Moments

Chapter two.

The walk to school always used to be her favourite part of the day. When she was younger, her mum would walk her to corner of the street, holding Alexia's hand tight in one of her hands, and clasping her rucksack in the other. At the end of the street, her mum would always stop, and kiss her head and then they'd wait for Jack and Mrs Nolan, Jacks mum, to arrive. When they arrived, they would  all walk to school together, Alexia and Jack racing ahead, jumping through puddles, catching falling leaves, avoiding the cracks in the pavements.

As Alexia and Jack got older, they were permitted to do the journey themselves. Walking the mile it took between their houses and Saint Edmunds Grammar, with a spring in their step, despite the heavy load of text books on their backs. The days when Jack was off school ill, Alexia hated, often begging a lift off her parents, so she wouldn't have to walk alone. When they finally got together, they would walk to school hand in hand, their pace slowing to match each others, Jack insisting on taking both of their backpacks.

Now, Alexia hated the walk to school. Eli has immediately stepped up, after she made the decision to come back to school,and arrived at her house at 7am on the dot each day to walk her to school. But as good as his intentions were, Alexia resented it slightly, and she hated herself for it. Eli was a good friend, they'd met on the first day of secondary school and immediately hit it off, they'd even dated for an uncomfortable week, before mutually deciding they were better off as friends. They'd been walking in silence for about ten minutes, when Eli finally broke the silence.

"You need to start coming out with all of us again," he said with a chuckle "Greg got so drunk, made out with Henrietta and Louisa, before trying it on with Georgie, who shoved him into the punch, I did warn him though…" he trailed off. "You listening to me," he said playfully nudging her in the ribs with his elbows. She jumped, at the sudden contact.

"Yeah, sorry" she muttered "I don't think I'm quite ready for the party scene just yet" she said, looking up as Eli's face fell slightly "Soon though" she said offering up a small smile "I promise, just give me time?" He nodded back at her,

"Of course" before slinging an arm across her small shoulders. "I'm just interested to see how forms going to go down, when Louise and Henrietta see old Greggy, sure hope he's over his hangover" he finished with a chuckle. 

They arrived at school, just as the bell rang, and a flurry of students all started to make their way into the main hall. Eli slid his arm down from Alexia's shoulders, giving her hand a small squeeze.

"You want me to walk you to homeroom" he inquired, trying to pull his crooked tie straight.

"I can find my own way" she chuckled, "honest," reaching over to help him.

"Thanks" he mumbled, ruffling his hair, a move which got him a lot of female attention. Alexia rolled here eyes.

"What?" moaned Eli, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Nothing, go, you'll miss all the drama" said Alexia said, hands dropping to her sides. Eli turned, before pausing.

"What?" said Alexia, with a small breathy laugh.

"Nothing" he said "It's just nice to see you smile again, thats all" Alexia rolled her eyes again, causing Eli to laugh, as they walked in opposite directions to form room.

In form room, Alexia sunk down into her usual seat in the back of the room. Trying to resist the urge to grab her headphones out her pocket, or bury her face in a textbook, she sat back, surveying the room. Groups of teenagers gathered all the way around the classroom, leaning against desks, catching up after the weekend or trying to do some last minute cramming for tests.