Just Friends

Chapter 18

The past few months had been tough for Maria, her Mam was always working in the hospital and her Dad had been travelling for work. Mostly to the UK but sometimes he went to Madrid and Paris. She missed him so much when he was gone. Colm was still around but not as often as usual. With her Dad away working so much he decided to get another job in a factory closer to home. 

It had been 3 months since she split up with Keith. There was a bunch of flowers and a note begging for another chance sent to the house two weeks. She stopped reading the notes but she kept the flowers in the kitchen window. No point in letting then go to waste.

The last day of school went as well as she expected. She wished he would just stop apologising now, she told him countless times that she had forgiven him, she just couldn't forget what happened. She hadn't told him about going to Cork for college but he overheard her and Vicky talking in class on the last day and he started to panic. He followed her nearly all the way to her front door begging her to give him another chance. After an hour outside her house she got fed up and called Colm. He came over straight away and chased Keith from the door and they spent the rest of the day together like old times.

It had been about two weeks since Colm was at the house. Maria was upstairs watching a movie when she heard someone at the door. Her mam was sleeping so she quickly got up before they knocked again. Opening the door she was surprised to see Colm and a girl standing there. 

"Hey Brat, Is your Da around?" 

She raised her eyebrow at him "He's at work." 

He looked slightly uncomfortable "Oh ok...um maybe I'll drop by there and chat with him. How's things with you?" 

This was weird, he was acting strange and he still hadn't introduced his mystery girl. 

"Yeah good idea. I'm good thanks, I was just watching a movie..." 

Colm and his mystery girl didn't make any attempt to walk away so Maria stood back a little opening the door a bit wider. 

"Do you want to come in or something?" 

Colm blushed, even his ears went pink. She hadn't a clue what that was about and she didn't want to know.   

"Actually Katie needs to use the bathroom if that's ok.." 

Maria stood back completely to make way for them to come in.

"Be my guest, just down the hall there under the stairs" 

Katie smiled and thanked her while Colm walked in a shuffled from foot to foot.

Maria closed the door and they walked to the kitchen. He was still shuffling when he stood still. 

"Do you want to go too or something?" She was looking at him funny.

"Uh no..why?" She had stopped moving around now and was looking at her questioningly.

"You're doing a shuffle there, I thought maybe you were trying to hold something in."

Colm laughed, "Oh no sorry haha just a bit weird bringing a girl here..." 

Maria raised her eyebrow "Why?" 

He thought for a moment, she could nearly see the cogs going around in his brain. 

"I'm not really sure actually....anyway how has things been with you know who?...still annoying you?"

Katie was finished in the bathroom and joined them in the kitchen. 

"Nah, I think he finally got the message. I haven't heard from him in a few days." 

"Good, about time..and if he starts bothering you again just let me know" 

He put his arm around her shoulder and gave her arm a quick squeeze.

"Sorry, I haven't been introduced properly. Hi I'm Katie" She held her hand out to Maria who took it and shook it. 

"Yeah Colm has no manners sometimes." Katie laughed "I'm Maria, nice to meet you" 

"Eh I would have gotten around to it" 

Colm acted offended but Maria just laughed. She could see Katie looking at her out of the corner of her eye. Just as she was wondering why they were still here Katie linked her arm with Colms 

"Hey babe, we should probably get going. We don't want to be late for the movie and I'm sure Marie here has things to do" 

"Her name's Maria...and yeah you're probably right." He looked at Maria "Sorry for interrupting. I'll drop by tomorrow and speak to your Da. Can you ask him to let me know when he's going to be around please." 

Maria was amused by him correcting Katie, she knew she had done it on purpose. There was something about her that didn't sit right with Maria, she just couldn't put her finger on it. 

"Yeah, no problem. Enjoy your movie" 

As they walked into the hall Colm turned back to Maria. 

"Uhh do you want to join us?" Katie must have pinched him or something because he turned to her in disgust "Ouch what the?" 

Her face went bright red, she hadn't expected him to rat her out. 

"Oh sorry, my arm was itchy I was trying to scratch it."

Colm was still staring at her, Maria was trying her best to keep herself from laughing. 

"So....would you like to join us?" 

Maria shook her head "No thanks, I'm going to meet Vicky soon. Thanks for the offer though" 

Colm looked slightly disappointed, Katie looked relieved. 

"Oh ok...well next time. Actually..that haunted doll movie is out next week if you want to go see it?" 

Katie pulled on his arm "But babe, you know I don't like those type of movies." 

He glanced at her "Yeah, that's fine. Her friend doesn't like them either so we usually go together... Anyway, you have a night planned with the girls on Saturday, don't you?"

Maria stood watching the conversation between them. If looks could kill Colm would be dead a million times over by now. Katie was not impressed. 

"Umm I'm not sure what I'm doing on Saturday, I'll let you know. Thanks" 

Colm looked at her, she could see he was annoyed by Katie's behaviour but he smiled anyway.

He leaned in towards her and gave her a quick hug "Ok, see you tomorrow" 

His arm was nearly pulled off him as Katie walked out the door. She was not happy.