Ready

Ten~*

I walk into my room, and pull out my phone. I dial Amelia's number. She picks up on the third ring. "Hey girl! I've been waiting for your call! Where are you? No one's home?"

"Hey, Amelia. There ... something happened."

I tell her about Johnny, and about my parents. The only bit I leave out is about Darren. "Oh my god, my poor baby. Oh my god. Can I come and see you?" She asks, concern lacing her voice.

"I'll go and ask." I run down the stairs, almost knocking Darren over. "Sorry, Darren." I rush past him.

"No problem?"

"Who was that?" Amelia screeches on the other end of the line. "A guy?!"

I laugh. "Yeah, his name's Darren. He's Derek's son." I explain. I'm not telling her about the Bro Down part ... I spot Debbie. "Debbie!" I yell. She turns around, smiling at me. "Can Amelia come over please? Maybe stay the night?"

"Sure, I don't see why not. She can come tomorrow, okay?" I grin, throwing my arms around her.

"Thank you!" I gush, running back upstairs. Darren's standing where I left him, an amused look on his face. I give him a quick smile and wave, before dashing into my room. "She said yes. Tomorrow." I say to Amelia down the phone.

I hear something being knocked over. "Oops. Oh shit. Note to self ; Don't happy dance near your Mum's vase. Oh god." I laugh at her. "Okay. I'll start packing now, and I'll see you tomorrow! I'll bring Rom&Jule, okay?Okay. Bye, baby!" Amelia hangs up.

I laugh to myself, as I put my phone on charge. A small knock on the door drags me out of my thoughts about how I'm going to explain to Amelia about Darren. "Come in." I call.

The door gets nudged open. Darren comes in, still in his jogging bottoms, but he has a t-shirt this time. "So, want to have another film night tonight? In my room?" He offers.I shake my head, his eyes widen. "Why?"

"I need to tidy my room before Amelia comes over tomorrow." I tell him, sitting on the edge of my bed. It doesn't really need to be tidy, but I need to do something to keep myself distracted.

"Fuck the tidying. We should do something." He says, grabbing my wrist. "You play football?" He asks, pulling me out of my room. I nod. Darren grins at me. "Cool, we'll play out back."

On the way through the house, Darren tells me all his football fails. I'm in stitches by the time we get to the kitchen. " --it hit me right in the balls. I went after Greg, I'll tell you that." I giggle. Debbie's still in the kitchen, and Daisy's joined her.

Debbie looks up, and winks at me. I feel heat rush to my cheeks. "Hey, Debbie." I greet her.

"Hello, you two having fun? Not too much, I hope." My cheeks go redder, I swear. Darren chuckles, before pulling on some trainers.

"I'm just taking Lilly-Mae here," He slings an arm over my shoulders. "Out to play football. See if she can match my pro skills." He laughs, pushing me slightly, before running out into the garden. I get out two cans of coke. Debbie stops me just before I go outside.

"Hold on, missy." She says, putting a hand on my shoulder. "How are you and Darren doing then?" She has a smug look on her face.

"Fine." I say, trying to go past her. Debbie blocks my path, a huge grin on her face.

"I'm glad. Remember ; Just think of him as a normal guy, and things are easy." She gives me a reassuring smile, which I return. She then lets me past. I head out, and see Darren messing around with the football.

"Darren," I call. He looks up, and smiles. I show him the can, and throw it to him. He catches it. I open my can, and take a sip. I put it on the garden table, and Darren puts his on a little wall.