couldn’t believe it, I thought I’d have loads of catching up to do. But not so far.”
“You watch it. If you’re not careful you’ll be the class nerd.”
“Yeah, right. In your dreams.” Or should I say mine?
Chapter Three
“Why didn’t you tell us you’ve been put in the top class for math and English?” Mom asks out of the blue, while we’re sitting down eating dinner and I’m contemplating whether to put mayo or ketchup on my fries.
“Sorry, I forgot.” I say shrugging. I decide on mayo and reach for the jar in the middle of the table.
“Oh, Suzy. How can you forget? It’s great news. We’re really thrilled, aren’t we dear?” She smiles at Dad who nods his head in agreement.
“It’s no big deal.”
Which is just not true. I was totally freaked when they told me. I know I’ve been working hard and doing my homework, but I didn’t realize I was doing so well. Unless they’ve made a mistake—which is always a possibility. Then they’ll put me back in the other class, and I’ll look a right idiot. I don’t know why Mom’s so excited about it. It’s not like I’m in Rosie’s league or anything. Hang on a minute—
“How do you know, anyway?” I stop unscrewing the lid, put the jar down and stare at her.
“Because I phoned the school to see how you’re doing.”
What? Oh no. How could she? I lean forward and rest my head on my hand. This is so embarrassing.
“But why, Mom? Why?”
“I think that’s obvious, Suzy.” She raises her left eyebrow, a remarkable feat in itself, but I know it means it’s lecture time. It used to be a longstanding joke between Rosie and me. “How else am I meant to find out? Every time I ask you how school’s going you just say ‘good’. I know you’re working harder than before. I can see that for myself. But I want to make sure everything really is okay. So I phoned and spoke to the Principal.”
Spying on me more like. I shake my head in disbelief. This so isn’t happening. I mean, I’m not a baby. How many seventeen-year-olds are there who have a mother phoning their school? All I can hope for is no-one gets to hear about it.
“Well, please don’t phone again. I promise next time I’ll tell you when anything happens.” When it’s something I don’t mind her knowing.
I’m not sure whether I’ll mention going to the VC meeting tomorrow night. She might start asking awkward questions. I wanted to go to the meeting two weeks ago, but couldn’t because it was Dad’s birthday and it’s always been tradition on birthdays for us all to go to the movies, birthday person chooses the movie, and then out for a pizza. I’ll admit there were times in the past when I tried to get out of it, unsuccessfully I might add, but I wouldn’t try that now. Especially as it was his first birthday since Rosie died.
“We only want the best for you, love. Sending you to this school seems to be turning out really well.” She reaches over and touches me gently on the arm. Now I feel guilty big time. I’m all they have, so of course they want me to do well. And I won’t disappoint. Not like in the past.
***
I tear into Starbucks, praying they haven’t left already. What is it with me? With the best intentions in the world, I’m always late. There’s inevitably something conspiring against me—nine times out of ten it’s my hair. Maddie always used to tell me to meet her half an hour earlier than I needed to. And she thought I didn’t know.
And tonight was a double whammy. Not only did I have my hair to contend with but finding something to wear was a challenge of the highest order. I mean, what does one wear to a virginity club? Clearly not ripped black jeans with studs and a Nirvana t-shirt. My eyes are drawn to the dark brown pants and green shirt I’m wearing. As my mother said when I left: ‘very neat and tidy, dear.’ Neat and tidy!
I drag my thoughts back to tonight. If Lori and Rachel have already gone then I’m going back home. No way am I going on my own. Absolutely not. I scan the place and see them sitting at a table by the window. Phew.
They don’t look happy, though. I bet they’ve been talking about me being late, probably regretting asking me to