A Week With Him

Chapter 2 - Friends?

(Present day)

I smiled a little when I heard my phone buzz on a Sunday morning, I rubbed my eyes a few times before reaching for my phone from the bedside table to see my notifications. I got a text from a friend at college, Kelly. Well, I'm hoping she's my friend. I'm trying my best to socialise and find the right people, mum was always sad and worried for me not having a best friend. Kelly said: Thanks for doing my assignment Casey, I owe you one! I smiled again at the message then thought of what I'd do later today, mum and dad are going out on a business trip for a whole week, it'll be my first time completely left alone in the house. I was hoping to spend a day with someone. I quickly texted Kelly, asking her if she wanted to hang at my place this afternoon. I waited patiently for her reply, actually staring at the screen for four minutes straight as my heart thumped. I tried to keep my smile even though disappointment filled me with her reply, she said she was busy today. I tapped my nails on my phone and considered asking her on another day, I wasn't sure if that sounded too needy but I went for it. I explained to her that I was free all week but again, she turned it down, telling me she was going to be busy all week. I put my phone down after that and tried not to cry, I knew that last message was a lie. I heard her complain to a group of her friends that she'll have a slow and empty week without them, she was just finding an excuse to avoid me.

I'll still try to be her friend, but I guess Kelly wasn't the one. I rub my eyes again then change into some blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and some red and pink striped socks. I brushed my hair while looking into my old mirror, it had a fairy design all around it, perhaps it would be too embarrassing to bring someone over anyway, my room hasn't had a change since I was a toddler, the colour scheme was still baby pink and blue. I'm sixteen now yet I still keep my collection of horses on the makeup table and all my plushies in their boxes. One of my favourite toys was a pink bunny which I kept in bed with me to hold at night, I named her Emily when I got her on my sixth birthday, and I still call her that now. I know it's childish to sleep with a toy at my age, but part of me didn't care.

I sprayed myself with perfume and deodorant before making my way downstairs to the kitchen, where mum had some homemade waffles waiting for me on the counter. I licked my lips as I sat on a stool to eat, I'm going to miss her meals. She poured me some orange juice and asked,"Casey, have you cleaned your room?" I drizzled some syrup over the waffle and fell silent,"No...why?" She sighed a little, I clearly hadn't listened to what she asked of me yesterday. "For spring cleaning silly, I want you to go through your boxes and wardrobe to see if there's anything you want to throw out. And you're going to do it properly this year Casey,"mum said, her last words making me look down but nearly giggle.

She laughed anyway and patted my arm,"I've left some money for food and emergencies in the cabinet, I've pinned your dad's spare phone number up on the wall if you need to call us too." I nodded as I kept chewing, but mum bit her lip. "Are you going to be alright by yourself?"she asked a little sadly. I quickly nodded again but I wasn't so sure. I was used to being alone at school and now college, but it must feel weird doing things by myself here. Mum turned to open the fridge,"I'm sure I've bought enough but you can treat yourself down at the shops if you want. There's plenty of frozen meals here but do be careful if you try cooking." I nodded for the third time and giggled a little when I remembered my first pancake I made last year, when I tried flipping the pancake it landed on the floor of course. I was clumsy.

"If you get in trouble or there's a fire go across the road to Aunt Carol's for help,"mum said. Carol wasn't really my aunt, I've just called her that ever since I was little, she's just mum's best friend. I wrinkled my nose at the fire talk though. "Mum, really? I'm not going to start a fire!"I said, laughing a little. She put her hand on her hip and raised an eyebrow at me, half-joking, it made us both laugh. "I'll be fine mum, really,"I reassured her.