British Bird - Complete

British Bird - Chapter Seven

British Bird
Chapter Seven
Sang

Flashback: Thirteen Years Old

The next few days pass by. After Luke and Uncle's prank, that turned out all the guys were in on, we ended up having a huge water fight; rolling around in the grass and jumping on each other. I have never laughed so much. What made it all that much better is Owen – He's not Mr Blackbourne any more – joined in too; he looked his age when I was able to get him with the hose pipe and he let out a laugh and a real, true smile.

The others didn't stay that night and I was a little disappointed. I asked when I would be seeing them again and they said they would see me the next day; which I was ecstatic about. That night, myself, Luke and North stayed in the den until I fell asleep on the sofa which in turn had Luke and North refusing to go bed. Well, that's what Cara told me the next day when I woke up.

I was disappointed to learn that Luke and North had been picked up early by Sean to go to 'training'. I didn't doubt that training was what they were doing, I just didn't understand why. I didn't question Cara on it again, instead I sent everyone a good morning text. It was nearly noon when I got the first reply and my disappointment continued to grow. Where were they? What were they doing? And why wasn't I invited? It hurt and I think it showed.

Cara, Johnny and Uncle spent the day sending me glances, their eyes full of pity and guilt. I pretended to ignore them as I sat on the sofa and read my book, feeling completely rejected. I know I shouldn't, and I know it's possible that they already had plans before I showed up, but I just wanted to be involved. Was that too much to ask?

I shut myself in my room that night before Luke and North even made an appearance. From my bedroom window I saw Owen drop them off in his car. Uncle went out to speak with the three guys before Luke and North could go in or Owen was able to drive off. I don't know what was said, but it had all three of them looking up at my bedroom window. I looked away and plopped down onto my bed and that's where I stayed until the next morning.

Again I missed North and Luke and I started to wonder what time they actually got up and left. Johnny and Cara asked if I wanted to go to a beach called North Shore. I said yes and that's what we did. We walked the beach and Cara and Johnny had ice cream. I didn't want one. I was probably acting childish, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I missed being around them even after such a short period. I missed feeling the way I did around them; like everything I had been through didn't matter because when I was with them I smiled, truly smiled and I laughed, truly laughed.

"They're busy kids," Cara had said.

After eating at a restaurant near the beach, we went back to Uncle's house and when we got there, North and Silas were in the garage working on the black car. They stopped what they were doing when Cara parked the car. I got out the car and didn't even look in their direction as I headed for the door. I went straight upstairs, showered and got into bed. The Blackberry started going off, but I ignored it. I just laid there and stared at nothing until I eventually fell asleep.

Now we're on day three. I haven't got out of bed yet. I don't want to feel the pit in my stomach grow more and more hollow; my heart chipping every time I realise that they're gone. I just want one more day of sulking, one more day of the unusual pain they're causing me.

When I see the clock on the wall show that it's almost noon, I decide to get up. I start getting dressed; a black tennis skirt and a purple and pink stripy tank top. Just as I'm doing my hair, there's a knock at the door. "One minute," I call, knowing it's Cara. She's been up to check on me three times since nine o'clock. I quickly pull my hair up in a twist and secure it one of my clips. Going to the door, I unlock it and pull it open.