The Train To Nowhere

chapter 14 - clementines, coconuts and fresh cotton

We didn't spend long at her house before we went over to mine. We disappeared up into my room and chatted for a while, but during the time we were together I sort of wished I hadn't suggested a sleepover at all. Rosie's house may be as silent as the grave but my feelings towards her didn't change. Dinner that evening wasn't noticeably awkward, but then again, even if it was I'm sure I'd be the only one who'd notice. Anyway, once Mum had served us all and herself she sat down and made us say grace. When we finished the short prayer Mum seemed eager to have a good old chat with Rosie.

"So Rosie," My mum struck up conversation as we all tucked in,"It's lovely having you here. It feels like ages since you've stayed over like this. 'That's because we're teenagers and it's not like that anymore', I thought to myself.

"I know! I think it's been at least a good few. I remember coming over to stay back in Year Nine, but not since then I don't think," she finished her mouthful of rice, swallowed, and then said, "And I'm definitely grateful Abel invited me 'round. He's been such a good friend to me during a bit of a hard phase in my life."

"Oh?" Mum's contented smile faded as it switched to concern and curiosity, "What's happened?"

"Well - about a month ago I broke up with my boyfriend Luke. It was a really sad time for me and I just felt down all the time. But then Abel gave me some advice and with some effort and a lot of self-pep talks, I think I'm okay now. I even dyed my hair blue!"

"Oh, well I was going to say. It's quite a bold move but it definitely suits you."

"Thank you, Koreda," Rosie replied, blushing a bit. She's known my mum for so long she always calls her by her first name.

"Please, call me Korrie," my mother answered, beaming from ear to ear.

Rosie turned her head round to smile at me as I cut some chicken off the bone. I was sitting next to her. Her eyes were warm and her dimples appeared at the top of her cheeks in that adorable way they always do. I smiled back and then she turned her head back to my mum opposite, who kept chatting to her. As I turned my attention back to my food I took a quick glance at Zara who was opposite me. She was smiling a little with her head bowed slightly, but their was a strange look in her eye, like she knew something. I frowned and drew my focus back to my chicken.

After dinner Rosie and I were about to head to my room to watch a movie when Zara pulled me aside.

"I just have to talk to Abel about our trip tomorrow. We were er...planning to go to the basketball court in Penning Park so he could show me some tactics. He needs to practice for his game and I'm doing it in P.E so..."

If you were Zara's sibling you would know that in that moment she was most definitely lying through her teeth, but clearly there was a reason why and I wanted to find out. Rosie, believing the regular sounding lie went up to my room without me and I said I'd be a few minutes.

"What?" I asked her, as she took my arm and pulled me into the empty living room. Once she stood by the old fireplace we never used and I was waiting expectantly for her to say something, she began.

"I saw you..." she hesitated, looking embarrassed to say what she was about to say.

"What?" I repeated, starting to get agitated and nervous.

"I saw you jacking off," she finally said, in no more than a loud hiss.

"What?!" I exclaimed, horrified. How had she seen me? I usually lock my door, especially if I'm doing that. How could she ever see? I knew she had seen me, because when she'd walked in on me that time a week ago I had jumped up from under the duvet and ran over to shut the door and scream at her to get out. But she'd...had she known what I was doing?