47
1594 Words
18th November
Connor and Autumn met on the bridge. “I see that ankle of yours is a lot better than it
was a few weeks ago.”
“It’s slowly getting there.”
“I guess we better be getting to school.”
“I guess we must.”
He dropped his arm over her shoulders and they headed off to school.
“So is Con keeping you up late?”
“Not really.”
“So did you get all of your homework done?”
“We did.”
“You sleep well Dan?”
“I did. I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow.”
The bell rang and they walked into school.
“Let’s get this day over and done with.”
They all said their goodbyes.
Stenton called Autumn over she walked over to him sitting besides him. “My Dad was dead impressed with you Sunday. He said we could do our course work at mine this weekend and you can stay for lunch maybe supper.”
“I don’t know Stenton…”
“Right class settle down.”
“He’ll be watching, Red.”
She just looked at him and he smiled.
The bell rang and they walked out of the class room. “So, what you say Red, mine this weekend?”
“I don’t know Stenton, my mom.”
“Dad will clear it with her.”
“And Con?”
“Talk to him. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“I’m sure he won’t.”
“My dad’s there this weekend Red, he won’t have any funny business in the house trust me.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He smiled. “Well this is me Red, let me know okay and my dad will square it with your mom.”
“Okay.”
“Later Red.”
“Later Stenton.”
He went into lesson she carried on down the corridor to her next lesson sitting next to Connor. “You okay babe?”
“I guess.”
“You don’t sound it.”
“Stenton asked me to do our course work at his. I’ve tired to avoid it since I began helping him. I don’t know how to get out of this.”
“I’ll talk to him babe.”
“His dad said we could study there seen as he’s off work this weekend.”
“Oh, so me and you.”
“We’ll still spend time together I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
’Tell him that then babe I’m sure he’ll understand.”
The bell rang and they went out for break having a cigarette before their last lesson before lunch.
Connor dropped his arm over her shoulders the six friends walked out of school saying their goodbyes.
“We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Later dude. Later Res.”
“Later Dan.”
“Yeah later.”
Daniel walked away as Connor and Autumn stood on the bridge over looking the lake. He pecked her in the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow babe.”
“Okay.”
“Are you sure you’re okay babe? You’re not usually this quiet.”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye Con.”
“Later babe.”
He walked away she stepped off the bridge to head home. The bike alerted her yet she chose to ignore it.
The bike swerved in front of her. He took his helmet off.
“Talk to me Autumn.”
“Just leave me alone.”
“Jae said that you were seeing a shrink.”
“What’s that got to do with you?’
“Did you tell him about us?”
“No. It’s about my past. Now let me pass.”
“Not until you talk to me.”
“What about?”
“The other night.”
“What about it?”
“You kneed me in the nuts again..”
“And.”
“What’s your problem Autumn? What are you scared of? Guys getting to close to you is are you just scared of me?’
“You we’re to full on.”
“I didn’t mean to scare yo Autumn. I’ll slow down.”
“You’ve said that before. I’ve already told you that I’m not ready.”
“I’m not that much older than you.”
“Try five years.”
“So what. I like you.”
“And?!”
“Please Autumn, give me a chance.”
“I can’t.”
She began walking around the motorbike.
He grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him. “Please Autumn if you don’t like what you see I’ll back away.”
She looked at him. He pressed his lips on hers kissing her. He moved away. “After school okay.”
He loosed her hand reviving up pulling away.
Tears slipped down her face as she walked away.
19th November
Connor met Autumn, she was not at all looking forward to today. “So you’re still in a good mood?”
“Mmm.”
“Till you see Harding right?”
“Mmh.”
“What he say to you Autumn? This is the worst I’ve ever seen you.”
“Nothing!” She snapped.
He looked at her.
“Can we just drop it please.”
“Sure.”
They walked into school meeting their friends. “I’ve got to go Con.”
“Sure.” He said, kissing her cheek.
She walked away.
“I see she’s back in her grouch.”
“Unfortunately.”
“Don’t threat Con. We’ve got Christmas to look forward to.”
“I know.”
The bell rang.
The four friends walked into the school saying their goodbyes. It felt so lonely not having Autumn to talk to.
Mathew stood tapping his watch looking at Autumn. “And what time do we call this?”
“Sorry.”
“Did you walk with Connor Harborne today?”
“Yeah. I just needed five that’s all.”
“Sure come in and take a seat.”
She slipped in he closed the door, she sat on the sofa and he walked across the room sitting opposite her, just looking at her.
He walked over sitting opposite her. “I have an apology to make.”
’“Really why?”
“Last week I was out of line.”
“It’s your job.”
“Still I should never have made those assumptions.”
“Fine, apology accepted.
“Good… So how are we today?”
“Okay.”
“And the ankle, how’s it healing?”
“Getting there it’s not as bad as it was.”
“Good.” He looked at her. “So.. I’d like to continue talking about your friends today and the pranks that they done to you and your other friends okay.”
“That’s fine.”
“So how bad did these pranks get?”
“Really bad.”
“Like how bad?”
“I ended up in hospital over six times with broken bones and fractures.”
“So we’re any of them worse than another.”
“Not really. The docs reckoned that I was an Angel, they couldn’t work out how I survived what I had.”
“Positivity Autumn and luck.”
“Mom hated me hanging around with them, she wanted me to leave him.”
“But the more she tried to push you away from him the closer you got.”
“For a while yes.”
“Till when?”
“Till he took the piss one last time.”
“Halloween?”
“Yeah. I tried to tell him it was over and he apologised. I accepted his apology and then bonfire happened. I tried to leave him then too he would hear of it and turned everything around and told me that things would get better.”
“And did they?”
“For a while. They were better when we were alone to when we were with all of our friends.”
“Maybe he was trying to prove he was still who he was even though he had you.”
“There was no need Matt I took him as he was though his friends were pain in the ass.”
“So how was school life when they weren’t acting like four year olds?”
“Good till..”
He looked at her.
“Sorry I can’t it’s too hard.”
“Why Autumn?’
“Because my friends and his were there and I had to watch while they all turned against me, one by one.’
“It wasn’t your fault Autumn.”
“So the other kids dying wasn’t my fault either?”
The bell rang.
“You best be getting to class.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“No it wasn’t your fault. We’ll talk more Thursday okay.”
“Okay.”
She pulled herself up.
“I’m here Autumn. I know Thursday seems so far away, but try and get through the next few days without thinking about this.”
“I’ll try.” She said leaving the room closing the door behind her.
Daniel looked up at her, her eyes glazed, had Harding pushed her to far?
The door opened and elvish male in a pinstriped suit looked at him. “Mr Harrison.”
He pulled himself up hoping that Autumn would be okay. The door closed behind them.
- Writer
