The library

July 18th 2003

It was the last day of school. Ever. The last time I'd ever have to be in a classroom not by my own choice. It was own clothes day today as well as being a half day.

Thoughts raced through my mind as I walked down my street.

Is my outfit good?

I had once again chosen the easy way out and opted for a pair of black converse, a knee length denim skirt and a tight white shirt which cling to me and slightly exaggerated my features.

What am I going to do after this?

Take a short break and then head to university? Who knows? In truth I was slightly scared of the future. Maybe I'd get a job instead.

Why has it still not rained?

Well, it had rained but not enough to make any difference on the dry and chapped surfaces all over Sheffield. The field had started to lose all it's grass entirely and big patches of dirt scattered most of the grounds leaving scarcely any grass, or hay, left.

I pushed all these thoughts to the back of my mind as I sat down in my air conditioned form room with a pleasant sigh. I took my tatty sketchbook out of my bag and my head completely cleared as I filled in the finer details of a Rose.

*****

"Very well done to Miss Brooke on her efforts in Sport!" The headteacher beamed as he handed a certificate to a girl in the year below I had never seen before. The assembly had been dragging on for a few minutes now as the last awards were being handed out. I was sat in the front row next to a few boys that I had made friends with earlier in the year and had just stuck to seeing as I was too afraid to venture out of my comfort zone and make friends with more people.

"And for their contributions in music, Matthew Helders and Alexander Turner!" The announcement took me off guard and I quickly looked up to the podium to see the headteacher, a short man with greying hair in a suit of the same colour, holding two certificates proudly. Matt and Alex walked through the middle of the seats to the front. Matt was in a pair of white trainers, baggy grey jogging bottoms and a Strokes tshirt. Alex went for a pair of similar strainers, denim jeans and white Lacoste polo top. I noticed he also slightly gelled his hair today as the sides were pinned back and the hair on the top of his head fell down onto his forehead and slightly into his eyes. I had to admit I never found Alex as attractive as I did today. I knew he was searching for me as his eyes scanned across most of the hall until they finally locked with mine. I flashed him a quick smiled and he returned a smirk which felt like it almost made me melt. I squirmed slightly and felt myself start to blush as I turned my gaze to the floor in front of me.

******

"Look at you, Elvis." I teased as I jogged up to Alex and Matt, taking the former's hand.

Alex giggled quietly which was a blessing to my ear after the monotonous droning of the headmaster for the last hour. We were currently walking back home and the street was slightly more crowded to what I was used to before due to the occasion. "It's just a one time thing darlin'"

God I loved it whenever he called me darling in that accent and he definitely knew it. I was on the cusp of being wrapped around his little finger like a helter skelter.

"Looks shit d'n it?" Matt smirked at me.

"Oh yeah a hundred percent." My voice dripped with sarcasm as I gave a few exaggerated nods.

"Is it really that bad?" Alex said softly, pulling at my heartstrings.

"Of course it isn't Al! You look great." I smiled up at him and stroked his cheek.

"So what are the plans for the summer? Well... for the rest of our lives really." Matt quickly changed the subject making me smile to myself.

"Well were working on 't band aren't we? Gigs and new songs and that." Alex spoke to Matt mainly and the drummer nodded and murmured in agreement.

"I'm going back to London for a month... my parents decided they actually wanna see me." I rolled my eyes subconsciously and kept my gaze on the floor as we walked.

"A month?" Matt raised his voice.

"That's like half t' holiday." Alex frowned slightly at me.

"I guess so." I shrugged. "I'll try and stay in touch whilst I'm down there and then when I'm back you boys better be prepared to see me everyday." I grinned.

"I wouldn't mind that darlin'... wouldn't mind that one bit." Alex flashed a small smile down at me. I think I fell in love that day.