Always Yours

“Aubrey you’re going to be late”. My mom called from the bottom of the stairs.

Grabbing my backpack, I slung it over my shoulder and headed downstairs. “Can you pick me up today?”. I asked.

“Dad can he’ll be home before me. Grab some toast and let’s go”.

I wasn’t hungry but did as I was told. Following her out to the car, I dumped my bag in the back seat before getting in. I wasn’t looking forward to school this morning. I didn’t want to face Franko after last night.

“Aubrey are you listening?”.

“Sorry mom what did you say?”.

“I asked if you were working tonight?”.

I nodded.

“But you worked last night”.

“Last night was an extra shift tonight being my normal shift”.

“I don’t want you working too much and forgetting about school. I don’t want you distracted”.

“I know”. I sighed.

I didn’t need her on my back again about working and school. Fat chance I would fail anyway. I was up to date and in front with most of my classes.

“Has dad still not mentioned a car?”. She asked.

“No”. I frowned. “Has he bought one?”.

She shrugged before making a face, but I could see the hint of a smile on her lips.

“Has dad bought me a car?”. I grinned.

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see when you come home later”. She pulled up in front of the school. “Remember your backpack”.

I was excited because her saying that meant he had bought me a car. Maybe this day wasn’t going to be as bad as I thought.

“I love you mom”.

“I love you too sweetheart. I’ll see you tonight”.

I couldn’t stop smiling. Walking into the school grounds and through the front doors I headed for my locker. A sigh fell from my lips when I clocked Alice and Tommy.

It wasn’t even 9 o’clock and they were sucking face. I mean there was a time and a place and school wasn’t it. I cleared my throat as I approached hoping they’d move but of course that didn’t happen.

“Yo Tommy”.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood but I didn’t dare turn around. It was best I try and avoid him at all costs. Locker forgotten about I hurried off down the corridor and headed to math’s.

Probably not the best way to go about it but if I avoided him then I wouldn’t have to see or speak to him and then hopefully all the feelings I have would disappear.

I must have been halfway through math’s when I was called to the office. I had to take my things because I wouldn’t be back for the rest of the lesson apparently. My stomach was in knots, I was racking my brain trying to think if I had done something wrong.

You only ever get called to the office when you’re in trouble. Feeling the lump appear in the back of my throat, I slipped my backpack over my shoulder and left the class.

I felt sick, anxious, I was shaking on the inside. Being called to the office was a big deal, especially for me. I didn’t get into trouble ever.

Chewing the inside of my cheek I took a deep breath, stopping outside the cafeteria before taking the dreaded walk down the corridor to where the office lay.

I had never been down there before.

“Skipping class princess?”.

Spinning around on my heels Franko was standing under one of the alcoves grinning at me.

“No”. I frowned.

I had bigger problems to think about other than him right now. Why would the principal want me in his office?

“You look terrified Aubrey”.

“Why aren’t you in class?”. I asked.

“Free period”. He shrugged.

Yeah, I’m sure. Rolling my eyes I clutched the strap of my bag tighter. I didn’t want to go in here.

“Has someone done something?”. As he took a step towards me, I took one back.

“I’m fine I have to go”.

Avoiding him wasn’t working out too well for me.

…

How could they get it so wrong?

I wasn’t the one the principal wanted to see. It was Ashley Scott, a girl in the grade above me.

Aubrey Stone, Ashley Scott. They didn’t even sound the same.

Since I wasn’t expected to go back to class, I ducked my head into the cafeteria to get some water. Once again Franko was there, only this time he was sitting with Tommy and Brian.

They were whispering, their voices hushed.

Do they ever go to class?

Not fazed by them I grabbed a bottle of water and just as I was leaving Tommy caught up with me.

“Specs I need a favour”.

“One don’t call me that and two no”.

Franko called me that and I hated it.

A laugh fell from his lips. “Oh, come on Aubrey. One little favour please”.

“What could I possibly do for you?”. I asked.

“Sweetheart if I told you that I’d be as good as dead”. He winked.

I made a face. “You’re disgusting”. As I turned to leave, he stopped me for a second time.

“Hey, look I’m sorry I was joking but please I really need your help”.

“What is it?”. I sighed.

“There’s a party tonight”.

“No”.

“Let me finish. There’s a party tonight and I’m going to ask Alice to be my girlfriend”.

I wasn’t sure why he needed me to do that.

“I’m sure you don’t need me for that”.

“I was hoping you’d be there because you’re her best friend”.

What bullshit was this?

“You’re kidding right?”. I tried to bite back my laugh.

He was kidding right?

“I wanna make it special Aubrey”.

Oh, he wasn’t kidding.

“And you think taking her to a party is special?”. I frowned.

“Well,”. He scratched the back of his head. “I ain’t good at this sort of thing”.

“And you think I am?”.

He shrugged. “Forget it I’ll figure something out”.

“If you want to make it special then take her somewhere special. Make it mean something. Don’t take her to a party”. With that said I left the cafeteria and headed to my next class.

I felt drained. I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything Mr. Laird was saying. I prayed he bypassed me for the answers to the questions he was asking.

I was tired, hungry and wished I was anywhere but here.

Before I knew it the bell was ringing, and it was lunchtime. I had made the decision to grab some food and then eat it at the Bleachers. That way I could avoid Franko all together.

But of course, that didn’t happen.

Alice stood by our lockers waiting for me.

“I’ll get lunch and you get the table?”. She asked, slipping her arm through mine.

“I was going to sit outside and eat”.

“In the rain?”. She frowned.

Wait, it was raining?

“Are you trying to avoid Franko?”.

“Yes, and all that comes with him”. I didn’t need everyone staring down my neck or making rude comments at me. I wanted to have a peaceful lunch and enjoy it without any drama.

“Then we’ll find another table to sit at. Come on”.

After dumping my books in my locker, we made our way to the cafeteria.

“Pizza and some hot chips?”.

“And a coke”. I grinned.

I found us an empty table, but it wasn’t empty for long when Alice came back with the food. Tommy and Brian joined us. I kept my head in my book and continued to eat my lunch.

“I’ve read that”. Brian spoke. “Actually, quite enjoyed it”.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“It’s one of my favourites”. I smiled.

“To Kill a Mockingbird”. Tommy spoke. “You’ve read that?”. He looked at Brian.

“Had to write a paper on it last year. Couldn’t put it down”.

I think this is the most I’ve heard Brian talk. He was always the observer. Spoke when spoken to but not today.

A laugh fell from Tommys lips. “Well shit”.

I rolled my eyes. There was nothing wrong with reading a book and enjoying it. I’d choose a book over TV any day.

“Are you working tonight?”. Alice asked.

Putting my book in my bag I gave her a nod. I couldn’t see this shift far enough not after last night. And I don’t mean Franko, I mean with how busy it was.

“Think they’d hire me?”.

I shrugged. I had no idea if they were looking for anyone else.

“Babe, could you talk to Franko?”. She asked Tommy. “I mean he was the one that got Aubrey the job”.

“I’ll ask but no guarantee he’ll say yes”.

She glanced my way; I already knew what was coming. No, I wasn’t doing it. I wasn’t talking to him just so she could get a job. I had managed to keep out of his way most of the day apart from the slip up in the morning.

“Please”. She begged.

“Do I have to?”. I sighed.

“Think about it we’ll get to work together. It’ll be the best”. She grinned.

Talking to him wasn’t the issue. It’s what he’ll want in return for giving Alice a job.

“Can you not just ask him yourself?”.

“Eh no”. She made a face. “He won’t give me the time of day. Please Aubrey, please just do this for me”.

“Fine”. I sighed. “But you owe me”.