SO its been awhile since I wrote but so much has gone on since I did. For one thing, all of our computers have gone to pot - internet, iTunes, msn and even Microsoft Word were down. Even more annoying was the fact that all my coursework was savd on the computer which broke so I had to go through the whole rigmarole of saving it on a 3 1/2 Floppy Disk and then the disk breaking and jeez ... grrr! The Noel saved the day by buying me a big crate of black CDs and when I had completed the work and teachers cruelly rejected al of mhy work on disks he went and played up to a Technician who eventually let him use the best printer in the school. He came up to me with all my Geography project all neatly bound up, in colour with a shiny card cover. Very pleased!

Soooo where was I on my last blog? Whining about Josh? Yes, probably. Least to say that Josh came to Rome and after a few angry disputes between us he eventually turned out to be a decent human being. In fact, when I told him about an incident that I experienced the night before we went to Rome, he was really supportive and acted like a REAL friend.

The night before I went to Rome ... bit of a background ...

Noel, like most lads his age, has an "enemy" if you will permit the childish word. The enemy goes by the name of Greg (I'd name him but knowing my luck some git who ADORES the real guy will come up and start a row after finding my blog.) Basically, Greg knows Noel is volatile and when pushed becomes violent. Greg tried to wind up Noel in an English lesson (Monday before Rome trip) and it worked, Noel apparantly got out of his chair and started hitting Greg with a hardback copy of "Of Mice and Men" before the floor puckered and Noel fell and his nose started bleeding when his head hit the desk. No one had told me ANYTHING about the incident so I had to find out all the news from other eager parties keen to spread it all about. So my friend Ellie came with me to try and find him, and by this time, I was gibbering with rage and worry. Noel's blood was all over the stairs. Needless to say, I saw him and although he was pissed off he was ultimately fine.

So that was that other than Greg staring at me really weirdly and giving me creepy smiles for the rest of the week but me, being naaive, thought I could handle it.

On the Thursday night however, Greg succeeded in upsetting me. I went into town with Noel to buy a pair of trousers and a new coat (God, how I LOVE "Evans" - the coats there manage to fit everywhere as most coats I buy are fine on the waist but tight on my bum but these are EXCELLENT!) Anyway, I got to the bus stop and Greg is there with two of his mates : Ralph (who stands at a grand height of 5ft but is a total PIG) and Craig (who is basically a nice guy, if I'm honest) Anyhow, I get on the bus and Greg sits right behind me. I felt sick. I had goosepimples. He was breathing,literally, down my neck so I moved to the front of the bus. They shouted stuff like "Libbie come and sit with us!" in a really crass and callous way. Then Greg started saying things like "The first time I beat up Noel Carstairs was last year ..." (even though Greg is a puny little tw*t he had Ralph egging him on. Besides, in any case, its usually Noel who finishes the fight and says nothing about it afterwards) They started shouting REALLY ugly stuff about Noel, realy hurtful things and then started calling about my realtionship with Noel being totally disrespectful saying things like "Have you ever...?" "Would you ever ...?" and started making up their own sick little stories. I felt sick, I actuslly retched and was afraid to get off the bus in case they followed me. Before I knew what was going on I was in tears : frustrated, upset, angry tears.

Greg got off the bus, Ralph shouted : "Hey Greg, what happened the other day with Noel in English?" They cackled like Satan as they all got off. I was shaking. But the worst thing was - no one else on the bus did anything. Not one. A man was sat behind me looking concerned for me but he did nothing. He didn't even sit next to me, or tell the lads in a jokey way to shut up. I was truly, awfully alone.

I told my Dad, who shrugged it off. My brother paced the floor in anger, although young, he's a star. My Grandfather was so angry he had to leave the room.

He asked rude questions again in Maths today so I turned all the insults around to embarras him and when he pushed it further I got out of my chair and handed him what he deserved : a prescription for two testicles. I don't think I'll ever foget the laughter that followed his reaction. Next time though, its a chair over his head. He shouldn't push me, I'm very like Noel and if pushed I too will turn on him.

Anyway, I told Josh and Josh basically said if Greg starts on Noel again, he's behind Noel 100%. "We're friends, and friends stick together. Greg hates me and if we support each other he'll give up. I'm not having anyone hurt Rhian's best friend or her best friend's boyfriend and get away with it." He gave me a big hug. "Come on, let's do it for...SPARTAAAAA!" He shouted and that's how all the SPARTAAAAA cries in Rome that week began.

I'll write back in a few days with some pictures and more vivid descriptions. I just eyed my German coursework who glared back "I'm still here..." Hmm, why do I get so much?!? Also, play from hell aka "Joseph" is next week, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. Gosh, I can't wait to get it out of the way!

Love to all of you

Libbie xxxxxxx