Autumn book1

Week 2 - pt 1

9th   September 

Connor met Autumn by the bridge she yawned as she strode heavily over to him. You

look like you don’t want to go today.’

‘I’m tired Con. I daint get much sleep.’

‘It’s okay Autumn. Just try and stay awake during lesson.’

‘I’ll try.’

He dropped his arm over her. Come on let’s go before we’re late.’

They walked over the bridge heading to school.

‘Bout time.’

‘Sorry guys Autumn didn’t get much sleep.’

‘Keep her awake aye Con?!’

Harry and Ashby nudged James. ‘Owe.’

‘No gee is that all you think about?’ 

‘Like you don’t.’

They all slapped James around the head. ‘Owe guys.’

‘Well keep your gob shut and your obscene comments to yourself.’

‘Says the one who gives them.’

‘I don’t think Autumn wants it this morning.’

The bell rang and they all went in for registration then for first lesson. ‘I’ll see you second period okay.’

‘Okay.’

He pecked Autumn on the cheek walking away as she went into her physics lesson. Jarrad called her over to him. Stenton looked at her as she sat down. How he wished the leech would just f**k off and leech onto someone else so give her a chance to talk to someone else.

The bell rang and they all packed up Their stuff ushing  out of the class. Connor placed his arm around Autumn Jarrod pissed, Stenton wondering how the hell he done it.

They met Ashby, Harry and James for break. ‘So ain’t Dan back yet?’

‘Not sure. I think he said he’d be back in tomorrow.’

‘You’ll like him Autumn he’s like Con.’

‘Yep there’ll be some arguments.’

‘Why?’

‘Just say they think alike.’

‘Oh okay.’

The bell rang. They all doubted out their cigarettes going to their last lesson before lunch. Connor sat next to Autumn. ‘You’ll like Dan trust me, he’s in our form too.’

She smiled awkwardly.

‘Right class settle down.’

The bell rang for lunch Connor and Autumn met their friends for lunch before having another cigarette before the bell rang fro the final two lessons of the day.

The five friends walked out of school together, walking home.

‘We’ll see you guys tomorrow.’

‘You will.’

‘Later Con, Autumn.’

‘Later.’

‘Yeah bye.’

Their friends walked away as they continued towards the lake and the bridge. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow Autumn.’

‘Okay.’

He pecked her on He cheek and walked away she headed towards home.

10th  September 

Connor met Autumn by the bridge she still looked tired.  ‘So how are you feeling today?’

‘A little tired, but okay.’

‘So, have you got Harding today?’

‘Yeah first thing.’

‘So, I’ll see you for english.’

‘You will.’

They walked into school.

‘So you out of bed on time?’

‘You wet the bed Con?’

‘No my alarm went off.’

They all laughed.

‘More like Autumn got you up aye babe?’ James said winking at her.

‘No I didn’t.’ She said angrily.

‘Chill babe, joke.’

‘It weren’t funny.’

‘No it weren’t Jae. Me and Autumn met by the bridge like usual.’

‘Well you’ve been on time since she begun what she do Con? Get you out of bed early.’

‘No I was up till one actually, mom woke me.’

‘More like socked you.’ Ash said laughing.

‘Yeah sure guys whatever.’

The bell rang.

‘Come on guys this s**t hole waits for no one.’

They walked into school. ‘I’ll see you at break babe.’

‘Okay.’

Connor and their friends walked away. Mathew Harding stood at the door waiting. ‘Nice to see that your up bright and early Miss Cleveland.’

‘You too.’ She replied sarcastically.

‘Come through.’

She slipped onto the room.

‘Take a seat.’ He said closing the door.

She slothed across the room slouching down on the large sofa.

He say down opposite her in his arm chair. ‘So how’s your weekend been?’

‘Slow.’

‘So did you meet your friend?’

‘Yeah then I done homework.’

‘So, How have you found it here so for?’

‘Same old, different school. Same sh..’

He looked at her.

‘Crap.’

‘I guess.  So I’d like to talk about your family today.’

‘Okay.’ She swallowed.

‘I’d like to begin with where you all lived before.’

‘We lived in the Netherlands.’

‘Wow. That’s along way away.’

‘Well sh.. crap happens.’

‘Sure does.’ He looked at her he could see she was uncomfortable talking about this subject, but he had to press on to get to why she came to the U.K. and what happened for her to see him. ‘So what was it like out there?’

‘Okay I guess. I had lots of friends. I was sad I had to leave them behind.’

‘So all of your family move over here?’

‘No, just me and mom. My older brother lives with my dad.’

‘How come?’

‘Personal.’

‘I have to get to know you, so I can understand why you are here and why you got sent to me. You don’t give much away.’

‘I keep myself to myself.’

‘You’re going to have to take that weight off your shoulders Autumn if you want my help.’

‘I didn’t ask for it.’

‘Well I’m giving it. So shall we start again?’

‘I guess.’

‘So, how come your dad and brother didn’t join you and your mom when you came to live over here?!’

‘They’re divorced okay. Me and my brother got separated because we were “too close.”(she abbreviated.)’

‘It’s better than not been close at all.’

‘They were jealous of our relationship. We wanted to stay together, but they wouldn’t allow it.’

The bell rang.

‘We’ll talk more about this Thursday okay.’

‘Sure if you think it helps.’

‘I do.’

They pulled themselves up, he opened the door she stepped out. ‘I’ll see you Thursday Autumn.’

‘You will.’

She turned he looked up at her, his blue eyes sparkled, his Mohawk styled hair hung over his face. He smiled.

She cut a short smile walking away. 

‘Mr. Harrison I’m Mr. Harding. Mr. Greyson is running late, so unfortunately you’ll be having me follow me.’

He pulled himself up going into the room. He had to find out who this girl was.

‘You don’t have to go to lesson on my account Con.’

‘I know, I had a bollocking off the head then off Greyson on how it is important to attended all my lessons bullshit. I’m just going to keep the peace.’

‘Okay if your sure that’s all it is.’

 ‘It is.’

They both went into class sitting down.

After lesson he dropped his arm over her and they walked to the cigarette corner  where they friends for break having a cigarette.

‘Where’s Dan wasn’t he supposed to be back today?’

‘He was. Maybe he was late you know Dan.’

‘Yeah in detention no doubt.’

‘So is he like you guys.’

‘Exactly like us.’

‘Great.’

‘Don’t you like us babe?’

‘Yeah. I just don’t like the rude comments.’

‘You’ll get used to it babe everyone else has.’

‘After a few slaps aye Con.’

‘You got slapped?’

‘We all did Babe. Stenton’s the worst. Trust us babe we’re angels compared to him. I’m surprised he has any balls left let alone a face.’

They all laughed.

‘Just watch him Autumn anything with a pair of t**s and a pulse you know what I mean?’

‘Yeah I do.’

The bell rang.

‘Come on let’s get back to it.’

‘So you’re not wagging Con?’

‘No, I have Autumn to keep me company.’

‘Sure you do.’

They all walked their separate ways to lesson. 

The four friends met up for lunch. ‘So no Dan?’

‘Ain’t seen him.’

‘Maybe you got the days mixed up.’

‘Nagh he told me today. I think.’

They ate their lunch and had a cigarette before registration.

‘I’ll meet you by the gates okay.’

‘Okay.’

He pecked her on the cheek heading down the hall for the last lesson of the day double mechanics.

She stepped into the room he looked up at her and smiled, she returned his smile quickly. Sitting down.

He stared at her unnoticed during the lesson he had to get to know her. Her eyes began feeling drowsy she really had to sort that alarm out. Her eyes closed.

The paper ball hit her face, her eyes shot open. He looked at her smiling pointing to the board.

She looked up their teacher who was not impressed. ‘Sorry sir it won’t happen again.’

‘It best not. You best write this down and get some sleep tonight or you’ll be in detention.’

‘Sir.’

The class laughed Daniel smiled at her. ‘Right class that’s enough there’s plenty of you have fallen asleep during class get on with your work.’

The bell rang and they all put their belongings in their bags, walking out of the class.

‘Hey red.’

She turned looking at him. ‘You talking to me ?’

‘You’re the only girl with red hair aren’t you? Well bright red anyway.’ He smiled.

‘I guess.’

‘So you fall asleep often in class?’

‘No damn alarm’s bust mom had to wake me.’

‘Late night.’

‘Couldn’t sleep.’

‘I could always help you with that, or walking you up.’he smiled

She stared through him.

His smile faded. ‘Guess not... So how’s about I walk you home?’

‘Sorry I’m meeting someone.’

‘Who?’

‘Me.’ Connor said slipping his arm around her.

He looked over. ‘Con.’

‘Dan. I see you’ve met Autumn. Autumn this is Dan.’

‘Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.’

‘All good I hope.’

‘Yeah.’

‘So where have you been all day Dan I thought I’d got the day wrong.’

‘No you hadn’t. I had to see Harding .’

‘So no Greyson?’

‘Not this morning no, then I got detention b***h. Lunch I had to pick up all of my work that I’d missed out on and I ran into Greyson. I ate my lunch while we talked.’

‘So will we have the pleasure of your company tomorrow.’

‘You will.’

‘So were you chatting Autumn up?’

‘Not at all just offering to walk her home.’

‘You can walk with us.’

‘Where’s the guys?’

‘No idea maybe they’ve already gone.’

‘You can meet us by the bridge in the morning too, we can all walk here together.’

‘Your alarm working?’

‘Is yours?’

‘I’ll check it.’ He cracked, smiling.

They all walked to the bridge. ‘Well we’ll see you tomorrow babe.’

‘Okay.’

Connor pecked her on the cheek dropping his arm from around her.

‘It was nice meeting you Autumn.’

‘You too.’

‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘If you’re alarm goes off right.’

‘She’s good Con.’

‘Yeah she is.’

They smiled walking away. She walked home closing the door behind her.

11th   September 

Conner and Daniel met Autumn on the bridge walking to school where they met their

friends.

‘Where were you last night Con?’

‘We thought you’d gone.’

‘Nice to see your ugly mush again Dan and you’re up early. Your mom kick you out?’

‘Summert like that.’

‘So, when did you get back?’

‘Yesterday morning. I almost didn’t make it in,’

‘So you met Autumn.’

‘Yeah we’re in lesson together.’

‘Cool.’

The bell rang and they all went in for registration and their first two lessons before break.

Autumn stood smoking waiting for Connor as Daniel approached her. ‘Con running late?’

She looked up at Dan. ‘Yeah.’

He spread his hand across the wall his eyes in line with hers nerving her. ‘I won’t beat around the bush red, I like you.’

‘So does Con don’t mean I’m going to give him nought either.’

He got closer.  Her nervousness showing. ‘Meet me Saturday.’

‘I can’t.’

‘Washing your hair?!’

‘I just can’t.’

‘You can, lie if you have to.’

‘Sorry I’m late babe the class got held up.’ Connor said approaching them.

Daniel backed away, lighting a cigarette. Connor took the cigarette off Autumn taking the last few drags.  ‘Where’s the guys?’

‘Here damn f*****g teacher.’

 ‘Snap.’

They lit their cigarettes smoking them before the bell rang for end of break.

‘So we’ll see you at lunch.’

‘You will.’

They all went into lesson. 

‘So what did Dan want?’

‘Nothing.’ She lied.

‘So can we do something Saturday?’

‘I don’t know Con.’

‘About three. I’ll meet you by the river okay.’

‘Okay.’

They sat down taking their books and pens out.  They walked out of lesson after the lunch bell rang getting their lunch sitting down to eat. Daniel looking over at her slyly.

‘So are we all meeting up Saturday.’

‘Yeah about six. I’m meeting Autumn first, then we’ll all meet up.’

‘Cinema it is.’

‘Sure.’

‘Dan you coming?’

‘Wouldn’t miss it.’

‘Sweet.’

They all went outside having a cigarette before registration and their last two lessons. Daniel sat next to Autumn during their next lesson together. ‘Saturday at ten meet me by the bridge okay,’

She looked at him.

‘Be there.’

‘Right class settle down.’

They all walked aimlessly out of class. ‘Hey red wait up.’

‘I have to go Dan.’

‘I’ll walk with you.’

‘Fine.’

‘I ain’t done nought to offend you have I?’

‘No.’

‘Good.’

‘This is me.’

‘Well I’ll see you at the end of school no doubt.’

‘I guess you will.’

‘Laterz Red.’

‘Yeah Later.’

She went into her final class of the day how was she supposed to tell him she couldn’t meet him.

James tapped the chair next to him.  She slipped into it. ‘So what do you think of Dan then Autumn?’

‘He’s okay. He’s just a little to up front for me.’

‘We all are aren’t we?’

‘I guess. I’m just not used to full on guys that’s all. There weren’t that many guys like you at my old school.’

‘Bet they were worse.’

‘Some of them.’

‘Bet they got a slap.’

‘Yeah they did.’

He smiled as the tutor began their lesson. James and Autumn walked out of the class. ‘So do we have the pleasure of you walking home with us tonight?’

‘You do.’

He smiled.

They met up with Connor and the others. Connor dropped his arm over her shoulders. ‘So Jae keep you company.’

‘We were in lesson together.’

‘Oh yeah sorry I forgot.’

They all walked out of school Daniel looking slyly at her as they did. Saying their goodbyes.

‘Well I’ll see you guys tomorrow.

‘Sure will babe.’ Connor said pecking her in the cheek.

‘Later Autumn.’

‘Yeah later.’

They all walked away her and Dan making eye contact yet saying nothing. 

12th   September 

 Autumn met Connor and Dan by the bridge.  ‘Everything okay babe?’

‘Yeah.  I’m fine.’

‘Come on let’s meet the guys.’

He dropped his arm over her shoulders and the three friends walked to school.

‘There you are .’

‘Sorry guys Autumn was a little late this morning.’

‘Makes a change from being you two aye.’

They both pulled a sarcastic face at them walking through the gates as the bell rang.

‘Guess you’ve got Harding this morning.’

‘Yeah.’

‘I’ll see you later babe.’

‘Okay.’

‘Later Autumn.’

‘Later.’

They all walked away.

‘So I see you didn’t take my advice after all.’

Autumn turned. ‘Miss.’

‘So you chose to stay friends with Mr. Harborne.’

‘Yes I did.’

‘And I see Mr. Harrison is back with us, another no hoper. They’ll drag you down Miss. Cleveland to their level and once you’re there they’ll be no return.’

‘Well I don’t think so, they’re my friends and I like them okay.’

‘We’ll see how long that lasts shall we, when you start ending up in detention with them and all of your grades begin to drop. Your mother won’t be too pleased will she?’

‘My grades won’t drop and I’ll prove to you the won’t.’

‘I hope for your sake you do. And the piercings I want them gone.’

‘Sure may I go now.’

‘You may.’

Autumn stormed off vexed how dare she tell her who to have as friends. How dare she.

‘What time do we call this Miss. Cleveland ?’ He said tapping his watch.

‘Not now can we just get on with this.’

‘Sure come in.’

She stormed passed him. Gee she was in a bad mood today he doubted he’d  get anything done today with the mood she was in she’d almost knocked him off his feet.

She crashed down onto the sofa, her eyes cold and glazed as he closed the door.

He sat opposite her. ‘So who riled you this morning your eyes are like thunder?’

‘That sour face bitch.’

‘What’s she done to make you so angry again Autumn.’

‘Trying to tell me who I can have as my friends.’

‘So she’s still on that one.’

‘Yes she is.’ She said angrily. ‘Connor was the only one who bothered with me on my first day, he introduced me to his friends. Now she’s not pleased because I’ve made friends with Dan.’

‘Mr. Harrison?’

‘Yeah we met in class Con introduced us. They’re the only friends I have no one else chose to make friends with me but them.’

‘Ignore them Autumn and ignore her okay. Like I said before you choose who you have as your friends and if you think Mr. Harborne and Mr. Harrison are good for you.’

‘I do.’

‘Well then be friends with them. She can’t stop you Autumn.’

The bell rang.

‘I’ll see you Tuesday okay.’

‘Okay.’

She pulled herself up.  Mathew opened the door.  ‘Just remember Autumn you know best not her.’

‘Thanks Matt.’

‘My pleasure.  I’ll see you next week.’

‘Okay.’

She walked away to her next lesson.

She stood smoking. ‘Hey babe.’ Connor said as he Ashby, Dan , Harry and James approached her.

‘Con, guys.’

‘You okay Autumn? Your eyes are glazed like someone has pissed you off.’

‘Yeah really pissed you off.’

‘They did.’

‘Was it Harding?’

‘No.’

‘Who then?’

‘Sour face bitch.’

‘What she have to say this time.’

‘She’s still banging on that I’m still friends with you she still reckons you will bring me down to your level. She’s not to pleased that I made friends with Dan either..’

‘The b***h I’m going to sort this.’

‘No Con you’ll get in shit.’

‘I don’t f*****g care.  We’re friends how dare she tell you who you can and can’t be friends with. Telling you can’t be friends with Dan now how dare she.’

‘Chill Con.’

‘No I f*****g won’t chill.’

‘Autumn won’t listen to her you didn’t did you?’

‘No.’

‘We’re still friends aren’t we?’

‘Yes we are. I choose my friends not her okay. I’ll decide if your good for me or not.’

He smiled pecking her in the cheek.

They had their cigarettes doubting them out before the bell rang and they headed off for their final lesson before lunch.

‘We’re still friends aren’t we Autumn?’

She looked at Dan. ‘She’s not going to tell me who to have as friends Dan I like you all of you.’

He smiled as they walked away.

Mathew stared at them as they sat down to eat.  He had to get her away from them especially Connor Harborne and now Daniel Harrison but how?

They had a cigarette and went into registration before their last two lessons. Connor placed his arm around her meeting their friends walking home.  ‘We’ll see you tomorrow Con, Autumn.’

‘Later Guys.’

‘Yeah Later.’

They walked ay Connor and Autumn stood by the bridge alone after Daniel had said goodbye.  ‘At least you don’t look as angry as you did this morning.’

‘Neither do you.’

‘I had chance to calm down.’

‘Me too.’

‘I’m sorry for upsetting you.’

‘It wasn’t your fault it was that sour faces bitches I’m your friend Autumn and so are all the guys I hope well always be friends.’

‘Me to.’

He smiled, kissing her softly.  ‘I best be going Autumn.’