"Hey Abby" Carter said from behind where she was sitting.
"Oh hey" she said back. "So it looks like you've survived your first week of school then!"
"Yeah it looks that way doesn't it?"
"I think you did well to survive it. Hell…I barely survived it." She said sarcastically.
"Why are you sitting out here by yourself?"
"Oh I'm just waiting for Susan. She went to some meeting or something after school, and she told me to wait because it would only take a few minutes." Abby said sounding a little frustrated. She took a drag of her cigarette
"You don't mind do you?" she asked cautiously.
"No. I don't care at all."
"Ok. So why are you still here?"
"Uh actually I was looking for you. Then I got lost while I was looking for you, and I'm only just emerging now." He smiled, sitting beside her.
"Ah…looks like the irony's kicking in again then."
"Yeah something like that."
"So why were you looking for me?" Abby asked curiously.
"I uhh….wanted to see what you were up to tonight?" he stammered.
"Why?"
"I just thought you might have wanted to hang out or something."
"Oh I wish I could, but I'm busy tonight." She said, not looking at him.
"Oh, well that's ok" he said, trying to hide his disappointment.
"Maybe some other time?" she added quickly, sensing his mood.
"Yeah, that would be great. I'll see you later then". He smiled, gave her a quick hug and left.
"Well done Abby. Well done." She muttered to herself, finishing off her smoke.
-
"Oh my God, he totally asked you out!" Susan squealed after Abby had filled her in on their way home.
"I don't think so. It was more of a 'hang out' as friend's thing I think."
"No way! He asked you on a date." Susan couldn't wipe the grin off her face. She was happy for her best friend. She knew that Abby was going through some issues at the moment, but she was sure Carter would do her some good.
"Well it doesn't matter anyway. I told him I was busy." Abby said casually.
"You WHAT? Abby are you crazy?"
"But I am busy tonight! Look, I like Carter a lot ok, a real lot. Tonight just really isn't good for me."
"It's a Friday night? What are you doing?" Susan said suspiciously, eyeing her friend.
"Just meeting up with a few old mates. We planned it ages ago, that's all."
Susan furrowed her brow, her eyes still fixed on her best friend.
"Which old mates?"
Abby stopped suddenly, turning on Susan.
"Look it's none of your business ok? I'm just meeting a few people, that's all."
Abby charged ahead of Susan, and kept walking till she was in her front yard. She watched Susan go into her house hurriedly, and suddenly she felt terrible. She sat on her front porch and put her head in her hands. She couldn't understand why she kept stuffing up like this. She didn't mean to yell at Susan like that. Susan was her best friend, and she every right to ask her where she was going. She sighed loudly, then picked herself up and went inside.
-
"Abby where are you going?"
Abby just rolled her eyes at her mother.
"I've already told you like a million times! Out with a few friends."
"Which friends?"
"I don't think you know them" Abby grabbed her jacket and her wallet, heading out of her room.
"Will Susan be there?" her mother continued.
"Um, I don't know. Maybe"
"Well what time will you be home?"
Abby pulled a face from behind her mothers back. Since when did she care what her daughter did? Abby guessed that her mother must have taken her medication today. There was no other reason to explain her out of character behavior.
"I don't know…late. Don't wait up ok? I've got my keys."
"Well…I'd much rather know a time…"
"A time? Mom, seriously, since when do you care what time I'm home?" Abby cut in.
"Of course I care Abby. I'm your Mother for God sakes!" she replied, throwing her arms up in the air.
"Yeah only when you feel like it though."
There was silence between them, until the silence was shattered by the sound of the front door slamming.
