Troubled | alex turner

fourteen

alexander david turner

"This plan is going so well," Matt smiled, and took a sip of his coca cola.

"I know," I say, smiling back as I sit back into Miles' settee. "Miles, mind if I have a smoke?"

Miles rolled his eyes; he hated when I smoked. I smoked rarely, maybe a maximum of three a month. "As long as you don't hog it."

This meant I had to pass it around; great. Pulling out a packet of camel's, I lit up one and took a couple of puffs, and it wasn't long before Miles told me to give it to Jamie next to me.

He took one single puff and I envied him in that moment in time. "What's the plan then, lads?" Jamie asks, "wanna hit town tonight?"

Matt took the cig from Jamie, and took a single puff. "Definitely," Matt smiled and took another puff before handing it to Nick. "You up for it, O Malley?"

Nick pondered over this thought whilst tapping the ash off the cigarette. All my friends seemed to take short puffs that couldn't be enjoyable. I knew the only did this because they thought that it was going to kill me or something.

"Sure," He smiled, handing it over to Miles. It was getting closer to me. Thank god.

"Why do you buy this shit, Al?" Miles said, taking a puff and coughing. He passed it over to me.

"Don't have it then. Let me," I smiled and took a long, long puff and let the smoke let out of my mouth slowly. I felt so calm and at peace.

"What kind of friend would I be then?" Miles said with concern.

"A good one," I smiled and took another puff.

Just as I was starting to enjoy myself, Mum seems to call just in time. For fuck's sake. "Hiya Mum."

"Hello, Al. Just wanted to remind you that you have to be back before 10-"

"Right, see you then."

"Alright, bye," she says, and I end the call.

"Coming to town then, Alex?" Matt asked sarcastically and we all laughed.

I smoked. "Definitely not."

"I thought by now Autumn would've taught you how to sneak out," Jamie smirked.

"She's only kissed us," I laugh.

"And when will you see Princess Trouble?" Miles asked.

"It's Queen Trouble, and I'll see her in English. Bye!" I smile and walk out the door and I hear their faint goodbyes behind me. I hated talking about her as my girlfriend because deep down, maybe that's what I wanted.

- - -

A FEW DAYS LATER, and it's Monday morning. "See you later, Mum," I smile and give her a kiss as I exit the car and before I know it she's driving off.

It's slowly becoming December, everyone with much more thick clothes, me being one of them in a black turtleneck and a pair of jeans. 1 degree celsius is what I read online.

Nobody was acknowledged as everyone made their way up the stairs, and into the high school.

I saw a few of my friends but ignored them regardless, in fear that I might be late to class. That was something I never was and never would be; no matter what.

"Good Morning, Alex," Mr Homme smiled whilst opening the door for me, letting me come in first.

"Alright, Sir?" I smiled back, sitting in my usual seat.

"We're moving back to working in pairs, Alex," Mr Homme said sympathetically, aware of Autumn's stubbornness. I nodded, being appreciative of this, and he walked away from me and did something on his computer as his students came in, varying in group sizes.

I witnessed all this as I would in any classroom. I decided to be patient with Autumn's arrival, she always was the last person to leave and come out.

Once her group, Razor Roses came in ten minutes late, she came ten minutes later, coming to an exact end twenty minutes late. I wasn't surprised, it wasn't anything unusual.

She comes in. "Good evening, Autumn," Mr Homme says, rolling his eyes at her late arrival.

"Evening," she smirks and makes her way over, and sits beside me. Where were you, Autumn? What's going on with us? Do you like me? I had so much to say, but said none of it.

I tried to listen to Mr Homme. I really did, but all I could do was think and think and think that I forgot everything that he said.

"I'm going to have a quick word with Taylor, 'kay?" She spoke, and I nodded slowly, watching her leave me.

I was biting my nails as far as I could, replaying everything that had gone on. This plan has gone to such shit. I was supposed to play her, and she's falling for it. I have to continue.

I go over and collect the things that he told us to, doing it slowly to catch everything Autumn was saying to Taylor. Paper? Check. Copy of the-

"You kissed him on the astroturf?!" Taylor squeals, giggling after doing so. "For God's sake's Autumn. Couldn't wait could you?"

"Shut up," she hushes, "He's right there, you know."

"Whatever," Taylor says, going to her seat. "Try not to fuck him in class," She says, and I almost choke on my own fucking saliva. Jesus Christ.

"Doubt that's going to happen," Autumn says, no explicit tone in her voice. "He hates me," she says, and I go back to our seat.

Is she thick? How could I hate her? I thought that she would be cocky about the fact that I have this massive crush on her that just doesn't seem to leave anytime soon.

She comes over, and I look in my usual spot; straight in front. Sitting down, she does the exact same. "I don't, you know," I whisper, as Mr Homme speaks.

"Don't what?" she says, still looking forwards and a long silence follows.

"Hate you," I say, and I turn around to face her for the first time in a long time. This is the first time I've seen her face since we've kissed, and her face is the nicest reminder I've had. It's scary to think I could forget her face. I never want to.

She nods and looks down. I am looking forward and take her hand to hold it.