Midnight Message

Chapter 15 - Messages in an empty house

Gemma shuts the lid of her laptop and slides her chair away from the desk.

That's enough essay writing for today. It's not due until the end of the semester anyway. I'm just getting ahead. Gemma thinks smugly.

However, as she gets up from her chair she remembers the panic she felt just a few days ago, when she realised she had forgotten about one of her essays. Sheepishly Gemma reminds herself not to be too over confident.

Even if I did triple check with all my tutors and send Erin multiple messages confirming that the rest of my assignments aren't due until the last week of the semester, I've learnt my lesson. No more 'over-confident Gemma'. Besides. Gemma thinks drily as she pictures a certain young, talented, good looking footballer. No one likes a cocky attitude.

Gemma wonders what Trent thought of her note. I wish I could have seen his face when he found it. I wish I was there for the moment when the 'incredible' Trent Caldwell realised that there are girls in this country that are immune to his charm and charisma.

Gemma smirks to herself as she makes her way downstairs, in search of a snack. It is Saturday afternoon and the house is quiet. Neither of Gemma's parents are working at the hospital, so they've gone out for the day. Gemma hopes they're enjoying their day off together. She knows her parents work hard. They work long hours at the hospital and genuinely care for their patients. They go out of their way to provide the best care and medical attention for them all.

Angie is out with her friends, of course. That girl is never home. She spends so much time socialising, it's a wonder she has time for anything else. Gemma shakes her head. She's happy for her sister. Angie is doing well at school and still manages to find time to spend with her large group of friends. She has the best of both worlds.

Zack is at his footy camp. No wonder the house is quiet. Zack's not here. Gemma thinks affectionately. Zack is the main source of energy and noise in the Stanton house. Gemma hopes he is having a good time at his camp. He was so excited about it.

Gemma finds a half-eaten tub of sweet chilli philly dip in the fridge. Not only is the house quieter without Zack. There's also an abundance of snacks that he hasn't gotten his hands on. Score!

Gemma removes the dip from the fridge and takes some crackers out of the cupboard. She grabs some chocolate for good measure before carrying the stash into the lounge room where she curls up on the couch with her book and her food.

The rest of my family is out and about in the world. Talking to people and being social. And me? I've spent the first half of my Saturday volunteering at a library, getting ahead with my university essays and reading. Nerd alert!

Gemma spreads some dip on a cracker and puts it in her mouth. It's not like I haven't spoken to people today. Gemma reasons as she chews her snack. I had a good chat to Jan at the library this morning. She told me that Frank came home pumped after the VFL match yesterday. He couldn't stop raving about his 'mighty Tiges'.

Gemma puts another dip covered cracker in her mouth and opens her book. She leans back on the couch and sighs. The house is so quiet. So peaceful!

The sound of her phone vibrating interrupts Gemma from her reading. It sounds unusually loud in the empty house. Gemma frowns and pulls her phone out of her pocket. So much for peace and quiet. Gemma reads the screen on her phone. 1 new message.

Gemma opens the message. It's from Zack.

Hey sis, how's your weekend? Mine's awesome! Footy camp is the best. Ben dislocated his shoulder during one of the drills. Which sucks for him because now he can't play for at least a month. Plus he was vice captain. So the team voted on a new acting vice, while Ben's out injured. And guess who got the most votes?