Chapter.01- Throw Me Under The Bus And I'll Drag You With Me.

One: Throw Me Under The Bus And I'll Drag You With Me.

The winner of the Voice Festival UK for Best overall performance is...

I could see the EMCee drag out the tension, I could feel it rolling off in waves, anticipation, and nerves mixed.

The Wrecking Belles!

I could see all of us on screen: jumping celebrating and going rowdy with the crowd.

We'd won the VFUK!

Or as Rachel always called it: We Fuck!

We fucked it! She'd yelled as soon as we were winners. I snorted.

The scene was playing over in my head for the millionth time, it was exhilarating, maddening and nerve-wracking. Our third consecutive win in three years. I was sure there was a smile on my lips. The sun was bright today, I could feel it peer and shimmer through the green foliage of leaves above and shine on my face in soft gentle rays warming my face comfortably. I could smell the grass, it was earthy, cool and damp below me. Tickling me as it swayed gently when the breeze blew.

I opened my eyes and flinched when my delicate eyes made contact with a sharp ray, shielding my face instantaneously, squinting I picked up my phone which was lying next to me, turning my head to my left, Rachel was still reading. Her headphones in, she was lost in her world of comics.

Smiling, I backed from the video of our win and switched it to the music app. The song Bad Guy by Billie Eilish played: it was so addictive that it'd become my current favourite. I looked around the campus, most of the students were lying down on the grass just like me--- some of them catching up on their course work, looking at their laptop, couples snuggly snogging, then there were the Trolls---or the Trollops as we'd like to call them were singing, trying to flaunt their musical skills in acapella.

"dance, dance

And ain't nobody leavin' soon, so keep dancin'

I can't stop the feelin'

So just dance, dance, dance

I can't stop the feelin'"

They thought they were the human version of trolls, always in a perpetual state of happiness unless they competed, otherwise danced and sang all the time, and they even had a time called hug time. As appalling as it sounded, they'd hug whoever was next to them, it was annoying. Don't let that fool you, they were vindictive and Bergens incarnate.

Bloody dumb trollops!

In the distance, I heard one of the Phantoms sing or rather try to sing an operatic piece while the other members looked on trying to understand what their mate was doing. I could recognise that tenor voice anywhere, he was the funniest lad on the team. I sat up straighter when Rachel spoke:

"What the bloody hell is that?"

I pointed out to the group of lads. She shook her head and got back to reading her comics.

"OI, PUT A CHAUSSETTE IN IT, ROB!" I yelled.

He stopped, looked around frantically to locate me and when he did he flipped me off.

"MAKE ME BECKY!" He retorted.

Before I could retort, I heard heavy footsteps close by, boots squelching the damp grass and earth, balancing my body turned around to see who it was. I caught sight of the heavy metal group--- called BarbWire, walking past us. They were sort of pale, with heavy black eye shadow and black lipstick. They had spiky black necklace, piercings and skull accessories adorned their body, making them look intimidating given their goth aesthetic, and one of them stared at me making me uncomfortable. There were rumours rife that they were in a cult and even worshipped Lucifer?

I think that was a bit extreme but I wouldn't be surprised if it were true. But they had good skills and amazing vocals. Last year they threw a rave and it did not end well.

People gawked at them until they passed, although they were gloomy it made them sort of the centre of attention, something about them made us stare, I supposed deep down we all wished we could be them and unleash our inner goth freely. After a few more seconds of gawking at them, people got back to minding their own business.

And I?

I got to surfing through the internet, whilst checking my social media.

Nothing important, really, just creepily stalking the shit out of the love of my life. I let out a dreamy sigh just admiring his drool-worthy abs.

Rail me, a girl commented with emojis. I made a face.

Yummy! One follower had commented.

I feel you sister, I thought.

Kayden Adams was...err.. well.... the love of my life, nothing more!

Everyone knew that, my parents, brother, cousins, relatives, my neighbour's dog and friends.

But he didn't. He was only my friend, we spoke all the time. It was platonic on his side, but for me, it was much more than platonic.

Like: I want to have your babies and marry you kind of love.

It was heartbreaking that he was already madly in love with another girl. I was shattered to read and witness that, then news of him being single floated around and I didn't dare to ask him out or tell him about my feelings, at least not then, I was only shy when it came to him, as I didn't want to scare him off and humiliate myself, so I then decided to love him from a distance. Convincing myself, that it was pure love codswallop and what not.

My eyes stopped over a new piece of information. As I refreshed the feed my heart dropped to my stomach when I saw it. A picture of Kayden kissing a leggy brunette at a party in dimly lit surroundings.

I closed my eyes, my face pinched in pain, taking a deep breath I pressed the home page button. There were so many pictures like these, each time some of them were just rumours, but I always had this fear that one of these days it just might be true. It was always the same, I'd be wallowing in self-pity for a whole day and then forget about it when the air cleared about him.

I just wished things would be different and stared at the green leaves shimming in the breeze, sunlight dancing around like disco lights. The weather was good, so I laid back down on my best friend's lap. My earphones already out and dangling from my body.

"Oi!" I was startled when I heard that voice. "Who's up for a tiki-themed party and fit blokes?"

I heard the rushed footsteps stop a couple of feet away from me, I slowly lifted my head from Rachel's lap and looked at Lauren, she was flushed probably from all the running she did, but she looked excited.

"Where is it? What time does it start?"

Rachel and I asked at the same time.

"I want the overall you purchased last week!" I shouted before she could process what happened.

Ha!

"Ah, bloody hell!" She pouted.

Lauren cleared her throat gaining our attention. "It's at the Trolls' uni-house---" She looked at her phone. "Oh wait, they've shifted it to the abandoned warehouse in the north block. It's at 6 in the evening." She looked down at us.

The warehouse was the place where people from different departments held wild parties.

"The Trolls always throw bangers. I'm in. I need to get sozzled." Rachel shut her book close. I sat up straighter.

"But we have practice." I reminded.

Consecutively, all our phones buzzed with a text from Charlotte, reminding us that we should assemble for practice.

"Yes, just in time for delicious mai tai, when we're knackered after our intense training." Lauren winked.

"Come on, don't be such a wet blanket. Let's hurry up! You can shower in my uni-room and borrow my clothes." Rachel offered for me.

I was feeling extremely anti-social but agreed since it was a tiki-themed one.

"Fine. Let's go to practice." I stood up. "Then go party!"

We didn't like the Trolls, but they did throw a ripper all the time and it was mostly acapella only, and since we were an acapella group we had to go!

*****************

I read somewhere that, early morning writing and studying are very good because you get stellar ideas and that's when the brain is active because it's been well-rested.

The wanker that said that must've been probably pissed off his tits. Because right now all I wanted to do was whack the living daylights out him and my professor.

And I'm to blame as well, last night I was so bloody knackered after the four long hours of practice and let's not forget the tiki-themed party.

It was absolutely dog's bollocks! There were colourful garlands, grass skirt tables and most importantly, tiki torches. Most of them wore silly Hawaiian shirts and two girls even showed up in coconut bra and grass skirt.

Partying was exhausting that I slept like the dead but not before setting an alarm precisely at five in the morning to complete my essay. I loved doing things at the last minute, and it certainly wasn't the first time that I'd put off writing my essay until the day it was due.

I had my priorities righted!

I didn't realize how bad of an idea it was until now. See, my toxic trait might just cost me my grade.

Now, I'm wracking my brain and trying to write something but that's nearly impossible. My brain's still hazy, filled with the fun events of last night and my eyes are protesting to stay closed and not let me open them. I pushed my brown hair away from my eyes, grabbing my phone, I searched for something online.

Thank god for Britannica and sources from Wikipedia!

After finding something useful, I began writing after half an hour of having a staring contest with my essay. I finally finished the cursed essay, although it's a half-arsed one, I rejoiced triumphantly and put it in my backpack and walked back to my bed.

Checking the time, I got back to bed wanting to catch up on my sleep for extra ten minutes and wished that I could forever stay here. I was currently enjoying the warmth of my large canopy bed, snuggling deep into the covers I smiled, the duvet cocooned me comfortably.

Ah, bliss!

But that was interrupted by this evil machine called an alarm. On the speaker, might I add! Urgh!

I rolled over and snoozed, trying to get ten more minutes of extra sleep, but that was again interrupted by whom I thought was Greta, the house help.

I groaned and mumbled, "Ten more minutes." And fell asleep.

But something was off, usually, Greta would chuckle and mutter something, close the door and leave. But today it seemed dodgy, my eyebrows furrowed, my instinct was telling me to get up and open my eyes, but I didn't heed to it.

Rookie mistake!

"Son of a bitch!" I hissed loudly and jumped out of the bed, blinking furiously.

I felt the wetness and cold seeping through my shirt, I was wide awake now because my tit of a younger brother reckoned it was hilarious and completely normal to wake me up by throwing a glass of cold water at me.

I saw this coming if I'm being honest. I should've expected him to attack me when I least expected it. It was payback for last week's childish fight we had.

Alright, I may have accidentally on purpose pushed him into the pool and spilt orange juice on him. But, in my defence, he was being a major arse by throwing a cheese slice on my face whenever he had the chance and said that it was a new challenge on social media or some codswallop. Carter had an affinity for things like these and that earned him lots of followers on social media.

I was brought back to the present when I heard him laughing uncontrollably. Almost maniac. I saw red coat my eyes and growled. He backed away slowly.

"You are dead! Wait until I get my hands on you!"

He stopped laughing when he saw the look on my face and turned on his heel. "You're gonna have to catch me first!"

"You better run, Speedy Gonzalez!" I charged at him with a war cry. Chasing him all the way to the corridor and just when he reached the stairs I increased my speed, grabbed him by the shirt and pinned him on the ground. I thumped him hard, he tried to reach for my hair but I bit his arm. He yelled for Mum to save him.

Ha! Take that you little vermin!

"Who's laughing now, you tosser," I sneered.

My victory was short-lived as I heard someone clearing their throat behind me. I froze.

Oh, fiddlesticks!

"Good morning mother," I replied cheerfully and turned around.

She was stood with a disapproving look and narrowed her brown eyes looking at the two of us, my brother still on the ground writhing in pain and nursing his face as a bruise was starting to form.

Whoops!

My mother's left eye twitched. I gulped. "What's going on here? Get off your brother young lady! Why're you dripping wet?"

Carter pushed me off of him and took the chance to speak before I could, "She started chasing me and punched me in the face for no apparent reason, mum," he finished off like he was innocent.

"Don't you dare lie, you prick!" I lunged at him once again.

He quickly hid behind my mum like a coward. Whimpering, but when he caught me eye he smirked. "Help me, mum from the rabid mutt!"

That posh little wanker!

"Rebecca Harper Sienna Docherty, behave yourself and please refrain from calling your brother body parts! Is that any way to behave like a lady, biting your brother?"

"But mum, he deserves it when he threw cold water at me to wake me up, which was completely unnecessary when I clearly could've woken up just fine." I growled trying to reach over and hit him.

"Don't believe her! She's lying! She came home very late last night from a party." He yelled.

"You what?!" My mother looked at me.

I stood frozen. Did he just throw me under the bus?

Well, guess what brother, I'm dragging you with me.

"He broke your expensive china, the one which was imported last week and broke dad's favourite sculpture!" I yelled back.

Ha! Take that knob-head! Carter's face turned deathly pale.

Who's laughing now? Not me.

At that, my mother turned to my brother and held him by his ear. "Rhys, is that true?" She asked calmly. He gulped then looked at me.

"Becks, you promised you wouldn't tell her. What happened to siblings code?" He accused me. I shrugged and stuck my tongue out at him.

"It's been rendered null and void the minute you threw me under the bus!" I disputed.

"You what? You were aware and you're informing me now?" She looked mad.

"I er..." I giggled nervously.

"You!" She turned back to him. "You're in big trouble! No video games, or going out with your friends, you're also not using your phone. I've had enough of your silly pranks, Rhys." She dragged him by the ear.

"Ow, ow, mum please let go of my ear! Come on mum, we can discuss this rationally like adults, I'm sorry, okay? Can we please negotiate?" He begged.

I doubled over with laughter, gosh my brother was such a dimwitted creature!

"You're not easily off the hook, young lady, so stop laughing at your brother's misery." That quickly shut me up. I realised that I was running late and ran back to my room.

Curses!

I ran to the en-suite bathroom, finished my morning routine, brushing my teeth and showering. I entered my walk-in wardrobe and threw on a pair of denims, and baseball T-shirt.

I ran a comb through my thick and long brown hair and put it in a messy braid like I usually did. I dabbed some powder on my face, and applied a coat of gloss and looked at myself in the mirror, my big chocolate brown eyes, similar to my mother's looked exhausted. I was neither hot nor sexy but I knew I was pretty, I didn't have big boobs, didn't wear makeup often, I wasn't voluptuous rather a slim build bordering on medium. Flaunted flabby tummy instead of a toned one, courtesy of my unhealthy eating habits, and I didn't have a thigh gap. I wasn't even that tall I was 5'4 and still had some baby fat.

After giving myself a quick once over, hopping on I quickly pulled on a pair of socks, slipped on my blue converse and ran downstairs for breakfast.

Bloody hell, I was going to be so late!

Damn, the long winding staircase!

I lived with my parents, because the house was quite big and I had privacy, plus my dad didn't want me living on campus when I could live here for free and without worry, so I agreed.

My parents were quite famous and have an eminent standing in society. My dad, William Docherty ran the O'Dochartaigh, an efficient and successful company, that earned billions in distillery, heavy industry and now fashion courtesy of my mother, Vivienne Docherty, a protégé of Bellville Sassoon, she now ran the Docherté, a couture line. My parents met during their university days and are still in love with each other to this day. Back then they were the it couple and still are.

Upon reaching the dining room, I took a seat opposite my mum, dad was sitting at the head of the table, Carter, all dressed in his school uniform was sat adjacent, glaring at me. I gave him an innocent smile, I noticed that his bruise was darker now, and felt bad for him.

Mumbling a good morning to both of my parents, I took a huge bite out of my buttered toast and shovelled some eggs and baked beans.

Mum broke the silence. "Is Charlotte picking you up today, darling?" She looked immaculately dressed for work. Her sense of style was impeccable.

My dad was busy on his phone and held the newspaper in the other. Mum clicked her tongue and asked him to finish up breakfast first. He smiled at her tenderly and obliged.

I chewed my food, swallowed and replied, "Yeah, she's coming to pick me up in fifteen minutes."

She nodded her head and sipped some orange juice. "You should've asked her to join us for breakfast."

I informed her that she'd already had breakfast with her family. We spoke for a while about different things, like we usually did. I finished my breakfast kissed both mum and dad goodbye and said our I love yous.

I ran back to my room. It was spacious with white and light lavender walls, lush carpet covered the cream coloured marble floor, a medium-sized crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, a sleek vintage couch was situated in the corner, opposite that was a telly, there was also tall windows with velvet curtains draped beautifully, a dressing table that was coiled with lights around was placed to the left side of the room.

Then in the cozy corner a large dark wood desk was placed and a bookshelf that was neatly stacked was adjacent to it. It wasn't too girly, but you could tell it was a girls' room. Posters of my favourite bands, pictures, lots of them with friends and family adorned the walls and photo frames.

I walked towards my desk and picked up my backpack, grabbed my phone, shrugged my jacket and ran downstairs as I heard Charlotte horn her car, telling me that she was here.

Charlotte Araminta Kingsley has been my best friend since boarding school. She's level headed, kind, and beautiful. She had thick, silky blonde hair, envious sparkling green eyes, she was taller than I was, 5'8 to be precise; we are thick as thieves and even attend the same university together.

I opened the door and ran to the circular driveway where Charlotte was waiting for me in her Mercedes convertible, I got in the car, closed the door and put on my seatbelt.

"Good morning Miss. Docherty, welcome aboard the Kingsley express, Miss. Kingsley at your service." She tried to do a little curtsy without hitting her head on the steering wheel and began to chuckle at her joke.

I stared at her blankly and she stopped chuckling. "What's got you so happy at this hour?" I asked her.

"Why're you so narked?" She retorted back as she drove away.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just cheesed off but not as much when I woke up." She gave me sideways glance then I told her what happened this morning.

She gasped. "Poor boy! You shouldn't have hit him." She tutted.

I grunted in response. "Why don't you adopt him then?"

"I would if I could." She sang. "So, the reason for my happiness: we have a new member in the group, she auditioned two days ago, I forgot to inform the girls, you're the first to know. She's amazing. Her name is Hannah White and she's a soprano."

That was the best thing I've heard this morning. "Indeed? Then why didn't you inform us earlier?"

"I was contemplating and made her audition in front of Amanda, and she approved. She has potential. Also she's a legacy!"

I gasped. "That's fab! Who's daughter is she? Do we get to meet her during practice then?" I asked excitedly.

Chars nodded her head. "Indeed! She's Ella Rowbotham's daughter. She didn't divulge that piece of information until after the auditions."

I gasped. Ella Rowbotham was the greatest singer we'd ever had and her daughter being a part of our group was so mega. We were in an all-female acapella singing group called The Wrecking Belles. We've won so many competitions, are considered one of the best. And since the ICCA finals are closer we're working very hard.

"Did you finish your essay?"

"Yes, today morning. Fred is going to flip out when he reads my appalling botched up work." I cringed when I remembered my essay.

"Hey, at least you finished it! And that's what counts." She offered.

I laughed. "No. We both know that's not true, it's a piece of steaming pile of baloney." We got out of the car, and immediately spotted Olivia Turner and her boyfriend Peter Townsend. They were part of our gang.

"Morning, girls." Peter smiled.

"Morning love birds. Why does she look like she's going to honk?" I asked pointing to his girlfriend.

"We have a presentation in a few minutes then she has an essay due in the afternoon." He answered as he held her.

"You as well?" I asked. Both Olivia and Peter studied political science.

"Yes." He confirmed. "Relax, love," he cooed at her.

Her phone rang, her body relaxed after she answered. "They've cancelled the presentation, Sterling isn't coming today!" She exclaimed. "But I still have to write that essay, so come on, let's go to the library, Peter." She took his hand and dragged him away.

Chars and I just stood there wondering what just happened.

"I would love to stand here all day and gwap at them, but we've got to haul our arses or else Freddie will have our heads." Chars voice distracted me.

"Right. Off we go!"

"So, what happened with Prof. Totelin?" She quizzed.

I cringed, groaned and flinched at the memory. "You don't even want to know. She rejected me, and I even closed the elevator doors on Prof. King."

A scandalised gasp left Char's mouth. "You did not!"

"I did! And I haven't seen her since."

The bell rang signalling for us to rush to class. We ran down the corridor and just in time for another student to close the door to the lecture door.

"Hold the door please!" I yelled.

The door cracked open a fraction and my heart stopped beating. It was Prof. King, she smiled wickedly. "Ah is that so?" Her tone blunt.

Oh, I was so buggered!

Karma, I scoffed. Bloody hell could this day get any better?

______________

So what do you guys think of the first chapter? I edited this chapter ten times to make it good. I also know I named my main character Becky just like in the movie, but it was purely coincidental ;-).

Please Vote. Share. Comment, I love hearing your feedback ♡♡ And it makes my day xx