October came round quickly. It was already time for Elijahs party, and i had 3 hours to get ready. I jumped in the shower. It was too hot but I didn't mind so much; I just grabbed my towel as I jumped out. My hair had fallen into soaken curls and I didn't look to bad. I went back into my room, pulling out my outfit and the make-up I planned to use. I can't say I didn't have many friends, and it isn't like I'm in the 'popular' group either. But I'm friends with everyone really, I mean most of the girls in my school were so lovely and I didnt mind dragging one of the nerds to the popular bench. I'm welcome wherever really- which is a bummer if I didn't like parties, which I actually did. I pulled on my dress and decided against jeans, but it was tempting, and pulled on my converse.
I dragged out my hair dryer and quickly blow dried my hair. It fell into loose curls round my shoulders, and i had to smile. I had to admit, I looked nice, and I hadn't put make-up on yet! I put on foundation and then some light eyeliner and some mascara. My lips were dry so I scrambled through the drawers to find my vaseline and then tapped on a little lip gloss. I decided I wouldn't need blusher to turn my cheeks pink. I didn't look right, so I pulled on my shoes and a little locket that I had since I was a kid.
"Dad!" I called down the stairs, "I'm ready!" Which I wasn't but it would take an age for Dad to lift his backside off the sofa. I checked myself in he mirror again then grabbed a bag, I hung it over one shoulder and it bounced against my thigh as I made my way down the stairs. Dad stared at me, "What?"
"I just, you look... so old. I mean, is that a grey hair?"
"No!" But I had to check anyway, until I realised he was kidding. I hit him and dragged him out the door.
We reached smeeton quickly, i saw Elijah welcoming everyone in the hall. I took a deep breath and climbed out of the blue family car,"Thanks Dad!" I called.
Elijah hugged me close as i reached the door, "You look lovely," I smiled. My whole chest fluttered as his tanned hand reached for mine. I walked in, before we touched and I missed him even more. Not that I thought that was even possible...
After a couple of songs and some jumping up and down with my less close friends. I had hugged about thirty people and many of which I didn't know- but we were soon introduced. Elijah hung round the edges of the floor. I suddenly felt awful, I didn't want to ruin hs party. i walked over, the music still blaring and touched his shoulder. He blinked upward and took my hand pulling me outside. We walked across the road and down a few paths till we reached a corn field. He still was holding my hand, but I knew where we were going. We walked in silence and reached the football field. We sat on the furthest patch of grass from the pitch which was about 200 metres. We lay down on the floor, saying nothing, neither of us needed to say anything. We both knew what we were there for. He leaned over to me and gently touched his lips on my forehead. I felt a tear running down my face. He pulled me close and hugged me. He was my everything that summer. My everything.
I pulled Polly onto my back and we ran round chasing Charley and Minny. They were all little kids I was keeping happy while our mums set up the stall. We were at the village charity event up on the football field and there was hardly anyone around. There was a huge stage and path marked out with ribbon that people had to keep walking through the whole night. Mum blew up the tiny paddling pool and filled it with a huge bottle of water. Then she dropped a few ducks in and gave the hooks, Dad had made the night before, to the kids.
I smiled gratefully. She winked at me and nodded her head toward the stage. I turned to see Elijah coming in my direction. The sun was bright, summer was never my favourite time of the year but it wasn't too bad. I didn't really know him that well, i know he had a black dad and a white mum because whenever anyone said even the slightest comment on it, Elijah would beat them up.
