The Weekend - Completed

Chapter 14

The following morning we met as arranged, the only notable absence was Mark, who apparently had only gone to bed an hour before and who was certainly going, by all accounts, to have a monster of a hangover when he finally managed to emerge from his room.

Despite my apprehension I had really enjoyed the run, well 'the mostly walk with the odd burst of a jog' if I'm honest, the freezing cold air had cleared my head and I again resolved to stay away from Daniel. Slightly optimistic I thought and most definitely delusional, as at that very moment I was carefully watching his supple movements only yards in front of me, imagining the touch of his skin, wondering what his hair smelt like. Oh dear God I was a lost cause.

I was glad when the others decided not to join me whilst I swam, as this was something I liked to do by myself. Besides I was hardly in the mood for chatter, the swim would give me time to think through last night's events properly, put them into perspective and give me a chance to think about what I was going to do about Daniel. I knew it would be better for my sanity if I didn't see him again but my usually dominant head wasn't in control any more, my pulse raced and my heart thumped noisily in my chest just at the thought of him. I was indeed a lost cause.

On the instance I'd gotten into the warm clear water my frayed nerves had started to relax and I felt instantly more peaceful. As I relayed up and down the pool obviously oblivious to time and my surroundings it wasn't until I heard footsteps that I remembered where I was. As I approached the deep end Daniel was waiting for me. Unable to keep the smile off my face I greeted him happily.

"Hiya, thought I'd come and walk you back, if you're ready that is?" He suggested, I thought about declining the offer but it was getting late and I didn't want to hurt his feelings, that's what I told myself, but the truth was I didn't want to. I wanted him to walk me back, his charm and gentlemanly ways had endeared him to me, so I concluded there's no excuse for rudeness, and out of nothing more than good manners I accepted his kind offer and was quickly ready to leave.

"Thanks, this was really thoughtful" I said honestly.

"No worries, I felt a bit mean for not going with you, we agreed if you went running with me, I'd go swimming with you, that was the deal, after all" he said

"Actually, if I'm being honest I prefer going by myself" he laughed at my directness.

"So what you doing today?" he asked conversationally, "I was wondering if you fancied hanging out."

"Oh" I said "Thanks but I can't" he looked at me sceptically.

"It was just an idea no big deal" he quickly added and defensively.

"No honestly, I'm busy all day, I'm going ice-skating with Katie and a couple of the girls in about half an hour, then I'm getting the food ready for tonight's party, you're more than welcome to be my kitchen skivvy if you like, but failing that you'll be at the party right?" I concluded.

"Yeah sure, no worries, I'm sure I'll catch up with you" his words were casual but his tone was curt and sharp. When we reached the halls I had to decline his offer of tea and toast, but that was not through malice, it was purely a practical decision, I only had 20 minutes to get showered, dressed and look presentable for our girl's day trip. He surveyed me with askance; I tried ineptly to explain my further refusal to spend time with him. Despite my countless declarations promising to stay away from him I knew it was useless. I really enjoyed his company, and as long as we both knew we were just friends, platonic friends, I didn't want to make him feel bad, and neither of us were doing anything wrong, we were just friends, after all.

I am officially, the worse ice-skater ever, I know this because I overheard a six year old telling her friends, and to ensure there was no one left in the rink who hadn't realised how bad I was she shouted 'Oh my God, look at her' to her other friends and pointed me out to them. It was the longest 2 hours of my life. I'd lost count of how many times I'd landed heavily on my bottom; although it was numb I knew it'd be black and blue in the morning. I remembered my dad saying I bruise more easily than a peach, when I was seven, Katie and I were playing hospital and she'd pressed the plastic toy syringe against my arm pretending to give me 'my medicine', within 10 minutes my arm had turned a violent shade of purple, Katie's mum grounded her for 2 weeks thinking she'd tortured me, we never played that game again.

My legs were still shaking when we finally made it back to the dorms. We had work to do so I quickly pulled myself together. I'd given the girls, who'd had the good sense to give the ice rink a wide berth, a shopping list of necessities for the party. We weren't doing anything fancy just a chilli and a chicken curry. I'd already commandeered the boys oven and filled it with jacket potatoes, the final dish was stuffed peppers for the veggies. Despite the promise of a kitchen full of help the reality was Sarah and James. It didn't take us long, and before we knew it the chilli and curry were simmering nicely in huge pots and the peppers were in the oven waiting to be cooked.

It was after 7 before I got into the shower for my second visit of the day, and the heat from the water soothed my aching muscles. By the time I surfaced from my room it was almost 8:30. James had watched over the food but his relieve at handed back the responsibility of stirring the pans and relinquish him of his duties was palpable. Within the hour the food had been served and demolished, finally I sat down with a glass of wine.

The rest of the evening went well; I spent most of it with Sarah, James and Katie. On the odd occasion I was alone with Daniel, James like my shadow was there by my side. After his third interception Daniel gave up, I never saw him again all evening.

The following morning as arranged we met up for our run, the numbers had further dwindled it was only Daniel, James and me. Normally the best of friends the atmosphere between the boys was frosty, although civil to each other their monosyllabic replies left me in no doubt they weren't talking. It saddened me to think that I had caused them to argue. After the silent run James decided he wanted to go swimming with me so Daniel stayed away.

The plan was for us to set off for home in the early afternoon, so I'd arranged to have lunch with James before leaving. Katie and Chris had already started loading the car, I had thought about helping them but I couldn't face the stairs so I'd instead opted for a cup of tea, the door was open and just as the kettle boiled I heard a knock and turned to see Daniel in the doorway.

"I'll have a cuppa if you're making one" he said cheekily

"Sure the kettles just boiled," I made the tea and we sat at the table.

"You sure you're allowed to talk to me alone" although I knew exactly what he was referring to I let a look of confusion flicker across my face.

"Where's your bodyguard?" I smiled innocently to him. Katie and Chris panted their way through the door and into Katie's room, only to exit seconds later with bags and boxes.

"You're leaving...already?" he questioned, "But you've only just got here" he observed.

"Yeah I've got plans back home" I explained.

"More plans" he said sharply.

"Yeah more plans" my tone echoing his.

"You're full of shit. I hate liars" he snarled.

"What are you on about" the look of contempt clear on my face.

"You! I don't know what your problem is but you've been funny with me all weekend" he bit.

"I'm not lying to you, I've promised my dad I'll be home tonight, my brothers are coming home and..."

"And I'm sure they're really arsed about seeing you, at least make up a believable excuse"

"I don't need to make excuses up to you or anyone" I snapped

"So what's so important then" he snapped back.

"That's none of your business" the anger was rising quickly within me.

"You're lying! What can't think something up" cynicism etched in each and every syllable.

"You're an idiot" I heard my voice break on the last word.

"Well" his impatient tone was like a spark to the fury bomb growing inside me.

"Ok, you want to know?" I spat the words at him, he didn't flicker he continued to hold my gaze and simply nodded his answer.

"I'm going home because tomorrow is the anniversary of my mum's death, hope that's a good enough reason for you, now I think it's time for you to leave" he went to speak but I didn't want to hear his sympathy and platitudes, I left the kitchen and slamming the door loudly behind me I went into my room.

I turned the stereo up loud, climbed back into bed and pulled the covers over my head. I wanted to be back home, back where everyone knew what had happened, back where I didn't have to go through it again, I just wanted to be home.