~
After 2 hours of hard work, I shower and dry off in the changing rooms. When I open my bag in my cubicle to get my clothes out, I see an electronic light glowing from inside my bag. Puzzled, I reach inside the pocket where I put my bank statement this morning. I grab something cold and metallic in my hand that starts vibrating- my mum is calling me. I cringe and answer my phone.
"Hi Mum."
"Rachel! You'll never guess what!"
"What?"
"You've been accepted for the job at the theatre!" I punch my hand into the air with a sense of victory. The manger had had to put me through a few tests to make sure that I was 'intellectual' enough to deal with the higher class of customers, but really they were to make sure that I wouldn't damage or steal any of the art work. I grab a towel and start rubbing my wet hair with one hand to speed up the long process of it drying.
"You start in March so there's still a while yet and you have to do day trips there, but you got the place!" I almost squeal in delight, but then don't because I'm in a public swimming bath. I feel so relieved to have been given the job, it means that I'll be able to pay for more concert tickets, and that is a good feeling. I shove my phone into my hoody pocket and it clinks against the necklace Matthew had given me. I still haven't texted him thanks for it. I clicked it into place round my neck, and wondered if I should risk ever swimming in it.
When I get back home, I call Matty to thank him.
"Hey."
"Oh hi Rach, how's it going? I heard about your swimming award. Congrats." I inwardly cringe. Trust my mum to tell her sister.
"Um thanks. It's not that big a deal-"
"Haha, you keep telling yourself that. I'm coming to the ceremony to embarrass you, okay?" We have to have the awards presented officially by the head examiners at the end of the month, in 2 weeks time, and family and friends were invited.
"Kay."
"Well, I'm leaving the day after, so it will be my last chance to see you." I hear him chuckle at some private joke, but don't bother questioning it.
"I just wanted to say thanks for the necklace. It didn't cost you much did it?"
"That's for me to know, and for you not to find out, but you're welcome midget." Great. That awful nickname again.
"Would you mind if I swam in it? Only I'll end up forgetting to take it off so."
"Of course! That is what it was made for."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, I'll text you later okay, I have to go."
"Okay, Matty-"
"Bye Rach." He hangs up. Great.
I think I annoy him. As usual. I groan and attempt to bury myself with my duvet, but to no avail. Reality comes along to dig me back up.
"Rachel?"
"Yes mum?"
"Did you put all of the post on the table today?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You missed one." What? No I didn't! Unless it had come later on, I was certain that the carpet was devoid of all ink and paper parcels. I drag myself down the stairs and peer over the banister.
"Oops, sorry mother."
"No problem. It's for you anyway." More letters? Wow, wasn't I popular today. At least any post is exciting, even if it is bank statements. The envelope gives nothing away, but I'm not going to take any chances so I take it back to my room to open in private. Back on my bed, I repeat the process that I had performed on the bus, the satisfaction of holding unknown contents is oddly thrilling. With the ripped remains of an envelope scattered on my pillow, I read the letter.
The text is in a plain black font, and there are no symbols or pictures, not even a return address. I also don't recognise the signature at the bottom which piques my interest further (but honestly I never look at the signatures at the bottom anyway). The letter reads:
Rosedale Senior Art College
Dear Miss Coralle,
I am delighted to inform you that your application for Rosedale Senior Art College has been accepted. The courses you chose have all been approved.
The courses you selected are as follows:
>Physical Education
>Biology
>Photography
>English Literature
We look forward with great interest to when you join us at the start of next term.
Many regards, Paul Govan, Assistant Head of Rosedale Senior Art College.
Signed: Paul Govan
This causes me to squeal rather loudly.
~
I wasn't really sure how to end this one, I just had a lot typed up and needed to move things on a little. I will try to clear up anything confusing later on. Such as these possible feelings Rachel might be getting for Matthew... ;)
