23
1954 Words
12th October
Autumn walked into the shake and roll unsure that this was a good idea. He called her
over. She slid into the booth. “I got you a shake. I’ve ordered some grub to.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I knew that you’d be late. I thought you might be hungry.”
“Just a little.”
“So what did you tell Con?”
“I had to tidy my room.”
“Good move.”
“Not really. I have to finish it off before he comes round.’
“And what time’s that?”
“Three.”
“Look red, I know I overreacted.”
“You think!”
“I’m sorry okay. I promised I’d always be there for you and the first sign of Con being a d**k I run and I shouldn’t’ve.”
“It’s fine.”
“No it’s not.’ He looked at her. “You’re my friend Red, I shouldn’t’ve let Con get in the way of that. What I’m trying to say is I’d like us to stay friends.”
“Sure.”
“But… you have to do one thing for me in return.”
“What?”
“Let me make a formal apology on Monday morning. Let Con think he got me to apologize to you.”
“Sure.”
He smiled.
The plates went down and they ate their crêpes.
“I had best get back, Dan.”
“Sure. I’ll walk with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, half way.”
“Okay.”
They pulled themselves up, leaving the shake and roll, walking down the street. “I hope you don’t mind me walking with you, only I’ve got to meet the guys soon.”
“Not at all.”
He smiled. “Well, this is me. I’ll see you on Monday and don’t forget our deal.”
“I won’t.”
He kissed her cheek. “Monday, red.”
“Sure.”
She walked away. He watched her turn the corner before he walked away.
Conor looked at Autumn. “So you finally got your room tidy.”
“Yeah, mom was giving me a headache.”
“So, where did you put it all?”
“Where I could find space for it.”
“So under the bed then!” He cracked, smiling.
“Yeah.”
“You seem a lot happier than you did yesterday.”
“Yeah I am. I decided if Dan wants to talk to me, he will. It’s up to him if he wants to be friends with me or not.”
He smiled.
“I have to meet Stenton tomorrow.”
“Sure.”
“You don’t mind?”
“No, he said you two had homework, and you were helping him with it. Just say we had words.”
“Oh.”
He leaned forward. “We can meet afterward if you want and grab something to eat.”
“Sure.”
He pressed his lips on hers, kissing her. He moved away. “Guess we had best finish this.”
“Yeah, I guess we had.”
They finished their homework and Connor and Autumn stood at the door. “You could’ve stayed for supper.”
“I know, but Mom’s expecting me back.” He leaned forward, kissing her. “I’ll see you tomorrow the same place, same time, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Night babe.”
“Night Con.”
He walked away and she closed the door. “Has Connor gone?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s always welcome to stay.”
“I know Mom, he has to get back.”
“Maybe another time.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Come on, it’s ready.”
“Okay.”
Autumn followed her more into the dining room, sitting down to a table full of salad,
crisps. Sausage rolls, chicken legs and sandwiches.
“You didn’t have to do so much mom.”
“I thought Connor might be staying. I’ll refrigerate whatever’s left.”
They sat down eating and drinking lemonade.
“I’m off to my room mom.”
“Don’t you want to stay down for a while?”
“I just want some time alone.”
“Sure.”
Autumn pulled herself up, leaping up the stairs to her room, putting her iPod on, listening to her music. So much has gone on today and tomorrow will be the same. She had no doubt that tomorrow she’d have a migraine by the time her science homework was done. Helping Stenton was so much harder than the homework.
13th October
Autumn sat by the river, the sun shinning though the wind was brisk. He overshadowed her. “Sorry I’m late Red, my dad was on a bender, bad day at work I guess.”
She looked up. His eyes were so dark in the sun. “That’s fine, shall we start?”
“Can we go somewhere less windy? I don’t want to lose anything.”
“Sure.’ She said, pulling herself up. “So where would you like to go, Stenton?”
“I know a small café not far from here. It’s not really that busy. We can go there or to yours or mine, your choice.”
“The café sounds fine.”
“Cool, let’s go.”
They walked away from the river heading towards town to a small café on the corner of the four-way road. He ordered lates and scones.
“We can always eat later.”
“No it’s fine thanks, let’s get started.”
He smiled, and they pulled out their books, beginning. The lattes were placed on the table with the scones, which had cream and jam.
“You didn’t have to Stenton.”
“My treat you put up with me, and I’m grateful most girls give up by now.”
’Cause you try and get inside them.”
“I guess . Look Red. I’m a flirt okay. I like girls. Some may say too much. I’m Italian, I’m hot-blooded. I like you Red, but I respect you and I respect Con okay. You’re here to help me. Most girls took me the wrong way. I meant nought by it. They just thought I did. I want to get through these last two years, Red. It’s about time I knuckled down and did my work.”
She smiled slightly.
“Dad is glad I’m getting help. He reckons I need it. He says I don’t assert myself enough, bet he forgets what it was like, what he was like when he was at school.”
“I guess.”
“Anyway, I’m glad for the help your the best red. You’ve put up with more than anyone else has. They always choose the brainy chicks to help.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“You have good grades though.”
“I worked hard to get them Stenton, it daint come easy.”
“I’m sure it didn’t.”
He placed his hand on her, nerving her. “Con’s lucky you know, red. I’d do anything to have a girl like you keeping me in touch.”
“I don’t.’
“You do know he’s changed since you’ve arrived, and you can’t say he hasn’t. We’ve all seen it. Guess you’re the reason why him and Dan are at loggers’heads again. They sure know how to pick ‘em.’”
“So I’ve heard.”
“You’re class, not like all the others, believe me. You’ve stuck around and put up with all the wise cracks off all of them.”
“They’re my friends.”
“Pity the rest weren’t like you red, they just saw them as another guy on their list. They were hoes.”
“So you went with them.”
“No. Look Red. We all make mistakes, even me. But I know one thing, you’re the best thing that’s happened to him. He’s in less trouble now than he ever was. He’s lucky to have you as a friend, Red. So am I.”
She looked nervously at him. He removed his hand. “Come on, let’s get this finished, so you can meet Con.”
“Sure.”
He smiled at her as they finished off their homework.
“Right, that’s us done.”
“Cool. So, next time, I’ll buy you lunch.”
“You don’t have to go Stenton.”
“I insist.”
“Fine, I’m not arguing.” She said, rubbing her head.
“You got a headache too?”
“Migrane.”
“That what you have to go to the docs for?”
“Yeah, I get them a lot.”
“So I stress you out hugh?”
“No it’s just...”
“I do. You can admit it red. I stress my olds out.”
“Okay just a little, it’s not just you.”
“The homework.”
“A little. It’s a little harder than at my old school.”
“And I thought you were a chick with all the brains.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, Stenton.”
“So how far would you go?”
“I listen and take it in. Most of it makes sense.”
“The rest don’t right?”
“Yeah.”
“So you got meds for them?”
“Yeah. I had best take one, or I’ll end up not being able to focus or concentrate.”
“You best have one then.”
She pulled them out of her pocket, snapping one out of the wrapper and slipping them back into her pocket. Slipping it into her mouth, swallowing with water.
“So how long have you been getting them RED?”
“A while. I just need to be less stressed.”
“Guess I’m not helping.”
“Your okay, you’re trying your best Stenton.”
“I’ll try harder, okay? I just don’t get it.”
“You will. We just have to work out how you can keep it in your head.”
“I’m trying, red.”
“I know. Come on, I’ve got to get back.”
“When’s Con meeting you?”
“Soo.”
“Sure if you’re okay. You are, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“Cool.”
They pulled themselves up, leaving the café the sun bright and low on this Sunday afternoon. She squinted.
“Here.” He said, passing her his shades.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re clearly not Red, just wear them till the river, okay.”
“Okay.”
He smiled as she slipped them onto her face. “They suit you, red.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“No I’m not. You should really bring some with you now it’s getting darker earlier and the sun is low.”
“I guess.”
“May help with your migraines.”
“Maybe.”
They walked up to the lake. She slipped the sunglasses off passing them to him.
“Thanks.”
“No probs. Did they help?”
“A little.”
“Maybe you should go to the opticians and get a prescribed pair, if your migraines are that bad.”
“Maybe.”
“Well, thanks for today, Red, maybe we can do this at mine or yours next time.”
“We’ll see.”
He pecked her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”
“You will.”’
“Later red.”
“Yeah later.”
Stenton walked away. She walked across the bridge, sitting down.
- Writer
