Catch A Falling Star

Catch A Falling Star- Chapter One

Chapter One

It was a horribly cold, dark November when I first met you. The cloudy skies were threatening to snow, at least sleet all afternoon. I walked to school alone- my older sister had an orthodontist appointment, so I was lonely. Like always. I remember every detail perfectly; what cereal I ate in the morning, what song was resonating in my head all day, what pair of socks I was wearing, tiny insignificant things that now have some sentimental value, and I’m infamous for having a bad memory. But I won’t bore you with those details yet. They become more important later. I walked into school, which was yet to be buzzing with activity as I was a couple of minutes early. It was too warm- it seemed the members of staff who were in charge of the heating liked going overboard- in winter, it was so warm you’d want to go outside and rip your coat of, and in summer, it was so cold- Air conditioners up to full, all windows open, so you’d want it to be winter again. But you’d know that, because you’re you, and you went to this school. I don’t want to forget that.

It was the beginning of a new term, because we’d had a short but sweet half term- a week to get my sanity back after not eating for ages. I used to be anorexic and cut because I thought I was forever alone, not that you’d be able to tell. You saw me for who I really was, not who I wanted to be. You were the only one who understood, and I loved you for that. The song ‘I Only Think Of You’ by The Horrors was pulsing in my head all day, it’s a wonder I never cried. Sad love songs always made me cry, not music like Bruno Mars, as that was the case with many people in my school, but I guess I was strange- it seemed I was the only one who had an extreme distaste for soppy mainstream ‘music’. I think that’s what made me love you in the first place. All the similarities.

Even though it was nowhere near Christmas time, as it was just the beginning of November, they had already put up the Christmas tree in the foyer, and had decorated the reception desk with tinsel. Sometimes I don’t understand the hype- why people get so excited about one day. Hmm.

The reason I walked in so early that day (11th November to be precise) is because I had a Connexions appointment. For those of you who don’t know, Connexions is a school-run clinic for those with self doubt and other mental states. Mine was depression, so I ran upstairs, my eyes gummy due to lack of sleep, because although it was early, I needed to tell my doctor about how I’d improved over the holiday, and I’d not cut once. It’d been a while since I’d talked to her, and I needed the support. I was excited to break the news to her. I was wearing a turquoise woolly coat over my school uniform, but I’d hope you’d know that, because that was when you first saw me. Well, first saw me in a long time.  I was on my way to the D corridor, where the clinic was, when you passed me in the stairway. You were new to Castwell secondary school, that was your first day, and your eyes looked almost albino, they were so bright. You glanced at me and from that second on, I knew. I’d seen you before; you were my friend at my very first school. We used to have picnics together on the playground every day, until one day you disappeared, and I never saw you again. The teachers always said you’d moved away and would be back soon, but I knew they’d had no idea where you’d gone. When you glanced at me on the stairs, you whispered my name and a small smile stretched your mouth before you carried on down the stairs. I knew it was you, Charlie.