‘Ilz!’ It’s Monday lunchtime, and Kelly has come over to sit next to me on the memorial bench.

‘Hey!’ I say, my heart twinkling like the Bifröst rainbow bridge of Asgard. We’re hanging together in school, and she doesn’t seem to care who sees. ‘How was your weekend?’

‘We went to an incredibly sketchy club, and they thought we were over eighteen and let us in. It was brilliant!’

She’s happy, but it won’t last. I have to protect her. ‘Kelly …’

‘Thanks for giving me space, Ilz. You’re the best. Which is why I feel like I can tell you everything now.’

Bracing myself for the worst, I hold on to my knees for support.

‘You’re right. I’m dating Imran. Wait, don’t hate me!’

I shake my head. ‘Never. But …’ Static crackles as I rub my scalp. ‘I think you’re making a big mistake. A huge mistake. Everybody knows Imran is a sexist pig.’

‘I know he can be difficult, but that’s just his tough-guy persona. He has this whole other side that’s really sweet. We’ve been talking for ages, he asked me for my number after the Movember thing, but I didn’t want to tell you before. You seem so down on him every time he’s mentioned. He asks about my writing, and he bought me this.’

She thrusts her hand out like a new bride. On her finger is a giant Medusa Hip Hop ring: a black and gold centre encircled by cubic zirconia. I don’t mention that they cost a fiver at Brixton market.

‘Look, Kelz, the other day he was showing his mates your Insta page, and they were taking the piss.’

The hurt in her eyes is like one of Big Bad Waf’s vape rings squeezing my throat.

‘Hey, Kelly! Wanna watch man shoot some hoops?’

Suddenly Imran is towering over us, spinning a basketball on his finger. My cheeks prickle, afraid he might’ve heard me bad-mouthing him.

He grins at her, and though her lips twitch, the seed of doubt I’ve sown is starting to take root. It surfaces as a whorl on her forehead.

‘Have you been showing your friends my Instagram page?’

He shoots me a death stare. ‘That what my boy told you?’

Kelly raises her eyebrows, waiting for an answer. I am so happy right now, even though I may pay for it in broken teeth later. Imran is about to be served a big slice of comeuppance.

‘Yeah, I did,’ he finally admits, bouncing the ball. ‘Course I’mma show my boys the lovely girl my heart belongs to.’

WTF?!

I’m sick in my mouth, but certain a smart girl like Kelly will be able to see through his fakeness. Glancing at her face ends that hope. She’s making goo-goo eyes. He reaches out, and she readily places her hand – the one with the tacky ring – inside his. The urge to grab her other hand and pull her away is overwhelming.

‘See you around, fam,’ Imran says making a clicking sound and winking. Then he leads Kelly away, Pied Piper style.

I don’t see Kelly again till a couple of days later at school. I walk up behind her and tap her on the shoulder.

‘Kelly, man, we need to talk.’

She looks up and down the science corridor, then nods. ‘Yep, guess we do.’

‘People are laughing behind your back. Imran is laughing behind your back. You need to dump this player. You’re too good for him.’

Her eyes shift between mine, in a detached sort of way that has me worried. ‘You’re pretty convincing.’

‘Huh?’

‘I know what this is really about. You’re angry with me because I haven’t been spending time with you.’

‘Oh my God – I swear on my life, people are chatting shit about you!’

‘I know, OK?’ she snaps back. ‘This school is a mean place where people get off on criticizing others. How dare a fat chick date a hot boy? It’s hard enough ignoring them without you reminding me every five minutes.’

‘But I’m trying to protect you.’

‘I don’t need protecting. God! Just because I’m a girl, doesn’t automatically make me a damsel in distress.’

‘Does Imran know this?’ I shoot back.

‘I’m helping him become a better man. It’s not his fault he hasn’t had any strong female role models.’

‘So you’re basically saying all the girls he’s treated like shit deserved it?’

‘No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m just saying that if you don’t respect yourself, than you can’t expect anyone else to either. Nobody’s challenged Imran before. People assume he’s a sexy thug, then blame him when he plays up to that stupid stereotype.’

‘You’ve only known him five minutes, and you think you have him all figured out? He’s not some loveable rogue, and you’re not some mystical feminist goddess with the power to fix him. Did you hear about the guy from DX Dingoes who got arrested for firearm possession? He’s Imran’s cousin.’

‘So because my mum’s a bitch, that makes me one too?’ She stands up, her eyes brimming with hot accusation.

‘No, Kelly, that’s not what I meant.’

‘I know exactly what you meant. Thanks a lot.’

She turns on her heel and walks away.