I think I'm about to collapse from exhaustion. Climbing those steps- wow I think I have done enough exercise for the rest of the year.
I open the wooden door at the top, desperate to find out what's going on, and also desperate to find a chair. My ears pound as everyone jumps up from where they are and greets me at the door.
I take in the room around me. It's like a hangout. There's a little kitchen to the left and bean bags and lights to the right next to a huge tv.
Snacks are poured all over the small coffee table and neon signs are hung up on the walls. It's so cool!!
"CLARA!" They all shout at me at the same time. I'm about to speak when they all start shouting at once.
"Lord have mercy please sort Xavier out-"
"FOR THE TENTH TIME TOM IM NOT BEING DRAMATIC! CLARA-"
"Yes you are!"
"GRAYSON SHUT UP"
"I think your all acting like children."
"A CHILD? ME?"
"CLARA!!"
I hold my hand up to silence them and magically it works. They all just stare at me, confused. Jamesons in the kitchen, leaning on the counter, Grayson opposite. Tom and Xavier are by the beanbags.
I waltz over to the kitchen and open their fridge. I'm too out of breath to even ask for permission right now. I grab a chilled water out and take a few sips, all eyes still just staring at me. I place the water bottle on the counter and turn to them.
"You could have warned me about climbing a whole MOUNTAIN to get to you," I fold my arms unimpressed and shoot Xavier a glare.
For some reason this seems to break the tension in the room because everyone starts laughing, me included.
"Okay okay" I gasp for breath. "Xavier what's wrong?" I say seriously now. Jameson just scoffs next to me and rolls his eyes to which Tom smacks him round the head. This doesn't go unnoticed by Xavier.
"These guys-" he points to the boys, "think I'm being stupid."
"Okay..." I gesture for him to continue.
"Which is better? Starbucks or costa?" He asks me seriously. Is he kidding me right now? I think my jaw visibly hands open. Tom starts laughing so hard he's clutching the counter for dear life.
"Xavier," I say very calmly, a deathly edge to my voice. "You made me come ALL the way up HERE to ask me if I prefer Starbucks or Costa?!" I slowly start moving out of the kitchen and the horror that flicks through Xavier's eyes-
"Umm, yes?" He states unsure.
"I'm going to kill you!" I lung at him but he dodges and runs to the kitchen.
"Hey! It's an important questi- AHH HELP ME!"
I chase him around their hideout, the rest of the boys laughing.
"Look Clara! We need to know because it's a very important aspect to our friendship-"
"COSTA IS BETTER OKAY!"
Xavier stops dead in his tracks. "What did you just say?"
Oh no, wrong answer Clara...
I also stop dead in my tracks and fiddle with my hands nervously. "Costa is better than Starbucks?" I shrug sheepishly. Grayson, Tom and Jameson both nod their heads at me answer.
"See she gets it."
"Okay that's it you have three seconds to start running because I'm nice." Oh no. I look at the boys, they look at me, and instantly we lunge for the door, Grayson in-front with me, Jameson and Tom behind. We sprint down the stairs.
We swing the door open without caring and sprint down the corridors. We all run, laughing our heads off until we reach a balcony a few corridors down. The boys are faster than me and they all collapse on the floor. I stop at the archway that leads out to the balcony to catch my breath for only a second until I'm tackled to the floor by Xavier.
"Wow you run fast-" Xavier wheezes. I playfully slap his arm and push him off me and make my way to look at the view.
"Whoa-" I gasp at the view. The balcony overlooks a huge lake that runs behind the school where we are. The moonlight shines on the water, giving it a majestical glow. The stars have never looked so bright in the sky. I decide to be risky and I haul myself up onto the stone balcony, swinging my legs over the side so I'm sitting on top of the stone fencing, overlooking the view. I close my eyes and let the breeze rush through my hair.
"Feeling reckless today are we?" I hear Grayson smirk as he too hauls himself up to sit on my left. The others soon follow so Jameson, Tom and Xavier sit to my right.
"Always." I jokingly say back. I hear Xavier huff.
"I think liking costa is the most reckless thing out there, I mean just why?" He throws his hands up and I laugh.
"Because, their hot chocolates are nicer, plus their frappes actually have flavour. With Starbucks it's a hit or miss, you either get a drink that has flavour or you get a drink thats just full of ice and tastes of nothing." I state matter-of-factly.
"Amen." The twins say at the same time.
We all burst out laughing. We stay at the balcony for most of the night, just talking to eachoher really.
Tonight is the first night that I have actually felt like maybe this place could be home.
***
The next day I skip school.
I'm simply too tired. I know it's not a good excuse but some times you just need a break, mentally and physically.
I was having a great time jamming out to music when suddenly I hear an series of urgent knocks on my door.
Oh no. What if it's a teacher- what if they know I'm lying-
I hesitantly open the door and immediately I relax. Savannah stands there, her hands on her hips, looking unimpressed.
"Hey Savannah-"
She simply walkes past me into my door room and plops down on her bed.
"I have a GREAT idea!" She squeals. Oh boy, this isn't going to be good.
"Aren't you supposed to be in lessons right now?" I ask taking my brows, closing the door and sitting on my desk chair to face her.
"Aren't you supposed to be too?" She asks pointedly.
"Fair enough," I laugh. "So, what's up?"
She smiles her huge excited smile and clasps her hands together.
"So! Today I found out that the first party of the year is happening at Peters house TONIGHT!!" She rushes out quickly.
A party? Is that even allowed here?
"Okay..." Savannah stares at me, dumbfounded at my response.
"Okay? OKAY? CLARA WE HAVE TO GO!" She jumps up excitedly.
"I'm not sure, parry's aren't really my thing-"
"Me neither! But! We get to meet new people! It's a great way to socialise and get to know everyone from our classes!" She explains happily.
"But I don't even have an outfit-"
"Oh leave that to me! I already brought us outfits!" She gestures to the two bags by the door. I didn't even notice them.
"When did you"
"I skipped school as well and decided to go shopping! And I thought because your 'ill'" she said quotes, "I thought it would be too suspicious if we both left. Hopefully I got the right size and you like it!"
I walk over the the bags and Savannah hands me my one. I look inside and gasp.
"Savannah-"
"Do you like it?!" Her big round eyes sparkle with excitement. I give her a hug.
"It's gorgeous!! Thank you!"
"I'm glad you like it! Now we need to get ready..."
"Wait when does the party start?"
"In three hours! Which gives us like 0 time to get ready...so I thought my makeup bits here so we can get ready together!" She sings happily. "So does this mean you will come?"
"Yeah yeah fine." I laugh. Savannah tackles me in a hug and runs to my bathroom to get changed.
What did I just agree to?
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Did I just write this chapter instead of doing all my art homework? Yes, yes I did.
Oo and we're almost at 400 reads ahh!!