Changed For The Better

Soon We Will See

They had clearly thought through this day quite a lot. They went into the boot of the car and pulled out a couple of deckchairs along with a rucksack and a picnic blanket. It reminded me of the trips out Mike used to take us on. Always something outdoor or educational, whereas Luke took us out ice skating and out for pizza or whatever, when he barely knew any of us.

Anyway, we set up the deckchairs on the front, but not on the sand because we all know that that never works. It would have been nice if it weren't for the bad weather. It was cloudy and windy and looked like it was going to start raining again.

It was kind of late for lunch so we were all hungry. Granted that was both mine and Luke's fault. Mike and Agatha probably thought we were going to be setting off sooner so we were meant to be here before we came.

Luckily, they had brought their picnic basket along, filled with sandwiches and cakes and juice and all sorts. It seemed like they had really tried hard to spoil me. It was starting to go well again, until it started raining just before we started eating. None of us had coats.

We scrambled around, grabbing everything and running in a cluster back to the car, trying and failing to not get soaked as we did so. We shoved everything into the back of the car and then got in ourselves, sitting in the same seats that we sat in when we drove here.

Smiling, Agatha got out the basket of food again and started pouring out drinks. Seems like she is one of those people who know how to make the best out of a bad situation. We were a miserable sight though, four people, sat inside a car in the rain, eating damp sandwiches in silence.

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After we had finished eating, the rain was still pouring down. I'm not sure what Mike and Agatha had planned for today, but I'm sure they didn't add this into their equation. I still had no idea where we were. I knew we were by the beach, but there are no beaches anywhere near the dumping ground.

I think whatever was in that rucksack must have been their plan, but the rain must have ruined it because we were sitting there and not really doing or saying anything. I wanted to start a conversation but I didn't know what to say that wouldn't make it obvious that I was bored.

"So Marie" Started Agatha, thank god. "Tell me a bit about yourself, I mean, Mike has spoken about you a lot but I feel like it needs to come from you"

That is the number one worst question that anybody can ever ask you They were both turned in their seats and facing me, waiting for an answer.

"Well, what do you want to know?" I asked, instantly regretting it. That was the most awkward thing I could have said. I basically passed the question back to them, when they are supposed to be getting to know me! Mind you, I do want to find out a bit more about Agatha.

"Well, what do you do outside of school? I'm not really down with the kids, and I'm kind of new to this whole world of parenting. so what do you like to do when you have the time?"

"Well, I'm a bit of a singer actually. I play the guitar and like to write my own music. It's quite hard though now that school has started again, I don't have a lot of spare time and it takes a long time to write songs"

"And how is school going? Good grades I assume?"

"Yeah mostly" I laughed, trying to make a joke but really I was just nervous, thinking about my maths results recently. "Yeah, school is good"

"So you like school?"

"Well, um..I wouldn't say I like it, but I don't exactly hate it either. Like, it's okay, but it's a lot of pressure you know? They expect you to know everything you're gonna do for the rest of your life by the time you reach year eleven" I stopped myself, I've only just met this woman. She isn't becoming my unofficial, unpaid therapist just yet.

"And what do you want to do? After your exams I mean?"

"Well, as of now I'm not too sure. We have to hand in our options soon though, so I'm definitely thinking about it"

"And what are you thinking?"

"Oh come on Agatha, Marie doesn't want to go on and on about school" Mike sated casually, saving me from an awkward situation.

"Sorry, I didn't think! Like I said before, I'm no good with children. I can't have my own you see"

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that"

"Well it's okay, because now we have you"

You don't have me just yet, I thought. I've only just met Agatha and when I woke up this morning I didn't even know I would be seeing them today. I thought I could go talk to Harley then have a happy day but it looks like I've failed on both counts.

Things between Harley and I are even worse than they were before, which is awful. What he said was wrong, but what I said was wrong too. I'll have to try and talk some sense into him tomorrow, if I even get the chance.

Then, I didn't have the chance to talk to Ryan and explain to him what happened with Harley, because I have to go out with someone I've never met before, and someone I haven't seen for months. Even that gets worse, because it rains so much that we don't get to do anything apart from sit in the car for a while, eat some food, and go back home again after a bunch of awkward conversations. Yes, this truly has been the ideal day(!)

After talking for a while longer, we got seat belted in again and Mike began the drive back to Ashdene Ridge. To be fair, the day out hasn't been great, but I've started to get to know Agatha. I like here, but I'm not comfortable with her just yet. She's too forward as far as I'm concerned. Maybe with time, it will be okay and I'll be happy to go and live with them. Maybe not. I don't know. I guess we'll see.