Hide and Seek

"As Holden crosses the street he begs Allie 'not to let him disappear'" Georgia spoke up in her English class. The top class were discussing 'The Catcher in the Rye' which they had to write a critical essay on for their final exam. Georgia was basically the only person in the class who liked the book. Except from Lauren Gordon, who loved the book so much she could probably tell you which page a quote came from by heart. "Holden knows he is falling and wants Allie to catch him as he falls from innocence." Georgia was not a geeky girl. She was smart but respected by other pupils.

"And I thought she was just pissed." The joker of the class, Amber, shouted out. Everyone laughed, including Georgia. First time today.

Just as the English teacher calmed everyone down, there was a knock on the classroom door and the school secretary came in. "Excuse me Mr Jenkins, Is Georgia McRoberts here?" Georgia stood up from behind her desk and started to make her way down from the back of the classroom. "You have a visitor." The secretary left and Kirsten entered. Georgia stopped, not too pleased.

"So what you're taking me out of school now?"

"I knew if I came to your house you wouldn't speak to me."

"You're right; I wouldn't." Georgia said harshly. She sighed.

"I don't care how long it takes me or how persistent I have to be." Kirsten said strongly. "I-will-not give up because we need to talk about this."

"'We' don't need to do anything." Georgia said before turning away.

"If you feel that much resentment, you might as well get this over with." Kirsten offered her, trying to get her to come outside with her. Georgia tried to ignore her and started to walk back to her desk. Kirsten stepped forward after her. "Georgia please" She begged and Georgia stopped and turned. "I've already lost you once in my life, I can't do that again." The whole class glared, watching excitedly as if it was some teenage drama show. Georgia saw the desperation in Kirsten face and sympathised with her; enough to get her out of the classroom to talk to Kirsten.

"Ok I get that you're upset but what do you want from me?" Georgia asked. "And was there a real need to stage a scene in front of my friends?" After that class there were sure to be a lot rumours going round the school by lunch.

"I want to get to know my daughter."

"You are not my mother!" Georgia spurted brutally. "A mother is someone who cares for you and loves you. Not just someone who popped you outta her hole."

"I didn't give you up!" Kirsten answered back powerfully "You can't blame me for not taking care of you; I was forbidden of that right when you were stolen from us." Georgia sighed and looked away from Kirsten, crossing her arms. Kirsten calmed down. "Everyday for the last 14 years I have woken up hating myself because I thought I had killed my baby" Kirsten said nearly welling up. "That I had done something wrong-"

"-Mrs Cohen I am sorry for what happened to you." Georgia interrupted her, unfolding her arms and speaking genuinely. "I am, really but…you can't just walk in on my life and expect me to run into your arms."

"I am not asking for that, I just want to get to know who you are; what I've missed for the last 14 years. So please, can we just start over?"

Georgia looked into her classroom through the pane window; the class was laughing and she saw all her friends. Her life. "No." She turned to face Kirsten. "I'm sorry." She said softly. Kirsten welled up in tears. She looked at her and smiled through her heartache and walked away. She was so hurt and she didn't want to give up but…something in her mind told her she couldn't win.

Watching Kirsten walked made Georgia feel guilty. Was she being selfish? This wasn't just about her life, it was about Kirsten's as well. And Sandy, and whoever else was part of their family. "Hey it's not like we're losing anything." Georgia said softly and Kirsten turned around. "I mean, it's not like we ever knew each other or I doubt we have anything in common; I mean, we don't even live in the same continents."

Kirsten smiled, stepping forward. "I doubt we don't have anything in common. I mean uh I like strawberries and ice cream."

Georgia smiled, stepping closer to Kirsten. "So do I."

"And I like" Kirsten continued, again stepping forward. "The Valley."

Georgia grinned. "Oh my god; I love The Valley!" Kirsten smirked as if to say 'See. We are alike not just by blood.'

Georgia laughed. "I'm still not sure about this."

Kirsten smiled warmly. "It's ok to be scared." In all honesty, she was too. "Look, I know you're not looking for a new mum, but how about a friend?"

Georgia thought. "I'll think about it. I'll call you." Kirsten smiled.

"And hey, you need to tell me what you want for your birthday."

Georgia grinned. "Another reason for me to call." Kirsten smiled, as Georgia went back into the classroom her smiled faded and she sighed. She didn't even seem to want Kirsten as a friend. This was definatly going to take some time. More time than Kirsten had hoped.

Kirsten realised she expected way too much from this girl. And she wanted it all at once.

As Georgia entered back into the classroom it fell silent and everyone looked at her, expectedly.

"That was just like The Valley." Lucy said. "Except without 25 year old kids and 35 year old parents." Everyone giggled but Georgia was too wrapped up in her thoughts to notice. She felt so guilt-ridden; she felt complete empathy for the Cohens. So what if she wasn't ready; if she was petrified, she had to at least give them some hope.

She ran out the door into the hallway again realising she made a mistake. "Mrs Cohen!" Georgia shouted, managing to catch Kirsten before she walked out the door. She walked up to Kirsten. "I uh I always hug my friends goodbye."

Kirsten smiled, relieved and walked up to her. They embraced in a tight hug. Kirsten sighed and smiled, shocked but over happy. Georgia frowned; what happens now? What was she doing?

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That night, Georgia called Sandy and Kirsten and arranged for the three of them to meet to go out to eat after school. On the Wednesday Sandy came to pick her up by himself. Kirsten was in town at the Art Gallery and meeting Sandy and Georgia outside the Balmoral. Sandy stopped the 4X4 right outside the school gate. He waited for Georgia to come out of the school doors with some friends. He stepped out the car as she walked to the gate, laughing with her friends.

"You ready kid?" Sandy asked grinning. Georgia's smile dropped. "What?" Sandy asked her when she didn't say anything.

"I'm not coming. I can't." Sandy frowned. "What do you mean?" Sandy asked not wanting to get angry but he was determined to no let her go. "We're leaving tomorrow."

"I'm sorry" She started to walk away, her silent friends behind but Sandy reached out, grabbing her arm and turning her to face him.

"This is going to kill Kirsten. You have to come. Please?" Georgia shoke her head. "I'm sorry." She said quietly and walked away again but Sandy was not ready to give up yet.

He ran in front of her and crouched down on the ground, holding her arms. "Georgia please; I'm begging you." He said, close to tears. Just one hour. Please."

"I can't Mr Cohen. I have a life here, and while it may not be the greatest in the world, it-is-my-life. I have friends, and family, what's left of it anyway. I don't need anything else. I don't-want anything to change." She looked at him sadly. The disappointment and pain and sadness on his face killed her. "I'm sorry" She whispered. "Enjoy your flight."

Georgia walked passed Sandy and her friends followed. He hung his head defeated before going back into his car. He sighed, and then thumped the steering wheel with both of his hands as hard as he can. "Ahh!" he screamed. Mad at himself? Or mad at Georgia? He felt so angry. He breathed heavily through his irritation. After wrath came hurt.

He buried his face in his hands against the wheel. Warm tears streamed into his palms. His mind felt heavy. Couldn't she see they only meant well? We thought that it's all for the best? But who was it best for?

Where are we? What the hell is going on?

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Thought the title was appropriate; Georgia seems to be playing games with Sandy and Kirsten; giving them false hopes; running away from them.

This is my last angsty chapter I promise! I didn't want this to be an angsty story! It wont be an angsty story! Im going away to florida on Saturday morning (yeh!) but I don't have a laptop so itll be 2 weeks till I can update  Ill try and put up at least another chapter possibly two b4 I go. I wont leave you feeling any angst tho; I promise.

SOOOOO grateful or all the reviews im getting. Thanx 2 everyone who takes time to do that!