Wonderwall

Chapter Thirteen

I stood by my front, sighing loudly. I was stood in my short sleeved top and jeans, my ugg boots too small for me.

'Mum. Come on! I'm going to be late for work!' I said, tapping my foot. I heard her footsteps run down the hall, but to my disappointment she wasn't holding anything in her dainty hand.

'Sorry, Bri! I haven't got any money. Why don't you just Aidan to drive you? Like usual?' She gave me a funny look and my heart dropped.

'Aidan and I. We kind of fell out.' I muttered, turning away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mum's mouth turn into an 'o' shape.

'But you two never fall out? You've been friends for, well ever.' She mumbled. I started biting my lip and looked down to the floor, the wooden flooring suddenly seeming interesting.

'Brianna?' My mum muttered. I snapped my head up to the woman. Her arms were wrapped round her waist, keeping her pink, fluffy dressing gown up. Her brunette hair was across her face, and her make up all around her eyes, (which was weird because she never wore make-up, but I guessed she made an exception for Malcolm yesterday.)

'Well, we did fall out. And now I don't have a lift! Can you drive me?' I asked. My mum let out a laugh and looked down to her outfit.

'No way! And even if I was dressed, I'm so tired; you'd be at risk of me falling asleep at the wheel. No, just walk. It's only in town.' She smiled. She began to walk away; thinking my problems had just been solved.

'Are you kidding?' I spat. My mum turned her head back round to face me and rolled her eyes.

''Only town' is about 45 minutes walk from here, are you insane? I'd be later than ever, Jesus Christ!' I threw myself to the stairs and hid my head in my hands. I wasn't in this state because of my job, obviously. Sure; I didn't want to lose the only job i've been able to get in, well a while. But it was the stress of losing my childhood best friend all of a sudden. And for what? Aidan was right. I'd known Niall for a week. I'd known Aidan; practically all my life. So why did it seem like the other way around?

'Oh stop being so dramatic, Brianna. Just call them up and explain that you're sorry but you're going to be a bit late.' I stared at her like she'd just spoken french, until I soon realize that I didn't actually have another choice. I let out a sigh and slammed the front door behind me.

I sped through my small neighbourhood, tempted to wake everyone up. If I had to be up at 10:30 during the Summer Holidays, they should have to as well. I pulled out my phone and dialled the Sandwich Shack, trying to think of a better excuse than 'I fell out with my only lift'. But before I knew it an deep, irish voice rang down the line.

'Hey, Sandwich Shack. How can I help?' He sounded bored and tired.

'Niall?'

'Oh hey, Brianna.' I heard his voice suddenly get more worried. 'Is everything okay?'

I gave a smile, flattered.

'Uhm. Yeah, it's fine. Will you put Phil on the phone for me?' I muttered.

'No can do, Bri. Phil's just ordering the ingredients for this week. They failed to come over the weekend so he's pretty pissed. Anything I can help you with?' His voice was comforting. Once again, feeling like I could tell him anything. And I hated him for that.

'No. Just. Uhm. Tell Phil that i'm going to be a bit late for work.' I began to speed up along the pavement. A few cars drove passed me, laughing at my, shuffling in my shoes. Was it my fault that I was pretty that these shoes were chafing my toes off?

'Why? Where are you?' Niall asked. I looked around and only just realized that i'd began walking through the park through force of habit. The sun had started rising a bit higher in the sky and the smell of dog piss invaded my nostrils, making me gag.

'Well. Long story short, I lost my lift. I've started walking but it's going to take a hell of a long time.' I sighed. Although the sun shone, the air was quite chilly. Typical for British summer. My teeth chattered at the cold wind, and I began wishing i'd brought a jacket.

'I'll come pick you up.' Niall muttered.

'What? Wait Niall..'

'Meet me at the bus stop. I'll be there in ten minutes.' The phone went dead but I was almost sure I could hear footsteps running and then the slam of a door. A few minutes later, a female's voice came down the line.

'Hello?' It was Sabrina. I quickly hung up and shoved my phone into my pocket, praying she had no idea it was me. I began swinging my arms back and forward, trying to enjoy this quiet walk through the park. The bus station was only a few minutes away, so I didn't need to speed walk.

Then in the distance, I saw a familiar face.

'Aidan?' I mumbled under my breath. Almost as if he heard me, he turned the corner to walk down the park toilets. Without a second thought, I ripped off my uggs and ran bare footed on the gravel. I turned the corner round the toilets and came to a slightly darker section of the park. There was a muddy path, (nothing like the one I just ran on). I was happy to smell that the dog piss had disappeared, but had been replaced with the smell of cannabis. I went round the back of the toilets only to see a figure sitting on a ratty bench, smoking what looked to be weed. He was sat on his own, his black rucksack resting on a small bush.