by Andy Coltart
Riley’s mum pulled up outside Casey’s house and her mum came out to say hello.
‘Thank you so much for dropping her home,’ said Mrs Johnson.
‘Oh, it’s no trouble at all,’ said Riley’s mum.
‘Would Riley like to stay for tea?’ asked Mrs Johnson.
‘Can I, Mum?’ asked Riley. Mrs Bennett paused, just working out in her head about collecting her later.
‘If that’s alright with you then yes, thank you,’ said Mrs Bennett.
‘Great,’ said Casey. The girls got out of the car and went inside.
‘I’ll call for her about 9.00 p.m. if that’s okay with you?’ said Riley’s mum.
‘That’s fine, see you then,’ replied Mrs Johnson.
The girls went up to Casey’s room.
‘So this is what your room looks like,’ said Riley. She had only ever seen it on the computer before.
Suddenly the computer started to beep. Casey went over and said, ‘It’s Alex.’ The girls sat down on the same chair so Alex could see them both onscreen.
‘Hey, you two, how’s it going?’ he asked.
‘Great thanks,’ said Riley. ‘How’s your day been?’
‘Good, I caught up with Will today and college went fine,’ said Alex.
The three of them chatted for a while before Casey’s mum called the girls down for tea.
‘Speak to you later,’ said Riley to Alex as they went offline and headed downstairs.
‘I hope you’re okay with spaghetti,’ said Mrs Johnson, handing Riley a plate full of the stuff.
‘That’s great, thank you,’ she said.
‘How was your first day back?’ Casey’s mum asked her daughter.
‘It went well,’ replied Casey.
‘Did you do the sports or leave it this week?’ asked her mum.
‘We left it this time,’ said Casey.
‘Probably a good choice,’ said Mrs Johnson, ‘until you feel ready.’ The three of them ate their spaghetti before clearing away. The girls then headed back up to Casey’s room.
Chapter 23
Relationships
‘So,’ said Casey, ‘what shall we do until your mom comes?’
‘I don’t mind,’ said Riley. Casey sat down on her bed putting her feet up and leaning her back on the headboard. She watched as Riley wandered around the room looking at her stuff.
‘So,’ said Riley, ‘tell me something about you I don’t know.’
‘Like what?’ asked Casey. Riley thought for a moment.
‘Like what music are you into?’ Casey hadn’t got any posters on her walls. Their house was rented and the landlord went nuts if anyone stuck things to the walls.
‘I like rock and metal bands mainly,’ said Casey.
‘I like a few of those, but not the really heavy ones,’ said Riley.
‘Which ones?’ asked Casey.
‘Def Leopard, some of Alice Cooper, stuff like that,’ replied Riley.
‘I’ve got some Alice Cooper. Shall I put some on?’ said Casey.
‘Yeah okay, my favourite is Poison,’ said Riley.
‘I like that one too,’ said Casey as she switched on the Bluetooth on her phone and connected it to her speakers. Moments later the room was filled with the guitar riffs and drums of Alice Cooper. Riley came and sat next to Casey.
‘So what else have you got on your phone?’ she asked.
Casey showed her the album list. Riley recognised most of the bands but there were a few she’d never heard of. As the song came to an end Casey switched to some Def Leopard tracks she had stored.
‘Okay, it’s your turn,’ said Casey. ‘Tell me something I don’t know about you.’ Riley sat for a moment thinking.
‘Well,’ said Riley, blushing a little, ‘I’ve never been out with anyone, like on a date.’
‘What, never?’ said Casey, sounding surprised.
‘I guess I’ve never met the right person. Plus, being bullied so much at school has kinda made me reluctant to put myself out there.’
‘Yeah, I can see how that would put you off,’ said Casey.
‘The last thing I need is a date bullying me,’ said Riley, ‘so I’ve steered clear for that reason.’
‘Thing is,’ said Casey, ‘someone who genuinely cared about you wouldn’t bully you.’
‘Yeah,’ said Riley, ‘but why take the risk?’ Casey paused for thought. It was a good question to ask if your only experience of people had been a negative one. Why would you open up and get close to someone and risk more pain? ‘Because,’ she said, ‘unless you take that risk, Riley, you’ll always be alone.’
Riley got off the bed and started to pace up and down.
‘What are you thinking?’ asked Casey.
‘I don’t know,’ said Riley.
‘Don’t know what?’ asked Casey.
‘Whether it’s worth the risk,’ she replied.
‘It is,’ said Casey.
‘How do you know?’ asked Riley.
‘Because I have dated before,’ said Casey.
‘Have you?’ said Riley sounding surprised at the revelation.
‘Yeah, just the one guy about a year ago,’ said Casey.
‘A guy?’ said Riley. ‘I thought you liked girls?’
‘I like you,’ replied Casey, ‘but you’re a first for me so I’m kinda in the dark on that one.’
Riley, feeling slightly uncomfortable, decided to focus back on this mystery boy, for now at least. She knew at some point soon she and Casey were going to have to discuss the two of them, but not right now.
‘So tell me about him,’ said Riley.
‘Not much to tell really. We went out for a couple of months,’ said Casey.
‘How did you meet?’ asked Riley.
‘We met at my street dance class,’ said Casey.
‘I didn’t know you danced,’ said Riley.
‘Yeah, I’ve not been for a few weeks but mom keeps on at me to get back into it. It’s one of the few things she’s willing to pay out for,’ said Casey.
‘Go on, then what happened?’ said Riley, getting Casey focused back on the mystery boy.
Casey grabbed a nearby teddy and put it on her lap, holding it there.
‘Well, he asked me out and we went skating at that new ice rink across town. We had a few dates like that just going out and doing things together,’ said Casey.
‘Did you kiss him?’ asked Riley.
‘Yeah, of course!’ said Casey.
‘Did you do anything else?’ asked Riley.
‘No,’ said Casey, ‘and I’m glad we didn’t.’
‘Why?’ asked Riley.
‘Because that kinda stuff needs to be with someone you love and have made a commitment to,’ Casey replied. Riley agreed with Casey on that. She also wouldn’t want to rush things if she was in a relationship.
The computer beeped again, which made both girls jump.
‘Alex again?’ said Riley.
‘Probably,’ said Casey, discarding the teddy and jumping up from the bed. She walked over to the computer and pressed the keyboard.
‘Yup, it’s him,’ she said sitting down in the chair. Riley squeezed on next to her so she could see the screen as Alex’s face appeared.
‘Hi there, how’s your evening going?’ said Alex.
‘Good thanks,’ said Casey.
‘Just wanted to update you on a couple of things,’ said Alex.
‘Oh,’ said Riley, ‘what things?’
‘Well, I’ve arranged to go to the range with my dad on Wednesday and that’ll give me the chance to get a bulletproof vest. I do need to ask a personal question though so I get the right vest,’ said Alex.
‘Go on,’ said Riley.
‘Okay,’ said Alex, ‘what size chest are you?’
‘Oh,’ said Riley, ‘you weren’t kidding when you said personal.’
‘Yeah, sorry,’ said Alex.
‘No, it’s okay,’ said Riley. ‘I’m 33 inches.’
/> ‘Thanks,’ said Alex, blushing.
‘You said a couple of things’ said Casey to try and move the conversation on for both Alex and Riley.
‘Ah, yes,’ said Alex. ‘My dad has agreed you can both stay at mine Friday night so that will provide a cover story for you not coming home Friday.’
‘That’s great Alex, well done. We just need to get our moms to agree,’ said Riley.
‘Just one question,’ said Casey.
‘Go on,’ said Alex.
‘Are we gonna meet before Friday and if so, when?’ asked Casey.
‘Yeah I’ve been thinking about that too. I’ve got a half day on Wednesday so I could meet you after school for a coffee before going out with my dad,’ said Alex.
‘That would work,’ said Riley.
‘Great, it’s a date,’ said Alex. The girls both burst out laughing.
‘Why are you laughing?’ asked Alex.
‘Oh nothing, it’s just we’ve spent the last hour taking about dates!’ said Riley.
The girls said goodbye to Alex and turned off the computer before both sitting on the bed together.
‘So where were we before Alex called?’ said Casey.
‘Discussing your ex-boyfriend, I think,’ said Riley.
‘Oh yeah,’ said Casey.
‘So,’ said Riley, ‘if you don’t mind me asking, what happened? Why aren’t you still dating?’
‘To be honest, I’m not 100% sure. We kinda just didn’t fit together quite right,’ said Casey.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Riley.
‘Well, when you date someone there’s a kinda spark that goes with it. It’s hard to describe. You kinda sense some deeper connection with that special someone and he and I didn’t have that.’
‘So it fizzled out?’ said Riley.
‘Exactly,’ said Casey.
‘But how do you know if that spark, as you call it, is there?’ asked Riley.
‘You take a risk and see!’ said Casey.
Riley, put her head in her hands.
‘How did I know you were gonna say that,’ she muttered with her head still down. Casey put her arm round Riley.
‘It’s just the way it is,’ she said, ‘but it’s worth it if you find that spark!’ Riley lifted her head and looked at Casey. ‘And you think we have that spark?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know,’ replied Casey. ‘Being attracted to you is not something I was expecting. But I’m willing to see if you are.’
‘Yeah I’m willing,’ said Riley, ‘but let’s just keep this low key, between us for now. That includes telling Alex.’
‘He may already suspect something as I let slip I liked you to him,’ said Casey.
‘Okay, but no one else,’ said Riley.
‘Okay,’ said Casey.
‘So what happens now?’ asked Riley.
‘Well, we could kiss,’ said Casey.
‘I’ve never done that,’ said Riley. ‘How do I?’
Casey interrupted. ‘Just put your lips to mine and stay there and see,’ she said.
Riley turned a little towards Casey and leant forward, her lips touching Casey’s. Casey put her hand on the side of Riley’s head and as she did Riley found her mouth opening. Their tongues touched. Riley could feel her heart pounding. She put her arms round Casey and they stayed like that until suddenly a voice shouted,
‘Casey!’ It was Mrs Johnson, calling from downstairs. The two girls jumped apart and started to laugh.
‘Yeah, Mom, we’ll be down in a minute,’ she said. The girls smiled at each other.
‘We’d better get down there,’ said Riley. ‘My mom’s probably arrived.’ They gave each other a hug before leaving Casey’s room and going downstairs.
‘Hi, Mom,’ said Riley.
‘Hello, dear,’ said Mrs Bennett, ‘have you had a nice time?’ Riley looked at Casey and blushed a little.
‘Yeah great thanks, Mom. Thanks for having me over,’ she said to Casey’s mum.
‘Anytime,’ replied Mrs Johnson.
‘Oh, Mom,’ said Riley, ‘Alex’s dad has offered to have us both over Friday if that’s okay with you?’ Mrs Bennett looked at Casey’s mum.
‘I’d be fine with that if you are,’ she said.
‘As long as these two are together that’s fine by me,’ said Mrs Johnson.
‘Okay,’ said Riley’s mum. ‘I’ll call Mr Manning in the morning and set that up.’
‘Great,’ said Riley and Casey together.
Chapter 24
Only Minor Injuries
Beep beep beep went the alarm clock. Not again! thought Riley as her arm reached out from beneath the covers to give the alarm clock a thud.
‘Time to get up!’ shouted her mum.
‘I know,’ Riley replied in a loud but tired sounding voice.
She gave a big stretch and pulled back the covers. There were no arguments coming from the bathroom this morning. Riley wondered if the twins had been abducted by aliens in the night. Oh, that would be good, she thought to herself as she made her way to the bathroom.
Arriving downstairs some time later she discovered the twins alive and well and still very much on planet Earth.
‘Morning,’ she said as she sat down for breakfast.
‘Morning,’ replied the twins as they stuffed their faces with cereal.
‘Do you want dropping off at school today?’ asked her mum.
‘Yes please,’ replied Riley. She hated having to get the school bus.
Will rang the doorbell and moments later Mr Manning answered.
‘Oh, morning, Will, you going to college with Alex today?’ he said.
‘Yes, I thought I’d make sure he got there in one piece,’ replied Will.
‘Thanks, it’s much appreciated,’ said Mr Manning. Will and Alex set off together. They’d decided to get the bus. Alex wanted to test to see how much his sight had improved by reading car license plates on the way.
‘You’re still struggling, aren’t you?’ said Will.
‘Yeah but it’s nowhere near as bad as it was last week,’ said Alex.
Casey was up early. She wanted to be at school when Riley arrived as she knew how much it meant to Riley to be met by a friend, something Riley had not experienced much of in her time at this particular school.
‘Make sure you eat some breakfast,’ said Casey’s mum.
‘I will,’ said Casey as she grabbed some fruit on her way out of the door.
As Riley’s mum pulled the car up Riley could see Casey stood on the steps waiting for her.
‘Oh, there’s Casey,’ said Mrs Bennett.
‘Yeah I know, Mom,’ said Riley. ‘We’ve arrange to meet up.’
‘Oh,’ said Mrs Bennett.
‘Don’t forget to call Alex’s father about Friday, will you, Mom,’ said Riley as she got out of the car.
‘I won’t, don’t worry,’ said her mum. Riley walked up the path to the main entrance.
‘Morning,’ said Casey as she arrived.
In the main corridor of the school the usual hustle and bustle of kids going to and from lockers was in full swing. Riley and Casey fought their way through to their respective lockers. They didn’t place any items of clothing in their lockers today. If Alex’s plan of ‘staying over’ worked they would be able to bring an overnight bag to school on Friday without raising suspicions.
‘I’ll see you for Biology,’ said Casey, as she closed her locker and headed off to her class room.
‘Okay,’ said Riley closing her own locker.
As she shut the locker door it revealed two mean girls standing on the other side. Neither of them was Christine.
‘Hey, Crazy Curls, been struck by lightning recently?’ one said as they both laughed.
‘Bet it’s fried that small brain of yours,’ said the other. Riley just turned and walked away. She knew better than to respond. She went to the girls’ bathroom. She wanted to cry but for some reason the tears weren’t forthcoming. She wished she
didn’t have to be in school and deal with this every day. She was tempted to go invisible, but instead she went to her class room for registration. She couldn’t afford to miss registration as the school would be onto her mum straight away and then Friday would be cancelled. There was too much at stake to risk that happening.
Fortunately, the morning was going to be spent with Casey. Riley left registration in her usual way, quietly, with her head down trying not to be noticed. She only really lifted her head when she arrived at the labs and saw Casey lining up with the other pupils. The lesson, which was on human reproduction seemed to cause a huge amount of amusement for the teenagers in their class. The poor teacher spent most of the lesson dealing with inappropriate remarks than actually teaching them anything.
‘Well that was a waste of time,’ said Casey as they left.
‘Yeah, we could have learnt so much more if those idiots had kept their mouths shut,’ said Riley.
The girls went to the canteen between lessons for a coffee.
‘Hey Casey,’ said one of the girls from her class. ‘Why are you sat with that loser?’ Casey stood up ready to give the girl a pounding. Riley grabbed her arm.
‘Sit down,’ she said, ‘they are so not worth the effort.’ Casey sat back down.
‘How do you put up with this every day?’ she asked Riley.
‘I try and switch off to most of it,’ she replied. ‘I am worried they’re going to start on you now for being friends with me.’
‘Don’t you worry about me,’ said Casey. ‘I can handle myself.’
‘I know you can,’ said Riley. ‘I just don’t want you getting into trouble for it.’
When the bell went it was time for gym class.
‘I don’t feel up to this today,’ said Riley.
‘I’m looking forward to it,’ said Casey, ‘it’s better than being outside.’
‘Yeah, true,’ said Riley, ‘but I still don’t feel like it.’ As they reached the changing rooms Casey stopped and grabbed Riley’s arm.
‘Come with me’ she said turning around. Riley followed her to the girls’ bathroom.
‘What are we doing in here?’ said Riley.
