Ecstasy

Chapter 17

Calla:

I was angry. Angry that I refused my mother's offer for a ride to school. Angry that Mitchie had a dentist appointment this morning and didn't take the bus. Angry that I didn't take any of the other spare seats and that I left the seat next to me empty. Angry that Tyson had to sit there. Angry that he expected me to say nothing. Just angry at him. Angry at everything. How could he ask me to stay quiet? I witnessed him nearly die from an illegal drug overdose and he expected me to keep my mouth shut?

I got of the bus mighty quick after that. I was fuming. I heard him call after me. But I just kept walking. I jumped up the front steps of the school.

I reached my locker and wrenched it open, creating a resonating bang as it bashed against the metal locker next door, and shoved my bag inside.

"Someone's grumpy this morning."

I turned towards the voice and glared at Phoebe standing beside me. "Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

I slammed my locker door with a grunt and took off down the corridor without another word.

"Wait Calla, what's wrong?" I heard Phoebe struggling to catch up.

I tried to think of an excuse quickly. I couldn't find words, my agitated state made it hard to form a sentence. I stuttered upon answering, "Uh, I'm just annoyed," I paused trying to rack my brains for any words, language, anything! "At...uh, my Mum." My voice cracked making me sound unconvincing, I hoped she bought it.

"Oh okay," she chirped, linking arms with me, "I'll cheer you up..."

I didn't know Phoebe very well, but I knew she was a good person. And even though I didn't listen to her scandalous gossip, she made me forget my anger. Well, at least until lunch time.

Mitchie was sitting next to me in History, the last class before recess, her teeth all nice and shining white as she talked about our double date on Friday. I looked across the room to the shorter than average guy that was to be my date. I lent on our table, not watching Mitchie as she fiddled with the work sheets we were meant to be doing, as I scrutinised Daniel.

He was good looking I'd grant him that. The overly fit, overly Ken Barbie kind of good looking. He was sitting with his friends on the other side of his group table. As he ran his hand through his short blonde hair, he lifted his eyes off his notebook page and caught me staring. I looked away quickly embarrassed, but not before he smiled and winked. I felt my cheeks heat up and cursed my fair skin. My eyes travelled over to Tyson who at that exact moment wore a troubled frown. The teacher stepped up to the front and began writing up pages of homework on the white board. My frown deepened as my annoyed mood returned.

Mitchie gently nudged me in the side. "See, I told you he likes you!"

"Who?" I asked, oblivious.

Mitchie frowned at me. "What's wrong with you? Daniel, silly."

"Nothing," I replied too quickly. "You reckon?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said quickly before the teacher announced that the homework was to be done before Friday's lesson. The bell going off just as he finished his sentence.

I quickly stacked up my books and stuffed my work sheet in between the pages my diary.

"Let's get out of here," I mumbled, "I'm starving."

"Me too," Mitchie agreed, and followed me out of the class room.

The moment I stepped out into the corridor I felt a hand grasp my elbow and gently yank me to the left. I looked up into Tyson Shelley's attractive blue eyes, and scowled. I pulled my arm out of his grip.

"What?" I asked, just a little bit too hostile. He ran a hand through his messy brown hair, pushing it off his face.

"Hey Calla, are you –" he started.

"Hey Tyson," Mitchie chirped. I turned to look beside me to where she had materialized.

He just nodded, giving her a small smile and turned back to me with what he was about to say, unfazed by my glaring.

"Are you doing anything this Friday?" His question caught me off guard and I hesitated.

"Actually –" I began, suddenly pleased Mitchie had roped me into a double date, but before I got round to the rejecting part, she decided to interrupt me.

"No she's free."

I shot her a look, but she ignored it and just grinned a wide smile back at me.

"Oh good." Tyson didn't try to hide his smile, noticing our silent conversation. "Then you guys can come to the PCYC carnival showcase. You've heard about that right?" He gestured to Mitchie.

Mitchie perked up at the mention of her being included, and nodded quickly in response to his question. "Cool, we'll be there."

Tyson's face broke out in a swoon inducing smile, his eyes still on mine as he replied, "Awesome."

I tried to keep my face emotionless, it wasn't hard with the annoyance still there from this morning – but that smile. He was about to say more when suddenly a voice called down the hall.

"Sonny!" He turned at the sound of his nickname.

An insanely tall aboriginal boy called him over again. The height of him was so noticeable, as it was polarised by the short red headed guy standing beside him.
Tyson gave them a wave and motioned that he'd only be a minute, before turning back to us.

"So I will see you there," he said to both of us but his eyes didn't leave me. Heat was rising in my cheeks and I looked away from his gaze.

"Sure," Mitchie sang.

He nodded, and started to turn away.

When he was entirely out of ear shot and down the corridor with his friends, Mitchie turned to me and practically exploded.

"Oh my god!" She squealed, pulling on my arm. "This is awesome!"

I just stood still, wondering what had just happened.

"Oh don't trip over your lip."

"Huh?" I looked up at Mitchie who was smiling.

"Stop pouting, you cute thing! Tyson Shelley just asked you out."

I pressed my lips together, my face was hot, and I knew it was red. "So?"

"So!" she repeated my question incredulously. I looked at her bewildered.

"Tyson Shelley! Gah!" She shook my arm up and down, in excited jitters.

I smiled at her attitude, suddenly understanding her obsession as she pulled me down the corridor to the mess hall. "He so likes you!" she whispered loudly.

Really? I thought. Why would he? I assumed he was just trying to aggravate me or get me on his good side. Mitchie was just saying the same thing about Daniel only last lesson. Daniel.

My smile suddenly dropped. "What about your double date?"

Mitchie laughed. "Don't worry about it; we'll just go to the carnival for the date."

My forehead creased with exasperation, Friday was going to be a long night.

"What is this carnival anyway?"

"It's like an annual thing. The farmers come out and sell all their produce and craft stuff. They've got games and rides too. Tyson's band is probably playing in the showcase."

Her eyes were alight with glee.

She shook my arm again. "Oh my god, It's going to be so much fun!"