Are We Normal Yet?

~Chapter 13~

Me, Jason, Noah, James and Grace are all walking out of fifth period together - we all have Media on a Wednesday afternoon. It's a shame that Millie don't take the subject as well.

Jason: Finally! Another day over! One step closer to the weekend!

Noah: Thank God.

Me: Hey, what's everyone up to this Saturday? Cause I was thinking we could all go into town or something?

Jason: Well, Evan has invited me to go fishing with him, and I said I would. We're heading down to Welshpool!

James: Town sounds great, and I would if I wasn't going out with my family.

Me: Oh. Where you going?

James: We're going down Liverpool for the day. Billie will have a field day with all those shops. I'm probs gonna get dragged into Primark while she tries on all these jeans and shit.

Billie is James's older sister. She's 18 and at the same college as Hayden. I know James ain't exaggerating - Billie loves shopping for clothes.

I turn my gaze on Grace.

Grace: I would love to come...

Me: Why can I sense a 'but' approaching?

She smiles apologetically.

Grace: But I have to look after my sisters. My mum's at work until 4 so I need to stay home and watch them.

Me: Oh okay.

I hope I don't sound too disappointed. Grace smiles apologetically again.

Grace: I'm really sorry Em, y'know I would if I could.

Me: Nah, it's fine. (I look at Noah)

Surely Noah will be available. He's always free and absolutely loves going up to town with me. We have the best laughs and always end up crashing at one another's place afterwards.

Me: Noah--

Noah: I can't Em.

This takes me by surprise. In fact, it takes us all by surprise.

Me: What? Why?

Noah: I have a lot of... Revision to do.

I don't believe this. Grace chuckles and the lads snigger.

Grace: You? Revision? They don't go in the same sentence, Noah.

Noah: Well, I actually need to do some.

Grace: Since when? You've never bothered before!

Noah: (narrows eyes) I think you're forgetting Grace, that our GCSEs are around the corner.

Grace: Don't give me that bullcrap. You'd have started ages ago if it bothered you.

James: Uh oh, I think Noah is becoming a nerd.

Jason: (laughs) Holy shit, after all this time?

Noah rolls his eyes, ignoring them both. I tug on Noah's sleeve.

Me: Can't you do it another time?

Noah: Saturday is the only day I can slot it in.

Grace: That's obviously bullshit as you have no plans whatsoever. Most of the time, sorry, ALL of the time, you sit on your arse, either on your Xbox and phone or sleeping. You NEVER have plans.