Beginnings

I wanted to go to Ash's for tea. Obviously. My parents wanted me there. Obviously. Therefore,
there was no competition.
I was going to Ash's … come hail or high water … I was going to her house for tea.
Stuff the consequences.
Initially my mum just gave me the look. Instead of explaining, I did what all teenagers did best.
I went 'into one'. Having a paddy … as my mum always said. I ranted and raved about never
having any freedom, and when were they going to realise I was an adult. Mum just shot me
another look, daring me to continue.
I'd had enough, and stomped up the stairs, making sure I banged every door on the way. Twice.
After throwing myself on the bed, burying my head in the pillow, and screaming into
aforementioned pillow about how unfair my life was, how everyone was out to get me, I did the
next best thing teenagers do.
I fell asleep.
It seemed like I had been asleep for hours, although it was more like forty-five minutes, I awoke
to a gentle shaking of my shoulder. My head was still buried in the pillow, and for a split second,
I thought I had gone blind.
Then unreasonable teenage angst traded places with fear of a life in the dark, as I remembered
why I was in that position in the first place.
Muffled warnings about being left alone to grow old and fester in my room, escaped from the
confines of the pillow.
'You can go … I've explained.' Jo. But …Jo Jo didn't like Ash. Why would she explain for me
'Mum said you can go to Ash's, but to make sure you are back before ten.'
Ten! I didn't care I had a curfew … that would leave me plenty of time to get to know my old
friend again.
I turned over, leaving the pillow slightly damp from where I had drooled. Jo was sat on the edge
of the bed looking at me with some concern. All the love I felt for her raced to the surface, and I
threw my arms about her. 'You're a star, Jo. An absolute star!'
I could feel her smile on my shoulder as I hugged her senseless. Once again, my sister had gone
out of her way to make me happy, knowing I was too awkward to do anything about the situation
myself … knowing I was too much like a typical teenager to back down and talk about things
reasonably.