Never The End

Chapter 8 - Nerves

We made plans to meet up again the following night.

“Bye mum!”

“Olivia? Where are you going?”

“Just out with some friends.”

“Again? You only went out last night.”

Clammy hands. Butterflies in my stomach. Heart rate increasing. “Yeah, well there’s a group of us this time. I’ll be the only one not going...”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. You’ve got your exams in a few months and I think you should probably stay in for a few nights don’t you?”

“Mum! That’s not fair. You know I work hard for my exams.”

“Yes, I know you work hard but at the moment exams should be your priority, not going out with your friends. I’m sorry but I really don’t think you should go out tonight.”

“Ok and I respect your opinion but I have my studying under control. I am prepared for my exams and I need some chill time.”

“Olivia. It wasn’t really a request; I’m telling you that I don’t want you going out tonight.”

I slammed the door. “Fine. I’ll stay inside whilst all my friends are off having fun.”

“Don’t take it out on me. You’ll thank me one day. Now, I think you should go into the study and do a few hours of solid revision.”

“A few hours? I can’t concentrate for that long!”

“You used to be able to.”

I stopped. I knew that was true. Recently, I’d let my studies take a back seat to my social life. I had to get back on track. “Ok, yeah. Sorry. I didn’t mean to shout, I’ll just....” I trailed off and started walking up the stairs.

As soon as mum was out of sight, I texted Jason, “I can’t come out! Mum is being a pain and making me stay in to revise Lxxx”

I shut my bedroom door behind me and placed my phone on the desk. My books were laid out neatly in alphabetical order. As I sat down, I received a text message. “You don’t have to come out for me to be able to see you. Add me on Skype and we can talk anyway: @JasonTruman xxx”

I hesitated. My door was shut and mum never came in without my permission. I rooted round under my desk for my laptop. My fingers wrapped round its silk case. I picked it up and placed it on my desk. Quickly, I snapped it open. The welcome screen flashed up and a tinkling noise sounded loudly. I pressed my finger over the speaker to muffle the noise.

I clicked on my profile and entered my password. The screen went black before the main screen flickered to life. I clicked on the Skype icon. The login screen came up. Again, I entered my username - @OliviaLomas334 – and my password.