Ever since Jessica met Linda she knew something wasn't right about her, she understood everyone is different but Linda was a little too different. They always had to have colours in a certain order or her money would be in certain area's, where as Jessica could just have it anywhere.
"Linda", Jessica said as she saw her.
"Yes", Linda replied not looking Jessica in the eye but looking to the ground.
"You ok", Jessica asked.
"Yeah, toilet time", Linda replied.
"Ok", Jessica replied.
She knew she needed to discuss her thoughts with someone but didn't know who. First she tried her tutor but she was busy so then went to student support as she knew they'd listen. As she entered a lady looked up and said Jessica could chat to her. Jessica walked over and took a seat.
"How can I help", The lady asked.
"Theirs a girl in my class and I think she might have autism", Jessica said.
"Oh ok", The lady said.
"She never looks at me everything has to be in a certain way", Jessica replied.
"How old is she", The lady asked.
"Sixteen", Jessica replied.
Jessica was given support numbers and somewhere that Linda could be diagnosed. Linda found Jessica and they went to their first class together. Linda sat next to Jessica and Jessica helped her after she'd finished her own work. That night Jessica had been invited round to Linda's. Linda's parents smiled at Jessica as soon as Linda went into the bathroom, Jessica decided she should discuss with Linda's parents what she thought was wrong with Linda.
"Mr and Mrs Andrews I think Linda may have autism", Jessica said.
"So do we when her year one teacher first mentioned it we didn't think it was true but she's not like Denise she's slower", Mr Andrews said.
"My cousin was diagnosed at ladybird they can diagnose people from three to eighteen", Jessica said.
Mr and Mrs Andrews agreed and made an appointment about their daughter to see them. Mr Andrews went to cook dinner, he let Jessica choose what she wanted and she chose fish fingers, chips and peas. Instead of peas Linda was having spaghetti hoops. What Jessica also noticed was Linda was eating in sections while everyone else was eating randomly. A few hours later Mr Andrews drove Jessica home. Linda sat in the back as it's where she always sits.
"Bye Linda", Jessica said.
"Bye bye", Linda replied.
The next morning Mr and Mrs Andrews took Linda to ladybird for her appointment she sat in the chair and did everything she was told. A few months later they got a diagnosis, asperger syndrome a from of autism. Mr and Mrs Andrews were happy that Linda could now get the support she needs. Linda went upstairs and called Jessica.
"Jess I'm ill I have asperger syndrome", Linda said.
"No your not ill, your autistic", Jessica replied.
"Why", Linda asked.
"Don't know", Jessica replied.
Linda cut off and Jessica sat in her bedroom worried about her friend. She text her but Linda didn't reply so Jessica decided maybe she should give her some space after the news she had just received.