Sense of Reality (Alan Ashby)

So Keep It Coming And The Details Quiet

Alan

I watched Diana leave, scurrying down the path. I shut the door and proceeded to bash my head against the wall.

Stupid, stupid.

I had come on too strong. I know that now. I didn't mean to take it that far. I walked back through the now empty house, looking at the small DVD collection next to the television. I had rented a few chick flicks for us to watch. 500 Days of Summer, of course, Mean Girls and A Walk To Remember. I had cookies in the pantry thanks to my mum's current baking addiction and had raspberry flavoured soft drink in the fridge. I sighed and picked up Mean Girls. The bolded writing in pink caught my attention.

'"Survival of the fittest",' I murmured, laughing at how ironic the movie was. I placed it back down on the couch and rang Diana.

'Hello?' She said, answering on the first ring.'

'Hi,' I said shortly, unsure of what to say next.

'Alan.' Her words fell flat, and my heart sank a little bit. 'What do you want?'

'I just want to say sorry. This morning... things went too far.' I said, biting my lip as I finished my sentence.

'It's okay, Alan. I just need time to clear my head, you know? What I said last night, you being my first boyfriend, it's true. You caught me off guard is all.' She was quiet for a few seconds. 'Alan, I - I've got to go.' She hung up, and all I could hear in my ears was her scared tone.

Diana

I hung up on Alan and ran up the path to my front door, the all too familiar car in my peripheral vision making my head spin.

'Hi mum,' I said, dumping my bag in front of my door and continuing on into the kitchen, 'hello Sharon.' I greeted the fair haired woman sitting at the dining table, tapping her long fingernails on the wood.

'Hi honey, the kettle's just boiled, would you mind making us cuppas?' My mum bustled off back to the table, seating herself across from our surprise guest.

'Sure,' I mumbled, my eyes still taking in Sharon. She looked like she had aged a decade since I had seen her last.

'Hello Diana.' Sharon replied to me, a little bit late but a greeting none the less. She blinked before turning back to my mother.

I grabbed the cups out of the cupboard, grabbing tea bags and pouring the water in. I let the tea bags soak for a while, and as I did so I listened in on my mother's conversation. It wasn't exactly private, if they wanted it to be they would have told me to bugger off or gone outside.

'What brings you here, Sharon?' My mother asked, lacing her fingers as I leaned on the countertop, straining my ears as I listened to Sharon's hushed answer.

'It's about...' she started, dipping her voice so low I couldn't catch the end of the sentence. She knew I was eavesdropping. She made her voice a more normal tone continuing on with, 'oh, nothing really. I haven't seen you both in ages.'

That's usually what happens when you avoid people.

Sharon gave my mum "the look" and I decided it was time to add the milk. I banged around our tiny kitchen, aiming to make as much noise as possible without over doing it. I yanked the fridge door open, clunking the milk out of its position and "accidentally" whacking it on the door as I slammed it closed. Not much could be done to make noise while pouring the milk, so I had to suffer in silence. I made an equal amount of noise as I put the milk away, then dead silence fell as I turned back to the cups of tea. Just as I had thought, Sharon had blurred out her real intention for coming here and I caught the last few words. And the last words are usually the most important.

'... His journal.' My ears pricked up and my mother sat there stunned.

'Diana, go,' she said, 'I'll finish them off. You probably have homework or something.'

'Mum, it's the weekend,' I protested, clutching the cup that had been shoved into my hands.

'Don't argue. It's your last year! Study!' I was rather ungracefully escorted to my room, where the door was slammed shut.

'Katie, was that really necessary? He was her best friend.'

'Yes, it was. She's jut begun to find happiness again. She even stayed over at her boyfriend's place last night. She's never had a boyfriend!' My mum started shouting at Sharon. 'This was good for her, forgetting about Jay. Then you come over and -'

'Katie. That is exactly why I am here. She shouldn't have to forget about Jay.'

'Get out.' My mum said, her voice cold and emotionless. 'Just go.' A few seconds of silence followed her harsh words. 'Don't say anything. Go.' I heard Sharon leave and I stayed in my room, standing in the middle of it and sipping my tea. My phone buzzed, signaling that I had a message. My heart froze as I saw the ID, before quickly sinking as I read the message.

Jay: It's Sharon. Come over as soon as you can.

I sent back "I'll try". I walked back out and my mum smiled at me.

'How was your date?'

I shrugged, my facial expression conveying my true emotions.

'Beyond words. We went to Applebee's and to the park.'

'Why didn't you stay longer this morning.'

'I wasn't sure what time you wanted me back.'

'Honey, I trust you. You won't do anything stupid. Just as long as you don't come home in the early hours of the morning.' My mum laughed and I joined in with her. I quickly finished my tea. The hot drink burning my throat.

'So, would I be allowed to go back out? Jess invited me over.'

'Of course, go have fun. Just be back before dinner, okay?' I nodded, putting my cup in the sink and grabbing my bag. I wasn't going to Jessica's. I had to find out what Sharon wanted to tell me.

A/N

Title cred: Ocean and Atlantic - Mayday Parade 

I'll add in italics and shit later.