Antagonist

3

Busking was fun; I might even go as far to say I had fun. All three of them were absolutely phenomenal singers, in a league I could never compete with. But the best bit about it was that the cloud of awkward that hovered above me had vanished and Imogen no longer looked at me like I had a third nipple. The money that we earned by busking had been spent on four tube tickets for the northenline to get to highgate, where the 'get together' was being held.

We sat down on the train in seats that smelt like a combination of cat piss and alcohol. I sat next to Niall and opposite us were Harry and Imogen; I wasn't two sure but by the way Imogen was slumped again Harry's shoulder I guessed they were a couple. I checked my watch, 2:27, I was still capable of getting home before 6 granted I only spent a couple of hours longer in London.

"Sonia, tell us about yourself, I mean you're still a virtual stranger" said Imogen.

"Eurgh so erm, I'm 16 and I'm in my first year at Luton Six form college. I'm studying Music, Sociology and Digital Imaging because I'm hoping to go into a career in PR possibly in America." Well, at least I made myself sound kinda cool.

"That's awesome, well I'm Harry, 18 going on 19. I finished college last year, didn't bother going to Uni, waste of time in my opinion. I go from job to job really, at the moment I'm just doing part time work in Topman. Nothing major just so I have enough money to stop the bastard of a landlord from throwing me out of my flat. Musics what I really wanna do" Said Harry. From his voice I presumed he was upper-class so dropout living in a rented flat was a bit of a shock.

"You don't live with your parents?" I questioned.

"Nope, they're a bunch of upper class snobs." Well that explains it. "They wanted me to go into law or finance, something shitty like that. So when I told them I wasn't going to Uni and wanted to pursue music they totally flipped out on me. So they minute I turned 18 I had the legal right to the trust fund they had for me, so I took it all and made a new life here. I rarely ever see them anymore" As Harry sat there crouched over with his elbows on his knees my eyes subconsciously examined his face. He had intense blue eyes with a slight heterochromia in one, slim pale lips and acne scars along the sides of each cheek. He was wearing a plain shirt in a washed out grey colour and skin tight black jeans and worn in leather boots. However the most unusual thing, amongst his rugged appearance he had a dainty gold chain sitting round his neck, probably a family heirloom.

We maintained small talk as the train slowly came to a halt at highgate, a place in London where I've never been before. The station was completely empty and a cold chill hung in the air. So fortunately it was only a short walk before we got to their friends house whose name I didn't even know.

Complete hysteria suddenly seized my body. I was walking into a house of someone I didn't know, with people I didn't know, in a place it didn't know. My mouth went dry and my hands balled up into fists. Why was I doing this? I looked around and realised I was completely lost; I had been to involved in conversation to remember the way back to the train station. I had not choice but to trust these strangers.

I walked up the damp concrete steps

praying that my knees wouldn't buckle beneath me. I looked up noticed how the left window had been boarded up with the weathered remains of graffiti on top of it. I felt like throwing up. I glanced across at Niall for reassurance and realised he'd already been staring at me. He could tell by the look on my face I felt like crying so kindly extended his arm and I welcomely took it. His cold palm pressing against mine sent initial cold shivers down my back however I forced myself to relax.

I followed Imogen through the heavy wooden door and realised how naïve I'd been. 'Get together' meant party. I had just willingly walked myself into a frat party.