Chapter 5-A new beginning.

Well I only planned to ditch Living Skills but I ended up skipping all the other classes. I heard the bell ring and I checked the time. 3.35 p.m. School’s over.

I washed my face and went out trying to keep as low profile as possible. I kept some of my books and rushed for the door. I also bumped into Ash. She just ignored me and walked away. I tried my best to fight the tears but I lost. I ran to another side of school where anyone hardly went and burst into big fat tears.

Suddenly, I felt someone wrap their arms around me and began rocking. I felt those icy cold hands holding mine.

“It’s gonna be OK.” Darren assured me.

“Aren’t you pissed at me? I was being such a bitch back there.”

“No, I know toy didn’t mean to hurt anyone. It’s just a misunderstanding.” Darren let go off me and I faced him.

I burst into tears again and he hugged me. “Ash isn’t thinking that way.” I was crying so much I had to choke those words out.

“She’ll forgive you.” He smiled and kissed my forehead.

“How sure are you? Stop trying to cheer me up it won’t work.”

“I talked to Ashlynn already. Don’t worry, she’ll forgive you.” He pinched my nose.

“How sure are you. She isn’t. We’ve never quarreled before. Not even once.” I sniffed.

“She wants you to approach her first.”

“Ok, I trust you on this. We'll just start over. From now onwards, this is a new beginning!” I believed him.

“So, let’s go to the mall. I’ll give you a treat to cheer you up.”

“No, you always treat me. It makes me feel guilty.” I rolled my eyes to heaven.

“Whatever.” He grinned.

“I’ll walk you home first. Wash up and change. I’ll get my car.” He instructed me. We began walking. He was hooded and wearing a cap again.

“pfft he sound’s like my mum,” I thought to myself.

“Why can’t I go to your house? I’ve never met your family before.” It was weird that Darren never talked about his family before.

He didn’t reply so I didn’t bother asking again.

I searched my bag and pockets for my keys.

“Shit. I forgot to bring my keys.” I threw my hands up into mid-air.

Darren rang the doorbell.

“Now, was that so hard?” He grinned cheekily and I smirked.”

Mum opened the door and her eyes widened.

“So it’s you again?” Mum looked at Darren.

“Yes, and I believe I’ve never introduced myself properly.” Darren smiled charmingly.

“I’m Darren. I’m going 17 this year. I’m new. I just came from Europe.”

“Nice to meet you, Darren. It’s nice to see that Anna has been mixing with other people besides Ashlynn. They’re been unseparateble since they were 6.”

“Would you like to come in for a drink?” Mum continued.

“No thank you. I’m going home to get my car. I’m going to the mall with Anna, do you mind?”

I threw Darren the nastiest that showed the “why-did-you-tell-her” look.

Darren chuckled.

“Oh.” Mum’s eyes widened.

“Sure sure. Just be back before 7. Would you like to join us for dinner? Anna’s dad will be back from a business trip so it would be wonderful to have a guess with us.”

“Shit shit. I’m afraid mum would say something wrong and embarrassing” I started to panic.

“Sure. OK, I should be off now. I’ll be back here as soon as possible.” Darren smiled.

Mum closed the door. Shit, I knew she was going to give me a lecture. I tried to escape by going upstairs before she got me.

“You have some explaining to do little missy.” Mum’s hands were on her hips.

“A-a-aaa-bo-out what?” My voice wasn’t steady.

“What was that all about? Going to the mall? Since when did you “socialize” with other kids?”

Well it was true enough. I hardly had any friends beside Ashlynn.

“You like him, don’t you?” Mum questioned intimidatingly.

“No. Ashlynn does. Mum I’m really going to be late. We’ll talk tonight OK? Promise.” I gave her an encouraging look.

Mum sighed. “Fine. But I want details.” Mum giggled.

One thing about my mum, she’s more like a friend to me, well sometimes. I didn’t mind telling her my secrets because I never really had anything to hide from her.

I went up my room and had a quick bath. I wore the same skirt but I changed to my Esprit V-neck t-shirt and the same jacket. I looked into the mirror.

“good, you look fine.”

I checked the time. I still had 5 minutes. I decided to call Ash and apologize.

I dialed her number of my cell.

*Beep beep, beep beep.”

“Hello?” Ash answered.

“Hey, I’m sorry about what happened. Sorry I don’t have an answer to your question. You see, I don’t have many friends. I treasure all of them a lot. And equally. I don’t want to lose a friend just so I can keep another friend. I love you Ash. You mean a lot to me.” I caught my breath.

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to answer the question. I love you too. Anyway I’m kinda busy now. Chat to you tomorrow ok?”

“Sure. Byee. And thanks for understanding.” I was satisfied.

“And sorry for not being so unflexible. Bye” She replied.

I went down and saw Darren talking to mum at the doorway. I gasped.

“Since when were you here?” I raised an eyebrow.

“More than 5 minutes ago. I was just talking to your mum while waiting.” Darren smiled and walked towards me.

“Bye, Cassandra. It’s been nice meeting you.” Darren turned to say bye to my mum.

“Shall we?” He held my hand and that made me blush. Mostly because my mum was around.

“Let’s go.” I smiled back.

Chapter 4-Misunderstandings.

*Bzzz...Bzzzz. Bzzz..*

Pfftt.. Stupid alarm. I checked the time.

7.35 am.

"OH SHIT! Darren's gonna be here any minute!"

I don't remember how many times I've hit the snooze button.

I rushed to the toilet and quickly washed up. I looked into the mirror.

"SHOOT! My hair looks like a haystack!" I brushed my hair as fast as I could.

"Much better."

What to wear, what to wear...

I quickly chose a lime green baby tee and a brown skirt. I also put on Darren's jacket.

It was the Billabong jacket he was wearing in school today.

I went down.

*Ding dong*

Oh, perfect timing.

My mum opened the door.

"Hello." He smiled.

"Hello. You are?" Mum raised an eyebrow.

"Anna's schoolmate. Is she here?" He smiled sweetly.

"Hey sweetie, you never told me you had such a gorgeous looking guy in your school." Mum teased.

"He's new,mum. Don't scare him away." I rolled my eyes and Darren chuckled.

"Hi. Shall we?" I smiled back.

"We shall!" He grinned.

I giggled.

We arrived to school in minutes.

He carried my books for me and made me laugh all the way. There was something so special about him that made me look forward to seeing him and wanting to be with him. I enjoy every minute I spend or have spent with him. Sometimes I wonder whether anyone has ever made me so happy before. I've only known him for 3 days or even less but I've never had this much fun with anyone before.

"What are you thinking about?" He interupted my thoughts. We were walking towards our lockers.

"Nothing much." I blushed.

"Are you sure?" He grinned.

"Your jacket is really comfortable." I quickly changed the subject.

"Really? You can keep it."

"No I can't. It looks expensive. The quality is really good."

"No really, keep it. I owe you right?"

Ok I lost.

"Why are you always doing that to me!" I sulked.

"Do what?"

"Always winning, proving yourself correct. You're evil!" I pinched him softly.

He grinned cheekily and I poked his dimple.

We walked to room 214, our history class.

Ashlynn was already in the classroom. She looked kinda moody. I wondered why..

"Hey Ash. Why the long face today?" I sat next to her.

"Go away. This seat is reserved for someone else." She was still looking down.

"Ashlynn, are you ok?" Darren asked.

"Oh, so seems like you've got a new best friend."

"What do you mean? Darren walked offered to walk me to school so---"

"Oh shit. I forgot that Ash was suppose to fetch me to school today."

"Oh my gosh! Ash I'm SOOOO sorry! I really really forgot!!!"

"Whatever. Go away."

"Ashh please..."

"And look who's jacket you're wearing."

"Please Ash.. Don't misunderstand."

"I thought you were my friend."

"Everyone please take your seats." Mr. Robert came into class.

I sat infront of Ash and Darren was just about to sit next to me.

"I think you shouldn't sit next to me." I whispered.

"It's too late. Sorry." He really did look sorry.

---------------------

It was time for recess. Ash passed by me as I walked out of class.

"Please, Ash will you just listen?"

"If I do, will you stop bugging me?"

"Please Ash."

"I give you 1 minute."

"I went to the hilltop yesterday and coincidencely Darren was there too and then we talked as usual like two days ago and it was 4 am and I was half asleep then he made fun of Mr Cuddle and it made me so pissed so he said he would make it up to me by walking me to school and lending me his jacket but I really really forgot that you were going to fetch me please please PLEASE Ash you're my best friends I can't afford to lose you. Please." The words just came out and I didn't even have time to breathe.

"You know I can't be angry of you forever." Ashlynn smiled.

"Oh you made me soooooooo worried just now! Don't ever EVER do that again!" I hugged her.

"Yeah. I should have known that no guy could come between the both of us."

"Yeah Ash. It would have taken a really really awesome guy to break us apart." I winked.

"Isn't Darren awesome enough. You two have only known each other for 3 days and look how close you are."

"Nah.. He doesn't mean that much to me." I lied. But I didn't want to lose Ash.

"Is that true?"

Oh shit. It was Darren that said that. He wasn't suppose to hear that.

"No! That's not what I meant." I was starting to get worried.

"So you're saying that he CAN come between the both of us?" Ash asked.

"No! That's not what I meant either!" Shit. Things are getting bad.

"So it is true, I don't mean a thing to you?" He sounded so intimidating.

"So Anna. If you had to choose one of us, which would you choose? Me, or him?" Ash made things worse.

"Ermm..." Oh shit, I can't answer that.

"Yeah Anna. Who would you choose?" Darren asked.

"Anna, if this is so hard to answer, means that..."

"STOP DOING THIS TO ME!" I closed my ears and ran to the toilet. I had to get away from them. I'm so confused. I didn't know what to answer. I'm so confused.

I hid in one of the cells and started crying.

"This is so hard. What am I going to do..."

The bell rang. Shit. Living Skills is next. I think I'll ditch that. I can't go to class right now. Not like this. What am I going to do....