She expected something else but instead he said, ‘Cool. You need someone to show you around, Olivia?’

‘Well, I’m late for—’ she checked her timetable ‘—English.’

‘Sure, I’ll show you, and then maybe we could catch up at recess.’ He grabbed the piece of paper. ‘After math. Just wait for me at your class, and I’ll come and get you.’ He took her to her classroom, then quickly leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. ‘See you after math!’ She put her hand to where he’d kissed her. A guy she’d just met, open and friendly, had just kissed her. She was stunned and thought maybe this was the place for her. He didn’t even know her, she didn’t know him, but still…

The usual thing happened – she had to stand up in class and introduce herself. She had never understood this cruel punishment. She always led with the fact that her dad was the principal so people could decide to be friends or not friends depending on her status. She watched the hand on the clock go round in both English and math class, each second brining her one step closer to seeing Wren again. Wren. The name rolled from her tongue and it felt good.

The bell rang and she gathered her things quickly.

‘What’s the rush, honey? I love fresh meat,’ said a guy that was sitting behind her in class. He was so close that his breath washed over her. ‘Want me to show you around, Olivia?’

‘No, thanks.’ She walked out of the classroom, slinging her bag on her back.

Wren was waiting for her opposite the door, looking for her in the crowd. He smiled when he saw her. She couldn’t help but smile back. The boy from class bumped into her from behind. She felt a brush across her lower back but thought it must have been a backpack.

‘Hi,’ Wren said.

‘Hi, yourself.’

‘Hey, Justin. Have you met Olivia?’ Wren said to the boy behind her.

‘Sure, we’re old friends.’ He smiled at her creepily.

‘I’m just going to show Olivia round, being her first day and all.’

Justin touched her shoulder. ‘Sure you don’t want a real man to show you a good time?’

Wren frowned slightly. ‘Don’t worry, that’s just Justin, you’ll get used to him. One of my best friends and a hit with the ladies.’

Not this lady.

‘That’s right, best friends, so we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.’ He reached around and pinched her bum, and she was too shocked to do anything about it except turn and glare at him.

‘C’mon, don’t be so uptight. What’s Wren’s is ours.’ He smiled, but it was the smile of a predator and her alarm bells started ringing.