Walking through my bedroom door I realise a van was maybe a bit too much. All I have ever owned is in this bedroom, a chest of draws and wardrobe with clothes, posters on my walls, my kindle and stereo and CDs, that was about it “Erm, maybe the van was overkill” Sherri says with a laugh trying to lighten the mood.
I make a start putting my clothes into the laundry bags I grabbed from the pound shop on the way here. Gavin takes my bedding and starts putting it in bin bags, Brady works on getting my stereo unhooked to pack up, Sherri is making a start on my wardrobe, while Reid is taking down my posters. He stops to look at a particular one, the one he gave back the day he left my stuff on my doorstep. I just couldn’t throw it away.
Sherri pulls out some clothes from the wardrobe and puts them on the bed to take them off the hangers. Me and Reid both look at the bed when we notice what’s in the pile, his leather jacket. Lord knows I should have gotten rid of it the day he left it here, but I just couldn’t bring myself to bin it. He looks up at me with that same question on his face, I quickly look away so he doesn’t see my red cheeks. Another thing I just couldn’t throw away, it kind of felt like I would be throwing us away.
Continuing to pack up the last of my clothes, I stand to see what’s left, almost everything is packed and they start taking it down to the van. While they are downstairs, I open my bedside table draw, taking out the box inside. Opening it I look through all the memories of me and Reid that I kept, movie tickets, valentine’s cards, old photos, more things I couldn’t let go of. I put it in the laundry bag with my clothes and lug the bag downstairs taking it out to the van. I take my house key off my keyring putting it through the letter box and walk to my car. I turn my back on the house that has plagued my life and I do it with a smile, years I imagined leave this place, and now, I’m finally free.
Settling in at Sherri’s took no time at all. Sitting at table having dinner with her and her mum, I finally felt like I was at home.
Sherri’s mum Diana is the kindest lady I’ve ever met. She told me I’m welcome here as long as I need and wouldn’t take any help with the bills. I just have to help out with the shopping and clean up after myself, little does she know if I didn’t do the shopping at my mum’s I would never have eaten. I don’t tell them that though, I can already see sympathy in both of their eyes. I realised as I unpacked that I’d left my dairy at my mums, it makes me feel icky leaving it there, I’ll have to sneak back in and grab it soon. I feel a little unease at Diana knowing what’s going on, she pleaded with me at least three times to go to the police, but promised she wouldn’t say anything as long as I never go back to live with mum.
Luckily, no one mentioned the state of the house, I was expecting questions about the bottles, but nothing came. Asking Sherri about it, she admitted that she told the guys that mum doesn’t clean much and is a bit of a slob. It was a far fetched lie, but at least it stopped them asking questions.
The rest of the week passes in a blur, and soon a new week starts. I had a call from Brady earlier telling me my car was ready to pick up today, and I kind of am excited to see Reid again. I’ve been trying to get the guts to send him a message, but every time I write something I end up deleting it before sending.
I’m such a wuss.
Making my way to the garage I see my car parked on the lot ready to go. Brady is under a car fixing something as I pass, I yell a quick hello as I open the door to the office, inside I find Lizzie on the phone and Reid on the computer at the desk. Hearing me enter he looks up and smiles, Ah why does he have to smile at me like that when I try to tell myself I haven’t missed him. “Hey Beck’s” he smirking at my obvious discomfort “Car’s all ready. Here is your paperwork and your keys” he tells me as he passes them over “But what about the invoice?” I ask, he looks a little shy as he tells me it’s on the house, What? “I can’t let you do that” he actually looks like he might blush at any moment, I’ve never seen this side to him, he’s normally the quiet, brooding type “Naw it’s all good, wasn’t a big job” he says, but I feel like he’s not telling me something “Erm ok. Well, thank you” I tell him as I turn to walk away “Are you coming to Brady’s tonight?” he asks making me turn back around. Why is he trying not to look at my face? “What’s happening at Braid’s?” I bet it’s another raging party, one I won’t be attending…. If I can try and stop Sherri dragging me “A few of us are watching a movie. Sherri is coming” he says, knowing she won’t give me a choice but to go with her “Oh yeh, probably then…. well, I’ll see you tonight” I say as I walk towards the door giving Lizzie a wave as I pass her on her phone call “See you later Beck’s” Reid calls out, I smile as I leave the office and walk to my
