The Friendship Bracelet

Date

My dreams were terrifying. I was forced to relive the events of Wednesday over and over. But they weren't any of the good ones, only the bad ones, like being beaten up at school and in the alleyway, and all the threatening texts and calls. I woke up half a dozen times at least, but the last time I got to sleep, I dreamt of one thing that happened that was pleasant. Brad asking me out, it served as a reminder that I was safe for the day, and that I didn't have to go to school. I woke up for the last time and pushed my scratchy woollen blanket off of my body. 

Standing up, I strolled tiredly over to my desk and turned my phone on. It was 7:34 in the morning. I forced myself to leave my room and get my nicest outfit from the laundry, which was a pair of navy blue skinny jeans, a grey shirt with a yin yang printed on it, and a cream, knitted, fringed kimono cardigan, as well as one of the beige beanies that Bonnie had given me. I took my clothes into the bathroom and had a long, cold shower. Being barely able to afford the gas bill, my brother, mum and I were never allowed to keep the shower hot for long. 

I sat in bed, reading Wind in the Willows until it came 12 o'clock. From then on, I sat in the living room, waiting to go to lunch with Brad. My heart was racing, and I couldn't concentrate on one particular thing at a time.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity (even though it was only 12:06), I heard a knock on the door. My brother raced me to open it, and he won. What can I say? He's the sporty one, not me. And if you're curious why he wasn't at school, he had the day off. He saw it only fair since I got one, and my mum just agreed. He pulled open the door and greeted Brad. He then moved out of the way so Brad could enter and that's just what he did.

He took one glimpse at me and his jaw dropped, which I didn't particularly understand, as I thought I looked nice, but not anywhere near as much as he made it seem. "Y-you look... Stunning," He stammered, "W-wow." I giggled nervously and thanked him for the compliment. "Shall we?" He asked and held out his hand.

"We shall." I said and smiled, then placed my hand gently into his. He wrapped his hand around mine and stood closer next to me.

"Mum!" My brother shouted, "They're leaving!" 

We heard a tired, "Okay! Have fun you two! Bye!" We knew that she had only just woken up, and barely managed to process the words that were being tossed at her.

~

Brad and I exited the house and started to walk down the street, each still with our hand wrapped up in the other's. "Would you perhaps like to know where we're going?" He asked me. I nodded and he answered, "We're going to the one... the ONLY... Amber Courtyard! Your favourite if I'm correct?" My jaw dropped. How did he know? I thought. He waited for an answer with a big beaming smile plastered on his face. I stopped in my tracks. "B-but," I stammered nervously, "H-how did you know th-that's my favourite diner?" I smiled slightly. I must look bonkers, I thought quietly.

"Spoilers," He whispered in reply.

I couldn't hold back my goofy, nervous smile. Continuing walking, we turned a corner and walked towards the nearing alleyway, the one I was chased into. I shuddered with fear as the memory of it came flowing back into my mind. I couldn't help but glance down it, thinking about what happened, and what they had said to me. Brad read the fear on my face and gripped tighter onto my hand as a way of comforting me.

We turned another corner and the small but amazing diner was close. I smiled as a pleasant smell wafted through the open doors. "I've missed being able to eat here," I mumbled whilst we strolled inside. "It's even more beautiful than I expected," Brad said to himself. Almost instantaneously, a staff member appeared from the kitchen, but not holding any form of food. She strode over to us and asked if we had made a reservation. "Yes," Brad answered, "Brad Krowley." "Oh! Welcome, Mr Krowley. Would you like to eat indoors or outdoors today?" Brad glanced at me and then back at the staff member and, almost like he read my mind, he said, "Outdoors, please."