Heartfelt

The Boys

{Dianne}

"Yooo Di." The boy holds his fist out to me, laughing when I connect mine to his.

"Good to have you back- nice hair by the way."

I grin at him, but quickly roll my eyes when he winks.

"It's good to be back. And thank you- it's a bit crazy don't you think?"

Subconsciously I twirl my red locks between my fingers. I did it on impulse but I love it, it was like a breakup haircut, but instead was a pregnancy dye. It was a good decision.

"Crazy? Yup, just like you then."

Resisting the urge to whack him for both his comment and his second wink, I opt for punching him lightly in the arm. Just as the bell goes.

"Saved by the bell." I sing, before skipping to tutor period, leaving him stood there grinning like an idiot.

We've always had that kind of friendship, Joe and I. Everyone always thinks we're more than friends, but we're really not. We've never been interested in each other like that, despite all the flirty banter that we have. He's dated many girls and I've, well, I've never really been in a proper relationship. I've more just messed around with guys. Not in a slaggy way- I've always got to know them first, had a laugh, been close for a couple of weeks and then drifted apart, which has always been fine by me. It suits my lifestyle much more than having a relationship.

~~~

After scanning the room I eventually find the boys.

"Joe told me you were back. I didn't know whether to believe him or not."

Caspar grinned at me from the other side of the table.

"Well, Casp, seeing is believing."

He laughs and nods his head before returning to his conversation. Byron pats the space next to him,

"Oi, Aussie, park your bum here."

He quips. Smirking, I turn to him,

"I will sit there, if you leave my bum out of this."

"Your bum should never be left out of anything."

Before I can reply I feel someone behind me.

"Byron you perv don't forget who you're talking to."

Joe says from behind me.

"She knows I was only joking..."

True, I do know he's only joking, so when he turns to face me looking very sincere I'm somewhat confused.

"...but seriously, don't break my nose."

Now I'm ever more confused.

"What are yo- ohhhhh. Charlie Hampton."

Grimacing I nod, remembering the moment when my fist connected perfectly with his nose.

"He deserved that though."

Everyone on the table is suddenly listening and nods in agreement.

"He did, and if you didn't do it then someone else would have had to do it, and we'd have got into more trouble than you did."

The rest of the boys murmur in agreement. It's weird them all being so serious; I'm not sure I like it.

"So, what've you suckers been doing while I've been off on my jolly's then?"

Mikey suddenly looks up and starts hitting Jack's arm.

"I told you she'd just been on holiday!! Getting drunk on beaches, having fun with lads."

He's half joking and half not and I can't help but laugh and roll my eyes. He couldn't be further from the truth. If I want an actual answer I'm going to have to ask someone directly.

"Joe, tell me all the gossip."

~~~

Can they all stop staring? I know I'm young, but I look older than I actually am (my hair might help me with that) and even if I am young what does it have to do with these people? I'm here to collect my child just like them. Some of them are okay, of course, I see them everyday so they've gotten over the fact that I'm younger than them. The people that I don't see everyday though, the grandmas and childminders and other family member, all look at me strangely. Focusing on my phone I shift my school bag around on my back a little, looking up only when I hear the door open.

A huge grin lights up the little girls face as she toddles over to me. I'm pretty sure my face is the same as hers as I pick her up, planting a kiss on her cheek.

"Hey gorgeous girlie, have you had a good day?"

She nods in response as I walk up to one of the nursery staff. They hand me her bag and give me a run down of her day. As usual, she's been an angel. This makes me smile- one of the main indicators of me being a good mother for myself is making sure she's well behaved and has good manners. Unfortunately I can't quite enforce the manners yet, not until she can talk.

Walking home I tell her about my day. Not that she's listening, she's been asleep on my shoulder nearly the whole way back. When I finally arrive at my flat I put her down in her cot and settle down on the sofa. Only once the TV is on quietly do I take a moment to look around. Everything's neat, surprisingly. Emelie's room is tidy and so is mine- the only things I have left to do now is make food.

Of course, just as I'm about to eat, she starts crying. Sighing, I go to her room and lift her out of her cot.

"Hey Emelie. Stop crying baby, what's the matter darling?"

Without needing an answer (not that she can give me one) I sit on the chair next to her cot, adjusting my top and bra to let her nuzzle into my chest, her ocean blue eyes staring up into mine as she feeds.

A/N
I haven't proofread this chapter yet, so there could be all kinds of mistakes in here... sorry!!