Sara made her
way to the sixth form common room that chilly morning in March she loved being
in the sixth form it meant she was permitted to wear whatever she liked “I’ve
been waiting for you” she rolled her eyes turned on her heels then marched back
outside he followed “Oh come on Sara don’t be like that” he said she stopped
walking “Like what?” she snapped he glanced down to at her “Awkward”
“Awkward?”
“Yes Sara awkward ever since Chris’s party you’ve been
avoiding me”
“Oh and you wonder why?”
“Well yes…I got the message loud and clear…you’re off
limits”
“Glad to hear it” they walked on
“You can’t keep avoiding me…Chris is sure to get suspicious
if we keep this up”
Sara forced a smile then fell into step with him.
They made their
way to their first lesson of the day Ben slipping into the seat next to her
“Great” she thought as she focussed on the door “So you working tonight?” he
quizzed she shook her head “Chris and I are going to see Mark” Ben looked
guiltily down at the desk Mark had been home a week and he hadn’t seen him yet
“Might pop round myself” he muttered as their class mates filed inside.
Sara breathed a
massive sigh of relief when Ben went to his next lesson “Is he bothering you?”
Liz inquired as she fell into step with her “Not exactly bothering me” Liz
watched as Jasmine sauntered up to them “Well my day just got a whole lot
worse” Sara muttered “Have either of you seen Ben?” She said and was told where to find him “I wish Mark would tell
her where to go” Liz muttered caringly “I don’t think he cares what she gets up
to” Sara replied truthfully or if he did he kept quiet about it “Has he been
over the door since he got home?” Liz inquired “I don’t think so…can’t really
blame him…for being petrified to leave the house” Liz sat down at the bench
“Yeah but they really ought to make him…the longer he leaves it the harder
it’ll be” Sara agreed “So where’s Chris today?” she changed the subject “He has
a hospital appointment this morning” Liz narrowed her eyes “Is he okay?” Sara
nodded eagerly “They’re just making sure his leg healed properly” Liz took out
her note book “And has it?” Sara shrugged “I think so although he does still
limp quite a bit and has to take a full year off doing any sports of any kind
which just about killed him” Liz smiled “He’s quite athletic isn’t he?” Sara
nodded “He does most sports” Sara though Liz was just a little too interested
in her boyfriend but didn’t say anything.
That evening
they visited Mark and were surprised to find Jasmine just going “Leaving so
soon duty over” hissed Chris as subtle as ever Sara nudged him “What? I’m being
perfectly honest Sara she’s here because she feels sorry for him” Sara hushed
him “He’ll hear you” she warned “For your information Chris it was Mark’s idea
that I left!” Chris simpered “Pissed off with you already?” he retorted as she
brushed by him “Guess so” he answered his own question.
Mark was lying
on the sofa propped up with numerous pillows when they entered the lounge “Ah
good Chris and Sara are here…I’ll have to pop out for some groceries” Mark
looked alarmed “What? Can’t you get
them tomorrow?” he panicked “I need cold meet for your dad’s lunch…you’ll be
quite safe with Chris and Sara” she said worriedly as she lifted her purse
“I’ll be as quick as I can” she added as she walked out.
Sara glanced
from Chris to Mark then let out a deep sigh “I see Jas was here” she stated
Mark nodded absently making the young couple exchanged glances once again “I
think mum switched on the kettle” he said in a low tone Sara immediately stood
up “Do you want tea?” she asked he nodded as he shifted uncomfortably “Chris
d’you want tea?” Chris shook his head “So what did the doctor say about your leg?”
she heard Mark ask “Same as usual the ankle was smashed to pieces they still
don’t know how I managed to walk home that night” Mark’s face paled “Sorry I
err” stammered Chris recalling the night in question “It’s okay let’s just
change the subject huh?” Mark suggested with a sigh.
Chris and Sara
stayed with Mark until his mother returned “He’s asleep” Chris whispered when
the woman entered the lounge “He’s still pretty weak” she said as she removed
her coat then went into the kitchen “Well we’ll get off then” Chris said “Are
you sure I was going to make tea” they smiled then politely declined the tea.
Sara kissed
Chris on the lips later that evening then pushed open the door “Are you sure
you wont come in?” she offered he shook his head “I’m really tired” he
confessed “Okay I’ll see you tomorrow” they kissed again before she stepped
inside.
She sighed
contentedly as she made her way from the kitchen to the hallway contended with
her life nothing she felt could ever go wrong she was lucky, when she looked at
her friends, Morven trying to cope as a lone parent and Amy coping with the
abuse she had suffered “Mum she’ll be eighteen next month…she has a right to
know” Sara stopped in her tracks ‘Eighteen…they were talking about her…what
did she have a right to know?’
Kimberley clammed up the minute she entered the lounge “Hello love…Chris
gone?” asked her mother she nodded as she sank onto the sofa noting the look
pass between her mother and sister “You okay?” she asked Kimberley her elder
sister “Err yes…yes fine” she replied after side glancing their mother “Well
I’m tired I’m off to bed” she added hastily.
Sara followed
the older girl upstairs and into her room “What were you and mum talking
about?” Kimberley drew in a deep breath “When?” she forced a smile “Just
now…you said I’m eighteen soon and have the right to know…the right to know
what?” Kimberley sank dejectedly onto her bed “You’ll have to ask mum” Sara let
out a deep breath “What? Kim what’s going on?” Kimberley stared at her “It’s not
my place to tell you” Sara turned on her heels and marched back down the
stairs.
Her mother was
watching television when she entered “I need to talk to you mum” her mother
pressed mute “What’s wrong darling?” she sat down opposite “I want to know
what’s going on?” her mother’s eyes narrowed “What?” she said Sara looked down
at the carpet “With you and Kim?” her mother’s eyes widened “Nothing forget it”
she shook her head “I wont forget it…you were arguing over me” her mother
shifted nervously “We were just discussing your birthday…Kim wants to give you
a great big party and I was just worried about the money aspect” she fobbed her
off “Really?” her mother nodded looking a little more relaxed “Yes…so what
would you like a great big get together or a quiet night with the family?” she
thought for a few seconds recalling Chris’s party “Wow a party naturally” she
decided joyfully as she hurried upstairs.
“Wow a party
great” Ben said next day Sara frowned “Don’t get too excited it’s just a party”
she hissed as he once again slid into the seat next to her “I can’t help myself
I love parties” she rolled her eyes “Tell me?
Will you be wearing another tight dress?”
“No…I haven’t gotten anything to wear yet”
“Never mind whatever you chose to wear will look fantastic
on you”
“Ben don’t”
“Don’t what compliment you…I bet Chris doesn’t compliment
you?”
“He does actually”
“So what are you wanting for your birthday? Your wish is my command”
“Well there is one thing you could get?”
“What’s that?”
“LOST”
He pouted but wouldn’t be deterred “Move that’s my seat” Liz
instructed, “Okay okay I’m going” he insisted before Liz hauled him from the
seat “So about this party?” sighed Liz as she sat down.