by Jo Cotterill
Megan suddenly remembered Mari saying almost exactly the same thing: ‘What’s the big deal anyway?’ She opened her mouth to reply, but then it struck her: maybe she was the one who had got it wrong? Were Danny and Mari right; was it enough just to hang out together and be good friends?
But I have that already, she thought. I have friends I hang out with and have a laugh with. I did that with Jake for years!
And now I want the other thing. The relationship, boyfriend–girlfriend thing. I want it all – the holding hands, the sweet conversations. I want to walk in the moonlight, on the beach, through a forest. Like they do in books and films and songs. What’s so wrong with that?
And then another thought came out of the blue: Jake would never have treated me like this. The idea startled her.
Megan took a deep breath. ‘I don’t think we should hang out together any more,’ she said, and was amazed at how calm her voice sounded.
Danny nodded. ‘You said it. I thought you were different. I thought you were like me. But it turns out you’re just the same as all the other wimpy girls. Just like Jasmine. She fell apart too.’
‘Jasmine?’ Megan was momentarily diverted. ‘You – did you go out with Jasmine?’
‘Once,’ said Danny. ‘A while back. But I moved on and she – she just kept hanging around, like a bad smell.’
‘How can you talk about people that way?’ Megan cried. ‘How can you treat them like that? Jasmine never stops watching you. She’s crazy about you, and you ignore her the whole time! I guess she’s just hoping that one day you’ll take her back. Well, I hope for her sake you never do. Because you’ll just treat her like a doormat to wipe your feet on – all over again. And she’s miserable enough already. You can’t do that to people, Danny.’
‘Listen to you!’ Danny’s eyes suddenly blazed. ‘Lecturing me about how to behave! When all you ever do is moan! “Oh, my ponytail hurts under the helmet.” “You shouldn’t do that, it’s dangerous.” “Why don’t you want to watch the rest of the stupid dance show?”’ His face twisted in disgust.
‘Dancing is not stupid! You know nothing about it!’
‘And I don’t want to!’ he snapped back. ‘Not if it’s anything like that boring drivel you made me sit through at the theatre. God! Why would anyone want to do something like that? What a waste of time!’
‘I love it!’ Megan could hear her heart thumping in her ears. ‘I’d been really looking forward to it! And you ruined it all! By not being able to sit still! What are you – a child?’
Danny took a step forward so that his face was up close to hers. Megan flinched at the ferocity in his expression. ‘You know nothing about me. You know nothing about where I’ve come from; what me and Sam have been through. Oh, poor Megan, who had to move fifty million miles away from her ickle friends. Poor, lonely Megan with her boring life. Try being taken away from your parents when you were little and put in care for two years! Try having to look after your sister when she was picked on and bullied by all the other kids! Try having to make nice with your parents again when you finally get out, when all the time you just want to smash their faces in for messing your life up!’
Megan was completely astonished, and not a little afraid. She swallowed. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘Oh no.’ Danny shook his head, though the flame in his eyes still burned. ‘You don’t get to feel sorry for me. Don’t you dare try to be sympathetic. I might have let you once – back when I thought you were still cool, still different from the rest. But not now. You run off home – go back to your ballet shoes and your stupid dancing. I don’t know why I wasted my time on you. And as for kissing you – yeuch!’ He made a face. ‘It was disgusting.’
Megan felt as though all the air had rushed out of her lungs. Disgusting? Kissing her was disgusting? Was that true? Her knees felt weak and her head was spinning. She couldn’t possibly answer him. Cheeks burning and eyes wet, she dropped her head and turned.
‘That’s right,’ came Danny’s voice from behind her, softer now but no less menacing. ‘Get back to your cosy little life. You don’t belong here.’
Megan ran out of the skate park, stumbling twice as her vision blurred. She blinked rapidly. She must not cry in front of Danny! She felt humiliated enough; she refused to give him that pleasure.
She rounded the corner of the park and ran straight into someone coming the other way. Confused memories rushed through her head – it was only a couple of months since she had first met Danny this way – but this person was a girl, and she was struggling out of the hedge, cursing.
‘Jasmine!’
Jasmine glanced up at Megan, annoyed, but the words froze on her lips. ‘Megan.’ She hesitated. ‘You OK?’
Megan rubbed her eyes hastily. ‘I’m fine. Got to get home.’
‘Wait.’ Jasmine grabbed her arm. ‘Is this – I don’t mean to – is it Danny?’
‘He’s the most selfish person I’ve ever met,’ snapped Megan.
‘I know.’ Jasmine nodded. She dropped Megan’s arm. ‘Sorry.’
‘You know?’ Megan stared. ‘Then why on earth are you still hanging around him? When he treats you like – like that?’
Jasmine shrugged pathetically. ‘I can’t help it. He’s – he’s like a bright light. I can’t stay away.’ She gazed anxiously at Megan. ‘You won’t tell?’
‘Who would I tell?’ Megan replied. ‘I’m not coming back here.’ Then, seeing Jasmine’s expression, she softened. ‘Of course I won’t tell. But you should get away from him too, you know. He’s no good. Not a good person.’ She shivered. ‘And there’s a lot of stuff under there. I didn’t know. But it’s not good. He’s so angry.’
Jasmine screwed up her face. ‘Not sure I’m a good person either.’ She gave a half-hearted laugh. ‘Maybe it’s what I deserve.’
‘No, you don’t,’ Megan started to say, but Jasmine had already turned away and was heading into the skate park. Towards the solitary figure of Danny, practising his jumps as usual.
Megan felt something like a sharp pain in the side of her ribs. Standing here, at the edge of the skate park, nearly out of sight, it was almost as though she were at some kind of crossroads in her life. What do I want? she wondered. Do I want excitement? Do I want exhilaration that’s closer to terror? Do I want a boyfriend more than anything?
She glanced up at the sky. It was darkening fast now, and the street light above her head flickered on. ‘I want to go home,’ Megan said out loud, to the light. And then, ‘I want to talk to Jake.’
Chapter 14
you can’t let him do this to you!
‘WHAT’S THE MATTER?’ Jake’s voice was alarmed. ‘You sound really upset.’
Megan sniffed. ‘I sort of broke up with Danny. Well, he broke up with me, actually.’
‘Oh.’ Jake paused for a moment. ‘Oh, Megan, I’m really sorry. What happened?’
‘Wouldn’t you think,’ Megan said crossly, ‘that if you go on dates with someone and you kiss them, that they’re your girlfriend?’
‘Umm . . .’ said Jake cautiously. ‘Yeah, I guess so.’
‘I mean, was I really dim to think we were going out going out?’ Megan went on, reaching for a tissue at the same time. ‘We went out together, just us, alone. To do things and see stuff. I mean, that’s a date, isn’t it?’
‘Er . . .’
‘And he said he liked me. Lots of times. He said I had charisma. He said I should do modelling. Wouldn’t you think,’ Megan blew her nose, ‘that meant he fancied me?’
‘I would, yes. Er – did he say he didn’t fancy you after all then?’
‘He didn’t say exactly that.’ Megan threw the tissue at the bin and missed. ‘Blast. He started going on about how easy my life was and how pathetic it was to like dancing and why had I wanted to take him to that stupid dance show in the first place—Oh!’
‘What?’ Jake was startled. ‘I thought you said he liked Riverdance?’
Megan pulled anoth
er tissue from its box. ‘I wasn’t totally telling the truth,’ she admitted. ‘He didn’t like it. He made me leave at the interval.’
‘He did what?’
‘I know.’
‘Oh, Meg, so you had to miss the second half?’
‘Yes.’ Megan blew her nose again. ‘And I thought it was just because he hated being cooped up and sitting in those seats, but actually he was acting like a spoiled child and I hate him now.’
‘That’s really bad luck.’
‘I do, I hate him. And his stupid sister. I should have known. Mari told me what they were like.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Mari – you know, the girl from salsa – she told me this awful story about Samantha that happened in the summer. Their drama group was doing a play and she put oil on a ladder so this girl would fall off and get hurt and Samantha could play her part.’
‘Which girl?’ asked Jake, bewildered. ‘What part?’
‘Mari’s friend Fliss,’ said Megan in frustration, ‘aren’t you listening? She was playing Juliet and she fell off the ladder and she nearly died, and Mari told me not to trust Samantha and she said if Danny was her brother then he’d be just as bad . . .’
‘Whoa, whoa!’ cried Jake. ‘Time out! I’m not following this at all.’
‘Sorry.’ Megan took a breath. ‘It doesn’t matter anyway. And I think there was a whole load of stuff that was kind of simmering under the surface all the time. Danny said something about him and Samantha being in care when they were little.’
‘Oh,’ said Jake. ‘That doesn’t sound good.’
‘I know. I would have felt sorry for him . . . but he got really angry with me.’ Megan’s voice wobbled. ‘I was a bit scared, actually.’
‘Meg, it’s not your fault.’ Jake was warm and reassuring. ‘It sounds like you’re better off without him, if you don’t mind my saying.’
Megan nodded, even though she knew Jake couldn’t see her. ‘I know. I’m sure you’re right. I just feel so stupid. And so embarrassed.’
‘Well, you shouldn’t be,’ said Jake firmly. ‘If he couldn’t appreciate you for who you are then he’s not worth bothering about.’
Megan smiled. ‘Thanks. That’s a really sweet thing to say.’
‘Well,’ Jake said gruffly, ‘you’d make a great girlfriend. I think.’ There was a voice in the background suddenly and Jake said, ‘Hang on, Meg.’ There was a muffled discussion and then he came back on the line. ‘Sorry, Megan, I’ve got to go. Skye’s here.’
‘Who?’
‘Skye. The girl from next door, remember? We’re going bowling.’
‘Oh.’ Megan was startled. ‘What, just the two of you?’
‘No, no. There’s a whole bunch. But since we live next door to each other, we’re going together. You know, like you and me used to. Listen, I’ve got to run. But give me a call tomorrow, OK? And cheer up. He’s not worth it.’
Megan opened her mouth to say ‘goodbye’ but Jake had already gone. She stared at her phone in astonishment and not a little confusion. Jake was going to things with Skye, the girl from next door – ‘like you and me used to’. Megan wasn’t at all sure how she felt about that. Had Jake found a replacement for her already? It felt like a betrayal! She was surprised how jealous she was.
The front door bell rang, but Megan hardly noticed. It was only when her mother called up, ‘Mari’s here!’ that Megan looked round.
There were thumping footsteps on the stairs, and then Mari’s head appeared in the doorway. ‘Hey, how’s it going? I know it’s kind of late but Mum said I could drop in while she was at Tesco because there’s something vitally important we have to discuss. And your mobile was engaged.’ Her eyes widened. ‘Hey, are you OK? You look like you’ve been crying.’
Megan wiped her eyes. ‘Oh, it’s nothing really.’
‘What did she do?’ Mari demanded, joining Megan on the bed.
‘Who?’
‘Samantha, of course. What did she say to you?’
Megan’s jaw dropped. ‘Well, it wasn’t her exactly. I mean, it was a bit . . .’
‘Tell me everything,’ Mari ordered.
And to her surprise Megan found herself spilling out the whole story. Mari was a good listener, but she was inclined to exclaim ‘No way!’ rather too often.
‘I warned you,’ she said when Megan had finished the sorry tale. ‘I told you what Samantha was like. I still can’t believe she hit you though. That is so out of order.’ She peered at Megan’s face. ‘I can’t see a mark though. That’s lucky.’
‘I’m not really that bothered by Samantha,’ Megan said in a wobbly voice. ‘It’s more what Danny said.’
‘But you can’t believe anything he said.’ Mari flapped a hand as though swatting him away. ‘The world revolves around Danny, according to him anyway. He’s a Brooks.’
‘He said I was pretty,’ said Megan lamely.
‘You are pretty!’
‘You just said I couldn’t believe anything he said.’
‘Well.’ Mari took a breath. ‘All right, you can believe some things. The bits that are true, anyway. But not the bits you know are rubbish. Come on, do you seriously believe Riverdance is boring drivel?’
‘Of course not.’
‘There you go.’
‘But Mari . . .’ Megan’s lip wobbled, and her voice dropped. ‘He said kissing me was disgusting.’
‘Oh, Megan.’ Mari sounded kind. ‘Do you honestly think that’s likely? He just said that to hurt you.’
‘What if it’s true? What if – what if no one will want to kiss me ever again?’
‘You need a night out with the girls,’ said Mari firmly. ‘And luckily, that’s exactly what we’re doing tomorrow! It’s our night out with the salsa group!’
‘Oh.’ Megan had completely forgotten. ‘I don’t think I want to go.’
‘Why not?’
‘I don’t feel up to it. You go. I’m sure it’ll be a great night.’
‘Now you listen to me.’ Mari put on a strict expression. ‘It’s salsa night. It’s dancing. Dancing will cheer you up, right? It’s the best cure for feeling down, you know it is.’
‘I don’t think . . .’
‘You’re being ridiculous!’ Mari exploded. ‘You can’t let him do this to you! Listen, Megan . . . if you don’t come out with us, then he’s won. You hear me? Danny wanted to make you feel bad. He wants you to stay home moping because he’s dumped you. If you do that – well then, he’s the winner, isn’t he? Are you really going to let him beat you?’
‘Um . . .’
‘If Sean dumped me,’ Mari said, her voice rising, ‘I would be out partying that very night! Just to show him! Not that he would dump me. No chance of that.’
Megan was puzzled. ‘You sound like you want him to dump you.’
‘No, I don’t really.’ Mari gave a frustrated sigh. ‘Though in some ways it might make things easier. He’s always hanging around, that’s all. He doesn’t give me any space.’
‘He likes you, Mari.’
‘But he doesn’t have to smother me, does he?’ Mari demanded. Then she laughed. ‘Look at us – we’ve got opposite problems!’
‘I guess so.’ Megan gave a half-smile, despite herself. She was beginning to feel as though breaking up with Danny might not be the end of the world after all.
‘So you’ll come?’ Mari returned to her original topic. ‘Tomorrow?’ She grabbed Megan’s hands. ‘Please say you will. I promise we’ll have a fab time.’
‘Well . . .’
‘Remember what I said. If you don’t come, he’s won. Don’t let him destroy you.’
Megan couldn’t help but laugh. ‘You are so overdramatic. All right. I’ll come.’
Mari let out a whoop. ‘Excellent! Can’t wait!’
Chapter 15
we’re strictly friends
‘THIS IS AMAZING,’ Mari remarked, beaming from ear to ear.
‘What?’
&
nbsp; ‘I SAID,’ Mari bellowed, ‘this is AMAZING!’
‘Oh! Yeah!’ Megan nodded enthusiastically.
The Ace of Hearts restaurant had been transformed into a Caribbean paradise. Plastic palm trees were attached to every pillar, while waiters moved smoothly around carrying coconut shells with various cocktails. Cuban music was blasting out of the speakers, and a large dance area had been cleared in the middle of the room.
Megan felt her spirits rise. Mari had been right, this was just what she needed to cheer herself up. Her feet were already tapping of their own accord as the music pounded through her body.
‘This way!’ Corinne waved the group of girls over to a large table in the corner of the room. ‘I brought my friend Candy along to keep us company.’
Candy, who had pink stripes through her hair and an open, friendly face, waved at them from her place at the table and seemed particularly pleased to see Mari. ‘I didn’t realize you had taken up dance, Mari.’
‘You wouldn’t have thought it, would you?’ agreed Mari. ‘Not after the mess I made of dance rehearsals in Romeo and Juliet.’ She turned to Megan. ‘Candy directed the play in the summer.’
‘I didn’t realize,’ Corinne was saying loudly, ‘but there are guest dancers too. Before we eat.’
‘Brilliant!’ Mari clapped her hands. ‘This is the most exciting evening I’ve had since . . . the last exciting evening!’
Megan laughed. It felt so good to be out with friends again! She leaned forward eagerly as the music suddenly stopped and a man stepped into the middle of the dance floor to introduce the guest dancers. ‘Please welcome the Junior Latin Champions, Sylvia Palazzo and Cesar Mulligan!’
Megan’s jaw dropped. ‘I know them!’ she whispered excitedly to Mari as two teenagers took up position on the floor.
‘No way!’
‘They were at a competition up north last year! I was entering with Jake, and they were in the exhibition. They’re amazing!’
The music started, and the two dancers began to move. Megan sat spellbound; they were even better than she remembered! Beside her, she heard Mari breathe out, ‘Wow!’
