Just Friends

Chapter 11

It was Maria's 17th birthday, she was just starting to feel better about her breakup with Keith 2 months ago. He was still calling and texting but it wasn't as often. She saw him in school but ignored him as much as she could. Thankfully this was her last year in secondary school then she was going to college in Cork with Vicky and she wouldn't have to see him at all. 

She sat in the kitchen at the counter eating a bowl of cereal and drinking a cup of tea. It was the last day of school before they broke up for the Christmas break. Maria couldn't wait until the day was over and she didn't have to see Keith every day for hours. The back door opened and Colm plonked himself down on the stool beside her. 

He gave her a bear hug 

"Happy birthday Brat. What are your plans for the day?" 

She shrugged him off

"Thanks but ugh, can you get off now! Please...." 

They still done this pretending they hate each other thing sometimes. She looked at him sideways and he was grinning.

"I don't have any plans. Vicky is visiting her Nana and Grandad in Cork for Christmas so she's leaving straight after school. What are you upto? You haven't been around much lately....not that I'm complaining" 

Colm gave an exaggerated laugh

"HA! I knew you missed me." 

She rolled her eyes at him

"I've just been busy with work, I have today off though if you want to do something after school for your birthday." 

"I don't need your pity company.....but I'll take it." She smiled at him "Thanks" 

"It's not pity company, I actually enjoy hanging out with you. You're fun underneath all of that moodiness and grumpy face" 

She stood up to bring her bowl to the sink and slapped him on the back as she passed.

"I'll see you later, I have to go ignore the ex in school" 

He laughed at her joke

"Hey Brat!" 

She turned to look at him

"How about I pick you up after school, you're not in uniform today so I won't feel so weird about walking around with a schoolgirl." 

"You're so weird...yeah that would be nice, thanks. See ya later" 

Her mam came down the stairs as she was going out the door. 

"Hey girly, Happy Birthday." 

She pulled her into a hug

"Sorry I'm working today, I wish we could spend the day together when you get in from school. "

She smiled at her mam

"It's fine Ma, Colm is going to pick me up from school and we're going out." 

Her mam raised an eyebrow

"Oh ok, you two seem to be getting along a lot better these days....Just friends though...right?" 

Maria rolled her eyes 

"Yes Ma, just friends. He's old for god sake" 

Colm poked his head around the door 

"Oi! I heard that. I'm not old" 

Maria and her mam laughed as he stood shaking his fist at them like a grumpy old man. 

"Right, off to school missy. I'm going to go have a coffee with the old man. Love you" 

"Love you Ma"

"Where's my love you?" Colm pouted

"You don't get one old man" 

She laughed as she pulled the door behind her. 

She arrived to the school to find a box wrapped up on her table with a card. Her name was scrawled across the envelope. She recognised the writing. It was Keith. She didn't want to look in his direction because she knew he would be staring at her. Thankfully he wasn't on her table anymore. Maria was never so glad that Mr Kennedy had a thing about moving students around every month. He said it helped them to get out of their comfort zone and mix with people they wouldn't usually mix with. She picked up the box and card and shoved them into her bag. She'd deal with them later. Looking over to Vicky she rolled her eyes. The rest of the day went as well as she suspected. Keith took every opportunity he could to talk to her but she ignored him most of the time. As the bell went at the end of the day, she took the box and card from her bag and put it in front of Keith on the way out. He tried calling her back but she ignored him, said goodbye to Vicky and walked out the door. 

Walking down the path towards the school gate she saw Colm's car outside. He was standing on the footpath at the passenger side and waved when he saw her. She waved back then saw his face darken. She knew by his expression that Keith was behind her. She quickened her pace and reached Colm before Keith reached her. 

Colm gave her a hug when she got to him and opened the car door for her. She stepped in and laughed. He had a Happy Birthday balloon in the back of the car and a badge saying Birthday Girl on the dash in the front. He walked around the car and got in behind the wheel. 

She nodded towards the badge and laughed. He picked it up and pinned it to her jumper. She noticed him looking past her and smirking as he done it. She knew if she turned around she would see Keith watching them. 

"Thanks...can you not hug me in public though please?" 

He laughed 

"Oh so I can't hug you in public...what about in private?" 

She burst out laughing as his face went red when he realised what he had said.

He had started to apologise but she knew what he had meant so she brushed it off.

"It's fine Colm, can we go now please? I have a feeling we have an audience"

Colm smiled at her

"You should have seen his face when I hugged you. Serves him right....He's lucky I didn't slap him" 

Colm started the engine and pulled out into the traffic.