71
1963 Words
22nd December
Autumn lay on the bench by the lake, it was freezing but she didn’t care she’d be meeting Dan soon and she’d told her mom they were coming back to the house reminding her about the Christmas she’d spent with Taylor their first Christmas on he wasn’t too pleased with seen as her mother wouldn’t even allow him in her room so the Christmas arête he made sure she spent it with him at his house due to the Dis pleasant scowl on her mother’s face, which made him smirk making him feeling that he’d accomplished his goal to completely piss her mother off snd have her all to himself in his room.
“Your mom said you’d be out here.”
She opened her eyes. She reflected in his glasses. “Dan.”
He smiled.
She pulled herself up. “So what were you thinking about?”
“Noting much. Come on.” She said, now standing beside him.
“Where are we going?’’
’To do our project. Come on before my mind changed her mind..”
“Is she in a good mood?”
“Must be. Come on Dan before it wares off.”
He laughed.
“It’s not funny Dan. I’m being f*****g serious.”
He flooded her from the lake to her house he followed her in. “Mom I’m back. Dan is with me we’re going to go upstairs I’d you want us.”
“Wow privileges.”
“Don’t knock it she’ll probably throw you out.”
He nodded.
He followed them to her room and boy Connor wasn’t wrong maybe she was Haz’s twin in another life but he chose not to voice his opinion.
“Before you say anything, I’m getting round to it.”
“I wasn’t.”
“That’s a first.”
“I guess it is.”
“Sir down and we can start.”
He nodded sitting down and they got their assignment out continuing to finish it. She pulled her books out and they began to do their project.
Dan looked at her. “So can I get you a shake as thanks?”
“Maybe another time, Con’s taking me for a pizza.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” He looked at her. “So what times is Con coming?”
She looked at her watch. “Any time now.”
Autumn’s mom peered around the door. “I hope you two arebehaving?”
“We are Miss. Cleveland.”
“Good.’ She paused. ’Would you like to stay for supper Daniel?”
“No thanks, Miss. Cleveland I have to head home but thanks for the offer.”
She smiled.
“So no Connor?”
“I already told you, Mom, he’s coming at five and we’re going for pizza.”
“Okay.’ It’s nice to see you again Daniel.”
“You too Miss. Cleveland.”
She closed the door. “I guess you were right she’s in a good mood.”
“That she is.”
“I best be going then.” He leaned forward his lips touching hers, kissing her. He moved away. “I’ll see you at con’s for his birthday party okay.” He said, pulling himself up and picking his rucksack up.
“Okay.’”
They went downstairs and she saw him out.
“Later Red.”
“Yeah later.”
He walked away’ she closed the door. “I told you no boys in your room young lady.”
“You let Con in there.’
“I like Connor he’s good for you?’
‘And Dan isn’t?’
“He has feelings for you Autumn, and I don’t want to see you hurt or worse pregnant.”
“Unbelievable. I’m not dumb he’s a friend. I had all of this with Taylor now Dan want gives?”
“If you’ve failed to realise or recognise he’s the same as Taylor in the way that he looks the way he acts.”
“He’s my friend.”
“As long as that’s all it is.”
“It is.”
The door knocked. She owed it Connor smiled.
“Let’s go.”
“Sure.”
She stepped out of the house closing the door she and Connor walked down the road. “So did you and Dan finish your project?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.”
“Yeah.”
“What’s the wrong Autumn? You look vexed.”
“Nothing, just mom.”
“I see.”
“So it’s just us till my birthday?”
’Yeah.”
He smiled as the pizzas and shakes were placed down on the table. “Thanks.” They chimed.
The waitress smiled walking away.
They after their pizza, having their shakes. Connor placed the money on the tray with the bill. He took her hand in his walking out of the pizzeria.
“I enjoyed that.”
“Me too I’m stuffed.”
“Me too, but I can think of more things I’d like to stuff.”
“Con.”
He pushed her up against the wall kissing her hungrily. Kissing her harder and harder. Connor pulled away her eyes glazed. “You okay, babe?”
“Yeah.”
“Ool, come on.” He dropped his arm over her shoulders. And they walked away.
They stood on the bridge over the river. He stood behind her his arms wrapped around her, looking over her shoulder. “I want you to stay over on my birthday babe the others are so let your mom know. I’ll walk you back okay.”
“Okay.”
They watched the sun go down.
“I’ll meet you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
He kissed her softly.
“Night babe.”
“Night Con.”
He turned and walked away,
Christmas holidays
23rd December - 24th December
Connor spent the next two days with Autumn alone without her friends. They’d stay up late on Christmas Eve watching Christmas films and talking. She felt so comfortable around Connor that she couldn’t wish for a better friend. Things were about to change between them.
He’d left around one in the morning so he could get some sleep, seeing as he had been invited to spend Christmas day with Autumn and her mom.
He kissed her and they said goodbye before he headed home. She closed the door, walked sleepily up the stairs to her room, collapsed on her bed and closed her eyes.
Christmas Day (Autumn, aged 16)
25th December
Connor knocked on Autumn’s door. The air was brisk, but it always was in December.
Autumn opened the door. ’“Hi, Con, come in, it’s freezing.”
“Can’t say I noticed!” He cracked, stepping in.
She closed the door behind him. “I’m sorry Con, mom insisted.”
“It’s fine babe.”
“Don’t your parents mind?”
“No, they’ve drunk way too much to care, babe.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.”
“Let me.”
“Sure.” He said, slipping out of his jacket and passing it to her. She hung his coat up as he placed the presents.
“Connor, it’s nice to see you again.”
“You to Miss. Cleveland.”
“Come on Con, it’s all most done.”
“Smells good.’
“You haven’t twisted it yet.”
“I heard that.”
Autumn made a sarcastic face. “Come on.”
He followed her into the dining room where the food was spread out across the table.
“Looks good.”
“Mom always goes OTT.”
“Still.”
“Take a seat.”
They both sat down as Autumn’s mom walked in, placing the plates filled with meat.
“Thanks. Miss Cleveland.”
“Yeah, thanks, mom.”
She smiled, pouring the wine. “Would you like one, Con?”
“I guess.”
She smiled, filled the glasses and sat down. They all took what they wanted off the surrounding plates and out of the bowls.
“So how’s your morning been, Connor?”
“Same as usual.”
“And your parents?”
“They don’t do Christmas.”
“That’s a shame.”
“You get used to it.”
They ate their lunch. “That was fab, Miss. Cleveland I’m stuffed.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Yeah it was good may we be excused.”
“You may.”
She grabbed Connor’s hand, pulling him up and out of the dining room. He grabbed the presents on the way.
He fell onto the bed. “Gee what’s the rush Autumn?”
“Mom would’ve made you watch movies that are on every Christmas Day.”
“That’s okay.”
She stared at him.
“Oh yeah, your present.”
“Yours too.”
They swapped presents. Unwrapping them hers a necklace ‘friends forever’, engraved in a heart and a key by its side. “Thanks.”
He held the brasses up. “To keep your trousers up.”
“Not funny.”
“I thought it was.”
He took the ring out and smiled.
“Do you like it?”
“Yeah, I do.” He slipped it onto his finger. “Here I’ll put it on for you.”
“Okay.”
He took the necklace off her, she turned, moving her hair out of the way, and he put it round her neck, shutting the clasp. Her hair dropped.
“Thanks.” She turned, and he looked at her.
“So what you guys reckon Con is doing today?”
“Going round Autumns’ and giving her her birthday surprise.”
“I didn’t know it was her birthday.”
“Yeah, he mentioned it. I’m surprised she never told you.”
’“No, she didn’t.”
Connor handed the small boxed present. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks.” She smiled, taking it off him.
He watched her as she opened it. She rarely smiled till today. She unwrapped it opening the box with a gold ring inside engraved with ‘best friends forever xx’. She smiled, slipping it onto her finger. “Thanks.” She said, kissing him.
He continued embracing the moment, kissing her with his tongue. She quickly moved away. He looked confused at her. ’“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“I have something else to give you for your birthday.”
“What?”
He looked at her, raising his eyebrows.
“We can’t. We’re friends.”
“And we still will be.” He edged closer. “It will be between us okay.”
“And the time we spend together.”
“I’m gonna have to keep it in.”
“Can you?”
“I can. I love you, friends forever, babe.”
“But it will ruin it.”
“No, it won’t. It’s my present for you.”
She looked at him, she went for one last objection. He pressed his lips on hers, kissing her passionately, lowering her to the bed and slipping out of his jeans, he slipped inside her, having s*x with her.
He moved away, just looking at her. She looked so nervous, so lost. “I love you, Autumn.”
He lay by her side after they pulled their jeans up. He placed his arm over her. “This won’t change anything. We’ll always be friends and when school is over, hopefully more.”
“What are you going to tell the guys?”
“Nothing, there’s nothing to tell.”
“Oh.”
“I just wanted to make your birthday perfect. I hope I have done that.”
She slowly closed her eyes.
- Writer
