Just A Boy (ON HOLD)

Chapter 3

***Chapter 3***

“I can’t believe how much more calculus prep we’ve been given.” I moaned again as I hid my book under the piece I was supposed to be working on as Miss Ball walked past.

I had been trying to do it secretly all lesson with the help of Annie and Emma who had agreed if I promised to stop complaining.

“How about we come over later and help you finish it off?” Emma suggested. “I’m supposed to be coming over anyway and your mum cooks for five every meal.”

“That’s such a good idea!” I exclaimed loudly making Miss Ball swivel round on the spot to stare at us.

I shrugged apologetically and pretended to be working on my painting. We postponed our conversation until she had gone back to her seat at the front, then I turned to Annie.

“So,” I questioned, “Are you free after school?”

“What to come over to your house?” she looked taken aback.

“Well duh, I’m never going to finish this on my own.”

“Yeah sure, I’d love to!” she said beaming. “I’ll just text my mum.” She said whipping out her phone.

“Put that away or Miss Ball will have us all in detention.” Emma hissed.

“Don’t worry she won’t notice anything.” Annie shrugged.

A second later her phone was away and my prep was back out, my friends may be coming over to mine, but I wanted to get as much as possible finished sooner rather than later.

When the bell finally rang signalling the end of the lesson, everyone sprinted for the door eager to escape the classroom and school for the afternoon.

Emma and I began walking out of the gates when I noticed Annie wasn’t with us.

“Where are you guys going?” she called from the parking lot.

“We’re walking home.” Emma said.

“You don’t have a car?” Annie looked at me shocked.

“No, so we walk.” I motioned to the sidewalk.

“We’ll take my car then.” She offered.

“You sure?” I asked cautiously.

“Yeah, I’m not going to leave it her so we might as well save ourselves a journey.” Annie said and walked off to the right past rows of expensive cars until we came to a small one.

She unlocked it and we all jumped in, Annie and I in the front, Emma in the back.

“So, which way to your house?” Annie asked. I pointed her in the right direction; it was only one street over.

As we pulled up I saw my mum’s beat up Ford was in the driveway. I unlocked the door and dropped my bag, signalling for the others to do the same.

“Mum I’m home! I brought some friends.” I called out. My mum hurried out into the hall, her short bob bouncing as she did.

“Hello dear, Emma it’s nice to see you.” She said. “And who’s this? I don’t think we’ve met before.”

“Mum this is Annie, she’s new.” I told her. A look of understanding dawned on her face.

“It’s nice to meet you, call me Gill.” She looked at Annie. “Sorry I’m in such a rush honey, but I have to pop to the office for a bit. There’s food in the cooker which you need to take out in half an hour and leave the leftovers on the table.” She smiled and picked up her keys from the bowl on the side table.