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where I met several more of Harriet’s friends – not that I managed to recall any of their names – and waited for our teacher to arrive.
    Ten minutes later and Mr Fennell walked into the room and began to hand out timetables. I watched as they were then passed out to everyone except me. Mr Fennell approached my desk and then informed that my timetable had been delayed. I vaguely wondered what I was meant to do until 12.30. Before I could voice this concern, Mr Fennell beat me to it and answered my unasked question.
    “There’s nothing to worry about Darcie, classes don’t start until Monday. I’m sure they’ll have it all sorted out by then. Today is just a chance for everyone to gather up the various textbooks and supplies they’ll need for this year. Okay?”
    I nodded and watched as Mr Fennell addressed the rest of the class.
    “Okay everyone, I hope you all had a nice s ummer but I also hope that you’re all ready for a year of hard work …” He trailed off at the collective groan that rippled around the classroom.
    Mr Fennell shushed everyone and continued on with his lecture.
    “Hey, there’s no need for that. You all know how important this year is. You must all be focused and …” He suddenly trailed off at hearing a knock on the door. We all watched as he stepped outside to talk to the principal, Ms Greenly.
    Everybody’s attention was focused on the door but pretty soon the noise level began to creep up again when most people realised that they couldn’t hear anything. I was just about to start a conversation with Harriet when the door opened again.
    Mr Fennell addressed the clas s once more. “Hey! Quiet down or I just might not tell you the good news…” he paused and waited for complete silence before he continued.
    “I talked to Ms Greenly and she’s just informed me that some of the supplies have been delayed which means…” He trailed off and looked around, waiting for someone to realise what he meant and fill in the blanks.
    A guy at the front suddenly perked up in his seat. “Dude, do we like get to go home?”
    Mr Fennell nodded. “Yes Frankie, good to see you haven’t let the old brain matter turn to mush over the summer. Yes, after I hand out whatever textbooks we do have, you can all get a jump-start on the weekend.”
    And with that he proceeded to dole out various heavy books.
     
    An hour later and we were free.
    “This is so cool,” Har riet gushed. “I tried to tell Mum that it was stupid going back on a Friday! I guess I’ll have more time to get ready for tonight – there’s a party later, do you wanna come?”
    She turned t o me expectantly and I shrugged.
    “Where is it?”
    “Well a whole load of us are going to the spring. It’s kind of a tradition … every year, the first Friday in September we have a party there.” She explained while I debated about whether I should go or not.
    I eventually nodded my head. “Sure, why not?”
    One little party wasn’t going to hurt and I really didn’t want to be stuck indoors with my mother and her worried glances. Besides, she was always telling me to get out more – here was my chance.
    I arrived home after having lunch in town with Harriet and some of her friends. After agreeing to leave around 7pm later that evening, I made my way into the empty house and flopped down on the sofa to watch some TV.
     
    Halfway through a re-run of ‘Chuck’, my phone bleeped. I rummaged around in my bag and took it out to find that I had a text message from one Danny Fletcher:
    ‘ U goin 2 party 2nite?’
    To be honest, I was quite shocked to hear from him – I hadn’t talked to him at all from our first encounter at the pool and I was intrigued as to why he was texting me now. I decided to give in to my curiosity and typed a reply:
    ‘ Yep. Why?’
    A minute later and my phone bleeped again:
    ‘I want 2 tlk n u cnt avoid me 4evr!’
    I sighed heavily and wondered what he wanted to talk about. I really wasn’t sure I