Skittles, Friends and a Little Thing Called Love

As I lay in bed that night, unable to get to sleep, I heard my mum and dad talking downstairs.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into her recently, Simon! Before all this ‘boyfriend’ business, she was such a good girl...”

“I know, Claire, I know. However, it hasn’t helped that you’ve pandered to her, letting her see that Gerard boy. We should have just said no!”

“Me? If we had said no, she would see him anyway! She’s turned into a rebellious, hormone-riddled teenager, practically overnight. I think you’re too strict with her, and she acts out because of it.”

I heard a fist slam down on the kitchen table.

“Oh do shut up! Don’t act as if you’re an expert on teenage girls – you’re hardly a spring chicken, you know. Now for God’s sake, stop crying and stop talking about her as if it’s the biggest crisis since women got the vote.”

“Simon! You’re so cruel, I can’t believe I ever married you! And you know my mother was a suffragette.”

“Well as long as you don’t turn out anything like your mother, we’ll be fine, won’t we!

I frowned. I had never heard my parents argue before; not that that argument had been world war three, but it was fairly big seeing as the most I’d ever seen them do was frown slightly at each other.

I didn’t like that fact that they were arguing because of me. I hadn’t meant to cause a rift between them! I knew if I went downstairs now they’d just have a go at me for being up late, so I decided to wait till morning.

“Good morning, mum,” I said, as cheerfully as I could. She looked up at me.

“Morning, Sian.”

I sighed, and got an apple out of the fridge.

“Listen, mum... I’m sorry about everything that’s been happening recently. I didn’t mean to upset you guys that much. I know I’m just some ‘rebellious, hormone-riddled teenager’ but I do still love you."

She looked up again, a surprised look on her face. “Did you hear your father and I last night?”

I nodded.

“Well, usually I would ask why you were awake so late, but... I’m sorry you heard that. And I accept your apology, dear.”

She stood up, and put her arms around me in a warm hug. “Please feel that you can talk to me, okay? I’ll try to be more understanding. And we’ll work on your father,” she said, smilingly.

I grinned. “Thanks mum. Love you!” I said as I walked out the front door.

I got to school with a skip in my step. I hadn’t got along so well with my mum in a long time.

“Hey Sian,” I heard Mikey’s voice from behind me, accompanied by Frank.

“Hey guys!” I said, and they looked slightly surprised by my grin.

Frank smiled back, “You look happy,” he noted, and Mikey nodded.

“That’s because I am,” I replied. “Thanks Mikey, for trying to talk some sense into me last night. My mum and I had a good conversation this morning.”

He grinned, and we hugged each other. I loved hugging my friends – especially Mikey. I always felt safe. I was sorry that I hadn’t listened to him before... I should know by now that he always tries to look after me, and protect me.

It was for this reason that I knew I would never tell him about Gerard’s weird behaviour yesterday. Even though I had been scared, I knew Gerard probably wouldn’t hurt me, and I didn’t want to worry Mikey.

“Oh, Sian,” Mikey said, “Gerard asked me to tell you that he’ll meet you after school, if you like.”

I felt my face light up. “Awesome, thanks MIkey!”

He mumbled something in response, not looking all that pleased about the message.

I sat in my Spanish lesson, watching the seconds tick by until four o’clock.

“Sian, escuche!” Senora Gomez said irritatedly.

“Lo siento,” I said, giving her an apologetic look. I didn’t want her to give me detention now, not when it was so close to the end of the school day...

Ring Ring

The bell rung out loudly, and there was a loud scrape of chairs as everyone escaped the classroom as quickly as possible.

I dumped my bag in my locker – I knew I wasn’t going to do any homework tonight – and ran out the doors towards the car park, where I guessed Gerard would be waiting.

I saw him leaning against his car door, smoking, wearing his leather jacket and ripped jeans. I grinned and waved, and he walked towards me, putting his arms around me.

I smirked at the jealous looks I was getting from several girls near us.

He kissed my lips gently, before pulling away. “Hey,” he said.

“Hey.”

He smiled, and we got in his car together. I didn’t ask where we were going ; I didn’t care. I knew that it would be good, as long as I was with Gerard.