The Chain (A Catherine Diary) - Stamfield. Complete

Chapter 59

59

Gemma knew instantaneously that I had found out something.

'That's why I was sitting close to the door, so I would get to speak to you before anyone else could', obviously that didn't work, I thought, but held back from saying anything, in case I had any course to regret what I said. 'The girls have been showing off the video of you, on Saturday', I was gobsmacked. My friends were out there ridiculing me, behind my back. I could feel my face going red. Only, with me, it tended to go browner, rather than red. Gemma must have seen a change in me, I felt that change also, but it would be difficult to explain. I guess it was a mixture of betrayal, sadness, regret and embarrassment.

'It's not as bad as you think', she had no idea what I was thinking, but I certainly hoped it wasn't as bad as me stepping outside to a line of people laughing and joking about me, whilst holding up pictures of my naked running form, because that was the image that I had in mind.

'Who's showing it and who they showing it to?', my voice was firm, without the aggression, it had to be otherwise it was possible I would end up in tears. I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer.

'It's like I said, it's not as bad as you think. Remember, last month, when Pat filmed Jane taking a shower, she showed that around, most people weren't even interested and everyone forgot about it the following day'.

'That's because she's always getting naked, there aren't that many people around who haven't seen her baps at some point'.

Gemma nodded, as though conceding that point. 'Besides the girls only showed it to a few other girls'

'Hi Catherine', three boys walked past smiling at me.

I looked at them and then back to Gemma, 'I bet they've seen it?'

'It's just that the girls they showed, showed others and before they knew it, people they didn't even know had a copy on their phone'.

'Great, so everyone's seen me naked', I sat down disconsolate.

'Not everyone and those who have seen it, all think it was brave. Most of the boys thought you were gorgeous'.

The idea that boys thought I was gorgeous tapered my sullenness. Gemma took my hand, 'don't worry about it, they won't even remember it by the end of he week and I know I shouldn't stick up for the girls, but they never expected it to spread so quickly or widely.'

'Where are they now?'

'Probably outside, hiding away from your wrath'

I smiled, Gemma stretched across the table and held onto my hand. It felt good, safe. As though no one could hurt me. I stood up and opened my arms, Gemma came in and hugged me.

'We're sorry if we hurt you', she whispered to me.

'It's okay', I said, calming down, although in my mind I could see Pat's smirking face as she showed me the video on her phone, at the barbecue.

Gemma kissed me on the cheek and I could feel how sorry she was about this.

I held her hand and started walking back to the door, grabbing my bag with my other hand, 'come on, let's go find them'