Do Mind Maps Ever End?

Chapter 6

I walked, each step further away from Officer Taylors house. Each step in rebellion. Joanna had texted me to come right home after school. Why should I? She didnt own me.

I went and sat in the favourite hangout spot, Ollies. The smoothies there, were from heaven.

As I waited I glanced round me.

Heads twisted sharply. Some people stupidly kept staring. I glared back at them, my eyes widening. They were all from school. What was I thinking coming here?

"Hey, you new around here?."

I twisted round to see a tall guy dressed in black and wearing a beanie stand next to me. His face held no expression. I think I recognised him from school. He then stared at the seat next to me.

"Sit if ya want." I said.

He took me up on my offer and sat up in the chair and looked at me intensely.

"Im Gale."

I laughed, "Is that not a girls name?"

"No."

Silence.

"Im Elle."

"Is that not a letter?"

"No."

This conversation was making me uncomfortable. Gale was cute in a emo sort of way. He looked to be around sixteen.

The waitor set my smoothie at the bar and Gale grabbed it.

"HEY! Give it back." I yelled as he held it over his head.

"Just give me a sec." He said as he turned his back to me.

I saw a glance of a silver flask coming out of his coat and heard him pour some type of liquid into my smoothie. He then placed it back on the bar.

"Now its ready." He gave me a stiff smile.

I thought before I drank but Gale looked expectantly at me. I took a sip and cringed. A hot burning sensation stung the back of my throat.

"Its eh...strong." I murmered.

"Ha ha yea."

I got up and left, chucking my smoothie in the bin outside the door.

"Not your thing huh?"

Gale was taking long strides beside me.

"Eh no." Maybe short answer questions would make him go away.

I walked on swiftly, glancing from time to time at Gale walking beside me. We walked in silence.

I didnt know what to do. I couldnt go home because then he would know where I live. We were walking past The Mall shopping centre and I came up with an idea.

"I need the toilet." I announced.

"Well dont let me stop you." He gave me an exagerated wink.

"Ill just wait here then."

I nodded at him and walked into the busy shopping centre. Here, I was just another shopper, another victom coming along to force their products down my throat. I walked swiftly, not looking up.

Busy mothers pushed buggies through anything or anyone while the dads ran after the uncontrolable kids. Girls and guys walked hand in hand smiling into eachothers faces. Families laughed and had fun together. That isnt me, that was never me. Dad hardly ever came home and when he did he didnt have time to take us places. Mum never wanted to go anywhere in case dad would come home while we were out. If that happened he would leave and not come home for an even longer period. I could tell mum missed him. I dont know why but she did. Many nights I would hear a soft sniffle coming from her room. Mum. She would have been better without him.