. Arron sees my face fall and wraps his arm around my waist. I could do this forever I think as we slide into effortless conversation. We then reach the T junction.
"Arron I still need to get those from earlier."
"Don't be long, I'll wait for you at mine."
He grins like the Cheshire Cat. I can't help but mirror his contagious expression.

The headphones resume their blare of whatever I can use to block out the rest of life. I watch an old homeless man unwrap a piping hot pastry. He has a deep crimson scar which breaks up the wash of grey that is his face. An old grey coat is tightly wrapped around him. His eyes are hiding anger and regret. I can feel it. Suddenly his eyes bore into my skull and I feel like I'm being challenged or interrogated.

His frail hand shoots out and grabs my ankle. I try to shake him of but he is surprisingly strong.
"I know you." He growls in a surprisingly Scottish accent. Instead of being afraid I am intrigued.
"Who am I then?" I retort.
"Emma Elizabeth Richardson Stone. Birth parents:Tracey Hart Richardson and Steve Taylor Richardson
Adoptive parents: Angelina Marrin Stone and Darren Charles Stone. Age: 16. Height: 5ft 5."

Fuck. I stood there in awed silence. He pulled out an official looking ID card.
"MI5 Military Officer Rogue1." I read. "Wait that's a real thing? I thought it was only in movies."
"I need your help."
"What?" I stammer.
"Your 'boyfriend' is about to die so..."
I'm not talking to this lunatic any more. I swung my fist into his face and then ran. Very fast.