HOME | DD

Description
   The week passed quickly, with Billie, James and me spending every possible moment together, getting to know each other better. We became close over that week, and all too soon, it was time to go back to school.
   I woke early Monday morning, before my alarm, and dressed in plain black clothes, as was my custom. I texted James good morning, then headed downstairs to find something to eat. I found Mum sitting at the kitchen table, a bottle of gin beside her.
   "Mum…?" I called out tentatively; her head was resting on the table, and I was uncertain about whether she was conscious or not.
   "Hmmm?"
   "Mum, are you okay?" She started drinking more after Dad died, and I was worried about her. "Mum, you have to go to work soon. It's 6:30."
   "Oh! My god! I didn't even notice…" She stood then, and put her hand on my shoulder. "Do you need anything sweetheart?" The motion disgusted me. We both knew it was just for show. I stared straight ahead, and she dropped her hand.
   "Well, I guess I'll go shower then…" she muttered, moving towards the stairs.
   "I'm gonna catch the early bus," I called after her. She stopped on the stairs. "Oh, how come?" she seemed genuinely curious.
   "I have band," I lied, and headed out the door, grabbing my coat and rucksack from their hooks by the door. In truth, I wanted to get there early, to wait for James. I needed to talk to him before class.

   I stood by our tree for half an hour, until the warning bell sounded. I blew on my numb fingers and headed towards the school doors. Where are you? I asked silently. James never showed. It was possible he'd just slept in, but that was very unlike him. He's probably just sick, I told myself, but I couldn't stop a knot of worry forming in my belly.

   The knot grew throughout the day, until lunch hour. I was headed out the doors to the Starbucks down the street, when I saw him: James, leaning heavily on our tree, his clothes bloody, his faced covered in bruises.
I suppressed a squeak of worry with difficulty and rushed over to him.

Description
   The week passed quickly, with Billie, James and me spending every possible moment together, getting to know each other better. We became close over that week, and all too soon, it was time to go back to school.
   I woke early Monday morning, before my alarm, and dressed in plain black clothes, as was my custom. I texted James good morning, then headed downstairs to find something to eat. I found Mum sitting at the kitchen table, a bottle of gin beside her.
   "Mum…?" I called out tentatively; her head was resting on the table, and I was uncertain about whether she was conscious or not.
   "Hmmm?"
   "Mum, are you okay?" She started drinking more after Dad died, and I was worried about her. "Mum, you have to go to work soon. It's 6:30."
   "Oh! My god! I didn't even notice…" She stood then, and put her hand on my shoulder. "Do you need anything sweetheart?" The motion disgusted me. We both knew it was just for show. I stared straight ahead, and she dropped her hand.
   "Well, I guess I'll go shower then…" she muttered, moving towards the stairs.
   "I'm gonna catch the early bus," I called after her. She stopped on the stairs. "Oh, how come?" she seemed genuinely curious.
   "I have band," I lied, and headed out the door, grabbing my coat and rucksack from their hooks by the door. In truth, I wanted to get there early, to wait for James. I needed to talk to him before class.

   I stood by our tree for half an hour, until the warning bell sounded. I blew on my numb fingers and headed towards the school doors. Where are you? I asked silently. James never showed. It was possible he'd just slept in, but that was very unlike him. He's probably just sick, I told myself, but I couldn't stop a knot of worry forming in my belly.

   The knot grew throughout the day, until lunch hour. I was headed out the doors to the Starbucks down the street, when I saw him: James, leaning heavily on our tree, his clothes bloody, his faced covered in bruises.
I suppressed a squeak of worry with difficulty and rushed over to him.