This is a new occasional series that takes its basis and some of its storyline from the cancelled Tokyopop Manga, Yubisaki Milk Tea by Tomochika Miyano. It’s a great series and well worth looking out, it’s a mystery why they cancelled it. For my version I’ve changed the setting from Japan to England and of course the names, then I’ve added some new characters and situations to produce Jamie and the Peach. The original series was cancelled before completion but I intend to take my version somewhat further!

Maddy Bell, February 2010

Chapter 4

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Chapter *4*
 
I was nearly home before I remembered how I was dressed, my mind too occupied with today’s events. There weren't many people about so, as there isn't anywhere to change I decided to brazen it out, Jess won't be in at this time and hopefully none of the neighbours will see me. I read somewhere that if you look like you should be somewhere other people tend to accept that there’s nothing amiss so with that in mind I finished my journey albeit with growing tension.

"Peaches!"

Did I hear right?

"Peaches, it is you isn't it?"

I turned to see Sally running towards me, bum!

"Er guilty as charged."

"Sally, football?"

"Yes of course, how are you?"

"Great thanks, so's my knee see?" she exposed her leg by tugging on her dungarees.

How to get out of this fix?

"You live near here?"

"Number 26, you go to the High School?"

"Er yes," then inspiration struck, "hey do you know Jamie Worral, I’m supposed to be working on a project with him for school."

"You go to school with my big bro? What’s it like? Hmm I guess that’s a difficult thing to answer, I’ve not seen him come home yet."

"Oh, which house is it?"

"Next to mine," she pointed to my house, "the one with the red door."

"Thanks, I guess I’ll have to wait then."

"I’ll wait with you if you like, I’ve not seen him today myself."

Damn Sal, when did you get so obnoxious?

"It’s okay, I wouldn't want to impose."

"Nah its alright, I wasn't doing anything, I’ve got to hang about to meet my new tutor, I usually just ask Jamie stuff but Dad reckons I need more help."

"That’s thoughtful of him."

"I guess, but I’ll miss spending time with Jamie."

We were nearly at my house and I was starting to wonder how to get loose of Sal.

"SAAL!"

"My Dad, what's he want?"

"Come and get changed love, the tutor will be here in an hour."

"Bum I was going to ask you about High School Peaches."

"Er maybe some other time, you'd best go."

"I guess." she sighed

"Thanks for staying with me and I’ll tell Jamie you were asking of him."

"No problem, see you soon."

"Bye Sally."

And off she skipped.

Just in case anyone else was watching I made a big show of knocking on my door before letting myself in. boy what a disaster today has been.

After a shower and dressing in some more appropriate clothing for a teenage boy I settled down to start my homework. In the past Sally has often come over so I could help out on hers - it can be a bit of a distraction but for some reason this evening I felt bereft at her absence. After about an hour of sitting there not actually doing any work I decided to go over to Sal's, maybe even get to see this 'tutor' she was on about, it better not be a boy - not that I’m jealous or anything you understand.

I made the short trip - it really is only about ten metres from my house to hers and knocked on the kitchen door.

"Hullo, its only me!"

"Its open." Sal's dad mentioned.

I pushed the door and went inside as I have done so many times over the last few years.

"Jamie."

"Mr Morgan"

"The girls are just about finished I think."

"Oh ok."

Girls, that means the tutor is a girl, probably some old housewife or retired teacher, hang on though, would he refer to an older woman as a girl?

I took a seat and helped myself to a biscuit from the packet laying open on the table, we were like family so it would seem weird asking.

"School ok?"

"So so, you know how it is."

"Sal said you had a classmate over, bit unlike you to be so serious."

"Erm, it's a class project."

"Well I’m glad you are showing a bit more dedication these days, sounds like they're done."

"...So if you finish that chapter we'll go over it on Wednesday." a familiar voice, a voice I recognised from earlier this evening finished.

"Jamie!"

"Hi Sal, Peaches said she saw you earlier, just thought I’d pop to see how things are going."

"Good timing Jamie, this is my new tutor, Karen, hey maybe you two know each other."

"Er kind of." I allowed.

"Hey Karen, do you know Peaches too?"

This clearly caught Karen off balance too.

"You mean Peaches Smith?"

"If that’s her surname, she never told me that, she came to help Jamie with some homework tonight."

"Did she really?"

"You know, for 'that' project." I suggested.

"Oh right, I forgot she was your study partner."

"Well I er guess I ought to be going, stuff to do."

"You can walk me to the bus then." Karen suggested.

"Er okay."

Karen slipped her jacket on before once more addressing Sal, "so I’ll see you on Wednesday then Sally."

"I’m looking forward to it Karen, see you tomorrow Jamie."

"Yeah, g'nite, good night Mr Morgan"

"Nite Jamie, Karen."

"So how come you know Sally? You’re not some pervert with a Lolita thing are you?"

"Of course not! What do you take me for?"

"So?"

"I live next door, it's you with the dirty mind."

"So she's your girlfriend then."

"Get a life, she's like 13!"

"She knows about you and Peaches."

"We kind of met a couple of weeks ago but she doesn't know I’m Peaches."

"Hmm. i was going to ask you earlier, why Peaches, it hardly blends in you know."

By the time her bus arrived Karen had pretty much the full Peaches story and I had more complications in my life than I could've ever dreamt.

"Looks like I’m on a winner." Jonno crowed.

"Keep it down will ya." we were after all in registration.

"Three days left and you haven't got close to a date."

"That’s what you think, it’s all under control."

"So you say."

"It is, I suppose you want proof too."

"If you can pull it off I can just ask your date can't I?"

Phew, I thought he'd want at least a mobile pic, so like I could claim last night at Mario's couldn't I?

"That’s cool I guess."

I need to prime her so she doesn't drop me in it. My thoughts started to wander at this point as for the third time Jonno repeated in a loud voice how he'd scored in Saturday's match.

If anyone could see what's in my locker I’d be dead! My whole 'Peaches persona is down there including the school uniform and a casual outfit I snagged from Jess's wardrobe this morning.

"Hey Karen, who was that I saw you with last night?" Samantha Procter enquired as they waited outside the chemistry lab.

"Last night?"

"At Mario's, you were with some dark haired girl."

"Just someone I know."

"She was in our uniform but I couldn't place her, is she new here, what class is she in?"

What should she tell her nosey lab partner? 'Actually it was Jamie' or 'I wasn't there', nah she knows my mum and if she saw us she'd've seen mum too.

"She er just moved back here."

"So what class is she in?"

"She’s a bit um sickly so she gets home schooled, she'll only be in school for odd lessons I think." 'Good thinking K, I can get 'Peaches' to appear from time to time.'

"So what's her name?"

"Peaches, Peaches Smith."

"Cool name, you'll have to introduce us next time she's here."

"Er sure."

This was actually more conversation than she'd had with Sam Procter the whole of this term, the stupid cow never usually gave more than a grunt to anything she said.

‘What will these pictures that Peaches has taken be like I wonder’ Karen mused whilst Mr Cameron droned on about combining elements. ‘I bet they are all pervy, what is it the Japanese call it, oh yeah Hentai; yeah I bet they are going to be Hentai. Mind you that might be a bit weird, after all he doesn’t have all the kit does he?’ that thought was just way weird! ‘And why on earth did I pick Burger House to meet at? I hate all that processed food!’

Across the room Jamie’s thoughts were running on similar lines, he wasn’t a great burger fan but Karen was calling the shots and if she wanted to eat that stuff, well its hardly the end of the world is it. He was still unsure what he should wear; his tormentor had only said that it should be Peaches who attended. It felt semi perverted to wear the school uniform but on the other hand it was pretty comfortable. At the same time if he was to wear the other stuff he could show off his makeup skills. ‘Why would I want to do that?’

The day sped on bringing the inevitable conclusion ever closer, somehow both parties had similar fears ‘What if she doesn’t show?”

Maddy Bell 15.03.10