The Super Enrichment Programme

Do you like Nolan?

‘I’m exhausted!’ I complained to Emma as we made our way to lunch after our fourth lesson.

‘You didn’t do anything in transport tech!’ Emma said exasperatedly.

‘Cause I’m hungry!’ I countered as we entered the lunchroom. I spotted an empty table by the window and made my way over.

I rummaged through my bag for my bagel and crisps. As I placed them on the table I noticed Emma waving at someone across the room.

Three guesses who.

Nolan and Hale we making their way over to us and I was surprised to feel my heart begin to beat rapidly.

Hale scooted around to sit next to me and Nolan sat across from us, next to Emma.

‘How did you find Transport Tech?’ Nolan asked us.

‘Interesting,’ I said and Emma nodded intently.

‘Have you got Code Breaking last?’ Hale asked me as he pulled a packet of crisps out of his bag.

‘Yeah, it sounds really hard,’ I grinned as Hale laughed at me.

‘I’m sure it’ll be fine,’ Nolan agreed and Emma’s eyes began to glaze over as she stared at Nolan. I saw his eyes flicker uncomfortably towards Emma, so I kicked her under the table. She jumped and glared at me before carrying on with her lunch.

                                    *

Emma seems like she’s in a different world when she's with Nolan. She doesn’t argue or complain. Hell, she doesn’t even talk.

Although she's certainly making up for it now.

‘Wasn’t code breaking hard! It was like a huge never ending math problem…’ she carried on as we walked home. I was only half listening as I had my earplugs in.

‘Emma,’ I tried to interrupt. ‘EMMA!’ I yelled when she continued to talk.

‘What?’ she demanded, stopping suddenly so a little kid walked into her.

‘Do you like Nolan?’ I asked, stopping too and pulling her out of the way of another little kid.

A small blush crept onto her cheeks as she turned around and started walking again.

‘Wait!’ I called, desperately trying to run after her in my heels. NOTE TO SELF – NEVER EVER wear heels to school again.

When I finally caught up with her, her face was blank. There was no blush or emotion at all.

We turned the corner to my house, not saying a word.

‘So do you?’ I asked, my hand on my garden gate.

‘Uh huh’ Emma muttered before turning and walking off in the direction of her house.

I pushed the gate open, a small smile creeping onto my lips.

I dumped my bag on the kitchen table and took my heels off. I grabbed a couple of rich tea biscuits out of the cupboard and made my way into the living room.

Tom was already there with his best friend Ethan.

‘Hey tom, Ethan,’ I said as I sat down in an armchair. They were playing Call of Duty on the Xbox, which really didn’t entertain me much, I don’t see the point in killing all these random zombies for hours. I pulled out my phone to check my messages.

Emma had text me almost as soon as I’d walked through the garden gate.

To: Gemma

From: Emma

Please don’t tell Nolan…

I smiled and typed a quick reply.

To: Emma

From: Gemma

I won’t don’t worry :D