The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 9

Parent's Evening. The bane of every kid's life - including mine. And I was lucky enough for it to be tonight.

I arrived at five with my mum and dad and left them to talk, then walked over to H.

"Oh the joys of Parent's Evening," I said sarcastically.

"Don't panic, La. You have nothing to worry about," She said, comfortingly.

"You do," I said, wiggling my eyebrows and nodding at Anna and Robert. Robert, Tom's Dad, was there, but for some reason his Mum wasn't. Maybe she was busy or something. Robert definitely didn't seem to mind that his wife wasn't around - he was far too preoccupied with Anna.

"Ugh! That is rank!" H said.

"It's not like they're kissing or anything," I said and rolled my eyes.

"Laura, if your mum was flirting with Tom's dad, you'd have something to say about it!"

"Even so, it's not that bad. Anna could do with a nice man in her life."

"Who's to say Robert's a nice man? I've never even met him. And anyway, he's married, isn't he?!"

"We'll Tom's nice, so I guess Robert must be nice too? I don't know. Is he married?!" I was a bit hesitant.

"I hope so - at least then he's off-limits to my mother. So tell me about Tom," H nudged my side, playfully.

"Harriet. There is nothing to tell. We're just friends."

"Friends don't kiss eachother." She countered.

"It was barely a kiss! And anyway, that was ages ago, he's probably forgotten about it - as had I. It was probably a dare from Harry."

"No, it wasn't. I've seen the way he looks at you - he's absolutely crazy about you."

"Don't be ridiculous. Your mum's flirting has gone to your head," I said. Tom liking me? Me liking Tom?! Seriously. Never going to happen.

"Laura. I've known you since we were two years old - and I know when you're lying."

"I'm not lying! Tom is not into me, and I'm not into Tom."

"Fine, fine, whatever you say. I'm just warning you that it won't be long before something will happen between you two," she smiled and winked.

I sighed. Crazy child. So she's a fortune teller now? Dear me.

"Miss Cook?" My small, plump chemistry teacher called from behind her desk.

"Uh, coming," I called, "Mum, Dad: Chemistry."

They nodded and took the seats opposite Mrs Smith.

"Later, babes," H cooed.

I waved and sat down next to Mum.

"Laura is a very hard-working, intelligent student here at Brighton, however her and Miss Green can get a little distracted," she droned on. I switched off completely and just waited.

God I hate Parent's Evening.

***

"Hey Laura, I... Um... I was just wondering if you wanted to... Come to the beach with me on Sunday?" Tom asked just as I was shoving books into my locker. It was weird. He was kind of... Nervous?

"Uh... Maybe. I'd have to check. Why?" I pulled out my iPhone and Flicked to Sunday: free.

He shrugged, "I don't know, I just thought... It would be cool to spend some time together."