Tormented

Chapter 5

Luckily for me I managed to cram so much History work into the one hour time slot in school that I didn't have to go to Benedict's house after school. I was really dreading the idea of having to suffer in his home, but I was free and heading back to my house to grovel in front of my mother. Sarah was practically forcing me to beg her to let me go to a party. I didn't even want to go to, but if I actually tried to persuade my mother I wouldn't have to lie to Sarah about it. My mum was going to say no regardless of what I said to her, so to prevent a guilty conscience I would do what Sarah asked.

'Hey Honey, How was school?' She asks.

It was the same thing every day. In a way I should be thankful she shows an interest, but I wish I didn't have to lie to her every day.

'Great.' I tell her as I walk into the front room where she was sitting, reading a book. 'Mum, can I ask you something?' She looks up from her book, locking eyes with me giving me a nod of the head.

'Yeah, of course, what is it?'

'Well...There's this party on Friday for some of the kids at school...'

'No.' She says flatly.

'I told Sarah you'd say no, but I thought I'd ask anyways.'

'Oh, Sarah's going?' She backtracks at the sound of my best friends name.

'Yeah...' I answer with caution.

'Where is the party?' She asks.

'Down Elm street, not far.'

'So you could walk there?'

'Yes.' I answer her, knowing why she was asking.

My mother didn't like getting in a car after what happened with dad and she was even worse with the idea of me getting in a car. If something was within walking distance then fine, but if you had to drive to get somewhere it was an instant no go.

'And would you be drinking?' She asks, pulling my attention back to the room.

'No mum.' I roll my eyes.

'You've never asked about a party before...?'

'I never wanted to go to one before...'

'But you do now?' She questions me.

'It's important to Sarah.' I tell her.

'Well if it's important to Sarah and you promise you'll be careful then I guess you can go, but be home before 10.' She says before turning back to her book.

'What?' I ask in utter disbelief.

'Be home before 10.' She tells me flicking her eyes up from the book, like that was the bit I had an issue with.

'You're actually letting me go? To a party? By myself? On a Friday night?'

'You just told me Sarah would be there.'

'Yeah...'

'I like Sarah. She's a smart girl. I trust her.'

'Right...'

'Is that all? Because I've just got to a good bit in my book.' She asks, waiting for my answer.

'Yeah, I'm just gunna do some homework.' I tell her as I leave the room and head upstairs.

As soon as I shut the door I grab my mobile and text Sarah.

Char - She said yes.

Sarah - No way! I told you!

Char - Yeah, yeah.

Sarah - So, what are you going to wear?

Char - I dunno. What are you gunna wear?

Sarah - A dress?

Char - I don't have anything to wear. Can I just wear my converse and jeans?

Sarah - No you can not. You can come to mine and borrow something.

Char - Because you go to so many parties...

Sarah - More then you.

Char - Touché

Sarah - I'll see you tomorrow at school. Got a History project to do.

Char - I really hope that's not a euphemism.

Sarah - Jealous?

Char - Ew.

Sarah - I'm joking. 

Sarah - Although Sex might be a way of warming Benedict up to you?

Char - I'm going to pretend to didn't just say that...

Sarah - Ignore that last one, that was James. He stole my phone.

Char - Good, I thought you were losing your mind. 

Sarah - See you tomorrow?

Char - Got no where else to go... See ya.

I try to study. I lay my text book out on the bed with all my notes and force myself to look at the paper, but nothing seems to want to go in as I stare at the paper. All I can think about is the party on Friday. Maybe if I pretend to be ill at school Sarah will show me some pity and not make me go? But with that thought my phone Buzzes.

Benedict - History. My house. Tomorrow.

Char - Why?

Benedict - Parents out. Need to watch brother.

I tut at his blunt answers.

Char - I thought that was today?

Benedict - And tomorrow.

Char - Is this going to be a regular thing? Because I really don't feel comfortable going to your house.

Benedict - Don't know, don't care.

I let out a growl at that last one. He knew I had no choice but to agree to work with him where ever he wanted. I didn't have parents with unlimited money to pay for my place at that school. I was relying on a scholarship. I couldn't let my mother down like that by just failing when it was well within my capability to pass with flying colours... except PE. He was doing this on purpose.

Char - Why are you doing this to me?

Benedict - Not everything is about you.

What did that mean? 

Char - ?

I didn't know what I expected after that, but he didn't text me back. It was weird. It was like I'd said something that had got under his skin. I felt triumphant that I'd managed to get a one up on him, but it slowly faded as I started to wonder what that last text was all about.