Oxygen

Chapter 2 - The beginning

By lunch the canteen is buzzing with people. There are about two thousand students at our school, and I know hardly any of them. Jordan, Kyle and Nik on the other hand, know lots of them.

As Ev and I sit at our lunch table, in the far corner of the field, we watch the three guys chatting to juniors, some who can hardly speak English, and the popular senior girls; Natalie Summers, Molly Stewart and Olivia Barrett.

Evelyn is jealous of them; their high end clothing, perfect makeup looks, and the attention from Nicholas. I couldn't care less really. I've never been one for fancy dress up, and I don't wear makeup anyway. I especially don't have a crush on Nik, and that seems to make all the difference.

As I'm watching, I see Jordan leaning on the table talking to a shy girl. His toned arms and shoulders are visible under his low tank top, and his strong legs are flexed on a chair next to the girl. He lifts a hand to brush his fingers through his long, blond hair.

He turns his head, and looks over the girl, straight at me. I look away for a minute, hoping he'll look away, and carry on with his conversation. When I look back, he's still staring at me, and he smiles as I begin to blush.

Ev and I decide to grab a drink from Starbucks after we finish our food. When we return with our Caramel Latte's, I notice the tables around ours are completely empty.

"Excited for science?" She asks. "Not really". Science is my last class for today, and I'm not looking forward to it. "What class do you have?" I ask.

"Geography" she shrugs. We continue to talk about our classes and Evelyn's plans for the weekend, when I notice the boys walking straight towards us.

"Ev" I say, hinting to the guys, coming closer by the second. "Oh my god" she says, taking deap breaths before they arrive.

Nicholas arrives first and takes a seat at the table next to us. I bury my bare feet into the grass underneath me. Next Kyle sits down, across from Nik, and then Jordan comes and sits right next to me.

"Hey" he begins, "I'm Jordan". "Really?" I joke, "I didn't know". He laughs at my joke, and nods to me "And you are?" He asks.

"Fern" I answer. He looks at me for a minute, thinking about something. "After the bird or the plant?" He questions. I laugh this time, and reply with a smile on my face, "The bird".

I turn to see Ev getting up to sit across from Nik on the other table, talking to him happily. Kyle swaps with her and joins Jordan and I at our table.

"Hey Fern", he says warmly, obviously having listened to our conversation. "Hey, Kyle".

"You know my name?" He exclaimed. "Of course, I do. Who doesn't know your names?" I look to Jordan, and back to Kyle, smiling with amusement.

We talk for what seems like a long time about our classes, and weekend plans. "Do you wanna hang out with us tomorrow, with Evelyn too? I hear Starbucks is bringing out a new drink" Jordan chats, taking notice of my empty cup.

"Sure" I say, thinking of nothing better to do. "Ev and I will meet you there".

•••

Science was boring, as expected. The first topic of the year is physics, which is my worst subject. Nik was in my class, and asked to borrow my pen for the second time that day.

When Ev dripped me home, I went straight up to my room and started my homework. There wasn't much to do, and within a couple of hours it was complete.

I decide to make spaghetti for dinner, since I was in a lazy mood, and I finish it quickly. I watch a couple of episodes of my show before getting ready for bed.

I put on my cherry patterned pyjamas, and wear my grey hoodie on top. I made it in primary school, which seems like a long time ago, but it still fits well.

At eleven, Mum finally arrives home from work. She's a nurse at Burwood Hospital, and she works day and night to make sure we have enough money. She works too hard in my opinion, but she insists on doing her best. I feel a bit sorry for her.

"Hey, Mum" I call down the stairs. "Hi darling" she calls back. "Have you eaten?" She asks "Yup" I say back. "I'm going to sleep, I'll see you in the morning", "Goodnight, Fern" she says.

I tuck into the covers and hold onto my yellow blanket. I fall asleep quickly this time.

Friday comes along quickly, and I wake up to a call on my phone. Last week I put up an ad for baby sitting on Facebook, so hopefully it's a job call.

"Hi" I answer "This is Fern Ashford" I say sweetly.
"Hi Fern. This is Cathy Kingsley".

Where have I heard that name before? "I'm hoping your free this afternoon to babysit my daughter, she's a sweet little four year old, I just need her taken care of for a few hours from four".

"Absolutely" I say "Just bring her along and drop her off, I'll text you my address". She smiles through the phone and replies "Thank you so much! I'll pay you plenty of money when we get there, thanks love! See you soon!" She hangs up the phone before I have a chance to say another word.

The day goes by quickly, and I don't see any of the guys except for in English, and Nik in science. He borrows my pen for the hundredth time, and when I get home, I'm excited for my first job.

I get a brisk shower and dry my hair before getting dressed into ripped denim jeans and a blue flowing top. I finish the outfit with my black ugg boots and head downstairs.

Just as I reach the bottom of the stairs, the doorbell rings.

I peer through the glass next to the front door and see a little girl looking up at me.

"Hi, Fern" Cathy says when I open the door. "Hi". The girl smiles up at me and walks through the door.

"Hello" I smile. "This is my little girl, Carol" Cathy informs me.
"Hi Fern" Carol says quietly.

"My older son is going to pick her up for me at six" Cathy tells me.
"Okay" I agree. Cathy puts several notes in my palm, all twenties.

"This is too much" I insist. "Oh, don't be silly" she says. "Have fun you two".

As she walks towards her car, I wave goodbye and close the door. Inside Carol is looking around the kitchen.

"How about we watch a movie and I'll grab some popcorn" I suggest. She nods her head and I lead her to the lounge. "What movie shall we watch?" I ask, and she points to Frozen.

I put the CD into the machine and start the movie. Once I've made the popcorn, I join her on our soft couch.

Just as the movie finishes, there's a knock at the door. Carol follows me as I head towards the large oak frame.

I open the door and find something completely unexpected.