I'm Not That Girl Anymore

Chapter Four

I had no idea what was happening. This girl, Abalacha, I had never seen her before. She was kinda pretty I suppose, but the look she gave me was downright murderous. Darren, noticing how uncomfortable the situation was getting, told the group that he would be hanging out with me and Narinder for the day. "Just to make sure they know their way round and that they settle in" he said.

"Oh that's cool!" said Hathisan and winked at me. "You keep an eye on Darren for me. There's this guy in year eight who hates his guts, called Prasath. They're always getting into fights and he usually ends up half dead. Prasath I mean."

I giggled. "Yeah sure thing, Hathisan. No worries."

We turned and were leaving when a voice quietly said: "Have fun."

I spun round and saw Abalacha giving me a weird, unfriendly smile, which gave me the impression that she was the one who had said it. I didn't reply. I turned to Darren for an explanation. "What the hell was that?"

He put on an innocent face which was really funny and I had to bite the insides of my cheeks so I didn't burst out laughing.

"Well?"

"My friends. Why did you not like them?"

"I did like them! They were all really nice, except from that girl-what's her name...Abalacha or something. What does she have against me? I don't even know her!"

"Oh. Well she's always like that.She's not really my friend."

"She's not your friend? Then why was she with Hathisan and them?"

"Just stay away from her okay? Hey, how would both of you like to come round to mine after school?"

"Oh yeah sure!" said Narinder. "That's really nice of you"

I was just about to say yes when I remembered that I was supposed to meet my dad after school.

"Yeah it's really nice of you Darren but...I kinda have to meet my dad after school. I'm really sorry!" I told him

"Oh no problem! I suppose it was kinda short-notice anyway. My bad!"

I guess I looked really upset, because he put his hand on my shoulder and turned my face to look at him. "Really it's fine. It would have been great if you came too, but it's fine. I'll give you my number so we can text and arrange something soon, yeah?"

I smiled "Aww thanks! You're the best!"

****

Lessons went smoothly and lunchtime was spent doing homework and working out where our classrooms were.

At last it was time to go home. Darren and Narinder came with me to meet my dad. I had added Narinder's and Darren's numbers on my phone. I saw him in our car and he smiled as he got out.

I ran to him and gave him a hug. "Hey dad! Meet Narinder and Darren! They are my new friends."

Darren, being the polite boy he is, stepped forward and held out his hand. "I'm Darren. Pleased to meet you Sir."

My dad smiled. "No need to call me Sir! Call me uncle"

Narinder came forward. "I'm Narinder. Hi uncle!"

Darren turned to me and gave me a thumbs up. "Uncle," my dad looked at him.

"Yes Darren?"

"Please can Ginder come to my house one day? With Narinder? She told me she had something with you today so she can't come."

I mentally face-palmed myself. Damn! Now my dad was going to flip.

"Thanks for the invite! I'll think about it. Now Ginder, I think we better get going!" He got into the car.

"Bye guys, see you tomorrow!" I said and waved at them until we turned the corner.

****

*At KFC*

"So how was your day at school? Met any new friends?" my dad asked as we ate our chicken.

"It was great. The lessons were really easy and Darren had a group of friends who were really nice to me." I decided not to tell him about Abalacha, at least not for now. He would worry, and I didn't want that.

"What kind of group? Not a gang, I hope, though he doesn't look like that kind of boy."

"No dad! Definitely not! It's just people he hangs out with at break and stuff"

"Oh, I see. Are they male or female?" I saw where this was going.

"Two males and three females," I lied.

"Well, I don't want you getting close to him. That girl seems nice though-Nina i think?"

"Narinder!" I laughed. "Yeah she's nice, and okay dad, whatever you say"

****

*At Darren's house*

NARINDER'S POV

We walked together in silence for a while. His hair kept getting in his face. His face was just so beautiful. Wow, walking in silence like this was super-awkward! But what was I supposed to say? I didn't really want to bring Ginder into the conversation. I knew that Darren liked her. It was obvious, the way he looked at her and always joked with her.

"Soooo...." I said, attempting to make conversation.

"Yeah, this is kinda awkward!" he grinned in that super-cute way that always makes me blush.

"Erm....don't get the wrong idea or anything...'cause I'm just trying to make conversation..."

"Yeah go on," he said with a chuckle.

"You single?"

"Yep," he smiled showing his perfect teeth. "How about you?"

I started blushing. Stupid cheeks. "Um...yeah..." Maybe he liked me a bit? Or else why would he be interested in the fact that I was single?

We soon reached his house, and his mother was there to meet us. She was kinda chubby but she looked really friendly. "Hey mum. This is Narinder, the girl I told you about on the phone. The other girl, Ginder, wasn't able to come, she had to meet her dad and do something."

"Hello Narinder. I hope you're gonna stay for a bit, I've been baking a few treats and you're gonna have to help finish them off!"

"Thanks mum! Now we'll just go to the T.V room if you don't mind!"

"I like your mum. She's nice" I said once we were in the TV room.

He laughed. "Yeah she's amazing. She just talks alot and embarasses me!"

"I think she's sweet."

****

After about half an hour of watching tele, Darren's phone started ringing. He went out of the room to talk, so he wouldn't disturb me.

I heard him talking.

"Yeah who is this?" Pause. "Oh my God, hey Ginder!" Pause. "Yeah we're just watching tele, what you up to?" Pause. I turned the volume down a little so I could hear better. "Aww cool. Do you wanna meet up at the bridge and walk to school together tomorrow?" Pause. "Aw sweet. See ya tomorrow then!"

He joined me on the sofa, and started texting her. That's all he really did for the rest of the day and it got so boring that I left.

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