Changed For The Better

Sludge

Ryan clapped as I finished the song. He was smiling widely at me which made me feel good. I haven't felt this way in a long time. In a way I'm glad he made me do it. Made me sing him the song I mean, because it feels better to have it out in the open rather than all inside me. If that makes sense. It probably didn't but oh well.

"Now that wasn't too hard was it?" He asked.

"No. And you know what? I actually feel, somewhat lighter now that I've sung it. Sang it. You know what I mean"

"So it was a good thing?"

"Definitely a good thing"

"I'm glad I was the first to hear it"

"I'm glad you were too. But I'm still going to think of something to send you"

"Why?"

"Because you can only hear that song that special way once, but if I give you something you can be around it or hold it all the time. I'll think of something"

"Ok but you know you don't have to"

"I know. But I want to"

I don't have a clue what I could possibly that Ryan that was in any way meaningful, but everything he has ever given me has been perfect. I need to prove to him, and myself, that I can do the same.

"How are you finding it now that Mike isn't there?" He asked.

"I'm ok. The new guy, Luke, is such a flake."

"I thought he looked after you at skate night?"

"Well he did, but there's something about him that I really don't like"

"What?"

"I dunno I can't place it. But there is something"

"Ok then miss suspicious" he joked.

We carried on talking for ages. The only reason we stopped is because Luke called us down for lunch so I had to go. Luke was never gonna let me miss it, not after I failed dinner and missed breakfast. I said goodbye to Ryan then headed downstairs in a much better mood than I was in when I spoke to Luke this morning.

"Ah Marie I was just about to come and get you" he said as I came in.

"But I'm not even late" I said as I took my seat. Nobody was eating yet or had anything on their plates. They were all just waiting and the big pan sat on the table and still had its lid on with the ladle by its side.

"Right, now that everyone is here we can start" Luke used a tea towel to lift the lid of the pan. We all leaned over it to look inside and what we saw, wasn't good.

It was some kind of thick soup or sauce or something. The edges were all burnt and the rest was just an oily, gross looking overdone mess. I sank back into my seat.

"Luke we can't eat this"

"What's wrong with it?"

"What's right with it? I wouldn't feed it to a dog"

"Back at home this is a family recipe. A luxury, a treasure if you will"

"Well here it's disgusting. Where's Mai Lee? She always cooks great food for us"

"Yeah she's away on a course today but she'll be back tomorrow"

"And what are we supposed to do until then?" I yelled as anger began to boil up inside me. "Starve? Waste away?!"

"How about you try it"

"How do I know you haven't poisoned it?!"

"Because why would I poison it?"

"Because you hate us all so much you just want to get rid of us"

"I don't hate you..."

"That's what they all say"

"I don't!"

"Prove it"

"What?"

"I've got a shirt that needs ironing"

"Marie I'm not your slave..."

"I know. But I'm not allowed to use to iron" I lied. "Health and safety. Didn't you take that course?"

"Right, after lunch ill iron your shirt for you. Anything else?"

"Not for now. But there will be"

"Right, well for now you can all eat up" He began serving the weird thing and it sloshed as it hit the plates.

"What was in the parcel Marie?" Asked Jody.

"Just some stuff from Ryan"

"What stuff?"

"Just...stuff. It's none of your business Jody!"

"You might as well tell me, you know I'll find out in the end"

"Yeah tell her Marie"

"Go on"

"I bet she just doesn't want us knowing because it's from Ryan"

"Yeah it's probably a really long letter with all the reason why he weally weally loves her with all of his ittle bittle heart"

"It's not! Leave me alone!"

"Yeah that's enough you rotten lot" silenced Luke as he took my plate and served some of the soupy thing for me. It would have been better off it bowls. "Let's all just enjoy our meal in some peace and quiet yeah?"

He sat down on the end of the table and started eating. "I'm not eating this splodge" I said as I pushed my plate away from me. It didn't even smell good. Like you know how sometimes something looks really unappetising but it smells fine so you eat it anyway? Like curry? Yeah this wasn't one of those things and the smell was making me feel queasy. I began to make my way out of the dining room.

"You'll go hungry" Luke called.

"Fine by me!" I spat back.

----------

Lunch was over and I have no idea how much anybody else ate, but if they knew what was good for them they would have eaten none of it, like me. I skipped down the stairs with the shirt in my hands, ready to give it to Luke.

He was standing in the hallway at the bottom of the stairs, facing towards the office so I dropped it down onto his head.

"Oi!"

"You said you'd iron it" I said once he had taken it off his head.

"Oh yeah, do I really need to do it now? Only I told Floss I'd help her with..."

"It will only take a minute" I said as I dragged him towards the laundry room.

"Fine fine. But if Floss goes rage on me I'm blaming you"

"Yeah I think I'll leave you to it. Give me a shout when you're finished"

I quickly ran up the stairs knowing that Luke had no choice but to iron the top for me. He said he would, and now he has to do it quickly so he doesn't make Floss wait for him. Like seriously, he's only been here a few days and he already knows you have to be careful with Floss.

It doesn't take long to iron shirts anyway, he could easily have it done in five minutes. I listened as Floss, or who I assume to be Floss, stomping down the stairs and making a weird growling sound. Yep, must be Floss. Luke's in for a treat. Rather him than me.