I woke up the next day with a banging headache.
‘Mum! I’m not going to school today I feel ill again’ a lie - yet again, I was fine apart from a minor headache.
‘Oh okay sweetie I’ll just phone up the school and say that you can’t make it in today, it’s probably for the best anyway Sally’ Mum continued rushing around downstairs.
After mum left, I suddenly felt a ball of rage in my stomach – which didn’t help at all! I stumbled out of bed and took a glance in the mirror. God I look awfully tired! I muffled. I trembled down the stairs, clutching hold of my tummy I pour a bowl of cornflakes and add three piled tablespoons onto my cereal to keep my energy level up so I don’t fall asleep (after all I did have about 10 hours of sleep! That's too much now I want to go sleep again!) I needed to exercise to stimulate my body and drink plenty of water to keep me hydrated. I started off to stretch, then moved on to Zumba and finally finished off with a 30 minute jog up and down the stairs and all around the house. After all of that exercise I felt energised, so I set off to the kitchen and made myself a refreshing smoothie (raspberry my favourite!) I gulped it down, then ate a delicious, mouth-watering bacon roll. Yum!
I'm now laid on the sofa chillin’ and listening to music. I’m dreaming about Dylan now, does he like me? Does he not like me? Is he trying to be nice? Is he slagging me off behind my back? He’s one of the ‘popular’ people why on earth would he like ME? Maybe his friends dared him to get close with me. I look at the clock unaware of the time, as I crane my neck I feel a burst of disappointment spread across my face I thought it was later but I guess when you’re ill time goes slow. I muttered to myself. I want someone to talk to. I need someone to talk to. I gradually fall asleep for 3 whole hours but I was suddenly woken up by a loud knock on the front door. I sat up and stare at the door. All I can make out is a figure stood silently. I get up and fold the blanket up, I walk steadily towards the door. The shape knocked again.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
‘Coming one sec’ I answered.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
But again a knock came again more ferocious this time. I twist the door knob, I feel my jaw drop as a voice mumbled
‘Oh sorry, I was just checking on you. Ya know, to see if you’re better, with you not being in school today and all.’
‘Uhhmm… t-t-thanks I’m g-getting better’ I stutter, lost for words.
‘Can I come in? I brought you these’ Dylan asked grinning, shoving a box in front of my eyes.
A smile spread across my face as I blushed again ‘Sure I don’t see why not, and thank you’ I say grabbing hold of the box. He let go of the box as we sat down on the sofa and I start to rip the wrapping paper off of the box. I open the box to find a big box of chocolates staring at me.
I felt him scoot next to me. I feel the warmth of his skin touching my arm. I feel uneasy at first but I soon get used to it. I see him staring at me in the corner of my eye. I feel too ashamed to confess an attraction because I hardly know him. It was so quiet; I guess it’s better than him bullying me like the rest of them. I think to myself for a second and quickly rush upstairs and brush my teeth and rinse with mouthwash, I feel better now, I sit further apart from him, I see his face – full of disappointment. My mum had to come in at the wrong time…
The door flung open and a big voice shouted
‘Sweetie I’m home!’
I freeze. I feel the tension in the air. My mum walked over to my and Dylan, who were holding hands… She looked almost confused, but a smile came to her, maybe she was being soft on me because I finally found someone to talk to and someone who made me happy instead of bullying me. She leaves us two to it and carries on to the kitchen and drops all the shopping. Dylan stands up and walks into the kitchen (grabbing me with him).
‘Hi I’m Dylan, Sally’s –‘ Dylan stopped.
‘Friend’ I quickly interrupt.
Mum just smiled and answered ‘Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Sally’s mum Cathy.’
‘Nice to meet you too Cathy.’ He chuckled.
Mum walks away and leaves us to pack the shopping away. I punch him in the arm playfully.
‘What was that for?!’ He roars.
‘For…Oh I don’t know!’ I giggle.
He lunged towards me but I leapt away. He started to chase after me, until my mum came down the stairs and stared at him; me embraced in his arms. She waltzed into the kitchen and wondered around the house.
‘I gotta go…’ Dylan spluttered.
‘Why don’t you stay for tea Dylan?’ Mum suggested.
He smiled but frowned as I stopped him and looked down at the floor.
‘I would love to… But I promised my mum that I’d be home for tea.’ He replied.
‘Oh OK. Bye then! See you around’ mum sighed.
We hugged for the last time, as I pecked him on the cheek he walked away looking pleased and satisfied. I closed the door hoping mum wouldn’t hear me and I could get away and escape up to my bedroom. But no. That was never the case.
‘Where do you think you’re going missy?’ Mum beamed.
‘Uhhmm… I just feel really tired mum’ I lied.
‘So tired that you can’t even speak to your old mama?’ She groaned.
‘Sorry maybe later’
‘No. Now Sally!’ She shouted like a volcano erupting.
After I explained everything to her, she smiled and started cooking dinner.
‘I take it you’re too tired to eat then?’ She teased.
I frown and go upstairs to get changed. I go to the kitchen, set the table and sit down. I ate my food and rushed upstairs. My mum instantly knew that I was going to talk to Dylan (which is true).
The next day I decided to go into school. I see Dylan and walk past him and his ‘gang’. I was so worried that Dylan would shout for me, or the others would call me names – but they didn’t. They just stood and stared. I felt a lump form in my throat, as I try to cough to get rid of it Dylan turns around and sees me. I feel embarrassment, he won’t call me in front of his friends! Would he? I guess I was completely wrong…
I walk on, but I’m stopped in my tracks by Dylan. He shuffles me towards his friends.
‘I have to go’ I whispered.
Everyone started to giggle. I shoved Dylan out of the way, and slowly paced in to the school grounds.
‘Hey lover boy!’ One of the girls (Nancy) mimicked in a high pitched squeaky voice. Everyone fell about laughing – all except Dylan.
‘Ugh guys quit it will you! Shut up!’ He raged.
‘Oooohhhh!’ Everyone laughed in sync.
Dylan ran after me and grabbed hold of my arm, sending my books flying in the air – in front of all his friends.
‘Oh gosh I’m so sorry Sally here let me help you!’ He hesitated.
I didn’t reply. Just picked my books up and left him. Standing alone. Making him embarrassed. Guilty filling the empty space in my stomach. I saw him in the next lesson but he chose to sit with his friends instead of me. I write a note and gave it to him at the end of the lesson so that his friends wouldn’t judge him for getting a note from me. I saw his face light up as he read it:
‘I’m so sorry. Forgive me? :) Love Sally xoxo’
He smiled and embraced me again once more and whispered in my ear
‘I forgive you Sally’
His friends walk past and snigger. I tug away but he pulls me back in front of them. Maybe he does really like me after all. We walk to next lesson together, as we entered the room my heart filled up with happiness – he chose to sit with me instead of his so called ‘friends’!
The next day I got a call from Dylan…
I was shocked and froze. My mum got worried but I said I was fine. I ran to my room and shut my door behind me…
