Joanne through the years.

Caspar's Apology

Joe
"Stop worrying Dianne. You're gonna be amazing" I told her firmly. It was two months since Dianne and I had first met and we had become amazing friends in such a short amount of time. In classes I would always talk to her and at break and lunch it would be my mates that I would talk to whilst she hung around with Zoe. Then after school Dianne would come to mine but on Tuesdays she had dance practice so Caspar and I would play army in the garden. It was no secret to the rest of my friends that Dianne and I shared a special connection however, that hadn't stopped them bullying her and whenever I wasn't in vicinity they made her life hell. Dad hadn't touched or talked to me since our fight and that didn't bother me. I was happier than I had been in many years and every day I was having to take less anti depressants. Right now however I wasn't worried about my self...only Dianne. She was about to perform in her first competition since moving to London and I was probably more nervous than she was. I knew that dancing was something that she wanted to pursue in the future so I just wanted this to go well.
I hugged her tightly.
"I'm really scared Joe. I had to get a whole new routine a few weeks ago and it's just not perfect yet."
"You'll be amazing. You can do it. I know you can."
"Thanks Suggy" She hugged me tightly. We hugged a lot now. but hadn't taken it any further. Zoe was constantly giving Dianne and me updates on each other. But I knew that Dianne didn't feel the same way. How could she? I wasn't special. I was just a guy with a lot of problems.
"Next up is Dianne Buswell" A voice from the stage yelled. The microphones had broken so the presenter had reduced to yelling.
"I can't do it Joe" She tried to walk off but I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me.
"Yes you can do it" I hugged her before kissing her on the cheek and continuing to hug her. "I'm really proud of you no matter what happens. You're amazing so just go out there and give it your all" I let her go and she walked shakily onto the stage and as she danced, I got lost in the music and just stared from behind the curtain.
Dianne
Joe hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. I couldn't believe that he actually kissed me on the cheek. JOE SUGG KISSED ME ON THE CHEEK! Did this mean anything or was it just a friendly kiss? I walked shakily onto the stage, the kiss still firmly on my mind. My music began and I pushed all thoughts away and just danced. If there was something I loved, it was dance. The way you could get lost in the music and use your movements to demonstrate your thoughts and feelings. Far too soon the dance was over. There was nothing more I could do. I walked off the stage and once out of sight of the judges, ran. I bounded towards Joe and engulfed him in a large hug.
"You did amazing Di" He whispered in my ear. I didn't reply but just hugged him more tightly.
Caspar
I knew that Joe wasn't in whenever I called round at his house. But that didn't matter. He had left his bedroom window ajar so I shimmied through it and inside. I knew that I hadn't been the best friend that I should have been recently but I was ready for a change. I was ready to prove that I wanted to be Joes friend and in all honesty, I wanted to be Dianne's friend as well. She had a great sense of humour and I didn't want to be that bully anymore. On Joe's bedside table was a bottle. I walked over to it. I picked it up and read the label.
"Anti depressants?" I read out loud. Then it hit me. All those days Joe had been off school. All the times he had to leave parties early. How his personality changed. He was depressed. And I didn't notice. I couldn't even call myself his friend anymore. I lay down on the bed as the front door clicked open. I could hear two voices. A boy and a girl. Joe and Dianne. Joes bedroom door opened and Joe and Dianne entered. They were both laughing and Dianne was clutching a first place trophy. Their faces fell whenever they saw me. I saw Joes face change. Like he suddenly didn't know what to do anymore. His eyes flickered towards the bottle in my hand. Dianne slowly inched behind Joe.
"What are you doing here Caspar?" Joe asked me. His eyes flicking back to the bottle. I took a deep breath.
"I want to apologise for being the worst friend ever. I'm so sorry Joe. And I'm sorry Dianne. I was horrible to both of you and I'm so so so sorry."
For a moment none of us spoke. None of us moved. Joes eyes continued to flick towards the bottle.
"I'm sorry too Caspar" Joe suddenly said.
"For what?" I asked surprised.
"For not telling you about..." Joe nodded at the bottle.
"It's chill mate" I hugged him and he hugged me back. "Dianne?" I opened my arms wide. She accepted my hug.
"I forgive you Caspar" she whispered into my ear.
"What about the others?" Joe asked.
"They know what they've done wrong but they arent quite sure how to apologise yet. They will someday soon" I handed Joe back his medication and he immediately took one. I looked at him worriedly.
"You've stressed me out mate" he joked and we all laughed.
"Can we get pizza now pleeeeease?" Dianne hung onto Joes arm.
"I'm in" Joe grinned. They both turned to look at me.
"Sure.  Why not?"