The admin ladies eye us like we’re walking dog treats and they are the bitches I’ve always known them to be. They try to buddy up to us and get the inside news. I ignore them and so does Cassie. They’re all white women, and who knew how that shit would get twisted. No matter what we did or didn’t say, the news would be out by lunch, spread by this pack of dorries.

The whole time I can feel Cassie staring at me, but I keep my eyes forwards. As soon as the office ladies get bored and go back to whatever it is they do, I hear her chair creak as she shifts towards me.

‘So, do you know?’

Pretending I can’t hear her, I yawn and start picking fake dirt out of my nails.

‘Or maybe she doesn’t tell ya everythin after all?’

Hmm, must not’ve washed the paint from art class out properly.

‘Clinton tells me everything.’

It is harder to pretend now, but I keep right on inspecting my nails like they hold the secrets of the universe. Cassie’s cousin Clinton is one of the boys in lock-up waiting for his court date. They never let anyone but ‘immediate’ family into those things; cops don’t acknowledge extended mob so she’s full of shit. Still, Clinton’s mum might’ve said something to her.

‘He told me how Laney and Troy left him and Tyrone high and dry out at that property.’

My head comes up and I stare her down. ‘Bullshit!’

Cassie sits back, happy she’d gotten a rise. I could smack myself upside the head. Instead I glare straight into her smug, pug-nosed face.

‘It’s true. They were parked somewhere bush and when they got back the car was gone. Betchu that bitch twin of yours talked Troy into leavin em there to get flogged up. No wonder Troy dumped er.’

The roll of an office chair sounds as the admin staff drift back towards us like a bunch of magpies spotting food. They won’t stop us if the fists start flying.

The Principal’s door opens and we slump back in our seats. Mr Clay stands in the doorway and with a look sends the admin ladies rolling back. Mr Clay is married to Mrs Clay; neither of them are very nice people. I’m not sure if it’s because they’re unhappy with being dumped in our small town where they have no clue about the cultural differences of half their students, or if they genuinely don’t like kids. He turns his glare on us and we go from angry to nervous.

‘Right, you first, Cassie.’