40
1504 Words
“There you are what took you so long?”
“Autumn hadn’t got her stuff ready.”
“I thought you told her?”
“I did you know girls.”
“Yeah I do. Come on let’s go.”
We caught the bus into the town he was all over me until we got to the pool where we all separated to get changed.
“I hope this isn’t going to be like the last time.”
“Me too. We’ll get kicked out.”
“I’m surprised that you came Autumn.”
“I wasn’t I told him I wasn’t.”
“So why did he call around for you?”
“I don’t know.”
We all changed going into the pool the the guy’s Wolfe whistled.
Taylor wrapped his arms around me. “You look hot.”
“Come on Taylor were going on the boards.”
He looked at me. “You coming?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on babe.”
We pulled ourselves up out of the water walking over to the boards.
“You first, Autumn.”
“I…I.”
“Go on babe we won’t try anything. Promise.” He said kissing me.
Autumn sat nervously her eyes wide, dilated. ‘Looking at your eyes I say he did."
‘I swallowed pulling myself the ladders to the top, Taylor and the others following. I know I shouldn’t’ve been so close to the edge of the board, all I heard was shouting then Taylor and Rudgey crashed into me. I lost my balance and fell."
“Autumn!” Cas shouted whilst Rudgey held her back.
“They all watched as I fell.
Water vomited out of my mouth my eyes slowly opened.”
“It’s going to be okay miss, the ambulance is on its way.”
“What happened?” I asked, closing my eyes.
“So they planed it?”
“Taylor said they didn’t, but he told me to keep it shut. I came around in hospital and he smiled. “Taylor.”
“You okay babe?”
“I guess.” I replied groggily.
“Good.”
“You planned this didn’t you?”
“No.” He said nervously.
“Why are you looking like you did then?”
“I didn’t. So when the cops come and ask what happened you tell them them exactly that.”
“Bu..”
“Please Autumn we’ve already been slapped with a ban I don’t need a record too.”
“Okay.”
“He kissed me softly and stayed with me to make sure I didn’t slip up when the police talked to me.”
“So what did you tell the cops?”
“I lost my footing the guys thought I’d already dived.”
“So you lied.”
“He’d’ve had an asbo or worse Matt. He’d had loads of warnings.”
“So what happened after?”
“His brother picked us up and took me home. He called him a little prick for being so stupid. And I could’ve died if I hadn’t hit the water right.”
“I guess he was mad?”
“So was my mom. I wasn’t meant to see him again.”
“But you did.”
“Try telling someone it’s over who won’t listen.”
“So what happened Halloween?”
“I guess he thought he was getting back at me for trying to dump him.”
The bell rang.
“We’ll talk more about this next week okay.”
“Okay.’ She said pulling herself up. ’Thanks.”
“Anytime you want to talk just drop in.”
“Sure.” She said’ opening the door.
Bonfire
8th November
Connor met Autumn by the bridge, he smiled kissing her cheek. “Are you sure about tonight Autumn?”
“Yeah.”
A bang went off she jumped. The illumines colours lit the whole of the sky.
“Chill babe, it’ll be like this all weekend.”
“I know.”
“We can bail.”
“No. Let’s just get it over and done with.”
“Sure.” He took her hand walking away. “Is you mom okay with you staying over?”
“Yeah.”
“Even though you sprained your ankle and bumped your head.”
“She still doesn’t know the truth and I prefer it that way.”
“Sure my lips are sealed.”
They walked up to James’ house. She’d wished they’d taken the bus her ankle was beginning to show the strain.
“You okay babe?”
“Yeah, I put a support on it.”
Connor knocked the window. James opened the gate. “Con, Autumn come through.”
They steeped onto the long garden as he closed the gate. “Sit down Autumn and put that leg up.”
She sat down pulling her leg up onto the crate. Connor sat next to her, the bonfire blazing.
“Here you go guys something to warm you up.”
“What is it?”
“Drink it Autumn, it will keep you warm.”
“Okay.” She said, taking it off James.
He smiled walking away. Going over to the others passing the drinks around talking to Gaz.
“It’s okay babe, it’s just a little brandy. It keeps you warm on these cold nights.”
She blew the steam away sipping it, pulling a sour face.
“You’ll get used to it.”
The fire works began, pretty colours, whizzes and screeches. They watched as the fireworks lit the sky.
Connor had left Autumn alone as the bangs grew louder and she jumped the firework came toward her his coat covered her, the fire work bounced off it.
“Hey, Autumn.”
She looked up a little dazed. “Gaz.”
“So how’s the ankle?”
“Fine.”
“Can I take a look?”
“Sure.”
He sat down taking her shoe and sock off. James nudged Ashby who nudged Harry, who then nudged Daniel and they all watched as he took the support off. He looked at her over sized ankle. “It’s still a little swollen.”
“I had a few days off school.”
“Rest it over the weekend, it may be the pressure of walking too much.”
“Okay.”
He slipped the support back on. He looked at her. “So I was wondering.”
“Yeah.”
“Can. I come around and hang with you?”
“I don’t know, Gaz.”
“When Con’s gone home.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
“It’s the age thing isn’t it?”
She looked at him.
“There’s not much difference between you and me.”
“Everything okay?”
She looked up at Connor. “Yeah.”
“Gaz can we talk.”
“Yeah sure.” He looked at Autumn. “Later.”
She smiled briefly. He pulled himself up following Connor. Who pushed him up against the wall.
“Hey Con dude.”
“Don’t dude me.”
“What gives?”
“What you say to Autumn?”
“Nought.”
“Stay away. I know your game.”
“She’s single.”
“She’s mine.”
“But…She.”
“Keep away, or I’ll snap you in two got it?!”
“Loud and clear.”
Connor looked him walking away. He wasn’t about to let a hyped up fifteen year old get in the the way.
Connor looked at Autumn. “Come on we’re going.”
“What’s going on Con?”
He held his hand out. “It’s getting late.”
She took his hand, he pulled her to her feet. “We’re going guys we’ll see you Monday.”
“Sure.”
He opened the gate, leading her out of the garden closing it behind them.
“Gee you sure pissed him off.”
“You could’ve told me he and Autumn were..”
“They’re not.”
“But he said.”
“He likes to think that way, we just run with it.”
“What’s wrong Con?”
“He wants you.”
“Who, Gaz?”
“Who else.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Neither will he be."
“What did you say Con?"
“Just to stay away.”
“Like Dan?”
“We sorted that Autumn. I can live with it, it’s him drooling over you I can’t.” He closed the door behind him the bangs still loud. “Do you want me to stay with you?”
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
He led her upstairs into his room and they lay on the bed kicking their shoes off. He held her close bonfire had nerved her more than he realised. She lay her head on his chest closing her eyes.
- Writer
