3rd November
Autumn sat by the lake she’d spoken to Connor briefly on the phone yesterday he’d seemed so distant like he had something on his mind but had chose not to share it with her. She’d begged him to meet her her moms was giving her a headache fussing over her.
Connor kissed her cheek sitting next to her. “So your mom?”
“She’s giving me a headache she hasn’t stopped fussing since I came back Friday.”
“So you called me to get you out the house.”
“You didn’t mind did you?’
“Not at all, anything for you.”
She looked at him. “What’s up Con you seem like your in a grump with me have I done something wrong?”
“No why?”
“You seemed a little off on the phone yesterday I said you could come round.”
“I know....Babe.”
“Yeah.”
“How’s the head?”
“Fine.”
“And the ankle?”
“Fine. Con, what’s wrong?”
He suddenly turned knocking her to the grass his eyes felt so cold today, unlike any other. “Did Gaz come round?”
“Yeah yesterday, he changed the dressing. Why didn’t you just ask on the phone Con?” She asked nervously.
“Did he stay?”
“For a while why?”
“Did he do anything?”
“No, he’s like thirty Con. Please.”
“Just Jae and the guys were making jokes that he had a thing for you. I’m sorry… I..”
“He’s just sorry like you are Con. I’m not interested.”
He smiled. “So are we still on for Saturday?” He asked, his eyes softening.
“Yeah, if you still want me to come with you.”
“I do.” He pressed his lips on hers kissing her hungrily. He moved away. “I’m sorry babe. I won’t listen to them again I promise.”
“It’s okay Con.”
He lay besides her. “So are you still okay for school tomorrow.”
“Yeah my ankle’s not too bad I think I need a break from mom fussing over me.”
He smiled. “I’ll meet you okay.”
“Okay.”
4th November
Connor knocked Autumns door, she opened it. “So are we ready to go?”
She went to open her mouth. “I’ll take you.”
“I’d rather walk.”
“It’s okay.”
“Please Mom.”
“Maybe you should, for a while.”
“Fine, okay, can you take us.”
“My pleasure I’ll drop you off on the corner so not to embarrass you.”
“Fine let’s just go.”
Adele closed the front door and opened the car doors, they all got in closing the doors. She pulled away. “So do you want me to pick you up after school?”
“No.” Autumn said, before Connor said it would be a good idea.
“Fine.”
“I’m sorry just..”
“You like the fresh air?”
“Yeah.”
“I understand. Can get a little hot in here.” She said, opening he windows. “Damn air conditioning must be on the blink I must get that looked at.” She said, tapping on the dash.
“Mom, you’re embarrassing me.” She said, gritting her teeth. “I’m sorry Con.”
“It’s okay.” He said, trying to conceal his laughter.
She pulled up on the corner by the school. ‘Thanks mom.”
“You sure you don’t want me to pick you up?”
“I’ll walk thanks.”
“I’ll walk Autumn back, Miss. Cleveland.”
“Thanks Connor.”
“No probs and thanks for the lift.”
“My pleasure.”
They got out the car closing the door she pulled away.
“I’m sorry Con.”
“You should take it easy on your mom, she’s cool and funny too.”
“She’s embarrassing.”
“Come on let’s go before sour face cops us.”
He placed his arms around her to steady her. “I’m fine Con.”
“Still.”
“Fine.”
They walked slowly into the school grounds.
“So how’s the ankle Autumn?”
“Still there.”
Daniel laughed.
“It’s fine, I just wish people would stop fussing.”
“Your mom Hugh?”
“She’s so, urgh.”
“She bring you to school?”
“Yeah and Con.”
“So you met her mom Con?”
“Yeah I have before, she’s cool. And it’s not what you’re thinking either.”
“Sure Con. Come on sour face is on the prowl.”
He steadied Autumn and walked into the school.
After registration they said there goodbyes.
“I’m surprised she turned in.”
“It’s sprained it's not broken.”
“Unlike Stenton and the others aye?”
“Never seen such a f*****g pile up.”
“Lucky to cops daint come out.”
“I think Stenton twisted his dad's arm not to.”
“Yet he got grounded.”
“Yeah. That was funny.”
Stenton looked over at her and smiled. Calling her over. She wasn’t looking forward to this at all.
She sat next to him.
“You look like you’ve been in the wars, Red.”
“Could say that.”
“Your ankle it looks a little swollen and your eye ouch. The reaper right?”
“Yeah how did you..”
“Broken leg. Arm, crushed knuckles that was some f*****g night. Some f*****g pile up too.”
“If you say so.”
“They know how to do Halloween I’ll give them that. My dad was pissed on a major scale, mind you the house and the garden were wrecked. I’m surprised he let me have another party.”
“Right settle down.”
The bell rang and they pulled themselves up walking out of the class. “Well I’ll catch you later Red.”
“Yeah later.”
They walked away in separate directions she’d sure had it easy compared to all their other friends.
She sat next to Connor. “I’m sorry babe, the guys like Halloween. I personally think they watch to many movies. Maybe we should’ve stayed at the party.”
“Maybe I should’ve stayed at home.”
“Nonsense, it would’ve been no fun without you.”
She looked at Connor who simply smiled.
The bell rang and he steadied her.
“This okay?”
“Yeah I just wish you’d stop fussing.”
“I…I…”
“We can walk with out you holding me up.”
“Sure.”
He took his arm from around her. “Is that better?”
“Yeah.” She looked at him. “I’m sorry Con mom’s been bugging me forever. Well it feels like it.”
“I’m sorry I just feel like I owe you.”
“Well you don’t and neither does anyone else.”
“So.” He took a deep breath. “Are we ready for our next lesson?”
“Yeah.”
He smiled and they walked away to heir next lesson.
Connor met her outside the class room and they went for a cigarette.
“So are you okay now Autumn about Halloween?”
“Yeah. Look I’m sorry just Halloween isn’t a good time for me.”
“That’s cool. And bonfire?”
“We’ll see.”
“It’s this weekend my house.”
“Gaz doing them again?”
“Yep.”
“Oh great hope he don’t blow nought up this year.”
“The guy sold him duds, he’s not going to him this year.”
The bell rang. “Come on let’s split.”
They all walked away. “I’ll see you at lunch okay.”
“Okay.”
Autumn sat down in her next lesson she hoped tomorrow would be easier. The bell rang for lunch. “Miss Cleveland.”
“Miss.”
“Don’t you think you should be resting at home instead of being here?”
“No offence, but I’d rather be here.”
“Nice to see at least one of our students come into school with a sprain most would call in sick.”
“I’d rather be here believe me.”
She smiled. “You best get to lunch before it’s all gone.”
“Miss.”
The tutor opened the door. “Thanks.”
She nodded. Autumn limped away maybe she should’ve rested up but right now she just wanted to around her friends. Connor smiled as she limped over to him.
“So what did Parsons want?”
“She thought I’d be better off at home.”
“She’s right you know.”
“No thanks. I’d have a migraine by the end of the week.”
Connor laughed. “Come on, let’s get some grub I’m starving.”
“They slowly walked away joining the queue. “Sit by the guys and I’ll bring it over.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah go sit.”
“Thanks Con.”
She limped over to them sitting down.
“So is Con getting your lunch?”
“Yeah.”
“He feels really bad about Halloween.”
“We all do.”
“There’s no need guys.”
“There is, we should’ve warned you.”
“Like Stenton and the others, you mean?”
“Yeah.” James laughed.