Changed For The Better

Skate Night

We all queued up outside the skating ring with the skates on. I was still sat down on the bench because I know if I try to get up I'll just fall before we've even began and then they'll all laugh at me.

Mai Lee and Luke are at the front of the queue. Who'd have though they'd be joining in? I knew Mai Lee was into skating but I would have thought that at least one of them would have to watch everyone and keep an eye on things in case something happens.

The music started and the guy in a high visibility came and opened the gate. There were four different workers on the rink and they all started skating around really quickly. That's showing off and probably stressful to go past.

A fifth guy in high vis came along with a girl in a wheelchair who much reminded me of Chloe. She was probably about the same age. Soon enough everyone was skating around in circles and I just leaned over the side of the barricade with my head resting in my arms.

It was funny because there were people, like me, who couldn't skate so they were holding the edge. Then when they got to me they had to let go and go around me which stressed them out a lot.

I watched everybody else having fun and skating. Jody and Tyler had their arms around each other for balance and were laughing and talking away. Their friendship is so strong, so valuable. I would give anything to have the ability to form a friendship as good as theirs.

Luke skated over to me on his own. Must have abandoned Mai Lee then.

"Come on Marie this is great fun"

"I don't feel like it"

"But I can't just have you sulking around while everyone else is skating about and having a laugh"

"Oh good for them(!)"

"Why are you so miserable eh?"

"Doesn't matter."

"It does matter if someone in my care isn't happy"

"You wouldn't understand"

"Try me"

I sighed. "Ryan took me here, for skate night ages and ages ago"

"So that's it, you're missing him"

"Well done Sherlock Holmes(!)"

He skated around to the gate and then walked over to where I sat on the bench, and took a seat beside me.

"Look, I get that you don't know me and you won't trust me, but I've read your file so I know how much Ryan means to you"

"There's stuff about Ryan on my file?!"

"Well, just a few notes so we know where we stand..."

"So any social worker can find things out about my personal life?"

"Look that's not what it's for, it's just to keep an eye on things and make sure you're alright and comfortable. Anyway, as I was saying, I can see how much Ryan means to you and I know it must be hard, now that you aren't living together any more"

"Hard is an understatement" I said sadly, still with my head on the side of the ring.

"You can't just sit here doing nothing though. Why don't you go have fun with your friends?"

"I haven't got any"

"Well I can see a good few of them from here" he said, looking out into the ring.

"They're not my friends. They all hate me"

"Oh really? They all hate you?"

"Yep. They said it themselves"