Beginnings

The beauty of youth, eh
I was lost thought, mainly about Ash … obviously, and didn't hear Jo's question the first time
round.
'Oi … gormless … I'm talking to you!' My eyes shot up to meet the daggers my sister was
throwing me. 'Returned from Never Never Land, have you' I shrugged. I thought I was so cool
… you know what it's like … never let your guard down in front of absolute strangers.
'What' I went for bored, hoping she would take the hint, and take me home so I could lie on my
bed and think whilst blasting the neighbours with music.
'I asked if you had a good night last night.' She looked me squarely in the eyes. It was funny, but
I hadn't even mentioned to her about bumping into Ash, I don't know why. Maybe it was because
I was embarrassed about how it all happened.
'It was okay, I suppose.' I looked somewhat sheepish at this point, and there's one thing you can't
keep from my sister. That's it … you can't keep one thing from her … she could read me like a
book.
'What happened' The smile slipped from her face and I knew I was on the verge of being
interrogated.
'Not much.'
'Really' She laid the top over the rack and slowly stepped away. Shit. I knew what was coming
now.
'Fancy a coffee' Here we go … her perfect interrogation technique was underway. She always
thought I would crumble if she took me to a café and bought me a coffee.
Funny thing was … I did.
******************************************************
I didn't expect laughter. What I did expect was a thorough telling off. Especially for smoking pot.
She surprised me by laughing, loudly, and pointing her finger at me. When I told her about
falling off the stage, then throwing up, she laughed even harder, spluttering words along the lines
of me deserving everything I got.
It was strange to watch the total change in her when I mentioned I had met Ash again; and that I
had slept over at her house.
She was silent. All the laughter and finger pointing ceased. I didn't get it. One minute laughing:
the next, stony silence.