10
1626 Words
15th September
Autumn sat by the river smoking, the sun reflecting like a mirror across it, the water rippling as the ducks swam across it. It was so peaceful out here.
“Out here again?”
She looked over at him, his hair fell over his face. “Dan.”
“Your mom said that you were out here.”
“You went to my house?”
“Yeah. She wasn’t too pleased.”
“We had an argument.”
“So you didn’t get your homework done?”
“Yeah, early this morning before breakfast, before she started laying into me. I walked out slamming the door behind me.”
“Gee, I thought my mom held a grudge.”
“I’m sorry Dan, she thought you all wanted to jump on me.”
“I can think of two of us that do. The others, nagh, I doubt it.”
She looked at him.
“What?!”
“Don’t Dan.”
“Why not? It’s the truth, I like you Red, so does Con. We can’t help it if our boners have other ideas.”
“Why are you here, Dan?”
“I came round to see if you wanted any help with your homework, but I guess you don’t seen as you’ve already done it.”
“I have, but thanks for asking anyway.”
He smiled.”
“So, when are you meeting Con?”
“Three.”
He moved closer, placing his hand on her face. “I really like you red. I hope we can be more than just friends.”
“We can’t, I’m sor....”
He pressed his lips on hers, kissing her hungrily. He moved away. Taylor stared back at her. “We’ll do something this weekend, just the two of us. I promise, no friends, just us.”
“Red you okay?”
She looked at him, her eyes glazed.
“Red you okay?”
They softened. “Yeah I’m fine.”
“You sure? Only your eyes were all dilated like you were on drugs or summert.”
“No I’m fine really.” She lied, she couldn’t tell him what was going on when she was unsure herself.
“Well, I guess I had best go, but if you ever need any help with your homework, anytime?”
“I will thank.”
He pulled himself up. “Later red.”
“Yeah later.”
He walked away, she lay back on the grass closing her eyes. His lips touched hers and she quickly opened her eyes.
He smiled.
“Con.”
He lay beside her. “So have you seen Dan today? Only your mom said he’d been round. Her face said she wasn’t too happy.”
“Yeah, he offered to help me with my homework.”
“You sure? Just he usually needs the help.”
“Yeah that’s what he said.”
“So what gives with your mom?”
“She’s still pissed. I went out with all of you yesterday.”
“What does she think we’re going to do, jump on you?”
“That’s what she said.”
“Really. Look babe, I like you a lot, but there’s a time and place, the back row of the flicks ain’t it. The guys like you as a friend, that’s all.”
“I know.”
He ran his fingers through her hair.
“I’d like more, but only when you’re ready and when you can trust me enough to tell me about your past, so we can move on and get to know one another the way I want to.”
She looked at him nervously, he moved closer, pressing his lips on hers, kissing her hungrily. He moved away, lying beside her, holding her close. “But, until you decide when you’re ready, I’m here as your friend.”
He kissed her softly, holding her.
16th September
Connor and Daniel met Autumn on the bridge. “So are we ready to go?”
“We are.”
Connor dropped his arm over Autumn, and they walked away from the bridge heading for school.
Ashby, Harry and James stood waiting by the gates.
“What time do you call this?” James asked, tapping his watch, smiling.
Connor scoured at him.
“Come on guys, we’ll be late.”
“Nought new aye Con, Dan?”
“Kiss it.”
“Ohh.”
“Come on guys.”
The bell rang, and they all walked into the high school to get into registration. Connor, Daniel and Autumn walked down the corridor. “I’ll see you second lesson babe.” He said, kissing her cheek.
“Late Autumn.”
“Later guys.”
Autumn walked into the lesson as Con and Daniel continued down the corridor to their first lesson.
She sat down, Stenton looked over at her. He hadn’t forgotten about his run in with Connor, and he wasn’t about to let her forget either. He caught her eye, pointing to her. Then to him and to outside the room. She swallowed.
“Right class lets settle down and begin.”
The bell rang for the end of the lesson. The tutor let them out roe by row, which pissed Stenton right off, being as Autumn’s row was the first, which meant he had to catch up to her before she got too far in front of him to do so. ‘Hey red.’ He shouted.
She turned, he pushed her up against the wall. “What is it, Stenton? I have class.”
“It can wait.”
“What do you want?”
“How dare you get Con on to me!”
“I didn’t.”
“I ain’t scared of him, Red. Just cause everyone else around here don’t mean to say I am,” he said, angrily.
She looked nerved at him.
“If you have a problem with me, don’t tell your boyfriend, tell me.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Good.”
He pressed his lips on hers, kissing her. He moved away, she’d gone.
“Red!” He shouted, running after her.
Tears fell from her face. He caught up with her. ‘Gee red I only kissed you. Most girls give me a slap and never known one run off before.’
She looked at him through her smudged eyes.
“Are you okay Red?” He asked, placing his hand on her face.
“I’m sorry I can’t.”
“You tell Con that too?”
“Yes I did.”
“But he’s still hanging.”
“He’s my friend.”
“Look, I’m sorry Red, okay. I can’t help being attracted to you. You’re a hot chick. I’m just like Con, Dan and all the others. They want the same thing too.”
“No they don’t.”
“Pull the other one red.”
“They don’t.”
“Con will have your balls strung up.”
His hand dropped off her face, looking up directly at Daniel “Dan.”
“Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Shouldn’t you?”
“Mr. Stenton, Mr. Harrison and Miss Cleveland back to class.”
They all walked away, heading back inside to their lesson.
“Are you okay babe?”
“Yeah I’m fine.”
Daniel and Autumn met Connor and their friends for lunch.
“Where were you two at break?”
“The heads office.”
“How come?”
“b***h thought we were wagging. We wouldn't have been ten minutes late if it weren’t for Stenton.”
“What’s Stenton got to do with this?”
“Nought.”
“Autumn?”
“Nothing.”
“Babe.”
“I said nothing.”
“He tried it on daint he?” Connor asked, angrily.
She looked at Connor.
“He’s dead. I f*****g warned him.”
“Don’t Con. I just want friends, not enemies. I don’t need the backlash if you lose your cool”
“I’ll do more than lose my cool.”
“Please Con.”
“Fine.” He said, vexed.
They all ate in silence, feeling the friction in the air. They all had a cigarette before the bell rang for the end of lunch. They all went to registration. Connor kissed her softly. “I’ll meet you later, okay.”
“Okay.”
“Later Red.”
“Dan.”
She walked away as Connor and Daniel walked down the opposite corridor to the lesson. Stenton soothed up the corridor, heading their way. His back hit the wall. “Con, Dan.’
“What did I say?”
“Don’t know, can’t remember.”
“Stay away from Autumn.”
“You told him, didn’t you?”
“No.”
“Bitch.”
“She didn’t tell me either. I guess we all know you, Stenton. Your c**k is bigger than your brain.”
“She ain’t with anyone.”
“She’s with me.”
“Ain’t what she said.”
Connor’s eyes glazed. “She’s with me. I saw her first, so you can just stay the f**k away and find yourself a slut. There’s plenty.” He loosed Stenton. “And this is between us, so no going running to Autumn are we clear cause if you do, and we find out I will hunt you down.” He said, turning walking away.
Connor and Daniel walked on down the corridor.
“So do you think he’ll tell her?”
“Nagh.”
Connor and Daniel met Autumn and their friends outside the gates at the end of school. He placed his arm round her, and they all walked away.
- Writer
