Nora

Chapter 5: Tim Tams

"Riley there's someone on the phone for you." Yells my Mother from the kitchen.

Well that's odd. I make my way down the hallway and find my Mother chatting to whoever is on the other end. 

"Yes it's just lovely. The weathers a little warm but the views oh Lilly the views are just superb."

The name Lilly makes me stop in my tracks. Lilly, my ex girlfriend Lilly who was more concerned about how my cancer would affect her. Lilly who I only ever dated to survive. Lilly who I never really ever cared for.

"Riley there you are Lilly's on the phone she says you weren't answering your mobile. Here you are darling, take care and say hi you your mother for me." Mom passes me the phone despite me shaking my hands and mouthing 'no'.

"Hello," I say glumly.

"Riley baby," she says. Was her voice always this high pitch and ... annoying?" 

"Lilly I didn't expect to hear from you." I say.

"Well you know we ended up a bit of an awkward note didn't we?" She says laughing uncomfortably, "I just wanted to ring and say hi. I also found out you've been in Australia. You should have told me Riles."

"It didn't cross my mind I guess," I say sitting on one of the kitchen chairs.

"That's too bad. So is it nice down there? I hear the beaches there are the best in the world." 

"Yeah they're great."

"Well I was thinking that me and some of the girls and maybe Johnno and Chris might come down for a bit of a visit."

I sit up straighter in my chair. "Lilly you do know that Australia is a fair distance from the US and a costly one."

"Yes but you see we thought that instead of going on that road trip we've been saving up to go on after graduation we'd go to Australia instead and see you. It'll be more fun. Also it'll give us all a chance to see you before..." I hear her swallow hard.

"Lilly?" I really don't think I'm going to be able to deal with her crying.

"Oh I'm sorry Riles it's just I'm really going to miss you and this is all so horrible and I just don't know how you're being so strong..." I can hear her crying and I lose it.

"Lilly I'm fine alright? Not that it's any of your god damn business."

"Riley don't be like that. I love you and I'll always love you." She's hiccupping now.

"Right because you were so infatuated with me before you found out I was dying. I was only a prop for you in your game of Barbies and trips to the Hamptons. Don't use my dying as an excuse to gain popularity for the love of God."

"Riley," I can hear the shock and pain in her voice but I am so beyond caring. 

"Have a nice life Lilly don't screw it up." Then I hang up.

***

My whole body is shaking and I feel nauseous. I was doing fine, great in fact and then Lilly Walters had to stick her perfect powdered nose into my business. I pace up and down the beach trying to sort through my thoughts.

I should have known Lilly wouldn't accept me breaking up with her. She'd want to use my situation as an opportunity to make people feel sorry for her, make me feel sorry for her. Play the girlfriend of the dying guy. Well I'm sorry Lilly but I'm done acting.

I kick a rock that's found itself a place on the beach and swear.

"Someone's manstrating."

I turn and see Nora standing at the end of the path on the beach about ten metre's away.