Opal's Story

The Barbecue

I smile back at her and mouth

'thank you'

As the others all start talking to me and actually take interest in what I have to say, calling my hobbies interesting, not a single one bringing up what happened earlier

Tracy leaves the room but I don't mind, I've got the others who seem very welcoming

Liam keeps looking over at me and smiling

Oh my god does he like me...

I wish! I'd never be that lucky!

I head upstairs with Tee Carmen and Lily who were now my new friends

But Tracy was my best friend. I wouldn't forget her.

'Everyone! Down here please!' Mike shouts JUST as we got to the top of the stairs

'He picks his moments' Lily says smiling

'Tell me about it' I say giggling before going back downstairs

'Right, as it's a sunny day and we've got a lovely new arrival we're gonna celebrate with a barbecue!' Mike says

Everyone looks excited

'Opal, you okay?' Tracy says taking my hand

'Yeah I'm good! Sounds great Mike!' I say enthusiastically

'Brilliant! Come on then you lazy lot' mike says

I turn to go but Tracy stops me

'You don't sound too excited' she says

'I am! I'm really excited' I say

She raises her eyebrow

'Whatever it is you can tell me' she says

I lift up my jumper sleeve and she gasps

'Opal...' She says

'We had a family Barbecue and after everyone left my stepdad got angry, he grabbed a burning hot kebab skewer and...it's fading now but the memories aren't' I say trying not to cry

'Oh sweetheart' she says giving me a hug

I pull down my sleeve and give her a smile

'I'm okay honestly' I say

We take each other's hands and go to help with the barbecue, Tracy gives me a supportive smile and I help her make the food and drinks

Everyone's smiling and laughing as we stick some music on, I volunteer to serve the food and Tracy immediately offers to help

I pick up a skewer to put on Tees plate and I start trembling, Tracy gives me a look of concern but I smile and serve it to Tee

'Thanks Opal' She says smiling

Eventually we get ours and Tracy pats the seat beside her I sit next to her and we tuck in

'Thank you for today' I say

'You don't need to thank me' She says smiling

'I'm so proud of you. You kept your cool back there' Tracy says smiling

'I need to get over it' I say truthfully

'Well either way I'm proud' she says

'Thanks' I say before getting my phone from the table and holding it out 

'Any other time' Tracy says wiping sauce from her chin before laughing as I snap a picture of us both

I don't need to put a filter on it, she's beautiful without one

'Tracy! I take it your not going to help clear up the barbecue?' Mike says

'Oh mike I would love too! But I'm still eating' she says, gesturing to one tomato left on her plate

I can't help but laugh

It's been a brilliant day aside the lows and as it draws to a close me and Tracy help pack up everything and head inside as it starts to rain

'It's been a brilliant day thank you mike' I say smiling

'No problem Opal...and I'm sorry for earlier' he says

'What happened earlier, I don't remember anything happening?' I say smiling

He smiles back

'It's good of you to be so understanding' he says before leaving

'Right I'm off now, bye kids!' Tracy shouts

She sees me and smiles

'I'll be back tomorrow' she says giving me a hug

'Goodnight Opal' she says turning to the door

'Goodnight Tracy' I say, watching her walk away

I sigh softly before waving her off from the doorway

I grab a drink and say goodnight to Mike and Gina before heading upstairs

'Opal!' Carmen whispers, making me jump

'You scared the life out of me!' I whisper

'Sorry. Why don't you come and sleep with us tonight?' She says smiling

'I'd love too, just give me a second' I say, going back to my room, I grab my teddy, he was a comfort and had been for years

I go into Carmen's bedroom, Tee and Lily are there too they give me a smile and say hello

'Haven't you got a duvet? Don't worry, Mike never did ours on our first day either' Lily says

'You can share mine' Tee offers

'I'm okay, thank you, I get really warm at night' I say

'Okay' they say, seeming to understand

I settle down and soon enough I'm asleep

FIVE HOURS LATER

I wake up with a jolt, I didn't like the dark

I head downstairs grabbing as much together as possible I go into the living room and make a little camp, turning the light on I try to get back to sleep but I'm too scared

I hear movement upstairs and hide behind the sofa

'Opal babes is everything okay?' I hear Gina say

I pop my head up and she looks at me

'Sorry I woke you' I say

'What? No don't worry about that! Why aren't you in bed babes?' She says

'I couldn't sleep but I'll be fine down here' I say

'It's not allowed babes' she says

'I want too' I say

'Why can't you sleep with the girls?' She asks

'I could hear them breathing really close and it scared me, it made me think of things' I say

'But they wouldn't hurt you babe' she says

I look over at Tee, Lily and Carmen and they look so guilty

'Can I sleep on my own tonight?' I say

'I'm sorry' I add straight after 

'We understand' they say

'Of course you can' Gina says

We all head upstairs and I go into my room, I lay down and eventually, after hours of waiting I fall asleep