บท 17: Week 9 - pt 1
4th November
Connor knocked Autumns door, she opened it. ‘So are we ready to go.’
She went to open her mouth. ‘I’ll take you.’
‘I’d rather walk.’
‘It’s okay.’
‘Please Mom.’
‘Maybe you should for a while.’
‘Fine okay can you take us.’
‘My pleasure I’ll drop you off on the corner so not to embarrass you.’
‘Fine let’s just go.’
Adele close the front door and opened the car doors, they all got in closing the doors. She pulled away. ‘So do you want me to pick you up after school?’
‘No.’ Autumn said before Connor said it would be a good idea.
‘Fine.’
‘I’m sorry just..’
‘You like the fresh air.’
‘Yeah.’
‘I understand. Can get a little hot in here.’ She said opening he windows. ‘Damn air conditioning must be on the blink I must get that looked at.’ She said tapping on the dash.
‘Mom you’re embarrassing me.’ She said gritting her teeth. ‘I’m sorry Con.’
‘It’s okay.’ He said trying to conceal his laughter.
She pulled up on the corner by the school. ‘Thanks mom.’
‘You sure you don’t want me to pick you up.’
‘I’ll walk thanks.’
‘I’ll walk Autumn back Miss. Cleveland.’
‘Thanks Connor.’
‘No probs and thanks for the lift.’
‘My pleasure.’
They got out the car closing the door she pulled away.
‘I’m sorry Con.’
‘You should take it easy on your mom she’s cool, and funny too.’
‘She’s embarrassing.’
‘Come on let’s go before sour face cops us.’
He placed his arms around her to steady her. ‘I’m fine Con.’
‘Still.’
‘Fine.’
They walked slowly into the school grounds.
‘So how’s the ankle Autumn?’
‘Still there.’
Daniel laughed.
‘It’s fine, I just wish people would stop fussing.’
‘Your mom hugh.’
‘She’s so urggh.’
‘She bring you to school?’
‘Yeah and Con.’
‘So you met her mom Con?’
‘Yeah I have before, she’s cool. And it’s not what you’re thinking either.’
‘Sure Con. Come on sour face is on the prowl.’
He steadied Autumn and walked into the school.
After registration they said there good byes.
‘I’m surprised she turned in.’
‘It’s sprained not broken.’
‘Unlike Stenton and the others aye.’
‘Never seen such a fucking pile up.’
‘Lucky to cops daint come out.’
‘I think Stenton twisted his dads arm not to.’
‘Yet he got grounded.’
‘Yeah. That was funny.’
Stenton looked over at her and smiled. Calling her over. She wasn’t looking forward to this at all.
She sat next to him. ‘You look like you’ve been in the wars red.’
‘Could say that.’
‘Your ankle it looks a little swollen and your eye ouch. The reaper right.’
‘Yeah how did you..’
‘Broken leg. Arm, crushed knuckles that was some fucking night. Some fucking pile up too.’
‘If you say so.’
‘They know how to do Halloween I’ll give them that. My dad was pissed on a major scale, mind you the house and the garden were wrecked. I’m surprised he let me have another party.’
‘Right settle down.’
The bell rang and they pulled themselves up walking out of the class. ‘Well I’ll catch you later red.’
‘Yeah later.’
They walked away in separate directions she’d sure had it easy compared to all their other friends.
She sat next to Connor. ‘I’m sorry babe the guys like Halloween. I personally think they watch to many movies. Maybe we should’ve stayed at the party.’
‘Maybe I should’ve stayed at home.’
‘Nonsense it would’ve been no fun without you.’
She looked at Connor who simply smiled.
The bell rang and he steadied her. ‘This okay.’
‘Yeah I just wish you’d stop fussing.’
‘I…I…’
‘We can walk with out you holding me up.’
‘Sure.’
He took his arm from around her. ‘Is that better?’
‘Yeah.’ She looked at him. ‘I’m sorry Con mom’s been bugging me forever. Well it feels like it.
‘I’m sorry I just feel like I owe you.’
‘Well you don’t and neither does anyone else.’
‘So.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Are we ready for our next lesson.’
‘Yeah.’
He smiled and they walked away to heir next lesson.
Connor met her outside the class room and they went for a cigarette.
‘So are you okay now Autumn about Halloween.’
‘Yeah. Look I’m sorry just Halloween isn’t a good time for me.’
‘That’s cool. And bonfire.’
‘We’ll see.’
‘It’s this weekend my house.’
‘Gaz doing them again.’
‘Yep.’
‘Oh great hope he don’t blow nought up this year.’
‘The guy sold him duds, he’s not going to him this year.’
The bell rang. ‘Come on let’s split.’
They all walked away. ‘I’ll see you at lunch okay.’
‘Okay.’
Autumn sat down in her next lesson she hoped tomorrow would be easier. The bell rang for lunch. ‘Miss Cleveland.’
‘Miss.’
‘Don’t you think you should be resting at home instead of being here.’
‘No offence but I’d rather be here.’
‘Nice to see at least one of our students come into school with a sprain most would call in sick.’
‘I’d rather be here believe me.’
She smiled. ‘You best get to lunch before it’s all gone.’
‘Miss.’
The tutor opened the door. ‘Thanks.’
She nodded. Autumn limped away maybe she should’ve rested up but right now she just wanted to around her friends. Connor smiled as she limped over to him. ‘So what Parsons want?’
‘She thought I’d be better off at home.’
‘She’s right you know.’
‘No thanks. I’d have a migraine by the end of the week.’
Connor laughed. ‘Come on let’s get some grub I’m starving.’
‘They slowly walked away joining the que. ‘Sit by the guys I’ll bring it over.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yeah go sit.’
‘Thanks Con.’
She limped over to them sitting down.
‘So is Con getting your lunch.’
‘Yeh.’
‘He feels really bad about Halloween.’
‘We all do.’
‘There’s no need guys.’
‘There is we should’ve warned you.’
‘Like Stenton and the others you mean.’
‘Yeah.’ James laughed.
Connor placed their lunches down sitting next to her. ‘So what were you guys talking about?’
‘Last Halloween and Stenton.’
‘Oh yeah.’ He laughed.
‘It was so fucking ace you should’ve seen it.’
‘No thanks he told me.’
‘It was some fucking night we twisted Stentons’ arm. The DJ announced it and bang!’
She jumped.
‘There they were every fucking where. Ghouls, zombies and of course the reaper. Everyone screamed panicking, the stampede went through the house and into the cemetery. Stenton freaked he didn’t know where we were. His hands had been crushed, but he just kept going. Anne Marie’s thema popped, nasty. I think Stenton was more bothered about being trampled on than the zombies. Dumb ass got himself lost. The zombies closed in and the reaper swung his scythe at him boy did he scream like a girl as I remember that’s when he broke his leg and arm that’s when we called it quits.’
‘Guys where have you been?’
We looked at him.
‘What’s going on?’
‘Happy Halloween!’ They said all pulling their masks off.
We stood passing ourselves.
‘You ass holes.’
‘Good Hugh.’
‘Yeah. But, I think half the guys will miss school though.’
‘Argh sour face will get over it.’
‘Did she?’
‘Yeah after we promised never to do it again, Yeah right.’
‘You guys are bad.’
‘I know.’ Harry laughed.
‘Next year it will be better we’re all going all out.’
‘Come on guys let’s go for a fag before lunch is over.’
‘Sure.’
They all pulled themselves up. ‘You okay babe?’
‘Yeah.’ She said breathing heavily.
‘You guys carry on we’ll meet yo there.’
‘Sure.’
They carried on.
‘You didn’t have to.’
‘It’s okay babe.’
‘But lunch is almost over.’
‘Just catch your breath first.’
‘He’s sure going out of his way.’
‘He feels responsible for Halloween. He thinks he let her down.’
‘How?’
‘By not telling her the drill.’
‘Maybe, but that’s all part of the fun.’
‘I know.’
Connor and Autumn turned the corner to the cigarette corner as the others finished their cigarettes.’ Took your time.’
‘We’re here now.’ Connor said passing Autumn a cigarette lighting them.
‘You sure you want to be here Autumn?’
‘Yeah.’
‘He’s right babe you should be resting that leg.’
‘I did for three days it was fine yesterday.’
The bell rang they doubted their cigarettes out and walked away to registration before there last two lessons.
‘We’ll catch you guys later.’
‘You will later.’
‘Later guys.’
Connor and Autumn walked away.
‘She should be resting.’
‘Take it easy guys she’s independent.’
‘Yeah too independent.’
‘She just wants to prove the pain isn’t getting to her.’
‘Well it clearly is.’
Autumn limped out of school to wait for Connor, who was running late. He stood by his bike smoking, now she knew why he’d chosen to play the part of the reaper. His bike said it all. ‘Autumn.’
‘Gaz what are you doing here?’
‘Waiting for Jae.’
‘Oh.’
‘So how’s the ankle, and the bump?’
‘My head’s fine, my ankle’s sore.’
‘Let’s take a look.’
She sat down he slid her shoe off unravelling the bandage. ‘It’s swollen babe you should be resting.’
‘I have been.’
‘School can wait a few days Autumn.’
‘It can’t.’
‘I’ll change it but your going to have to promise me you’ll rest it.’
‘I will when I get home.
‘And tomorrow.’
‘I..’
He changed her bandage.
‘You always come prepared.’
‘Safety and precaution when you ride babe.’
‘I guess.’
‘Keep still I need to get it as tight as I can.’
She sat and watching as he wrapped the new bandage tighter round her ankle, fastening it with a safety pin. ‘There you go.’
‘Thanks.’ She said slipping her foot back into her shoe.’
‘Gaz what are you doing here?’
He looked up at James. ‘Picking you up you nonce.’
‘You hitting on Autumn?’
‘No. I just changed the bandage while I was waiting for you.’
‘Sure you were.’
‘Well I’ll see you around Autumn.’
‘Sure and thanks.’
‘No probs.’
‘See you tomorrow Autumn.’
‘Yeah sure bye Jay.’
They got on to the bike and rode away.
‘Was that Gaz?’
She turned looking at Connor. ‘Yeah he was picking James up.’
‘So you talk to him.’
‘Briefly, he changed my bandaged and told me to take a rest from school.’
‘Good idea,’
‘It would be if I weren’t seeing Matt tomorrow.’
‘I’m sure he’ll understand.’
‘Maybe.’
‘Just see how you are into morning.’
‘I will.’
Connor placed his arm around her. ‘Come on let’s get you home.’
They steadily and slowly walked home.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow just let me know if anything changes.’
‘I will.’
He kissed her cheek. ‘Later babe.’
‘Later Con.’
She closed the door behind her he smiled walking away.
5th November
Connor knocked on Autumn’s front door, she opened it. ‘I’m Sorry Con Mom insists
on taking us again.’
‘That’s okay babe.’
‘No Dan again?’
‘No I think he thinks he’s the gooseberry.’
‘He’s not we’re all friends.’
‘I know babe.’
‘Mom Con’s here.’
‘I’ll start the car.’
‘Okay.’
She stepped out the door. ‘Morning Connor.’
‘Morning Miss. Cleveland.’
‘I advised her to stay home today, but she said she had to be in cause of seeing her shrink.’
‘Mom.’
‘Sorry Connor we don’t talk about it.’
‘It’s okay Miss. Cleveland it’s cool. I know she sees him he’s new he likes things to run smoothly and his patients on time.’
‘Con.’
‘I can’t call you a subject can I?’
‘I guess not.’
‘Let’s just say he helps those out that have issues.’
‘Sounds just as bad.’
‘Come on I best be getting you two to school with that headmistress of yours.’
‘Yeah if we’re not on time we’ll be in isolation.’
‘Hop in.’
They all got into the car and she drove away dropping them off the same place as the day before.
‘I’ll pick you up tonight.’
‘I’ll be fine mom Con will walk with me. Won’t you Con?’
‘Yeah I will. You’ve got nought to worry about Miss. Cleveland Autumn will be delivered straight to the door.’
‘Thanks Connor.’
‘My pleasure.’
‘I’ll see you at home Autumn.’
‘Yeah sure bye mom.’
‘Bye Connor.’
‘Bye Miss. Cleveland.’
Thy walked away. ‘I’m sorry about all this Con mom fusses too much.’
‘It’s fine babe really. Saves the legs.’ He cracked.
She looked at him unimpressed.
‘Come on let’s get in.’
He placed his arm around her and they went into the high school where their friends were waiting. ‘So you two got a lift again.’
‘We did.’
‘This is coming a regular thing. Sure you two ain’t …’
‘No we’re not come on.’
The bell rang and they all went in.
‘So you got Harding this morning?’
‘It’s the only reason she came in.’
‘Con.’
‘Well that’s what your mom said.’
‘I’ll walk down with you I have Grayson.’
‘Okay.’
‘I’ll see both of you later.’
‘Later.’
Connor went into registration as Daniel and Autumn walked down the corridor sitting down outside the offices. ‘So are you okay now red?’
‘I’ll live.’
‘We’re really sorry.’
‘You haven’t got any need to be I chose to join you.’
‘I guess.’
Mathew opened the door. ‘So are we ready Autumn.’
‘Yeah.’ She pulled herself up Daniel smiled.
She shot a short, brief smile his was going in.
He closed the door as she sat down.
He sat beside her, nerving her. ‘I noticed you were limping and you have a gash to your head so are you going to share how they happened.’
‘I guess.’
‘We’ll talk about your head first them move into your ankle.’
‘Okay.’
He looked at her. ‘So what happened to your head?’
‘An accident.’
‘Some accident if you needed stitches Autumn.’
‘I went carting with the guys.’
‘What guys Autumn? Be more specific.’
‘Con, Dan, James, Harry and Ashby.’
‘Oh I see.’
‘It wasn’t like that it wasn’t their fault.’
‘So whose was it?’
She looked at him. ‘Why can I remember everything bad that ever happened and not the good.’
‘What’s do you mean Autumn?’
‘I lied to them. I lost control.’
‘Why Autumn?’
‘Because they would think that I was fruited.’
‘I’m sure that they wouldn’t.’
‘They wouldn’t understand.’
‘So tell me what happened so I can at least try and understand why you felt that you had to lie to your friends.’
‘Everything was going fine til we’d all done a few laps, the walls were going way too fast and I drifted. ‘
‘You seem to be doing a lot of that lately.’
‘I just wanted to be normal and he ruined it.’
‘Is this to do what you told me before half term.’
‘Yes.’
‘So you decided to face your fears head on.’
‘Yeah like Halloween.’
‘I don’t think that was really wise Autumn.’
‘Maybe.’
‘So tell me a little about what happened Halloween.’
She looked at him nervously.
‘Me and my friends met up with Taylor and his for Halloween we were all dressed up we all went to the school disco they all thought that it would be cool to sneak away and to go into the cemetery on Halloween at midnight. Me and my friends were fourteen, they thought it would be fun to tell ghost stories and go into the cemetery. They all disappeared we all went in splitting up. He came out of nowhere Con and came at me with a scythe. I had no idea where my friends were, I screamed and ran he followed. It felt so much like that night I broke my ankle and had severe concussion from the blow to my head.’
‘So who was was following you?’
‘I don’t know Taylor was there when I came round no one else. He took me to hospital I couldn’t hardly talk. Sam picked us up, they argued about his foolishness. Mom was pissed she wanted me to stop seeing him.’
‘At a guess you didn’t.’
‘No he made sure I didn’t I’d forgot all about it. Well I tried to until the guys asked me to join them Halloween.’
‘What happened. It must’ve been really bad.’
‘Noting much.’ She looked at him. ‘Sorry I don’t want to talk about this anymore.’
‘Its okay Autumn take your time.’ He breathed heavily. ‘So let’s begin with how you sprained your ankle.’
‘I went out to a Halloween party damn dress got caught underneath my shoes.’
‘Are you sure that’s all it is?’
‘I am.’
‘Only a little birdie told me different.’
‘No no it’s not.’
‘I heard you lot went out into the grave yard and they all left you there and shit you up. It sounds like da ja vous to me, so shall we start again.’
She looked at him. She didn’t want to get them in trouble.
‘Well Autumn.’
‘I already told you what happened.’
‘So your sticking to it fine.’
‘I just want to forget Matt me and Taylor, well I loved him and my mom made it quiet clear he wasn’t right for me. I disagreed you must think I’m a fool.’
‘No not at all. We all fall in love Autumn, we all have to make mistakes to learn by them.’
‘Maybe I shouldn’t after the pool.’
‘So why did you stay with him he seems to much trouble to be even bothered with.’
‘He said it wouldn’t happen again.’
‘Then it did.’
‘Yeah Halloween.’
‘Why stay with him Autumn?’
‘I loved him. He was different when we were alone. I guess he had something to prove to them, prove I wasn’t holding him back.’
‘You should’ve left him Autumn.’
‘It wasn’t that easy Matt . I tried he turned it around so I wouldn’t. He made damn sure I’d stay around.’
‘I’m sorry Autumn.’
‘It’s okay. I just got into deep and I couldn’t get back out. I loved him and he left me alone to pick up the pieces making everyone around me hate me.’
He walked over to her sitting next to her placing his hand in her face nerving her. ‘None of this was your fault Autumn, you we’re better than them they should’ve been glad of having a good friend like you, and he should’ve appreciated having a girlfriend like you I would.’
‘I wish I was dead Matt.’
‘Don’t think like that Autumn. He obviously had problems of his own that he didn’t wish to discuss with you. It wasn’t your fault okay.’
‘But they’re dead and I’m not.’
‘Don’t feel guilty Autumn. You shouldn’t have to feel guilty for them choosing the easy way out. you got through it they could’ve too.’ He got closer. ‘You should be proud of yourself for not choosing the easy way out and seeing it through.’
‘But there still not here with me.’
‘I know.’ He pressed his lips on her she hesitated his tongue slipped in kissing her harder and harder.
She shot back. ‘I have to go to lesson.’
‘We’ll talk more Thursday okay.’
‘Okay.’ She shot up leaving the room.
She limped down the corridor, tears falling off her face. Connor slipped his arms round her kissing her cheek she flinched. ‘You okay babe.’
‘Yeah I’m fine she said wiping her tears away.’
‘So how did it go with Harding?’
‘Fine.’
‘It don’t sound fine.’
‘Not now Con.’
‘Later then.’
‘Mmh.’
They walked into class sitting down he had to find out why she was so upset. She looked out the window wondering why he’d made a pass at her and what the hell he was after? She couldn’t give him what he wanted.
‘Babe come on let’s go for a fag you look like you need one.’
‘Sure.’
Thy pulled themselves up leaving the class heading for the smoking area he handed her a cigarette she took it off him, he hand shaking. ‘What did Harding say to you/‘
She blew the smoke out. Still shaking. ‘Nothing.’
‘You sure? I ain’t seen you like this before.’
‘I’m fine really.’
‘Con, Autumn.’
He looked over. ‘Guys.’
They lit their cigarettes smoking till the bell went.
‘We’ll see you guys later.’
‘Sure.’
‘Connor placed his arm round her. ‘It’s going to be okay babe.’
She said nothing as they walked to their lesson before lunch.
‘So are we still okay to sit with the guys?’
‘Yeah why.’
‘Just making sure you seem a little on edge.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Okay if you say so.’
‘I do.’
They walked down the corridor to the dinner hall grabbing their lunch sitting down with their friends. They walked out of the cafeteria Autumn looked straight at Mathew cutting her eyes as they walked out. They had a cigarette before the bell went for registration and their last two lessons. Autumn and Daniel said good bye to Connor and they went into their last lesson.
Autumn and Connor said good bye to their friends. They stood bye the bridge.
‘So what really happened between you and Harding.’
‘Nothing.’
‘I saw the way you looked at him red if looks could kill yours certainly would.’
‘He just said things that hit home.’
He edged forward.
‘Don’t Con.’
‘It’s just a good bye kiss babe chill.’
‘I..’
He pressed his lips on hers kissing her. He moved away. ‘Come on I’ll walk you to your door.’
‘You don’t have to.’
‘I promised your mom.’
‘Okay.’
They walked away they stood by Autumns. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow babe.’
‘Okay.’
He kissed her cheek. ‘Later babe.’
‘Later Con.’
She closed the door behind her he walked away wondering if she’d ever tell him what was really said between her and Harding.
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