Stalls ✔️

T W E L V E

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Momentarily, there was a knock at my bedroom door. I beckoned them to come inside. Mum pushed the door open with a shove and a swish along the floor from the little hairs, to protect the door from corroding itself to death. At first, she was quiet. Still clothed in her normal grey suit, her ginger (which she claims is 'strawberry blonde') hair wispy at the edges.

"Darling," she said, taking a seat beside me. Rain's scent was still tugging at the air. Her face was unreadable, sending me into panic.

"How long were you listening for?" I asked, shooting her a sheepish look.

"Long enough." She spoke. Well shit, I thought.

Tears sprang to my eyes. Slowly, she looked at me, spreading her arms open. I snuggled against her. Her finger brushed my hair attentively, which she did when I struggled to sleep as a child.

"I'm not mad at you, Alana, if that's what you're worried about. You're my little girl. I'll just need some time to adjust, alright?" She cooed.

"Alright, mum." I said, as she brushed away a run-away tear. I sighed, pulling away from her warm body and positing myself upright. "Can I still go on the date with Wren?" I questioned.

"No." She said harshly, peeling herself off the cover. Her dark blue eyes didn't meet mine until she paced to the door. She spun on her heel, facing me again, and chuckled mischievously. "Of course you can, if you want to, kiddo. Get some sleep."

The door closed behind her, and I bedded down for the night in the tranquil presence of Riley's vinyl.

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The weeks passed uneventfully, the arms of the clock being pulled backwards by an unknown force.

A calendar notification sounded to signify the end of the wait. I smiled, for it was officially date night.

I got home early that day and changed into a knee-length black dress, casual shoes and matching cardigan (to battle the cold, if there were to be any). When I'd finished, I curled my hair and hastily tried to cover the bulging red spots on my chin.

Shortly afterwards, Wren arrived in her cousin's rusty red car. I got inside. Inside, the radio was muffled, crackling away to itself due to the bad signal; my house had to be located in a cluster of colossal trees. She plugged in the AUX cord, one of her favourite bands, Neckdeep, blasting blissfully through the speakers.

"Cover your eyes until we get there." Wren commanded, slightly chuckling to herself.

"Can't you just tell me now?" I curled my mouth into a pout. My eyes softened, boring into her own. I pretended to close them.

"Nope." She argued stubbornly, pulling the clutch and taking off down my driveway. "Close them properly."

I shot her a grumpy look, crossing my arms over my chest. She gave me "the look" which melted my insides down. A smile threatened to crack to the surface, and I rolled my eyes in defeat.

"Whatever asshole." I shut my eyes, resting my head comfortably on the head rest and snickered to myself.

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Wren took hold of my hand very firmly. My feet scuffed along the gravel whilst she guided me towards our destination. I sensed she opened a door, as a gust of warm air brushed intensely against my skin.