When I met Josh

Chapter Three

I'm am finding school today a little rough to be honest School after no sleep at all and after having a far bit to drink yesterday is rather difficult. I'm in my English lit/lang class and Mr Burton's drowning voice is resorting me to tears. I love English and writting but I don't like it in school. It's seems so restricted because what we are learning is meerly on an exam mark scheme to pass. What we learn is so narrow. "Your homework is to continue on your coursework, I want a 2000 word essay on how Joseph Conrad displays emotion in his book heart of darkness"
I write this down in my planner. I highly doubt I will do it on time but may as well write it down. Finaly what I have been waiting for. Time to go home so I can sleep. I'm about to leave the school gates when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. That's weird I rarely get texts. Maybe it's my dad. The text reads
Hey darling, we're heading to the lido now wanna come?

Wow. That must be Josh. A wave of emotions flush over me. Mostly excitement. Have I really just made new friends? DId last night really happen? It seems so surreal I even wondered if I'd dreamt it but here is evidence I didn't. With every fibre of my body I want to go but I am shattered and what would I tell dad and Vicky?

I don't know if I can come today but maybe tomorrow?

 Shit response but I didn't know what else to say. My phone buzzes again.

Come on Carter, please?

I take in a deep sigh. Well it is a Friday. I decide to call my dad.
"Hello," He answers sounding quite irritated.
"Hey dad just to let you know I'm going to be late home I've got a lot of coursework that..."
"Yeah fine whatever, I'm at work now Carter you know not to phone me at work" and with that he hangs up. 
Yeah alrite, when and where should I meet you guys?
I send it and get a reply within seconds
Waheyy, 5 at the entrance of the lido.

I save his number as Josh into my phone and head home so I can dump my bag in my room. When I get home I hear Benjamin and Belyinda (Vickys twins) screaming at each other. "Benji give me my barbie!" Belyinda squeals. Whilst Benjamin does one of his obnoxious laughs and runs away. I go up to my bedroom. Shove my bag on the floor, fix my makeup, brush my hair and head down. I just about make it to the front door when I hear a familiar shrivel voice. "Where are you going Carter?" Vicky asks.
"Out with friends" I replied. In all honesty I have never done this before so I don't know why I am acting so casual about it.
"Huh... friends yeah? as if, no I need you to babysit, your dad and I are going away for the weekend, we leave tonight,"
"Well you should have told me before... I have plans,"
"Hahaaa you never have plans, stop being a pathetic liar and get in here," Vicky yells. She sounds so pissed which just makes me want to ruin her plans more.
"Too bad... anyway see ya," I say and with that I slam the door shut. I make a quick jog to the end of the road then resume to my normal walk. A series of doubts start to form in my mind. What am I even doing? I barely know these people in fact I don't know these people at all. For all I know they could be hanging out with me just to mock me. Am I pretending I'm someone I'm not by hanging out with them? Well I don't think so because the moments I've spent with them have been the moments I have felt the most comfortable in years. The bus journey seemed to go on forever. Butterflies forming in my stomach making me want to chunder a few times. Maybe this was a bad idea. Surely the fact it's making me stress so much shows that? Despite the conflict occurring in my brain I follow through. The reason being that why not? It's not like my life could get any worse can it? This could be a new life for me, dramatic I know but I need a change before I go completely insane, and trust me I am so close to it.

 When I reach the bus stop I feel my phone vibrate in my hand. Expecting it to be Vicky I hesitantly look down, but It's a text from Josh

Text me when you're here babe

Babe. He just called me babe. A wave of excitement rushes through me, but wait this is pathetic. He probably calls everyone babe. He also could be a lot older? What if he thinks I'm like 21? I know that my boobs sometimes make people think I'm older than 17.The familiar red bus comes along and I scan my oyster card on the reader and slump down on one of the seats at the back.  I then remember I didn't reply to Josh and pull out my phone again and text him.