Mania

Lesson 11. Respect

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'You know that was a full tub when I gave it to you?'

Erin grimaced at Clemence who was leisurely licking her spoon and digging back in to a tub of ice cream that was almost empty.

Clemence shrugged.

'So? I'm hungry.'

'You're always hungry.' Abigail laughed beside her and Erin rolled her eyes.

'How can you possibly be hungry after all that food we had? Your stomach is a bottomless pit.'

'I can't hear you over the ice-cream.'

It was Saturday night and Clemence was spending the weekend at the girl's house, eager for once to spend some time away from her mother's questioning eyes and curious glances. The three friends sat on the porch together, the sky navy blue and the soft glow from cell phones and the cheap fairy lights Abigail had adorned on every little tree and shrub illuminating the high points of their faces. The air had gotten colder and Erin had brought out some blankets, Clemence curled up in one and shivering slightly as the ice cream chilled her insides.

Soft sounds of crickets, fading car engines and quiet acoustics from Abigail's speakers were all that Clemence concentrated on as she tried to put her worries to the back of her head and enjoy the company of her best friends.

'Okay, I'm done.' Clemence admitted defeat with about five spoonful's of ice cream left, pushing the carton away from her and stretching lazily.

'No fast movements please in case you explode.' Abigail watched her hesitantly.

Erin smiled, eyes down as she looked at her phone screen, the whites of her eyes sparkling, cheekbones high.

'I've seen her eat far more.' She murmured, clearly distracted as her fingers typed quickly across the screen before she placed the phone to her ear.

'Tim!' She screeched excitedly before jolting up, holding one finger up to Abigail and Clemence before hurrying inside. Clemence sat up quickly, leaning forward and watching her, frowning when Erin shut the door.

Abigail watched her carefully.

'What's up?'

'Huh? Nothing.'

Abigail raised her eyebrow. 'Really? You look pissed.'

Clemence forced a tight smile in the direction of her friends prying eyes.

'I'm fine.'

Abigail cocked her head but nodded, deciding to play cool. 'Never seen her so happy about a boy before. She spent the past two days around his house.'

'Huh. Really.' It wasn't a question as Clemence gritted the words out.

Clemence was mad. Not at Erin, at Tim, furious at him for continuing on with Erin despite a few days ago being prepared to cast her aside. Clemence replayed the roll of his eyes in her head as he had told her it was nothing serious with Erin. She felt the frustration surge as here he was, drawing her in closer.

'Clem. What's wrong? '

'It's nothing.'

'Is this still about what happened that night at the bar?'

Clemence rolled her eyes. 'No. Not at all. I'm just...worried about her.'

Abigail leant forward in her chair, not letting Clemence avert her eyes as she shifted uncomfortably.