Fine Lines ~ Chapters 11- 20 Added
Joanne_8121:
I was up there all of 5 minutes on my own before I heard the side door open on the roof. I immediately thought it was mum. But it was Justin. This is bloody great! First time looking a mess, second time in my PJ’s, third time is defiantly the charm with hysterical tears. I wasn’t even ashamed this time. I was hanging over the rail and he immediately knew I was upset.
The moment I looked at him I got even more upset because he had an empathetic look on his face without even asking me what was wrong. He stood next to me without knowing what to say, I could tell he wanted to say something but he had no idea what was happening in my life. But I knew he was going to quiz me on it. I didn’t even want to try and tell him because I didn’t want to sound like a kid, because the more I replayed it in my mind, I was just being a brat.
“Mothers, eh?” he asked. I wiped he face with my hand and sniffed. How does he do that? How does he read minds like that? “Been there done that,” he finished.
“How did you know?” I asked. He shrugged and continued,
“Well I just figured, I knew in a new city there wouldn’t be too much bothering you because there is still a lot to learn about it. But your mum is the only thing that came from home so I sort of just guessed.” He seemed so clever, and I instantly felt better about it. He understood me. I forced a smile and explained,
“Normally such a petty thing over what school I was going to wouldn’t be a big deal, but since moving here I feel so un-important,”
“Since the divorce?” There he goes again. Gosh I was glad I wasn’t daydreaming about him naked or something! He might find out. He seemed to know everything about me, without knowing me. But I nodded to his question and said,
“Yes, but I feel I should be included too, it’s my life too, you know?”
“Uh-huh,” he nodded back. I looked to the sky and breathed in and out heavily.
“I can’t go home, I called her a b*tch.” I sighed.
“You can come to my apartment if you like?” he asked. I smiled on the inside and accepted the invitation asking,
“Where are your parents?”
“Mum’s gone, and dad works in Kalgoorlie mining. It’s like 3 hours away. He works for two weeks straight and then has a week off. And round and round he goes,”
“So your alone?” I asked. I didn’t want it to sound like I was excited about it but me asking him that question had him smiling. I almost felt worried about him getting the wrong ideas.
“Yep,” he said excitedly. I wanted to go whole-heartedly, but so many what if’s raced through my head. I think too much! He threw his smoke on the floor and we went to his apartment. I stayed in the elevator while he opened his door. I hurried into the entrance and he closed the door behind him. I looked around. It looked just like out house inside except for a bachelor like interior. No real colour and things thrown everywhere.
“I’m sorry I’m not much of a maid,” he apologised. I smiled and replied,
“You should see our house, forget about it.” He immediately offered me a drink as I walked in slowly and sat on one of the tattered couches in the lounge room. I declined his offer and he sat next to me. Our bodies touched, but I noticed the extra room on his side of the lounge. He was sitting really close to me and I felt myself shaking nervously. I hoped it wasn’t noticeable. My head was going a 100 miles an hour thinking. This is it Abby, were going to kiss. The butterflies were making me almost feel ill. The closest thing I had ever had to a teen romance was a boyfriend I had for about 6 weeks last summer. I was popular with boys back in Adelaide, but Rachel would call me a tease. I guess she was right, I used to dress a certain way and flirt with them all but never giving them any chances. But Justin seemed different from these guys. He looked at me and I couldn’t help but giggle and shy away. I didn’t know him. What was his full name, and how old was he? Did he want to know more about me? I felt him grinding his thigh against mine, when I wanted to start a conversation to delay the undeniable attraction so it wouldn’t lead to anything.
“So how old are you? I blurted. He stopped smiling and turned to say,
“I’m 19. And you?” I knew he was older, but two years seemed heaps older because I was still in school.
“I’m 16, but my 17th birthday is in a couple of weeks.” He nodded and pursed his lips together. Truthfully I wanted to pounce on him, because when I stopped to look at him he was just too damn cute to resist. But I was not a girl to make any moves. But the age question started a conversation about our lives. I was finally getting to know Justin. We were so different. In a way my life didn’t seem so bad compared to his.
I looked at the time and it was 7:30pm and it was getting dark. Justin hadn’t even mentioned to me about leaving. I felt no need to let my mum know where I was, because I was still mad. She had never had a worrying day in her life about me because I have always been a good girl. I felt the sudden need to “play up” just to get my own way. Justin liked the company, I was sure. That was until his cell phone rang. He was circling the room talking on it. After a few minutes he hung up and he said,
“Well I just got invited to someone’s house for a few drinks, maybe you should go let your mum know where you are?” I felt like a kid again. I sadly looked at Justin and I assumed he knew I didn’t want to leave yet so he continued,
“But I’m going to go in about an hour, you can stay for a little while longer if you want.” I shyly nodded.
He sat back on the lounge near me, and I felt there was nothing to say anymore to each other because we had talked for hours. We were back at square one again. The same position as we were hours ago, only this time I knew him better. He is older than me, and probably has more experience than me at this. He looked at me and sat forward and almost leaned into me when he slowly moved back with his back on the lounge. I glanced into his eyes as he rested his head into the cushy part of the lounge. He gave me this puppy dog look with his mesmerising eyes. He was just asking for it! In my head i heard "kiss me Abby, kiss me." But I was so scared. I had to leave. I stared at him again and his lips were so full and so kissable, but I resisted. I got up out of the couch and announced my departure. He looked surprised and flew off the lounge. He stood behind me; I felt his breath on my neck.
“Abby?” he said softly. I didn’t want to look at him because I knew we would kiss. My nostrils flared and I saw my heart palpitating out of my chest. I felt his hand follow down my arm as he grabbed my shoulder and turned it. I looked over my shoulder as I half turned to him. His hand reached my face and it seemed so perfect for it to happen, when I looked back at him. I looked down at my feet, and opened the door to leave,
“I’ll see you later okay?” I said closing it behind me. I took 6 steps across the hall and felt like slapping my own face. I wanted to, he wanted to. Why didn’t i just do it? Maybe I was a tease? Or maybe deep down I knew he wasn’t good enough for me?
Joanne_8121:
I walked inside and all the lights were out except for a lamp on in the lounge room. I slowly made my way down the short hallway to see mum sitting on the lounge crying silently. She looked up when the floorboards creaked.
“Abby, what have I ever done to make you so unhappy?” she bawled. I felt the tears and anger bubble up again. I shrugged because I didn’t want to say anything that might get me in trouble. What have you done in the last month that has made me happy?I thought.
“I am always looking out for your needs, but my life hasn’t been easy either. I thought you might be a little understanding.”
“Mum, did you want to see you and dad split? Leave everything behind. It’s been hard on me too.” I admitted. I single tear rolled down my cheek as I sat on one of the lounge chairs near her. Mum just sat there crying so hard. Maybe she felt like she failed or something? I suddenlyfelt guilty, and i knew it was showing on my face. I just wanted the music, I just wanted to be able to do something that I did in Adelaide to feel normal again. But I gave in,
“Mum I will go to the pines, if it’s such a big deal.” I regretted what I said as I had succumbed to her wishes. Mum looked up and smiled. I instantly thought, maybe this was an adult tantrum? She is no different from me! Mum got off the lounge and grabbed the cell phone.
“Here call your dad, let him know your okay. I called him while you were out. Where did you go?” Mum said drying her tears.
“I went down the street, then I walked back here and sat behind the building.” Mum nodded and shoved the phone at me. I dialled dad’s cell and mum sat down at the table folding up school papers.
Hello?”
“Hi dad.” I said sadly.
“So…” he asked on the other side of the receiver. I knew it was a disappointed tone. But dad was such a teddy bear about things. I could be all sooky about it and his cross tone would turn to a forgiving tone straight away.He was easily forgiving again because dad tends to know what goes on in my head a little better than mum does. We talked a little while before I went to my room. I was mad and still not in any mood to talk to mum yet. I sat on my bed and thought about Justin. I used my cell and SMS’d Rachel telling her about him. She was let down that I didn’t kiss him. She really wanted them juicy details. She wanted me to take a picture of him with my camera phone so she could get a look at him. I had to laugh though. I wish I had the information she craved. But I was so happy and lightheaded talking to her about it, thinking maybe tomorrow? I should’ve, I wrote. I never came across as scared, I was always confident.
Later I sat listening to music and pulled out my fabric keyboard. I played on the cushioning of the bed as mum waved a goodnight to me from my doorway. I was ready to turn in myself; I packed my earphones and ipod away and stood out on my open balcony. Being 11:45pm it was overly loud for a Tuesday night. Just then I saw two people stumbling in the dark together coming into the gates. It looked like Justin and it sounded like him and one of his friends. It was too dark to see. I followed my eyes until they weren’t in sight anymore. I lay down on my bed preparing for sleep when I thought about the kiss we could have shared.
In the morning I woke up to mum pulling my drapes over and called,
“Come on Abby, first day of school today.”
“Ehhhh, what time is it?” I groaned. Mum peered at her watch and replied,
“It’s 7:30,” Mum was already dressed and bright as a button, obviously forgetting about what happened yesterday. Mum walked out of the room and I went to have a shower. I just couldn’t get the idea of Justin and I together out of my head. I wasn’t looking forward to going to school; all I was looking forward to was knocking on his door after school. I got ready in a hurry and picked a good first impressions outfit. I packed one of my old backpacks and mum grabbed all the paper work off the table. As she was closing the door behind her I pushed the elevator button. I heard a door unlock from across the hall. Aha excellent, I thought. I will get to see Justin before school. But to my horror it was a girl emerging from his apartment door.
All of a sudden I felt as if the hallway just slowed down. Mum locking the doors and the girl stepping out of the doorway. Then I saw him, his hair was crushed and he was wearing his PJ pants with no top. The girl’s hair was a bit fuzzy and her skirt was on sideways. I felt insanely envious. I envisioned myself grabbing her and hitting her. I was crazy jealous. This could have been me!!! Oh god Abby why didn’t you just kiss him? I regretted it. I felt ill, I kept having visuals of them together. Then Justin saw me. He had a worried look on his face. It was just a glimpse before she closed the door without saying goodbye. He was just worried because he got caught, i was sooooo mad!
I wish these doors would open! She strolled over and smiled friendly at me. I just wanted to ask her straight out. I looked at her, was she prettier than me? We all piled into the elevator and I stared at her from the side. She was a bit taller than me and I couldn’t help but compare our features. I examined her to see if I could see a love bite or some evidence that she and Justin had been together. But the only evidence was the smile on her face and the morning after look. I almost felt heartbroken.
I couldn’t help but be completely depressed on the way to school. I dawdled behind mum and she kept asking me to hurry on. I felt like my whole day had been ruined. I pondered whether the day would have started different if only i kissed him yesterday. Would he have still went with this girl if i had given in? I shook my head and knew it was going to be a long day. This was only the beginning; I was about to be new student amoungst strangers at the pines. When arriving I shallowed down hard when I noticed everyone looking at me and pointing. I acted snobbish and headed into the office to talk with the principal.
Lil Reaper:
I love this story! It is so WIKKED! I'm completely hooked and I can't wait to read more.
Joanne_8121:
Mum and I sat in the office on this pretty nice lounge. It was like tons better than the one we had at home. I actually felt nervous. I had never changed schools once in my lifetime. The longer we sat there I got more anxious I got. And mum being an early bird didn’t help, because it was barely 8:15am.
“The principal should be here by now,” mum announced.
“Did you have an appointment?” I asked. Mum smiled and nodded at me. Oh, I thought. I felt mad again. I shook my head and stared at the wall. She must have had no plans to let me go to Corriedale. After my hissy fit yesterday she must have made an appointment when I left the house. What I conniving….!!! I thought as I exhaled noisily.
I crossed my arms and slumped into the lounge and mum looked at me and said,
“Don’t be impatient,” Impatient? I’m not impatient! You’re the impatient one, too impatient to get on that phone and make that call to the pines. I thought. She couldn’t even compromise with me that maybe dad might help me go to a better school. I know if he were here he would totally let me go there. Without thinking next i muttered,
“I miss dad.” That was supposed to stay in my head. Mum turned to me and stared at me a moment before sitting forward on the couch and putting her hands together.
“I know you’re still mad at me, but Dad is not going to make everything better all the time,” she whispered.
“Whatever,” It didn’t matter what I said; ‘whatever’ is so annoying, just as much as saying something else. I was sulking on the inside and I didn’t want any other excuses for her to get mad at me.
Mum and I sat in silence and I knew both of us were hoping the principal would turn up. Every time we heard the doors going from behind her we would both eagerly turn around and see who was coming. Most of the time it was students just arriving to school going to their lockers. This time some one came into the office, and they sat on one of the chairs in the foyer. It was a young guy coming in early to see the principal. He looked like a total nerd. Maybe he doesn’t have the glasses or freckles but the clothes and books were a big hint. Funnily enough he had the geeky cuteness to him. I noticed that when he looked up from his hands to steal a glance at me.
I work well with guys like this; I never have to be shy around them, I can be really confident because they are intimidated by me. Unlike Justin, he was older, and had this bad boy way to him that scared me and excited me all at once. Why was I still thinking about him? I started naming off 100 things in my head why that girl was there. Maybe they are just friends? Who was I kidding … if you’re a girl, your just not friends with Justin.
The principal came in. She seemed in a hurry flailing about with bags and papers. She gave us a ‘forgive me, I’m late look’ and started throwing her bags around unlocking her door. Mr mystery-geek guy got up out of his chair and asked,
“Miss do you need a hand?” Awe how nice, I thought. Yet if I was going to help I would have been there helping him too. Geeks are always nice; maybe this is why I was going wrong with boys? Going for the ones with massive egos and gorgeous looks. As apposed to nice, caring and reasonably cute.
“Thankyou Dylan,” she said handing him some of her bags. The door flew open and she called out from the office,
“I’ll be with you in a moment.” I watched mum smile as Mr mystery-geek guy ‘Dylan’ sat down in the chair. I couldn’t help but stare at him; he seemed likeable though he is not the type I would hang with back home in Adelaide. We sat there exchanging looks at each other for about two minutes until the principal greeted us.
Her name is Mrs Avery. She looked too young to be a principal, or even yet a Missus. She gave mum and I a full rundown of the school curriculm and went trhough my class choices. I had to immediately ask her about the music program they had here. She mentioned that there was only a small amount of year 11’s and 12’s in the school. Like no more than 50. I imagine the music class being small, but still it was something. How was I ever to be noticed as a singer and pianist is this place? My dad always told me I could do anything, including being a successful musician one day. It seemed so out of reach for me now.
I watched Mrs. Avery print out my schedule and tape it to a diary she grabbed from a box in the corner. Mum and I shook her hand and I flipped through my diary to see what my first class was. Maths? Ehhh. I thought as I slammed the diary shut. Mum exited the office after having a brief chat with Mrs. Avery and walked over to the lounge where I was waiting. Mum smiled at me,
“You have a good day,” she said.
“ I will,” I smirked sarcastically. It was like mum to be a little distant, but not on this occasion. I wondered whether she was doing it for the ‘audience’ when she said,
“Bye love … I’ll see you after school” I almost choked. Love? I hadn’t been called that before. Did we even argue yesterday? I waved as she pushed the foyer doors open to leave.
Joanne_8121:
I think the worst part about being a new student is interrupting the class to introduce someone. Personally I didn’t know how it felt. I had seen so many students come into my old school. I thought how embarrassing when all eyes are on you in front of the class. I waited on the lounge for Mrs Avery to emerge from the office. She was in the office with Dylan and I hoped they would sit in there for another 40 minutes because at least I would miss maths. No such luck though, it seemed to only be a quick visit. Dylan walked straight past me; I got a scent of him as he passed. He obviously wasn’t the type to lather cologne on. He smelt sweet; like fresh laundry and soap. Mrs Avery approached me and smiled,
“C’mon Abby I will take you to your classroom.” I stood up from the lounge and picked up my bag and followed behind her. I could tell something was bothering Mrs Avery. Sure I didn’t really know her but the way her hair was done and a worried look on her face. It was obvious something was troubling her. We paced down the hallway to the last classroom where she knocked on the door. This is it! Oh no, butterflies. I’m going to be ill. I cringed, and Mrs Avery looked down to me and said,
“Don’t worry you should fit in fine.” Gosh I hope so. In Adelaide everybody was either friends with me or wanted to be. I don’t think I could handle not being liked.
When the door opened the class stood still, as I slowly made my way in. I gulped down hard. My throat was dry and I wasn’t sure what to do. The class was a mixed bunch, my type, geeks, and sporty type hot guys. I went to say hi to the teacher but a dry raspy ‘hi’ came out. It sounded like I had emphysema or something. The teacher’s talking together sounded all slurred and I felt everyone making assumptions about me in their heads. The way other girls looked at me, and the guys looking at my chest and butt. I sighed heavily and this was taking forever!
“Hello,” the teacher said welcoming me. She turned to the class and continued,
“Students, this is Abby Greene,” The class sat there and didn’t really react, though I did notice a few blushing grins from the guys at the back of the class. The girls looked at me enviously as if I was competition for their boyfriend’s affections. The teacher gestured me the empty seat near the middle of the class. People looked at me from their desks and just then I passed Dylan. He smiled at me as if to say ‘hi again’. This time I smiled widely at him because I felt so uncomfortable.
Old school, new school maths always sucked. I can’t wait til im a senior and its not compulsory. I’m so no picking this next year. The teacher just rambled on about compound interest while I twiddled my pencil impatiently in my hands. 20 more minutes I thought. I think from memory I had science after this, but I didn’t even know how to get there. Ahem. So much for that tour the other day! I didn’t even pay attention; I just wanted to be directed immediately to the music room. The teacher addressed me as she was explaining to the rest of the class about today’s subject.
“I’m sorry if this is all a little over your head,” he voice trailed off as I shook my head. Actually I should have nodded because I didn’t know what the hell she was saying. I was never a good student. There was only one thing I would get A’s in, and that was music. That 20 minutes seemed like an eternity but finally the bell buzzed. I considered already skipping the next class, but I didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot. I felt like a lost dog as I dawdled down the hallway. But then again I was freaking out because I didn’t want to be announced late to my next class and everyone staring at me again. Just then I saw Dylan brush by me, I didn’t feel like a stranger to him so I called out to him,
“Excuse me?” He stopped and turned around to look at me.
“Yep,” he replied.
“Do you think you could direct me to this class,” I said pointing to it in my diary. He zoomed his face into my diary and said,
“I have that class right now, come with me.” He was nice. It’s not an often occurrence that you meet someone like Dylan. I followed him down the hall, and then upstairs. He watched me enter the class and I said thankyou as I went to take my seat.
Come recess time, I headed out to the courtyard, I sorted the groups from who was who. The sporty guys, the sporty guys girlfriends, the nerds and geeks, the goths, and the loners. I had a feeling I was going to be one of the loners today. I sat under a tree amongst a few benches, I didn’t know whether it was someone’s spot or not but I sat there anyway alone. I decided to skip eating recess, and just look about at everyone else doing their own thing. I felt left out. I wanted to be a part of something. Then I noticed a girl sit down. Oh no! This must be the nerd place! She has some hideous overalls on and glasses. She shyly grinned at me from the other bench and opened her bag. Part of me wanted to get up and walk away but I didn’t want to make her feel upset because she had only just sat down.
She didn’t waist anytime striking a conversation with me,
“Are you new?” she asked. Here I was thinking she was to probably too shy to say anything when to my surprise I perked up and replied,
“Yes, I got here today.” She gave a quick nod at me and smiled.
“Like it so far?” She quizzed. Eh? Nope. Not really.
“Yes, not bad,” I said enthusiastically.
“ I’m Tara,” I smiled thinking, she must be a friend of Dylan. I just knew it. Only a person like him and a person like her could only be friends. They seemed to have the same persona, and how right I was when he turned up sitting next to Tara.
“Hello again,” he said. He turned to Tara and proceeded to say, “She’s new, and her name is Abby,” Tara glanced over beaming,
“It’s nice to meet you Abby.” To look at them these guys were just not ‘my people.’ I felt out of place when all they were trying to do was befriend me. I didn’t want to give in to it yet because it was only my first day. Why was I being so superficial? These guys were trying to be my friends, and I didn’t want to be a loner. So I decided I would be friendly and reply,
“It’s nice to meet you Tara and...,” I said even though I knew his name.
"Dylan,” he said smirked.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, and lunchtime I sat with Dylan and Tara getting to know them better. Overall I guess it was a reasonable first day. I made my way home wondering whether I should see Justin after school. I wanted to even though there was a good possibility he would play the both of us girls if he had the chance.
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