Part of the Plan (Book 2 in the 'part of' series)

Chapter 7 Gossip and relations

Chapter 7 Gossip and Relations

That night something strange happened. I was sitting on my bed, reading a book when my phone started to ring. I looked at it oddly for a few moments. The only person who would phone or get in contact with me would be Aiden, For a moment, I'd thought that it was Tori and my blood ran cold. One thing which calmed me down was the fact that it was a phone number and not a contact name.

"Hello?" I asked with a cautious and tired tone. It was just about time for me to head to bed. The day had been stressful and nothing was more appealing to me right now than curling up under my covers. I expected to hear a robotic premade message so I got quite a shock when I heard a familiar, high voice on the other end.

"Low, why didn't you tell me our parents were working together?''I blinked a few times in shock as I heard Emi's voice coming through. She had never phoned me in the past five years we've known each other. She had my phone number for emergencies, but apparently her parents kept a close eye on her phone bill and who she was talking to. She said that they would never approve of us talking on the phone, especially when we can see each other at school.

"What?" I couldn't quite comprehend what she had said to me. I was much too surprised that it was her talking. "Emi, for one, hello. For two, how am I meant to know?" I furrowed my eyebrows at my friend. I didn't really know where either of her parents worked, I didn't even know where my dad worked half of the time.

"They're in charge of the construction company." She said rather quickly, she seemed rather excited. "Your dad's working for them on their new project." Then it dawned on me. It made sense considering where she lived. They were the ones who issued the destruction and construction on the forest. The forest which my brother was sleeping in two nights ago. "It's great! We'll be able to meet up outside of school then."

I chuckled at her excitement and put my book down. "How would we be able to do that? It's just a job." I shook my head and stood up, pacing quietly in the very small space I had. I know that this was going to cause quite a few problems. Aiden would undoubtedly try to put a stop to the construction. If Emi's family were the pens to own the company then that would surely cause tension.

"Don't you know how these things work?" She teased me lgihtly. "Big companies like this put on all sorts of events! They're usually extremely boring, though if you're here it'll be so much better." I gave a light scoff and stopped in front of the board which held many photographs.

"So I'll just be the evening entertainment?" I joked. It was true that I had never been to any event such as that, at least not within the past five years. "Dad's just a construction man, would he really be invited?" I couldn't deny the fact that I did want to experience an event such as that. I would stick out like a sore thumb but it would be interesting.

"Of course he would, these events have attendees int he hundreds." She scoffed. That made me a little less eager. "Dad will find out i'm on the phone soon so I better hurry. I'll talk to you tomorrow, bye!" and so she hung up without another word.

I looked at my phone strangely as she hung up on me. That was one of the weirdest phone calls I'd ever received. I should've expected it from Emi though. I put my phone down on my bed rather harshly and looked towards my door, very tempted to head downstairs and get a drink. I would've usually gone for a walk; it was a little bit too late for that. After a little bit of debate, I shook my head and started to head downstairs. I was quiet in an attempt to not alert my mam. Dad still wasn't home.

I entered the kitchen and groaned at the existence of the dishes in the sink. I rolled my eyes and started to fill the sink, knowing I wouldn't be able to get any sleep with these there. I didn't like to have a schedule or a list of things to do, I'd rather do things when I have to or when I find myself with free time. I had finished my homework a long time ago so I had plenty of free time now.

The dishes took quite a while, I was slow and quiet. I wished that I could put some music on but unfortunately I couldn't. Once they were done, I stood at the back door with a glass of lemonade in hand, just staring at the sky. I felt incredibly alone at that moment. I'd had a lot of conversation and social interaction the past few days. Somehow, I found myself more tired, I wanted to meet new people.

That might be why Emi intrigued me so much with her talk of going to meetings or parties. I wanted to meet new people and have new friends. I didn't see an opportunity like that coming towards me anytime soon. Aiden was the more popular one, even though I suspect he's the more awkward out of the two of us. That assumption in itself proves that I might be wrong.

I stepped out of my back door, with my slippers on. It was filthy. We never really went out here now. There was a little bit of path with weeds creeping up from in between the gaps and then there was the actual grass which just about reached higher than my knee. I had to remind myself that I had already asked some family if they would be able to let me borrow the lawn mower or anything really. It had gotten to the point where I was considering taking scissors out there one sunny weekend.

I looked up to the sky once again to see darkness, there wasn't any stars or light up there. It seemed to reflect my emotions right now. I had the sudden feeling of jealousy. Aiden had gone into the forest. I'm sure that there would've been stars visible there. Now it was going to get destroyed and ruined like everywhere else. The stars and moon would be completely covered by darkness.

I sighed and held my head. This wasn't like me, I didn't usually get so depressing and philosophical. These thoughts were probably just because I was so tired, it was late, and I had to get up early tomorrow. It could've been because I was stressed and worried too. There were plenty of reasons. Tomorrow, I'll have to act like everything is normal, like there isn't tension within my house and family, like I wasn't suspicious of my favourite teacher and like I wasn't completely on edge.