Bad Blood

6.

The biggest song on the radio at the time was Celine Dions 'My Heart Will Go On'. So it seemed only fitting that Dan sing that song at the talent show in front of the whole school to win Michelle's heart. And to complicate things, she had started dating Martin, the most popular guy in our year. I felt incredibly sorry for Dan. I had watched him go through all the emotions and it made me determined to never fall in love.

We practised for hours and hours. Over and over until I never wanted to hear that song ever again. He had it perfect. And the day of the show came. He was so nervous.

'You'll be amazing. I know you will.' I swear he'd turned a little green. He couldn't open his mouth to talk. I'd snook behind the small stage to wish him luck, but was quickly ushered out by the drama teacher. I waved him goodbye and took my seat on the front row. I quickly checked for Michelle. Success, she was front and centre, sat whispering to her gaggle of friends.

A dozen or so acts were on before Dan. Some dancers, a flute, another singer and a comedian. All were received well by the thousand pupils and teachers gathered in the hall. And then, out he came. He stepped up on stage and I could see the fear in his eyes. He took a seat at the piano. I waited, my breath caught in my throat.

'Come on, Danny.' I uttered under my breath. It was only seconds, but I knew he'd freaked out and frozen. People began heckling him. My heart broke for him. I wanted to get up there and hold his hand.

'Come on!' Someone yelled from the back. Some laughed. Some booed.

He ran from the stage and I rushed to meet him round the side. I grabbed hold of his arm and he shook me off.

'I should never have agreed to this. I look like a twat.' He yelled once we'd got outside.

'I think you're incredibly brave.' He refused to believe me. I was so sad that he didn't perform and it had knocked his already low confidence. If everyone could just see how talented he was, they would definitely want to know him. But it hadn't helped him make any friends and it hadn't helped him with Michelle. We were both destined to be loners.

'I'll never fall in love.' I told him. He agreed and we decided we would just both be single for ever. Together.

****

As I grew up I became more curious about where I'd come from. The memories of my past life had faded and been replaced with so many happy times, but I had realised my home was quite unconventional. I'd never spoken about my Mum to anyone except Dan. Why did I live with Granny? Where was my mum? Did I even have a dad? Why didn't they want to see me? I'd watched Dan with his family and wondered if there was something wrong with me?

It had taken me weeks to work up the courage to ask Gran. I didn't want her to get upset. I didn't want her to think I was being ungrateful. But she could read me like a book and knew something was bothering me as I hung around her in the kitchen one night.

'Everything ok at school Gracey?' I was peeling potatoes and handing them to her.

'Yep.'

'Making friends?' Gran hadn't even taken her eyes off the potato she was chopping.

'Yep.'

'Wheres Dan tonight?'

'Dentist.' That wasn't true. I'd asked him not to come round that night as I was going to ask about my mum.

'Anything you wanna talk about?'

'Well...there is one little thing...'

'Spill.'

'Why do I live with you?' She stopped what she was doing and smiled at me. A sort of, 'I knew this day would come' smile.

'Your Mum was a very poorly person. She couldn't look after you anymore.'