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1484 Words
“Autumn babe you okay?”
“Yeah sorry. I drifted.”
“It’s okay.”
“We were together almost two years then..”
“What?”
She began to cru.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
“It’s okay.”
He placed his arm around her.
“He’s dead.”
“I’m sorry.”
“The cops or paths couldn’t explain how he bled to death. Their were no traces of drugs they classed it as suicide.’
“Is this why you are scared of being with me?”
“I loved him. I can’t bear to loose anyone else that I care about.”
“So you care about me?”
“You know I do.”
He smiled and pressed his lips on hers kissing her. He moved away. “I won’t leave you. I promise.”
“I don’t know Con, everyone I know dies.”
“Is that what happened to all of them?”
“They said it was suicide.but they had no need to end it.”
“So is that why you carry a photo album around with you?”
“Mathew seemed to think that it was a good idea to help me to keep their memory close.”
“And is it working?”
“I guess. He said to look at them when I feel down, disillusioned or in denial.”
“You didn’t kill them Autumn.”
“So why does it feel like l did.”
“Is that what all the scars are for?”
She looked at him.
“I’ve seen them Autumn. It all makes sense now.”
“I just get down sometimes. I blame myself.”
“Don’t you didn’t push them into it.”
“They were my friends, maybe if they weren’t.”
“Don’t babe just don’t. Don’t ever talk like that they wouldn’t blame you and you shouldn’t either.’
She looked solemnly at him. "Come on let’s get out of here.”
“But..”
“Come on.” He took her hand, pulling them both to their feet.
“Where are we going?”
“Bunking off.”
“We can’t.”
“You’re in no state to work.”
She slipped the photo album back into her bag zipping it up as he pulled her away. He closed the door behind them, pulling her up the stairs into his room. “What about your olds?”
“They’re working.” He said, pulling her down into the bed. He looked at her. “I guess your friends were pretty special?”
“Yeah the best.”
“So did you have some good times?”
“Yeah.” She laughed.
He smiled.
“Wha?”
“Nothing, its just the first time I’ve seen you laugh since we met.”
“Just remembering all of the good times we all had before..”
“It’s okay Autumn.”
“How is it? They’re all dead and I’m still here.”
He pleaded his arm around her. “It’ll be okay babe. Just keep them close, never forget them.”
“I won’t.”
He kissed her cheek lying beside her as she cried.
21st November
“So.. after our brief conversation last week, I’d like to continue with what happened afterwards.”
“Sure.”
He changed his position. “You mentioned being in a coma.”
“Yeah for a while. Taylor was there everyday well that’s what I was told after I came out of the coma.”
“Did he fell he had to cause he caused it and felt guilty about it, or because he anted to make sure that you didn’t trellis anyone the truth?”
“Both I guess. He just seemed relieved that I’d woke and I’d promised to lie for him.”
“So what did you tell the police.”
“Not a lot just what I could remember. Taylor’s car hit mine and Rudgeys’ hit his.”
“Did they say what they thought went wrong?”
“They just reckoned it was a race gone wrong at first, then they visited me again informing me that the break cables had been tampered with and I was lucky that I’d been pulled out and was alive.”
“Did they ever arrest anyone?”
“No. There were no finger prints.”
“So it was made to look like a professional job.”
“That’s what they reckoned . Sam was so angry that I could’ve died. If it wasn’t for his quick thinking I could’ve been.the track closed down they closed it as hazardous forcing Sam and Jack out of jobs.”
“Whose Jack?”
“The guy Sam worked with.”
“Could he have done it?”
“I don’t know.”
He edged closer. “You should’ve chose your friends more wisely.”
“Mom said that too.”
“Wise woman." He got closer. “So..I guess you never listened.”
“I did just he wasn’t easy to talk to, he never listened to he just twisted everything I ever said.”
“He should’ve listened to you Autumn like I do.”
She looked at him. He pressed his lips on hers kissing her she backed away, he followed, his hand resting on her chin as he kissed her harder and harder, she pushed him away. He looked confused at her. “What the hell’s going on Matt? You’re my shrink.”
“I like you Autumn.”
“Tell that to all other other girls do you?”
“No, just you.”
“You’re my shrink nothing else, there can never be nothing else.”
She shot up heading for the door.
“Autumn.”
“Never!” She screamed opening the door, storming out . Slamming it behind her.
Connor placed his arm around her, she flinched. “You okay babe?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on, let’s go for a fag.”
“But I..”
“Five minutes.”
’Fine!” She huffed.
They walked out side. “Here.” He said, passing her a cigarette.
“Thanks.” She replied, taking it off him.
He lit the cigarettes. “So are you going to tell me what Harding’s done to upset you this time?”
“He’s just so urgh..”
“So he hit a raw nerve again?”
“He’s changed Con. He was so understanding when we first met.”
“And now?”
“He’s so arrogant, he thinks he knows me bettered than I do.”
“Have a word with Grayson.”
“But it will ruin any chances he has of being a qualified shrink.”
“We’ll talk to him Autumn. He can’t act the big I am in his line of work.”
“Maybe.”
“Tell him Thursday.”
“Okay.”
“He better book his ideas up babe he’ll have his review come new year and they won’t be pleased if he’s making any of you fell threatened by him and his attitude. You have to tell him babe you don’t want this screwing up any chances you have when it comes to your exams next year.”
“I know. I will.”
They doubted their cigarettes out. “Come on.” He said, taking her hand in his, walking back inside.
“Nice to see your finally joining us.”
“Mmh.”
They sat down next to one another his arm straw across the back of the chair.
The bell went.
“Mr. Harborne. Miss Cleveland a word.”
They walked up to their tutor. “In future I’d prefer if you smoked outside of school hours and not before my lesson.”
“Sure miss.”
“Be lucky it’s me and not the head.. go to your next lesson.”
“Thanks Miss.”
“Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“It won’t, thanks Miss.”
They walked out of the room. “Suck up.”
“I don’t need a detention.”
“Me neither. Come on we best get to lesson.”
They walked briskly down the corridor to their next lesson. Meeting their friends at break.
“So Autumn has your mood changed from this morning?”
“Not really no.”
They smoked in silence.
“We’ll see you guys at lunch. We’ve got Baraman come on Dan.”
“Sure.”
“Laters.”
“Laters.”
They all parted company.
“So you really hate Harding, Autumn?”
“He’s just different than he was, his attitudes changed, everything’s changed.”
“He’ll have to change his attitude red or he won’t get his quals.”
“I know.”
- Writer
