12
1985 Words
19th September
Connor and Daniel met Autumn by the bridge. “So you managed to get up today?”
“Yeah.”
He dropped his arm over her, and they walked away, heading for school where they met their friends. “If you have any problems today, just let me know, okay.”
“Okay.”
“Well, that’s the world's best, and you have five minutes left until the bell.”
“Button it, Jay.”
“Gee Con, what’s eating you?”
“Nought.”
The bell rang.
“Come on, let’s get this crap day over and done with.”
They all walked in saying their see ya laters.
“So have you got Harding this morning?”
“Yeah.”
“I guess I’ll see you at break.”
“Yeah.”
Connor kissed Autumn softly. “I’ll see you at break.”
“Okay.”
“Later Red.”
“Yeah later.”
They went into their registration, she walked away. Mathew Harding stood by the door waiting. “On time, impressive.”
“Don’t even go there.”
“No alarm?”
“It’s called my mom.”
“Oh right, step in?”
She slid passed him. He closed the door. “Please take a seat Autumn.”
She dropped to the sofa, and he walked over, sitting in the armchair. “So did your mom used to get you up for school?”
“Till I went to high school, then it was called an alarm clock.”
He glared at her and her wise crack. “So did you get a new one?”
“Mom’s ordered a new one. I just have to wait for it.”
“So I guess that you were never late for school?”
“No not until…” She paused.
“It’s okay Autumn, we don’t have to talk about this until you’re ready. Well, just pick up where we left off and once you’re ready to talk about it, we will be okay.”
“Okay.”
He smiled. “So did you enjoy the school you were in when you lived in the Netherlands?”
“Yeah, it was three schools in one. It ran through from infants through to high school. Though they all stood opposite to one another. They were both combined. I grew up with my friends and my big brother. He always took care of me, making sure I didn’t get in any trouble and that I never got bullied. He used to walk me home. I told him he needn’t bother, but he insisted. My friends thought he was hot and sweet, they wished they had a brother like mine.”
“So he was an all round popular guy?”
“I wouldn’t go that far. Everyone looked up to him, no one got on the wrong side of him. He was the best big brother you could ever wish for. Pity I had to leave him behind.”
“I guess he’ll be finishing Uni soon?”
“A couple of years' time.”
“Did he ever tell you what he wanted to do next?”
Winter looked at her, his eyes like ice, a light blue colour, his hair a very light blond. He placed the necklace in her hand, closing it around it. “I would’ve waited til your birthday, but you won't be here. It has a photo of me on it, so you can look at it if you get home sick. It will remind you of me.”
She flung her arms round him. “Thanks, I’m going to miss you Winter.”
“I’m going to miss you too sparky. Promise me one thing.’
“Sure what?”
“Don’t lose your spark, it’s what makes you, you.”
“I won’t.”
“Don’t forget me.”
“I won’t.”
“I’ll come and find you when Uni’s over.”
“Promise.”
“Promise.”
“Earth to Autumn.” Mathew said, clicking his fingers.
She shuck her head. “I’m sorry I..”
“It’s fine Autumn.” He looked at her. “So did he tell you what his plans were once he left Uni?”
“No.”
The bell rang.
“We’ll continue this Tuesday, okay.”
“Okay.’
She pulled herself up. Mathew opened the door. “I’ll see you Tuesday.”
“Okay.”
She walked away. “Hey Red, wait up.”
He caught up with her out of breath. “Gee you walk fast.”
“What is it, Stenton? I’m going to be late.”
“Can we meet on Saturday for a shake?”
“I can’t. I’m meeting Con. Sorry.”
“Come on Red.”
“I’ve really got to go.”
“Sure.” He said, slothing away.
She went into her next lesson, sitting down looking out the window and she missed Winter. She hoped it wouldn’t be long until she saw him again.
The bell rang, and they all went out for break. She lit a cigarette. “Hey Red.”
She looked up. “Dan.”
“No Con?”
“Not yet, no.”
“Are you okay Red?” He asked, lighting a cigarette.
“Yeah fine, why?”
“Just Harding won’t take it easy on you like Grayson does.”
“No I’m fine.”
Connor kissed her cheek. “Where’s the guys?”
“We’re here.”
They all lit their cigarettes. Autumn smoked in silence as the others talked.
The bell rang.
“Come on babe.”
Nothing.
“Autumn.”
“Mmh.”
“Time to go.”
“Oh okay.”
They all walked away, heading for the last lesson before lunch.
“You, okay Autumn, you seem to be miles away.”
“I’m fine.”
“Later guys.”
“Later.”
Connor and Autumn went into their lesson. He looked at her every now and then during the lesson she seemed awfully quiet and a million miles away today. The bell rang and they all left the room. “You okay Autumn? You look like you have something on your mind.”
“I’m fine Con. Can we just go and get something to eat?”
“Yeah sure.”
They met up with their friends to have lunch and a cigarette before registration and the last two lessons of the day. Daniel sat next to Autumn, who still seemed to be a million miles away. “Are you okay, Red?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“No you’re not. You’ve been like this all day. It’s like you’re in your own world with what’s on your mind, Red, and don’t say nothing.”
“Nothing.”
“You can tell me.”
“You ain’t my shrink, Dan.”
“Please Red.”
“I miss him, Dan.”
“Who?”
“My brother.”
“Oh...I...”
“Right class settle down, and we’ll begin.”
“We’ll talk about this later, okay.”
“Okay.” She replied, she really didn’t want to talk about it.
The class dragged on till the bell rang. They all put their belongings away when heading out of class. Connor placed his arm round her, kissing her on the cheek. “How are you now babe? You seemed a little distracted at break and lunch.”
“I’m fine.”
They all walked out of the high school walking home.
“I’ll see you later, Dan.”
“Sure Con, Red.”
“Bye.”
He walked away. Connor looked at Autumn. “Are you sure that you’re okay babe?”
“I’m fine. I’m just finding it hard to talk about the past, that’s all.”
“You will for a while, it will get better.”
“When?”
“When you’re ready to put all your demons behind you.”
“Have you?”
“Most of them, but not all of them.”
“Oh.”
“Shall I walk you home?”
“No, I’m fine Con, you go. I need time alone to think before I head home.”
“Sure.”
He kissed her softly, walking away. She sat by the lake lighting a cigarette, thinking of how everything in her life had gone so wrong.
“May I?”
She looked up. Daniel smiled. “Sure.”
He sat next to her. “So are you still thinking about your brother?”
“Yeah.”
“How old is he, Red?”
“Twenty two.”
“So, why isn’t he here with you?”
“My parents thought it was for the best for him to finish college and do his degree.”
“He could’ve done it here.”
“That’s what he said. They wouldn’t hear of it. It was so unfair, Dan, we were so close. Now we’re just so far away.”
“Do you think you’ll ever see him again?”
She looked at him. “I lied to Harding.”
“Impressive.”
“I told him I didn’t know what Winters’ plans were when he finished Uni.”
“And at a guess you do.”
“He told me he was coming out here to find me.”
“Do you think he will?”
“Winter always keeps his word, Dan. He’s never let me down before. Ever.”
“So we’ll all get to meet him?”
“Maybe.”
“Is he like you?”
She pulled out her necklace and opened it. “That’s Winter.” She said, showing him the photo. “Everyone liked him, my friends wished their brothers were like him. I think I only saw them as much as I did cause of him.” She said, closing the locket.
“He’s different than you, Red. It sounds like you were both popular.”
“I guess.”
“You have good friends now, Red. When he comes to see you he’ll see that too.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll leave you to it, okay mom’s cooking and if I’m not back for supper she’ll hang me by the balls.” He cracked, smiling.
“Okay.”
He pulled himself up. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Red.”
“Bye Dan.”
He walked away as she lit another cigarette, smoking.
She doubted it out as the sun went down. She pulled herself up and walked away.
She closed the door behind her.
“And where do you think you’ve been till this hour? School finished hours ago.”
“By the lake, talking to Dan.”
“Till now?”
“Yes.”
“What’s so important that you can’t talk to me?!” She asked, angrily.
“Cause you won’t want to talk about it.”
“About what?”
“Winter.”
“I told you never to talk about him.”
“Why not? He’s my brother, he should’ve been here with me, not with that sperm bank!” She said, angrily.
“Autumn!!”
“Well he was. He didn't care about us when he does what he did. Winter and I shouldn’t have had to pay for his mistakes.’
“He had to finish his course, then do Uni.”
“He could’ve done it here.”
“No he couldn’t.”
“Why not? Just cause you two couldn’t stand how close we were. He could take better care of me than you!”
“Get to your room, young lady.”
“I intend to.” Autumn said angrily, storming up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door behind her, falling to the bed, tears rolling down her face turning cold as they hit the pillow.
- Writer
