Black Velvet

"So how come you're not going to this dinner?"

Marnie and I were in art but the other art teacher, Mrs. Johnson, had called in sick so the two classes were merged and we were all forced to work in the assembly hall as the classroom wasn't big enough for all of us. Mr. Way had given everyone a piece of paper and a pencil before telling us to try and draw themselves. No one was really doing any of the work and Mr. Way couldn't keep up with what everyone was doing.

"My family go to the summer dinners, we don't usually do the winter one because daddy usually has a lot of work deals around this time so we have to go to a lot of dinners," Marnie answered like she had rehearsed it beforehand, obviously having come across the question before. I nodded, crossing my legs underneath themselves, "What does your dad do anyway?" she then questioned, her tongue poking out as she concentrated on her drawing.

"He works for a company called LiteHouse, we don't usually have dinners," I replied, shrugging. Looking down at my paper I nibbled my lip. I had never been good at self portraits, they didn't turn out anything like me. I suddenly felt a tap of my shoulder and I looked around curiously, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear that was blurring my vision. I was faced with a handsome boy who had straight brown hair that was short and lightly golden. He had thick, manicured eyebrows and his cheeks were speckled with stubble.

"Are you Amelia?" he asked quietly, his eyebrow raising slightly.

"That's me, what's up?" I asked, smiling at him.

"It's stupid, I overheard you talking and I think your dad just hired my dad," he said, shrugging and scribbling thoughtlessly on his paper, his tongue nervously swiping his bottom lip. I was happy to be talking to someone else for a change and made a conscious decision to try and make an effort.

"What a small world, what's your dads name?" I asked, swivelling my body around so I was facing towards the anonymous boy.

"Gareth Base, he's a sound technician, he used to work at the school," he explained shyly, a small grin etched onto his face.

Before I could reply Marnie grabbed my wrist and yanked me up.

"What are you doing?" I asked her as she weaved me through everyone before pushing me into another clear space, "I was having a conversation-"

"-Alex hates him, Kyle and her hooked up a while ago and she will kill you if she sees you talking to him," Marnie hissed hurriedly.

"I didn't know that and why does it even matter?" I asked her, my eyebrows raising.

"Have you ever had friends before?" she spat back at me. We were both still standing up and I noticed Mr. Way quickly glance at us from where he was squatting beside a student.

"Of course I have," I muttered, looking at the floor.

"Well start acting like it, I won't tell Alex but if she finds out we're both going to be in trouble," she hissed, beginning to crouch down to sit on the floor. She tugged my skirt and I sat down beside her with a thump, sighing out as I did so, "just please don't get me in trouble with Alex, ok?" she then asked, her eyes pleading. I nodded reluctantly, giving her an equally as reluctant hug when she wrapped her arms around me. Our lesson ended relatively quickly and we left for lunch. I chatted with Marnie all the way even though I was still slightly annoyed with her. We parted ways when I headed towards the toilet and she went to meet Alex. Students pushed through each other and I did my best to do the same.

"Hey!" I suddenly heard a voice yell, Kyle yelled bounding in front of me. He was taller now he was standing and my cheeks turned pink as I looked up at him. He was chiselled, confident. I couldn't help but be stunned by him.

"Hi," I mumbled, shiftily looking around, "I'm really sorry about earlier, I didn't realise you and Alex had history and I don't want to upset her," I then explained, shuffling on one foot to another, trying to not get jostled by other students who were skidding around.

"It's cool, it was a while ago now though," he grinned, showing a row of white teeth in between rosy lips, "It's sad we can't be friends, I've seen you around a lot," he then said, tucking a piece of hair behind his ear.

"I'm sorry, I'll maybe try and talk to Alex," I smiled. I felt paranoid, my eyes looking from right to left waiting for Alex herself to walk around the corner.

"Well until then I'll see you round, hopefully," he smirked as I dizzily turned around and got myself into the girls bathrooms. I went to the bathroom and then washed my hands slowly, trying to stall going to lunch. I didn't want to see Alex and have to lie. I also didn't want to get in trouble with her. Eventually I traipsed to the lunch hall, trying to smile brightly when Alex waved at me and her seat. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek before taking a large bite out of the apple she has been holding.

We chatted throughout lunch, my guilty conscience brimming to its fullest and luckily staying in my head until I got back home and into Deb's studio. We went to the kitchen and made food together whilst I explained to her the situation.

"I wouldn't be given all money in the world to be your age again, do you like this boy?" Deb asked, tossing the salad she had just prepared. I vaulted up onto the counter top, shrugging my shoulders.

"I don't know him but that doesn't mean I wouldn't want to get to know him, I just don't feel like I can now," I explained, "I mean, I would like to be friends with him but I can't even do that."

"You can do whatever you want to do!" Deb exclaimed "...is he cute?" she then added, a small smile on her face. As soon as she asked me, my mind fluttered to thinking of Mr. Way and not Kyle.

"Yeah he is," I replied, thinking of Mr. Way's eyes, his hands, the way he spoke out of the side of his mouth. The extent of my attraction to Mr. Way was beginning to worry me. He ruined my thought tracks and made my stomach twist and knot. I knew I would never be able to go near him, but the evil more devious side of my personality wanted to pursue him.

"Well if he's cute, your age and nice to you I say go for it. If Alex is a good friend she'll let it go," Deb said, passing me the bowl of salad. I smiled back at her guiltily, no longer thinking of Kyle at all.

"I might go for a walk before dinner," I told Deb, deciding I needed to clear my head before having to sit in my house all night.

"Sure, just be careful and be back in a couple hours because we haven't eaten with your dad in a long time," Deb replied, kissing my temple as I threw my school blazer back on. I checked my pockets for my phone and keys before heading out the door.

It wasn't cold but I pulled up my knee high socks nevertheless, burying my hands deep into my pockets. I didn't really think as I was walking but it was nice to be out of the house, alone and in the fresh air.

My eyes widened when I saw the familiar silhouette of Mr. Way walking towards me.

I wasn't used to living in such close proximity to people, back at home I had so many fields and grassy areas to walk around in. I was about to duck and avoid him, feeling he was the last person I wanted to see but he looked up before I could turn around. I was about to open my mouth and say hello but then I noticed his face.

His expression was lost and his eyes were swollen and pink, his lips chapped like he'd been crying.

Notes