Tuesday
Today started off slightly better than yesterday, in that I'd bought milk
the other day in the supermarket, and so there was enough left to make
breakfast. I had also remembered to iron and wash some clothes, so at least
I didn't smell so bad. Yes, today was definitely a good one. I set off
today with my sketch pad in the opposite direction to the day before. I
took the longer rout to my destination, as I wanted to go past the corner
shop to buy myself a drink for school. I walked towards it and a group of
boys were hanging around outside. I recognised them from my geography
class; they were the ones who always threw paper at the teacher and
generally set fire to things. It made me interested that all I had to do to
get called a 'basket case' was to be quiet and wear black, whereas these
guys set fire to things and just because they're in a group, nobody says
anything.
Anyway. I could see them, and so I stooped forwards in the hopes that they
wouldn't recognise me. Unfortunately, luck is never on my side. "Oi loner"
They yelled at me, and they started flicking bottle caps at me. I decided
that maybe I wasn't so thirsty after all, so I turned and walked quickly
away, listening to their jeers until I turned the corner. When I was out of
earshot from them, I sat on the floor and cried. A couple of people passed
me in the street, but they all ignored me. I'm used to that. "Stop it
Allison, you're being stupid" I told myself, and pulled myself together.
Cursing, I realised that I'd missed my chance to look in on the family I
was planning on visiting. Not only that, but I was late for school, not
that that bothered me. "Oh well" I thought, "There's no point in going in
now". Our school had a strict policy on lateness (If you weren't in one of
the football or cheerleading groups that is), but the chances were, nobody
would miss me if I didn't show up. My mind made up, I went down to the
lake. The lake is one of the good spots in Shermer. It's kinda quiet and
desolate, a lot like me. I guess that's why I like it so much. I've done
quite a few sketches of it actually. There's a makeout point further up the
hill, but generally nobody comes down here, which means that I wouldn't be
disturbed.
I walked dwon and sat on the pier, which jutted out into the lake.
Rummaging round in my bag, I took out my sketch pad and an apple, and began
to draw. I only noticed the time when the trees started to cast shadows on
my book, and I realised that it was four o'clock. I decided to leave the
lake then, as I had missed my family this morning, and wanted to make sure
I was back in time for the evening trip. I realised I would miss seing the
school, but sacrifices must be made sometimes. And anyway, today was time
to visit the Jung family, and I couldn't miss that. Last time I'd been
there, there had been a massive argument, and the little Jung, who was
about eighteen years old and whom I had named Sally, had been packing bags.
I wanted to see if she had left for good this time.
When I got there, it was hard for me to see in the window, as someone had
moved the pile of crates I usually used as a boost. Obviously someone had
wised up to me. Nevertheless, I couldn't just leave. Hiding my bag round
the back of their apartment, I looked for something to help me get up.
There was nothing. Eventually I realised that the wall dividing their house
from the next street ran along their back garden, and that if I could climb
in I could easily have a good view inside the house. Hoisting myself up on
the wall, I climbed along it and dropped silently out into the yard.
Walking towards the house, I found one window that I could look Into. It
was quite high up, but I could still see in if I stood on tiptoes. It was a
room I'd never seen before, but looked as if it was the living room.
Someone was cooking with their back to me, and I guessed it was the mother,
Mrs Jung. As she turned sideways I could see she was talking to someone,
and a minute later Sally walked in. My heart filled with joy when I
realised that they had sorted out their differences, and I laughed.
Suddenly they both looked towards the window, and I realised with a sick
jolt that they could hear everything!
Racing to the wall, I just managed to climb over it in time, before they
came running out of the back door and yelled at me. I raced all the way
home, before I realised that my bag had been left back at the house. I
walked all the way back to get it, but by the time I got there it had
started to rain, and so by the time I let myself in to my house I was
drenched.
Played my Prince record to cheer me up, but it didn't work. Smashed two jam
jars, as someone once told me that bad things happen in threes, although I
think maybe I'm getting too many threes. Drew myself a bath, and took some
cold pizza out of the fridge for tea. Went to bed thinking I'd been wrong
this morning. Maybe it wasn't such a good day after all.
