Sorry, guys! I've been a bit stressed recently! I'm having to pick my Options soon, and I haven't got a clue what to pick.
My thanks to you reviewers who read this story! :)
I've just finished my session with the psychologist. It was some little old woman with a strange accent. Instead of listening to her, I tried to figure out where she was from.
"Astra, if you want me to help you, you need to tell me everything."
Yeah, right, Granny. Dream on.
X X X X X
Liam and I are in the attic again, but this time, without any curry. The box of comics is left abandoned in the corner. We haven't said anything to each-other. What is there to say? The truth is out. And I'm not sure what to make of it.
"So, when were you going to tell me you were dating Elektra?" I ask Liam, crossing my arms in a poor attempt to look fierce. It doesn't help I'm so small compared to him.
"How's it your business?" He asks innocently.
I'm about to say something, but my breath catches in my throat and I can't meet his eyes.
"You're not jealous, are you?" He asks, a Chesire cat grin appearing on his face.
"No! You wish!"
I didn't sound very convincing.
"It's alright, Astra. Not many can resist me." He tells me.
X X X X X
I walked into the deserted lounge in hope to finish off Great Expectations. Instead, I walked in and saw Liam with his arms around Elektra. The pair look so happy together, like they're in their own world. It makes me feel sick.
I hate to admit it, but I'm jealous.
I drop my glass of orange juice, not even noticing when it spills all over my socks.
Liam looks in my direction, his cheeks flushed pink. He looks lovestruck.
For some reason, I feel a strange ache in my chest.
"Problem, Titch?" Elektra asks.
I shake my head weakly, grab Great Expectations and run from the room.
X X X X X
I head down to the basement, after seeing Frank and Liam disappear down there.
"Won't the alarm go off?" I hear Frank mumble. Liam must be trying to take off his tag.
"Yeah but by the time the police are here, I'll be long gone."
"Gone where?"
I stop round the corner, listening to their conversation.
"Anyway but 'ere."
"You haven't got any money."
"I'll have to get a job or something, won't I?"
"How's this thing come off?" Yep, he's definitely trying to take off the tag.
"You 'ave a go."
"I'm not helping you get into any more trouble." Frank refuses.
"Frank!" Liam orders.
I watch as Frank storms out, and then I go to follow him.
"So, Silent Girl by the stairs, d'you know how to get this thing off?" Liam calls.
I walk over to where he is, and sit on the box where Frank was sitting.
"No, but I'm working on it," I promise.
He gives me a seemingly-genuine smile, then starts blindly stabbing at his tag with the screwdriver.
"Liam, don't, you'll hurt yourself," I tell him, easing the screwdriver out of his clenched hand.
He sighs in exasperation.
"Did... Did you really... Are you going to run away?"
"Yeah, this is hell. We're being kept prisoner, Astra!"
"Liam, the streets are rough... Really rough..." I shudder at the thought of spending the night on the streets with drunks wandering past me. I remember the cold, the never-ending cold and hunger. I don't want to go back.
"I don't care, it's better than being a prisoner."
Without thinking, I tell him "I'll come with you."
"What?" He scoffs.
"I'll make a promise with you – a pact. If you manage to get these tags off, I'll run away with you. And we can go and build new lives for ourselves."
"Why would you do that?" He asks, astonished.
"Because we're mates – we're meant to look out for each-other." It sounds so soppy, so I add "And because you'll die on your first night. You're such a weakling."
He laughs "I bet I could survive longer than you."
"I doubt it, Liam."
"Shall we make a bet?"
I grin at him.
"I'm going to be a very rich man." He tells me.
Now I've made a pact with Liam, and there's no way out of it.
And it's one that may end me up in a juvenile prison.
I'll make a special request for Liam to be my cell-mate.
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