The Chain (A Catherine Diary) - Stamfield. Complete

Chapter 16

16

That was it. He wanted to walk me home? Then it occurred to me, why would he want to walk me home? Memories of the shame I endured in junior school, when everyone used to play kiss chase and I would make it easy for the boys to catch me, yet no one would and when one boy accidentally caught me, when he tripped over, he refused to kiss me. Was Jack going to play some sort of prank on me?

'No way', I turned to Gemma, who had yelled the words out. I was surprised, Carla was surprised, Gemma hardly ever said anything assertive. For a moment I had to remind myself what Gemma was responding to, then I realized, she was saying no to Jack's proposition.

I turned to her, 'It's okay Gemma', Then turned back to Jack to clarify, 'you'll let me change, if I allow you to walk me home?'

'Yeah, that's it', he replied, his answer seemed patronizing, however his tone hid it well.

'Okay. Deal', I pushed my hand out for him to shake. He looked at it for a moment, then shook it.

He walked out of view and came back with my bag, he handed it to me, with a smooth grin on his face, which made me feel as though I had just lost some sort of contest I wasn't aware I was in. He handed it to me and walked past me, putting his arm around Carla's shoulder, turning her in the direction of the door. Carla allowed herself to be in his control, which was unusual for her. Jack looked to Gemma considering whether he should attempt the same, but even I could tell it wouldn't have been advisable.

'Come on young lady, let's leave Catherine to change'.

Gemma ignore him, turned to me and 'do you want me to stay, Catherine?'

'No, it's fine, you can wait outside', she looked disappointed, but followed the other two out.