Nothing But A Stranger

Chapter 1 ~ Know Too Well

CHAPTER 1

{{Dillon's POV}}

"I'll be right over!" I hung up and slipped my mobile phone into the pocket of my new Chinos and trotted down the stairs. "MUUUUUUUUMM!" I called through to the kitchen, grabbing my black hightops off of the shoe rack, "I'M GOING ROUND STEPHANIE'S HOUSE!" I tucked the laces into my shoes because I couldn't be bothered to tie them up properly. I waited for a reply.

Nothing.

With an exasperated sigh, I trudged through the house to the back garden, where I saw Mum sat in the middle of our perfectly mowed lawn sipping champagne and wearing MY sunglasses. "It's a lovely day, darling. Slather a touch of suntan lotion on and come join me" I walked from my place in the doorway around the edge of the water feature to where Mum was sat and took the Raybans off her head. "Mine, I do believe. I've been looking for these for weeks!" I moaned at her, placing the sunglasses on my head instead. She raised one perfectly plucked eyebrow at me, and tossed her brean blonde hair over her shoulder, before retrieving a different pair of shades off of the table beside. She didn't seem to care that she'd practically stole my sunglasses, and my most expensive ones at that! Typical Mum behavior. "Anyway, I'm going round Stephanie's." I stated, and was walking down the garden path before she could protest.

I plopped down on the sofa next to my best friend, and picked up a beige pillow and hugged it to my chest. "So," I began, winding the fluff on the cushion around my fingers, "Why have I been summoned here today?" I winked at Steph as I reminded her of her embarrassing play performance in year 4 where she had to act as a queen...but that's a different story for a different time. Ignoring my teasing, she tucked one leg beneath her so she was able to twist round and look at me. She furrowed her eyebrows together slightly and chewed on her lip, as if she was trying to recall what her information was. After what seemed like decades, she eventually answered. "Nothing. I was just bored." Steph smiled sweetly at me, and I raised an eyebrow. It was a habit I shared with Mum if we were in disbelief. "That's lovely dear" I replied, my voice oozing with a too sweet sweetness. All of a sudden, a grin the size of the Eiffel Tower spread across my friend's face. I sat calmly and quietly, still with an innocent smile plastered on my face until she was bouncing up and down, obviously excited. After a little while of teasing her, I asked what amaaazing news she had, because she looked like she was about to burst of elation. "Ollie Jones asked me out!!" Stephanie was practically screeching and, on hearing this news, I joined in. We both leapt up and started jumping around the living room in circles. "That's great!" I told her "Lucky you, babe!" Suddenly, Steph went silent, and a thoughtful look came across her face, which was soon replaced by worry. "C'mon, you've got to help me pick an outfit for going to the cinema tomorrow!"

She dragged me upstairs to her room and stared inside her walk in wardrobe for a while. I rubbed my chin and furrowed my eyebrows together in contemplation. I shuffled around in her clothes for a little while, even though I've been her best friend so long that I've seen most of what she's got, I've borrowed most of her stuff aswell. In the end, I picked Stephanie out an outfit. I handed her a black tube skirt and a lilac top with a black peter pan collar. Steph's face hinted at her concern. "Isn't it abit...um," she put her hand on her hip, searching for the right word, "dressy?" she finished and cocked her head to the side slightly. I laughed at her. Seriously, however much I loved Steph, she could be a bit dumb at times. "Only if you overdose on makeup and jewellery, silly!" I playfully punched her on the arm and her unsure expression relaxed into a smile. "One of the many reasons you're my best friend, Dilly Duck" she tapped my arm back, using my most common nickname.

We were sat downstairs eating ice cream and watching old reruns of Friends when my phone rang. I pulled my Galaxy S3 out of my pocket and started dancing around the room to my ringtone, Live While We're Young by our idols and favourite band, One Direction. Steph soon joined me in looking like a weirdo. It wasn't until my mobile was silent that I'd realised it was Mum who'd been calling. I pulled a face and stepped into the hallway so I could call her back. I dialled the number and held the phone to my ear. It rang twice before Mum answered.

"WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?!" she shouted. I had to hold my phone away from my ear it was that loud. "What do you mean? I'm at Stephanie's still!" I could hear Mum cursing under her breath. "You have 10 minutes to get home." she said steadily, but I could tell she was trying to stay calm. "What?? Why?" I was confused. "I TOLD YOU EARLIER. You were meant to be home half an hour ago, your personal hairdresser is here!" I blinked, trying to remember her telling me. I couldn't. "I swear you didn't say tha-" I began to say, but stopped myself. NOT a good idea. I backtracked and tried again, "Okay Mum. I'll see you soon." I hung up before she could reply. I knew Stephanie was listening in on my conversation, she always did, so I stood there for a few moments to let her get back onto the sofa before wandering back into the living room where Steph was sat, hugging a pillow. She watched me silently as I walked in. "Well I'll see you at school tomorrow, babe" I said, picking up my Hollister hoodie. My best friend got up to give me a goodbye hug, "Good luck if your mum goes ape shit on you" I laughed and left, waving goodbye as I walked past the window.