sheffield? where's that?

the dinner

It had rolled around to the day of the dreaded dinner. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I tried to dress "nice" but also "casual". Don't know what that meant but my mom instructed me to do so. I did some light makeup and went for a quick smoke hanging outside my window, which was on the slanted ceiling, so you couldn't spot me from below.

My brother hid a pack inside my suitcase with a little note saying "you'll need them.". I guess he meant stress with new school and all that, he knows how I am. I tried some of Leon's cigarettes once or twice but I didn't like them. Coming from my brother though, it was a very caring thing for him to do. I hoped he was doing well.

We got to the restaurant a little late so when we entered I could see a big table in the corner of the bustling restaurant with four empty seats and three taken. That must be our table. Nerves hit me like a truck. Hated family friend dinners and reunions.

I plastered a big fake smile as we approached the table, big hugs and greetings all around. My sister sat down and started flipping through the menu right after saying the necessary hellos and how are yous. I was about to slide in next to her until the woman who I guessed was my dads colleagues wife piped up.

"Come sit next to Tom dear, you both are the same age, I'm sure you'll have lots to talk about!"

My sister looked up at me and grinned slyly. I nodded and sat next to "Tom".

He was good looking, not gonna lie. He had light curls in his brown hair and green eyes, that didn't seem to sparkle as kindly as Alex's eyes though.

The dinner was bearable, most of the conversation between me and Tom being about the school and me asking questions. A lot of questions.

"So, how's the uniform at Stocksbridge then?" Me trying to start a conversation is really peak social skills.

"Yeah it's alright. Ties and all 'at. Girls have to wear skirts and blouses, boys trousers and-" He stopped and rolled his eyes. He made a "anyways" gesture. "You get the gist."

"Ah."

"I heard you're French?"

"What?"

"From Paris and all?"

"No, no I just lived there. I'm American."

He stared at me as if trying to figure me out, then giving up and taking a swig of his coke.

"Just what I heard, is all"

"What you heard?"

"Yeah, people have been talking. New girl from a different country here is a big deal."

"Oh, didn't realize it mattered that much."

"New girls are always a big deal in Stocksbridge. Usually more fit than the girls that are already here."

"Ah." I was beginning to get a little bit uncomfortable, but he was just getting started.

"There's hierarchy as well here you know. Most popular and all 'at. But I think you'll be just fine." He looked me up and down and shone me a creepy smile.

"Are the girls nice? I've only met two boys so far. From our year I mean. Or I guess they're in our year."

"Who then?" He raised an eyebrow. "Lads have been talking about seeing some fit new girl around town but I didn't hear anything directly. Girls are just dismissing the 'ole thing, dunno if they'll like you."

He was making it seem like talking to me was some sort of mission or investigation. And the girl thing was not great news, but coming from him I took it with a grain of salt.

"Uhm, Alex and Matt?"

He threw his head back with a laugh. "Oh those? Don't worry love, you'll find a proper lad in school, not some band guys. Jus' ignore 'em."

I took offense at how he talked about them, even though I've met them only twice. He was a real asshole, and I began to dread meeting the rest of his friends at school if they were all like him.

"They were nice though."

"Yeah whatever. Anyways, I get lots of birds so if you want some easy friends just tell 'em you know me and they'll stick right to you." He cackled.

I didn't know if he was joking or not, but I didn't really want to know.

After dinner, I took a walk around the neighbourhood with Josie in a more comfy outfit. Sweatpants with a tight shirt, easy way to be comfortable but look cute.

I walked past a group of girls giggling and chatting as they waited for the bus. They looked younger than me but stared as I walked past. One of them whispered "isn't she banging Alex Turner?". I sped up and turned left on to a random street just to get away.

I finally got home and sat on the edge of my bed thinking about the weird ass evening I just had. I don't know if I misheard what she said but I hoped I did. If there were rumors and talk about me already, I prayed they weren't like what the girl said at the bus stop.