Chapter 17
Catching Up:

I woke up suddenly, but refreshed. I yawned and made my way to the cupboard. I opened it and grabbed the first outfit I could find. I walked to the bathroom and got changed in there. I washed my face and brushed my hair before going downstairs.
“Good morning” I said, before sitting down at the table.
“Morning Bells” Mum said and passed me a plate of strawberry toast.
“Thanks” I smiled, and grabbed a piece. I bit into the toast with a small crunch, sweet jam filled my mouth as I chewed.
“Quarter past eight, nine, ten, ten thirty, two hours” Renee mumbled to herself.
“You okay mum?” I asked, as I finished my toast.
“What? Oh um yes” She replied a little flustered.
“Okay then” I smiled and poured myself a glass of juice. Renee was still mumbling to herself, but it was a tad quieter than before.
“Mum are you sure, you’re okay?” I questioned.
“Yes honey, I’m fine just got work today, that’s all, got to get ready, you know?” She replied, drying some plates.
“Okay if you say so” I said after finishing my juice. I took my dishes to the sink, Renee grabbed them, quickly. I headed for the stairs.

When I got up the stairs I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I loaded my toothbrush with toothpaste, put it under some water and started moving the brush swiftly across my teeth. My mouthed filled with tiny, minty bubbles, as I brushed. Tuesday I thought to myself as I spat and rinsed my mouth and toothbrush. Science, History and Phys Ed. Uh P.E. my most hated subject. Sure, everyone needs to keep active, but can’t we do it in a way where you can be totally uncoordinated? Uh I’ll just have to endure it.

After brushing my teeth and using the toilet, I packed my bag and went down stairs.
“You leaving Bella?” Mum asked me.
“Yeah, just about” I replied.
“Okay, have a good day honey” she yelled, walking into the study. Okay, what part of ‘just about’ meant ‘yes now’? Strange, I shook my head. I looked at the time, might as well go now I guess, I thought to myself. I put on my sneakers, took a cardigan of the coat rack at the front door, and left for school.

While driving, I thought a lot. For some reason I always did a lot of thinking in my car. I thought about Gemma, Caitlyn. Nicole coming back, how Erin was going, Mum, Phil and Edward. I had no reason for thinking about Edward, I didn’t really know him, but a part of me felt like I did.

As I parked my car I saw Gemma and Nicole, standing and talking. I got out of my Chev, locked the doors and starting speed walking their way. They saw me and smiled and waved.
“Nick” I smiled, and hugged her I don’t even know why but it felt right, and she hugged me back.
“Gemma” I said, and Gemma hugged me.
“How are we this morning?” Gemma asked me.
“Good, good” I answered.
“How are you girls?” I questioned looking at them both.
“Good” Gemma smiled.
“Yep, much better” Nicole grinned. I could see someone walking towards me in my peripheral vision. I turned it was Caitlyn.
“Hey Caitlyn” I said as she approached us.
“Hey Bella, Gemma” She turned and looked at Nicole, puzzled.
“Nicole Caitlyn, Caitlyn Nicole” Gemma introduced them, before I even got the chance. They nodded and smiled.
“Pleased to meet you” Caitlyn said.
“You too” Nicole smiled. The bell rang and we all made our way to our lockers.

In Science I sat with Gemma, since Erin was still away. We talked quietly when allowed and helped each other with our work. I didn’t realise how well we got along. When the bell rang we walked to our lockers.
“How was Science?” Nicole asked Gemma and I.
“Uh same, same” Gemma replied.
“How was Spanish?” I asked.
“Uh same, same” She laughed. We joined in.
“You girls ready?” Caitlyn asked us holding a pear in one hand and a peach in the other.
“Umm yep” I said, Gemma nodded.
“Uh I just have to get something from Cara, I’ll see you there” Nicole said and walked off.
“Ok” Gemma said and started making her way out of the locker hall, Caitlyn and I soon followed.

We sat at our normal lunch table in our usual spots, except this recess people kept walking past and looking at us. Pointing, whispering and laughing in small groups or even pairs.
“What’s going on?” I asked Gemma, through my teeth.
“Caitlyn” She replied in the same tone. Caitlyn turned around to face us.
“What?” She asked.
“What?” Gemma and I replied.
“You said my name” Caitlyn looked at Gemma. Gemma shook her head. That was strange I could hardly her Gemma and my head was nearly touching hers. How did Caitlyn hear her? Caitlyn looked intensely at each gossip as they passed by.
“Do they always do this?” She asked, with a stern look on her face.
“Umm no idea, we don’t normally befriend the new comers” I said puzzled. She turned to Gemma, Gemma shrugged her shoulders.
“Why would they say that, they don’t even know me” Caitlyn muttered quietly to herself.
“Say what?” Gemma asked.
“Huh? Ah don’t worry” She said, distressed.
“I beat it’s ‘cause you’re pretty” Gemma said.
“What? Oh don’t be silly” Caitlyn laughed, shyly.

“So Bella, when your next letter coming?” Gemma changed the subject.
“Ah Wednesday” I replied smiling.
“Cool, you so like him don’t you?” She questioned while nudging me.
“He’s very sweet” I replied.
“Oooo Bella and umm Edward!” She paused to remember his name.
Caitlyn turned to face us.
“Distract me from them” She pointed towards three boys, one waving in her direction.
“Umm what subject you got next?” I asked her.
“Hey! I wanted to hear more about Edward!” Gemma grabbed my face in her hands, turned it towards her and laughed. I turned back to Caitlyn, whilst rolling my eyes.
“Oooo who’s Edward” Nicole said standing behind Me.
“Uh my pen pal” I groaned.
“Hehe tell me all about him” Nicole giggled.
“Well...” I started before the bell started to ring. Yes! Saved by the bell. I got up.
“Hey! Talk and walk, talk and walk” Gemma said, laughing.
“Lunchtime” I smiled, and turned to Caitlyn.
“So what do you have next, again?” I asked. Gemma whispered something to Nicole and she laughed. Caitlyn smiled and shook her head.
“Umm Cooking” Caitlyn replied.
“Uh I have History, yuck” I laughed.
“Haha have fun!” She smiled and walked to her locker.
“Thanks you too” I said, as I opened mine.