The Back Road

27

In my dream I’m running. It’s dark, and I’m scared. No, it’s worse than that. I’m terrified. I can feel the pressure of fear on my chest and in my throat, but I don’t know what I’m scared of.

Then I hear it.

‘Abbie, Abbie.’ It’s a loud, hoarse whisper, cutting through the still night. I can hear panic in the voice.

Then I hear another voice saying my name.

‘You’re a retard, Abbie Campbell. I don’t know why I invited you.’

It’s not dark now. And the voice is nasty.

How did I get here?

I’m in town. I’m on my own, hiding round a corner. I’m waiting, and watching the burger place to see who arrives. I don’t want to be first. I don’t want to look like a saddo. But I don’t want to be last, because if they’re all there they’ll stare when I walk in. I shouldn’t be nervous - it’s only a party. Everybody else does this all the time, right?

I nearly said no - I didn’t want to come. But mum was pleased I’d been asked, so I pretended to be excited. I think Emily’s mum must have said I had to be invited, because I’m sure it wasn’t Emily’s idea.

Just wait until next term. Chloe will be here then, and Emily might think I’m weird, but Chloe doesn’t. She’s my best friend.

At last some of the others are arriving. Four of them. Perfect. I come out from my hiding place round the side of the post office and arrive at the door just as they go in. They turn and smile. These are the friendly ones - not the sneery ones that hang around Emily all the time.

It’s later now. We’ve all got our burgers, and Emily’s showing off, just like she always does. Some boys from year ten have come in, and Emily’s being loud and silly. One of the boys winks at me, and I smile back. I know him. His mum’s friends with mine - it’s not like we fancy each other or anything.

I need to go to the loo, but when I come out of the cubicle, they’re waiting for me. Emily and her crew.

They lay into me. Apparently it’s supposed to be Emily’s night, and I’m ruining it. It seems I smiled at the wrong boy. They call me a skank and a retard, and say I’m not welcome anymore.

I want to cry, but I’m not going to. I bite my lip and say nothing, but I can feel my face getting hotter and hotter. I grab my bag and push past them, out into the street.

Now what? I suppose I’d better call my mum, but I’m dreading it. She always looks guilty when I screw things up - as if she thinks it’s her fault that I’m a loser.

I grab my phone out of my bag. One thing I’m definitely going to do is to let the world know what Emily’s really like. I open Facebook. I tell everybody - well, a few people anyway - that Emily’s a pig and I’m going home.

I’m surprised to get a message straight back. I smile when I see it’s from Chloe. I wish she was here.

But that’s what she’s saying! They’ve moved in sooner than expected - and she’s here! Now!

She’s going to come with her mum to pick me up. I’ve got to wait round the back of the burger place and to look out for her mum’s car. And it’s a secret. I’m not to tell anyone.

I can’t wait to see her. And I won’t call mum. It’ll save her some grief.

I’m happy now. I’m going to see Chloe, and I’m so excited. All I have to do is wait for her and her mum. The other girls are leaving now - going to the cinema. Some of them can’t look at me, but I don’t care anymore.

I’ve got Chloe.