I'll Sing For Me

10.

I woke up groggy, wiping my eyes. It was so late last night when Steph and I finally went to bed. It was even later when I drifted off.

Now it was Saturday and we had the whole day ahead of us.

I gently got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom before heading to the kitchen.

Turning the kettle on, making myself a hot chocolate and pouring myself a bowl of cereal, I heard the front door and immediately, my heart was thumping so loudly.

Then in walked a tired Ally. She had just finished her shift at the hospital and her eyes were sagging, threatening to close.

Instantly, I relaxed. She gave me a tired smile and continued to her room to most likely pass out as soon as she hits her bed.

Washing up my dishes, it wasn't long that Steph joined me, reboiling the kettle and making herself a hot chocolate.

We were both quiet, content, trying to wake up still. We got dressed for the day, keeping our noise to a minimum and then left a note for Ally before leaving.

It was early in the morning, about 8am when we left.

With our arms linked together, we started the trek to Tommy's house. I smiled at Steph. She looked so happy. Her hair in a loose braid over her shoulder, a white tank top that showed some stomach and her dark blue skinny jeans matched with a simple pair of thongs suited Steph. She had a felt black chocker around her neck as we were basically skipping. Steph could wear anything and would look the part. Right down to her flawless skin and her perfectly mascara eyelashes.

Unlike me.

In my black converse shoes, my leggings, a black singlet and a red flannel. It's all I wear. All the time. Because I never really had a choice and I stuck to it. Several times Steph offered me to wear her clothes but I always declined. It wasn't my style as far as I'm concerned and also I seriously believe I'm a size or two bigger than her.

We started to take the path back to school then we hit the junction where we separated from the boys yesterday.

"Right, Tommy said number forty two." Steph muttered as we turned up the street.

I slipped a finger up my beanie and scratched my head. I could feel the anxiety bubbles in my stomach starting to rise and it must have shown on my face.

"Beth. It's okay. We don't have to go. We can go back home." Steph told me softly and I shook my head. I'm seventeen and about to wonder in to the big world. I need to start conquering some fears such as new people.

"No. Come on." I replied, gently tugging her along, pointing to a letter box. "This one is thirty one."

We slowly crossed the road as we listened to the street slowly wake up. We could hear some kids, little kids. A couple cars passed us, a jogger with a dog on a leash that passed us, greeting us with a good morning.

"There it is." Steph smiled, pointing to a house. Unlike Steph's one and a half storey house and my mid set house, Tommy's was a large two story house. The ground floor was brick, the second storey was wooden planks. The place looked welcoming with lush grass and immaculate gardens. A metal verandah sat proudly at the front on the second storey, filled with luscious green plants.

We went to the front door that was on the bottom floor and Steph knocked gently before stepping back and we waited.

Shortly afterwards, the door opened and a short woman answered the door. Her short brown hair was slightly messy but she was dressed considering it was a Saturday morning.

"Hi, girls." She greeted us. "I'm Marie, Tommy's mum. Tommy told me you will be over today." Was he soft kind smile.

"Hello." I whispered shyly.