4)

Monday morning is strange. Some people are overly happy, giddy almost. While others are angry. I wonder what happened? Maybe I should ask someone what’s going on.

“Hi.” Chiara links her arm through mine giving me heart failure. “Sorry.” She says sheepishly but doesn’t remove her arm as I clutch my chest.

“It’s okay.” I say as we walk through the corridors. She starts chatting too chipper for a Monday morning. “Listen Chiara, if we’re going to be friends, I don’t do mornings well. Especially not Monday mornings. It’s too early for happy.”

“Okay.” She drops the smile. “I can do dreary.” She leans her head on my shoulder.

“Thank you.” I sigh and Chiara drags me to class.

__________________

“Hey.” I sit with Chiara at lunch.

“Hey Faye.” Jared smiles at me.

“Why do you always sit inside? We’re inside the whole day. Why not go sit outside on the beautiful lawns?” I ask.

“I think that’s an excellent idea.” Jared says with a mega watt smile and a wink. He picks up his tray and begins to walk outside.

“Of course you would.” Addilyn says under her breath but does the same.

I walk next to Jared on the stroll out onto the rolling lawns behind the school. There are less people out here but everyone is laughing and enjoying their time.

“Where’s Danika?” I ask Jared softly. “She wasn’t in Maths.”

“She’s home sick today. Aidan gave her something so the two of them stayed home.” He says with a grin as we walk. He doesn’t look at me though.

“Why not ask Chiara?” He says after a while. The rest of the group is walking behind us, laughing and joking, while we look for a quiet spot to sit. I’m, however, content walking here with Jared. “You’ve been with her the whole day, why not ask her instead of me?”

“Because you’re closer to Danika.” I say. “And I rather enjoy talking to you.”

I turn away from him and to the rest of the group before he can answer. “How about here?” I ask while sitting.

Everyone sits in a circle around me. Jared sits right next to me so our knees touch. I don’t move away.

He has a goofy smile on his face and keeps glancing at me the whole of lunch.

“Faye,” Ben asks, “are you coming in the New York trip next week?”

“I am actually.” I say as we all pack up our lunch.

“It’s going to be fun.” Nick winks at Addylin before standing and walking away. Jared and Ben catch up to him and the lot of them start raging each other. Addylin follows quietly while Chiara links her arm through mine as we walk back to the main building.

“Boys are stupid.” She whispers.

“All of them or one in particular?” I ask back.

“All of them. But mainly Dominic.”

“Why, specifically, is he stupid?”

“He doesn’t see me.”

“Then he isn’t just stupid but an idiot as well.”

___________________________

By Wednesday Danika and Aidan are back at school all lovey dovey and cute. They are definitely my favourite couple. Everyone always seems so happy to see them, too. But there is still this thick tension in the air between certain groups of people and I can’t quite figure out why.

Physics is dragging on. I only took it to compliment the chemistry but honestly, I hate it. I hate all of it. I don’t care about motion and forces. I care about chemicals reacting and the maths behind it.

Things get a little less boring when my desk partner, Hadley, leans over and whispers, “Hey.”

“Hi.” I whisper back.

“You’re Addy’s new friend, right?”

“I wouldn’t say friend. She doesn’t like me very much.”

“Pity. You seem wonderful.” He smiles sweetly at me.

“I wouldn’t say wonderful but thank you.”

“I would. And you can play soccer like a professional.” He chuckles.

“Years of practice just to show up some kids at school.” I giggle.

“Which you did.”

“I did.” I smile sadly to myself.

“Are you busy tonight?” He asks. I look over at him for the first time. He’s handsome, no doubt about it. He’s tall, dark hair, light eyes, well built. He’s stunning, truly, but he’s quite my type. He’s too pretty.

“It’s a school night.” I say.

“So?”

“So… I’m free.” What’s the harm in going on a date? Having fun? Living? My mothers currently not home so I can do whatever I want.

“I’ll pick you up at 8.” He says.

“Perfect.” I tear a piece of paper and write my number and address on it in sparkly pink pen.

“I’ll see you later.” He says as the bell rings.

“See you later.” I say back.

___________________________

“I have nothing to wear.” I shout down the phone as Chiara answers.

“In general or…” her amused voice sounds down the phone.

“I have a date. A date and nothing to wear.” I place the phone on speaker so I can place it on my desk and go back to digging in the cupboard.

“A date? With who?” She sounds excited. I can hear the rustling of clothes and jingling of keys in the background. “I’m on my way. Tell me everything.”

“Hadley Robertson asked me on a date in physics today.”

“I’m on my way. I’ll see you in a few.” And just a like that she hangs up the phone leaving me to rummage through my clothing.

__________________________

Chiara arrives with a banging at my front door. I open it and the fist thing that comes out of her mouth is, “You can’t go on a date with Hadley!”

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“Because isn’t a real answer.” I say in disbelief.

“Fine. He’s my ex.” She pushes past me dramatically and heads to the kitchen.

“You’re lying.” I follow her.

“I’m not.”

“You are.” I take down a glass and pour her some wine because I know that’s what she’ll want. Especially if she’s this worked up. “You crinkle your nose when you’re lying.”

She throws her hand over her face. “Do not.”

“Do too.”

She takes the glass and chugs it in one gulp.

“What’s the real reason?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“If it’s simply because you don’t like him that’s one thing.”

“I don’t like him.” She cuts me off.

“Then I’m going. It’s just a date. Something fun. Nothing serious and it probably won’t happen again. I’m not a girlfriend girl so there’s no need to worry about that. And if I’m being honest, I don’t usually go out with a person more than once.”

“If you want a fun date, go out with Jared. Or Ben. Or Nick. Or I’m sure Danika would send you into the sunset with Aidan. Hell, we can even go on a date. Just not Hadley. Anyone but Hadley.”

“You can’t volunteer people to go on a date. Not your friends and certainly not your friends boyfriend!”

“I know for a fact that Jared would gladly go on a date with you.” She peers down her nose at me.

“If Jared wanted to go on a date with me, he would have asked. But he hasn’t so he doesn’t.” I peer right back. “I’m going on the date. Are you going to help me get ready or not?”

“Fine.” She mopes. As we stand to walk up the stairs my phone buzzes on the counter. I pick it up quickly before telling Chiara I’ll be a minute and heading into my study.

“Freya Hanning speaking.” I answer down the phone.

“Miss Hanning. I’m calling in regards to your mother. She’s ready for release.”

“Thank you. I’m on my way.” I hang up the phone and slam my hand on the desk before heading upstairs.

“Change of plan.” I say to Chiara. “I have to take care of something tonight.”

“What?”

“Something.”

“Somethings not a real answer.”

“Fine.” I sigh. “I have to go pick my mother up from hospital. Happy?” I give her a pointed look.

“No! What happened?” She stands from the bed.

“The usual. But she’s ready for discharge so I have to fetch her.”

“I’ll come with.”

“No. Chiara. No. She’s not a very pleasant person. I prefer my personal life to stay as far away from her as possible.” I grab Chiara’s arm as we rush down the stairs.

“I don’t care. Your mom was in the hospital. That can’t be easy. Let me help. Let me drive, pick up dinner, change the sheets, something.”

“Chiara!” I say sternly. “This is none of your business. We don’t know each other well enough for me to make this your business. My life is heavily divided. I need to keep you in your section. No crossing over. Now if you’ll excuse me.” I get in my car and slam the door.

I can’t help the heart ache as I drive away from someone who truly cares about me. And because I truly care about her, I keep driving.