The Girl In The Suit

Gemma

I go home a half hour after Anne does, which sounds completely creepy. I am creepy. I've been watching her all day. Everything has been different today ever since I had a fight with Aoife in the hall. I really don't wanna be part of that rotten gang anymore. I want to be Anne's friend, but to be honest, I don't think she would ever be. She's her and I'm me. She has the perfect little family with the cool badass sister and I'm me. Daughter of 2 alcoholic parents, sister of a dope.

I walk in the door of my house a few houses down from hers, and I go right up to my room. I just listen to music and stare at my ceiling. Then, a Snapchat notification comes up.

Anne🎸 added you as a friend!

I jump up as I stare at my phone, reading the notification over and over. I finally click on the notification and I add her back.

Hi, I text.

Her Bitmoji pops up in the corner, indicating that she's typing.

Why were ya stalking me today???

I sigh, and I write back.

I wasn't. I just didn't want to come home. BTW, just wanted to say that I'm really sorry for all I've done. I'm not hanging around with those ones anymore. They're just jealous cows who are going to fail the Junior Cert. You looked amazing in those suits, BTW. :)

I see the typing thing come up again. I wonder what she's going to say. She's probably going to block me.

Thanks for that. I appreciate it. Why didn't you want to go home?

I sigh. I start typing again.

Just some shit going on. Its nothing really. How's Alison?

She's good. Freddie?

Still an idiot.

😂😂😂

I really am sorry, BTW.

I know.
Are you OK?

I pause. Then, I type back.

I'm fine.
You?

I'm good.
Gtg help Alison with something. See you tomorrow. Thanks again.

No problem. I really am sorry. Nite.

I shut off my phone and I lie back on my bed. Then, Freddie comes in.

"Hey, sis!", he says. I smile. I actually love Freddie.

"Hi, dope.", I say. He sits down on the bed.

"So, Miss Douche and Mr Douche are now asleep so,", he holds up a chipper bag, "dig in."

He got sausages and chips from Luigi's. Its 9pm but that's our usual dinner time when our parents are home and not camping at a friends house.

We begin to eat. Freddie is practically my best friend. He's a 21 year old idiot living with his 15 year old sister and alcoholic parents, but at least we have each other. To be honest, I'd be lost without him.

"So,", he begins, "how was your day?"

"Weird." I tell him everything. "I apologized to that girl I was being a bitch to and she was cool with it? I don't know. I guess I thought she wouldn't accept it. Like, she's Anne and I'm me."

"That's good though, isn't it?", he says, putting a chip into his mouth. "And what about the girls you hang out with?"

"They're gone. Ditched them today. Just sick of being part of this disgusting bullying culture."

He smiles at me. "I'm proud of you, sis."

I smile. "Thanks, big bro."

We eat the rest of the food while we chat, and when we're done, Freddie goes back into his room and we say goodnight.

I lay in bed, and try to get to sleep, but all I can think about is Anne O Brien.