Better Together

Chapter eight

On my way home, I dug out the invitation again. 

'31st December 9pm-2am.'

 That's today, though why's it so late, I'm going to be exhausted. 

I suppose it is a new years eve party.

 When I arrived at home, Mrs Benson greeted me. 

She was asking many questions but I tried to answer them as best as I could because she has been so kind to me.

 "You didn't get lost then?" Mrs Benson joked. 

I had failed to tell her about my photographic memory. 

I shook my head at her and left to go to my room. 

Unexpectedly, I reached for my phone. 

It was a strange thing for me to do as I rarely use it as it usually had a flurry of threatening texts from my parents. 

I flicked along my short list of contacts and saw my most recent.

 'Mei', she had given me her number so I wouldn't get lost in the upcoming party. 

So many unusual things have happened to me today. 

First friend, first party. 

I felt fairly cheerful too. 

I dug around my small wardrobe and sighed.

 Nothing that looked like something I could wear at a party.

 Realising this sounded a bit too cliché, I just rummaged around some more and picked out a skimpy vest top and a see through sparkly deep blue top to wear on top.

 It had once been my older sisters.

 I hesitated a little before I changed it for the shirt I was currently wearing but I'm certain there will be far more revealing clothes spotted tonight. 

I kept the jeans I was wearing because they looked pretty okay, then scooped out my music book from my backpack and started to write some notes.

 I sat there for a good hour or two before I headed downstairs to the sound of Mrs Benson calling us for dinner. 

Everyone was looking at me when they saw my clothes, my face tensed and my eyes fell to staring at the floor. 

However, they just simply complimented me and continued serving up food. 

I reluctantly dragged my eyes back up and helped them, I don't want to seem ungrateful. 

The five of us sat around the wooden dining table, a meal of chicken nuggets in front of us. 

That made me smile a little I had been working myself up but that made me realise this is basically home now, not some posh hotel. 

Mrs Benson was the first to break the ice.

 "I hope this is okay Ko, I never went to teenage parties so I don't know if you'll be fed or not."

 I had no clue either, I have only read about teen parties in books and they never ended well. 

"It's ok," I tried to make sure she could tell I was appreciative "thank you." 

The children were chatting away at the end of the table. 

I wished my childhood could of been more like this, but i banished away the thought thinking that was too selfish. 

The sudden beeping of my phone rushed me back to reality. 

I wasn't sure whether to check it although I knew it was Mei but Mrs Benson nodded her head in reassurance and wished me farewell and hoped the party would be enjoyable. 

Nervously, I headed out the door into the darkness.

 I turned on my phone to give me some light, hopefully I won't be kidnapped I thought to myself, and that better not be foreshadowing.