Falling

Chapter Seven

Amelia wrote Owen a note so he could sign out of school.

"Name?" The receptionist asked, ignoring the slip that clearly stated his name.

"Owen Riley." He muttered, tapping his fingers on the high wooden circular table, blocking the women in the reception from all of the kids.

"Reason?" She asked, tapping away at the computer. Owen considered this one, 'I'm going to the ultrasound of my best friend who's carrying a rapist's child and trying to solidify her position on abortion' didn't seem appropriate for the situation, so he barrelled along and said it anyway.

The typing ceased and the woman looked up at him, from memory her name was Margaret, she looked at him with large, wide brown eyes. She turned back to her computer and squinted through her glasses.

"I'll write: doctor's appointment." She said and like that he was able to walk out of the school. He ignored the looks from the young kids, all their classes clumped near the entrance of the school. He walked past the high gates, one propped slightly open and he was out. He always felt strange out of school in the middle of the day.

He saw Amelia's car almost immediately and tried to keep his pace slow as he walked towards her. Amelia got out and whispered to him:

"She's not good today."

He nodded and grinned at her, putting on a show that nothing was wrong for the girl in the passenger seat, he got in the back seat behind Amelia. Sarah had asked him to go. She wanted his perspective on things, she didn't trust her own opinions apparently, which was the craziest thing he'd ever heard from that damn girl. She was so set in her ways she'd probably argue about Christianity with the Pope, which would not go well and he felt she'd probably end up locked in Vatican City catacombs or something.

Sarah was stubborn and opinionated, his own shouldn't matter, not now.

The drive was silent, Sarah only changing the volume to put it on a multiple of five. Amelia kept changing the song as she got bored. When they arrived at the doctor's office Amelia couldn't exit the car fast enough. Owen looked at Sarah, she was like stone in the seat, fear etched on her gaunt features.

He was lost. He got out of the car. He went around and opened her door. He undid her seat belt, he held out a hand to her. Slowly she took it and he hoisted her up.

When she was standing she didn't let go of his hand, it was her lifeline. For some reason his touch didn't repulse her, unlike the touch of literally everyone else. Amelia didn't comment, she just preceded them inside and said that Sarah Collins was here to see them.

Owen turned to Sarah but it made sense, she'd changed her name to Amelia's. They sat down in the waiting room, both Owen and Sarah found themselves staring intently at the ground. He found himself rubbing the back of her hand, he didn't even realise he was doing it but, Sarah found it calming.

She didn't really understand why she had begged Owen to go with her. She'd instantly regretted her request, finding out he'd miss both of his favourite subjects, in the duration of her appointment, but he'd assured her it was fine, he wouldn't miss it for anything. He was the year ahead of Sarah, he only had to survive through one more year then he was free. He didn't think he'd go to university, there was little there for him, he was going to shoot instead, and work at a manual labour job, like Vic did.

They all had high expectations of Sarah, she wanted to be top in her year, while being an awesome as archer. To Sarah it seemed a disappearing dream, even seeing the school entrance made her sick to her stomach, she hadn't been back since her rape. Amelia hadn't wanted to force her into anything. They were going to Barcelona in two months and she was adamant for Sarah to go with them.