As I pushed the key into the lock and turned, I could already hear raised voices. It was as usual. My parents were fighting yet again. Pushing open the door, I caught a glimpse of my parents gesticulating wildly in the air and feigning ignorance to my presence. “I’m home, parents.” I muttered, as if talking to myself. Assuming dinner would not be anytime soon, I slipped quietly into my bedroom, my only comfort, away from the war going on outside.
I wouldn’t be surprised if next month I would be choosing who to live with. I know I was being incredibliy pessimistic but it seemed like things would never get better. I felt a buzz and picked up my phone. It was a message from Jade, my best friend, and it read: You can come over to my house for dinner if your parents are fighting again:/
I envied Jade, her family was almost perfect. Mine was far from that. My older brother had given up and moved in with his buddy, meaning my only companion at home was gone. Thinking I’d better fill my stomach, I stuffed that day’s homework into my backpack and walked casually out of the house without the interference of my oblivious parents.
“Mum! Jade! Anne’s here!” Jade’s little sister, Sapphire, called out, greeting me with a nonchalant look.
“Hey Saffy, may I come in?” I prompted her. She raised her eyebrows, “yeah sure. Who’s stopping you?”
“Actually-“ I started.
“That was rhetorical question.” She replied sourly. “Of course,” I apologised. For what? I asked myself.
Like a knight in shining armour coming to my rescue, Jade pooped out from behind her, a grin spread across her face. “Anne! Hey Saffy move out of the way, you’re totally blocking Anne’s way!”
Sapphire rolled her eyes and sashayed back into the house. From the kitchen, Jade’s mum, Queenie greeted me. “Hey Mrs Deslin! Thanks for letting me come over!” I replied.
“Oh, Anne! It’s our pleasure! Hope things get better at home.” Mrs Deslin smiled comfortingly.
I quickly followed Jade to her bedroom on the second floor and dropped my bag just beside her bed. Jade made sure no one was outside before closing the door and jumping onto the bed. Stealthily, she pulled out her secret laptop hidden under her bed.
“Based on the latest status update-“ Jade said informatively.
“Oh Jade! Not again! I don’t really care about what’s going on in other people’s lives!” I cried.
“Yes, but I do.” Jade replied sternly, “as I was saying, Brittany Wilson has just broken up with her boyfriend, it happened last night, and Glenda finally quit the geek gang. Let’s see, oh! Here’s one you’ll enjoy, they’re having interviews to fill an empty spot on the newspaper.”
“Enjoy? I’ve wanted to be on that newspaper for ages! Just think, I’ll be able to stay in school late, away from the fighting and at the same time do what I love!” I exclaimed.
Jade gave me a look, “you freak me out. Anyway, there are available spots on the school committee so we can kind of work together right?”
“Oh Jade! I thought you wanted to be on the newspaper like me!” I protested.
“Anne, you don’t understand! There’s only one spot because Helen, one of the journalists was migrating so they’re re-hiring another student. Anyway, it’s not certain that you’ll get it!” Jade sulked.
“Jade we’ll both try to get in, okay? Not just me, but you. Or we can both join the student committee!” I suggested.
Jade got off the bed and paced back and forth, “Anne, I have to tell you something. You may get mad but I’ll always be your best friend, always. I-I-I never meant for it to happen but- “
“Just spit it out already!” I cried impatiently.
Jade sighed, “I already secured that one spot on the student committee, and it’s not likely that you’ll get one.”
I folded my arms defensively, “how would you know?”
“We kind of discussed it today at our first meeting.” Jade stammered.
“We? You’re part of this? You agreed?” I demanded.
“No! No! Anne, I didn’t! I was talking about letting you on the committee, but Brittany, she’s the president, she thinks you’re not much a people’s person. You’ll be better on the newspaper! Honestly! We all think so.”
“So it’s the ‘we’ thing again, huh?” I growled. I counted to ten before calming down. “Jade, I’m sorry.”
“For what exactly?” Jade said, puzzled.
“I don’t know, that I’m not good or popular enough to be on the student committee with you. I know I’ll be terribly lonely without you.” I mumbled.
“Anne! Don’t you ever say that! It’s not your fault! Look, it’s just a couple of hours apart; it’s healthy for us, in a way. Make new friends! We get off around the same time and after that it’ll just be like old times, right?” Jade said optimistically.
“I guess you’re right.” I relented. “Your mum’s getting impatient, we better get downstairs!”
Jade reached over and hugged me, “we’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
~
finally the chapter's up! i had a very hard time working this thing as its my first time lol :P
so, hope you liked it! stay tuned for the next chapter :)
x audrey
YOU ARE READING
The Game Of Life
Teen Fiction"I'll always be your best friend, always." Anne and Jade have been best friends since forever. But the paths they each choose to take separates them from each other. Despite everything, will they be able to remain best friends through thick and thin...
