My eyes scanned the timetable stuck on the red plastic board.
1914, 1928, 1943, 2013, 2043…
I glanced at my watch which read '8:14'.
"Damn, half an hour to wait!" I could feel my stomach complaining. I glanced around to the opposite side of the street to Greggs trying to will me in. But I couldn't. I knew at home Alan would be cooking tea. I doubt he'd be the happiest guy on earth if he knew that I'd eaten before have hand.
I took my mind of food by spending some time at the newest releases in Zavvi. I spent a few minutes wishing I'd brought some money to buy the Madina Lake album which I had been meaning to get for a while now, after which I flicked through the large posters to see if they had anything new in stock.
As I walked out the shop I felt my phone vibrate in my bag. I scrambled through the pocket and checked the caller ID, Alan.
"Hi," I said as I clicked the green button and placed the phone to my ear.
"Sheryl, I was wondering where you are? There's a lovely risotto waiting for you on the stove."
"I'm so sorry. I missed the bus. I'll be back in about ten minutes. You think it'll last that long?"
"Well… at the rate I'm eating it, probably not." I heard him chuckle from the other end of the phone line.
"Don't be such a dick. If I go hungry tonight I won't be happy."
I hung up before he could answer as in the distance I could see my bus slowly getting closer.
--
I jumped off the last step of the bus and said thanks to the driver. I walked up the driveway and opened the door. The smell of creamy cheese hit me straight away. After placing my rucksack on the floor I walked through to the kitchen to see a large bowl of rice waiting for me.
"Happy birthday!" A male was sat down on the sideboard. His many times dyed, straight black hair hung past his shoulders. A trace of black eyeliner could be seen under his lower eyelids and snakebites made his lips look plump. A large blue hoodie made him look skinnier than he actually was. The black drainpipes he was wearing didn't help much either.
The thing that stood out most about him were his eyes. Large crystal blue, glistening under his fringe.
It was Alan.
I sat down as he let go of me and I eat the plate of now steaming rice which Alan had warmed up for me.
"I got you a present." He said after watching me for a few seconds.
"Can I have it now?" I asked as I swallowed a forkful of rice.
"After tea."
I sat down on the sofa waiting for Alan to come back downstairs with my present. He walked in the room with a small box. I took it off him and slowly unwrapped it.
I pulled off the last stretch of sellotape, opened the box and looked inside.