3
1662 Words
4th September
Connor met Autumn by the bridge. “So how are we ready to go?”
“Yeah.”
He placed his arm around her as they walked away.
“Hey Con, Autumn.”
“Guys.”
They walked over to them. “On time. I’m impressed Con get you out of bed?”
“No, my mom.”
“Ooh, that told you, Jay.”
Connor laughed.
“Come on, let’s go.”
They walked into school as the bell rang. They went into registration.
“I’ll see you in an hour, okay?”
“Okay.”
Connor kissed her cheek. “Bye Autumn.”
“Con.”
He walked away. Autumn went into her first lesson sitting down. The Latino boy looked at her and smiled. She shot a short smile back.
“Right class I’d like you to pair for the next few weeks. So, Jarrod, I’d like you to pair up with the new student, Miss. Cleveland.”
“Sure sir.”
Stenton sunk into his chair. Why couldn’t he have paired them?
“Hi, I’m Jarrod.”
“Autumn.”
He smiled.
The bell rang after the lesson, and they walked out of the classroom. “It was good working with you Autumn. You’re clever for a chick.”
She looked at him.
“No offence.”
“None taken.”
“Just most girls around here are dumb and prefer to look pretty and are never off their mobiles, thinking of themselves. Not you.”
“I prefer to get good grades.”
He smiled.
“I have to get going.”
“I’ll see you next lesson.”
“You will. Later Autumn.”
“Later Jarrod.”
He smiled as she walked away. Had he finally met a girl with the same intelligence as him?
She walked into her next lesson, sitting next to Ash. “So how did your first science lesson go?′
“Good. I met Jarrod.’
“Oh.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He’s a loner Autumn, he ain’t got many friends, he’s a square.”
“I like him.”
“Keep that to yourself.”
Autumn hadn’t seen Connor this morning. Maybe he was in a different class from her.
She walked down the corridor and out the double doors, walking down to the smoking area where she lit a cigarette. “There you are.”
She choked, looking at him. “Connor.”
“Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“In lesson.”
“Must’ve missed you.” He said, walking over to her, taking the cigarette off her, taking the last few drags, blowing it out, doubting it out with his foot. “I’m sorry about yesterday.”
“What happened?”
“Detention, bitch.”
“Shouldn’t wag.”
“Maybe you should join me.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not? It’ll be fun.”
“Your fun ain’t mine.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do.”
He edged closer. She stood nervously. “Why are you so nervous? We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“I guess.”
“Good.”
He pressed his lips on hers, kissing her. She foolishly returned his kiss, and he slipped his tongue in kissing her harder and harder, and tears slipped down her cheek. He moved away, looking at her concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“I…I”
“Why are you crying Autumn? It wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“So, what is it then?”
“I... I don’t want you to die.”
’I won’t. I ain’t going anywhere, I ain’t going to die. Not today anyway!” He cracked.
She looked unimpressed. “I’m sorry I can’t.” She turned and walked briskly away, tears rolling down her face.
“What’s the wrong Autumn?”
She turned, looking dead at him. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Talk to me then.”
“I have a shrink for that, a good one. Mathew Harding.”
“Harding! You are joking, right?”
“No.”
“He’s a prick Autumn. He’ll just listen to get inside you.”
“And you won’t?”
“No. I’m your friend. I’d like more, but I ain’t gonna get it.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“I can’t take that chance again.”
“What happened at your old school? And don’t say f**k all, cause clearly, a heap of s**t did.”
“I can't, it hurts too much.”
“You talk to him.”
“It’s his job, not yours.”
“I’m your friend. You can talk to me.”
“Maybe one day.”
“Why not now?”
“I can’t.” She cried.
He pulled her close, placing his arms around her and comforting her. “I’m here for you, okay? Any time you need to talk, I’m here.”
She cried onto his shirt, she couldn’t deal with anything heavy right now. He moved away, looking at her. “It’ll be okay Autumn.”
“It will never be okay.”
“I like you, take all the time you need, okay.”
She smiled briefly.
“Come on, we’ve got an hour to kill before lunch. We’ll take a look at that timetable of yours.”
“Okay.”
His arm draped over her shoulder as they walked up the playing field sitting down. They looked through her timetable till lunch. “Right, so we’re all settled. We’ve only got a few lessons without each other. Do you think you can handle that?”
“Yeah.”
He leaned forward. “We can hang out after school and at weekends if you like?”
“That would be nice.”
“Cool.” He pressed his lips on hers kissing her. He moved away. “Come on, let’s grab us a bite to eat. I’m starving.”
They pulled themselves up, he draped his arm over her shoulders, and they walked into the school and the cafeteria to choose barley-cooked jacket potatoes and dressing, choosing their drinks. “Hey over here.”
Connor looked at Ashby, calling him over to join them. “Come on Autumn.”
They walked over to the table where his friends were sitting, placing their trays down, sitting next to one another.
“So today is it better than yesterday?”
“I guess.”
“Where were you during break, Autumn? Connor thought you’d forgotten the way!”
“No. Mr Conway wanted a word with me about the coursework we’d be doing.”
“So you’ll be stuck in all weekend, Hugh?!”
“No, he gave me a few weeks to get it done.”
“Gee, he’s being nice. He must’ve got his end away.”
“Guys.”
“Well he must’ve, he’s a slave driver.”
“That’s what I was told.”
“It’s all true babe, we had him last year. He worked us into the ground.”
“Ignore them, Autumn, he’s okay.′
“Is he the reason you didn’t take Art up?”
“No, it’s not our scene. Is it guys?”
“Nope.” They all chimed in.
“Then what is?”
“Stuff that’s interesting.”
“Art can be interesting.”
“Yeah right. Doubt it. Art museums, yarn.”
“You guys have no imagination.”
“We have plenty.”
“Come on, let’s have a fag before lunch is over.”
“Autumn already has.”
“To make up for the one that you missed at break?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here.”
They pulled themselves up to go outside. “So did Con catch up with you when you were having a fag?”
“Yeah.”
“Took your time?”
“We were talking.”
“What about?”
“Personal.”
“So you don’t want to talk about it?”
“That’s what personal means, Ash you nonce.”
“So how’s today been, Autumn? You find your feet.”
“I guess.”
“You will. Just give it a few weeks, and you won’t even need your timetable. You’ll know every lesson you’ve got and where.”
They lit their cigarettes, smoking till the bell came for the end of lunch.
They pulled themselves up and went out of the classroom to the dining hall, joining the queue. They chose their lunches, sitting down. “So what have you got after lunch?”
“P.E.”
“Can’t wait to see you in your kit.”
“Keep your Boner on Jae.”
“We’ll meet up in the usual place.”
“Sure.”
“Later Autumn.”
“Later.”
Connor and Autumn walked down the corridor. “Thanks for not making me look like an idiot.”
“I’d never do that.”
“Well, thanks for not telling them.”
“You didn’t tell me anything. There wasn’t nought to tell Autumn, even if you had, it would’ve been between us, okay.”
“Okay.”
He kissed her softly on the cheek.
Autumn and Connor sat down.
“So who’s in your science lesson?”
“A guy named Jarrod. Well, that’s who the tutor paired me with.”
“Really.”
“Yeah.”
“He’s a bit of a loner, Autumn. Just watch yourself, okay, he’ll latch onto you.”
“I will.”
“Have you met Stenton yet? I swore he was in that class.”
“No, not yet.”
“Oh.”
“Why? Is he someone else I should stay clear of?”
“Right class settle down.”
“Just say he’s a gigolo.”
- Writer
