Chapter 6- Friendships down in smoke

Sammy jumped as she heard the phone ring. It was now 7 and her Mum still wasn't home. This phone call could only mean bad.

"I'll get it!" yelled Sammy.

"Wasn't planing too." replied her brother in sarcasm.

"Hello?"

"Sammy, I'm not coming home."

"Why? Mum, we need you."

"This is my big chance Sammy, my only chance! Be happy for me you stupid girl."

"But what are we going to do? James has turned to smoking Mum. You don't know what it's like. It's horrible. Please don't go."

"Sammy, your brother is old enough to take care of you. That's his problem not mine. I have to go. Stop doing this to me. Don't be so clingy. You've got to learn that you can't rely on people."

"But Mum..."

"Shut up. I have to go. There's some leftover chips in the freezer."

"..."

"Fine. Cya."

"Mu..."

It was too late. Her Mum had already hung up.

"She's not coming home is she?" asked her brother. Sammy just shook her head. "Well, if it gets too much for you, you know where the lighter is." James got up off the couch and headed upstairs for a shower. His eyes lit up in surprise as he watched from the stairs as his little sister picked up a cigarette.

…

"Sammy! You S.M.O.K.E.D! Why would you do this?" screamed Sky in shock as her friend had subtly tried to tell her what she had done the night before.

"Congratulations! Sky can spell! People around here are pretty stupid but they can spell too." Sammy was really not in the mood for this right now.

"Look, I'm sorry. But this is serious! What if people find out?"

"Looks like they already have." The twins and their little entourage were rapidly approaching, all with a horrible expression on their faces.

"What do you want Grace? Leave my friend alone." yelled Sky.

"Whatev's." she said in disgust as she turned to face Sammy. "Did you get the message?"

"What message? Sammy, what message?" Sky was beginning to get worried.

"It's nothing. Don't worry." replied Sammy.

"Oh, don't worry. It is something alright." snickered Grace. Sammy burst into tears as the girls walked away giggling.

"Sammy, it's..."

"Stop! Just stop! You don't know what it's like! My mothers just abandoned me, you're criticising me for smoking, and everyone hates me! Sky, my life is a mess! Just give it up!" screamed Sammy.

"No Sammy, you don't understand! No-one hates you, well maybe Grace, and maybe Emerson, but Sammy, that's like two people out of a world of 7 billion!"

"JUST STOP!" Sammy screamed as she ran off.