Read Learning to Breathe for Free Online Page B

wanted to speak to him at all. However, I found myself reluctantly replying back:
    ‘Fine . C u 2nite.’
    My phone bleeped yet again and I had to laugh when I read his reply:
    ‘Ooh dnt snd so xcitd! I luk 4wrd 2 it ;)’
    I rolled my eyes and sent back:
    ‘Whatever. C u l8r.’
    When Danny didn’t reply again, I decided to look for something to wear later that night. I wasn’t really sure what would be appropriate for the party as I didn’t want to look too casual or dressed up. I sighed as I scanned the rail for something that appealed to me.
    Twenty minutes later and I picked out a denim skirt and a dressy top, I then added a cardigan in case it got cold later. Finally happy with my outfit choice, I decided to start cooking dinner since I would be leaving for the party quite early.
     
    My mother arrived home just after 5.30pm and was pleasantly surprised to discover that I had chicken curry waiting for her.
    “Thanks honey, you’re a star.” s he told me, taking a forkful and savouring the taste.
    I smiled at her and she addressed me again. “So, how was school?”
    “Very unevent ful – they let us leave about two hours after we arrived. Some stuff was delayed so they told us to go home at about ten-thirty.” I shrugged, watching for her reaction.
    My mother chuckled. “I’m sure you didn’t mind. I did think it was rather odd going back on a Friday – then again, it’s probably because it’s technically the start of September. Anyway, do you have plans for tonight?”
    I nodde d. “There’s a party at the spring. I said I’d go … you don’t mind, do you?”
    She shook her head. “No honey, it’ll be good for you to get out. Just be careful, okay?”
    “I always am.” I reassured her.
    She nodded. “Okay, well I’m going to crash in front of the TV. What time are you headed out at?”
    “In about an hour so I need to get ready.” I told her as I began to wash up the dishes.
    She started to leave the room but then paused in the doorway. “Have fun tonight. Oh, and try not to be too late back … or do anything that I wouldn’t do.”
    I nodded obediently and breathed a sigh of relief when she then left the room without any further cryptic comments. My mother wasn’t naïve enough to believe that there wouldn’t be any alcohol at the party tonight but she trusted me enough to know that I wouldn’t drink too much – if at all. With the thought that it would probably be the latter, I hurriedly finished off washing up and then made my way upstairs to get ready.
    I decided to l eave my hair in my natural waves but I did put on a little bit of make up. I then put on my skirt and top along with my Converse sneakers and looked in the mirror – all in all, I didn’t look too bad.
    I glanced at my watch and found that I was ten minutes early. I grabbed my phone , cardigan and bag and made my way downstairs. I didn’t want to sit and wait with my mother so I peeked my head around the living room door and told her I was leaving. She waved me off and I went outside to call for Harriet.
    Harriet was ready five minutes later and looked great in a summery dress with flip-flops. We got into her car and drove to th e spring, listening to Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ on the way.
     
    We arrived at the party and I instantly felt suffocated. There were too many people around and the music was deafening. I looked around and seriously debated about going home again – I couldn’t remember why I had agreed to come in the first place. I didn’t want to be a buzz kill but it wasn’t really my scene and I felt uncomfortable – even more so when I noticed most of the people appeared to be intoxicated.
    I sucked in a deep breath and told myself to grin and bear it – after all, Harriet was my lift home and she didn’t appear to be willing to leave in a hurry. I watched as she scoped out the crowd, searching for someone.
    “Hey!” she yelled in my ear, over the loud music, “Let’s see if we can