Hello World

by Joanna Sellick

  ‘Look, let’s get this straight, I’m not an attention seeking brat- put that in your notes. Charlie should be able to do whatever he wants. I’m probably the only reason he’s never gotten past the first date in the first place.’

  Nadine sighs.

  ‘Neve, I can’t help you if you continually put yourself down. You have no reason to blame yourself for anything-’

  ‘Yeah, yeah, no negative energy and all that. My ying and yang is in perfect harmony, I’m like Buddha,’ I mutter sarcastically. ‘Anyway, in answer to if I feel threatened by this other woman, the answer is no. I know I’m Charlie’s number one girl.’

  Nadine doesn’t even smirk at the comment. She really is in counsellor mode.

  ‘And what are your feelings towards this new woman? Do you like her, dislike her? How comfortable do you feel around her?’

  I study Nadine for a moment, trying to work out if this is a genuine question or something she is asking herself, but she keeps her expression neutral. I sigh.

  ‘Honestly? It’s a little weird, but I think it’s something I could get used to,’ I say carefully. ‘I mean, she seems nice enough.’

  This time, Nadine does smile.

  My session goes on for another forty-five minutes before I’m able to escape on my bike and get back home. When I pass through the front door, the heavy smell of Chinese food hits me and Charlie announces that he is in the kitchen.

  Curious, I pop my head around the door to find takeaway food arranged neatly on plates and a glass of bubbly on the side. Charlie is grinning from ear to ear, holding out a champagne glass to me.

  He’s still in his work suit but the jacket and tie are missing.

  ‘What on earth is this in aid of?’ I laugh, taking the glass with confusion.

  ‘Someone got a promotion,’ Charlie winks, looking very smug. ‘Our sales manager is on maternity leave, and guess who gets to take her place? I guess all that arse kissing worked, huh? It’s not much, and its temporary, but I’ll be earning a little bit more money and it puts me in Grayson’s good books. The underdog always pulls through in the end,’ he grins.

  ‘Nice,’ I smile back, congratulating him. We chat over dinner and Charlie tells me in great detail about the other worker’s expressions and reactions to him getting the job, making us both burst into fits of laughter and I explain my awkward session with Nadine. He ducks his head shyly as the topic soon moves onto the two of them but he tries to skirt around it. In the end I let it go, but not without giving him one last knowing look.

  The doorbell goes and I jump up to get it, surprised to find Blake on the other side. It feels like I’m seeing everyone today.

  ‘Wow, you’re feeling brave tonight,’ I laugh, referring to Blake actually making it up the front path.

  Blake smirks, giving me that dazzling smile and running a hand through his hair.

  ‘Well, I’ve decided I’m becoming quite fond of you and if I want to keep hanging out with you then I should probably man up. Besides, Charlie isn’t that scary.’ Then Blake’s face pales. ‘Er, he didn’t hear that did he?’

  I laugh out loud and cast a glance over my shoulder.

  ‘I don’t think so,’ I smirk. ‘What are you after? You don’t need me to go undercover as your wife next, do you?’

  ‘Not quite, but that could be useful if the time ever comes. I shall hold you to that.’ I roll my eyes. ‘Actually, I’m kidnapping you. Since I’m dragging you to this party on Saturday I figured you’d like to meet some people before hand,’ he shrugs. I grin.

  ‘Aw, for a kidnapper you’re so thoughtful. I’ll just grab my coat. Want any Chinese food? Charlie got a promotion so we’re celebrating and there is plenty left over.’

  ‘When I grow the balls, I will tell him congratulations. But Chinese sounds great, thanks.’

  I grab some of the leftovers, which we nibble on in the car, Blake balancing his precariously on his lap while driving, as we make our way out of town and into the next one. Although it’s more of a village than a town, really.

  ‘So where are we going exactly?’ I ask, looking around the streets we pass.

  ‘To my friend, Dixie’s, place. She’s a nutter, you’ll love her,’ Blake grins. ‘There’s a group of us.’

  ‘How did you make so many friends if you only used to visit on rare occasions?’ I can’t help but question. After all, I live here and I have no friends.

  Well technically I have two now.

  ‘I do this thing called socialising,’ Blake laughs. ‘But Dixie and I have known each other for years. The first time we visited, I knocked the ice-cream out of her hand so she returned the favour. It wasn’t pretty, seven year olds are feisty,’ he muses. ‘Anyway, I met the rest of them through her.’

  I smile and go back to staring out of the window. Out of the blue, I suddenly ask, ‘Blake, if I had the chance to find out about my parents, should I take it?’

  The question shocks Blake so much that he almost brings the car to a stop.

  ‘What do you mean?’ he asks, frowning.

  ‘Charlie gave me the key to my old house. He and Jay both think I should go but I don’t know. Tell me what to do.’

  Blake chuckles slightly.

  ‘I can’t make that sort of decision for you, Neve,’ he points out. ‘But I will tell you this, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. So maybe try thinking of it like this, you have this opportunity, and if you don’t take it you’ll wake up one day wondering why the hell you didn’t take it in the first place. Does that make sense?’ he frowns to himself, unsure of his own words.

  ‘Yeah,’ I sigh, the thoughts still turning themselves over in my mind. ‘How’s the thing with your aunt?’ I ask softly.

  Blake’s expression softens and he lets out a deep sigh. ‘Surviving. But things are getting worse, you know? She could last another year or be gone by tomorrow.’ Then Blake looks at me questioningly. ‘Does Jay talk to you much about her?’

  I shrug. ‘Not much, why?’

  ‘Nothing,’ he sighs, shaking his head. Then he brightens up as a house he obviously recognises comes into view. ‘Here we go.’

  The house is a reasonable size with flowers over growing everywhere, uncontrollable shrubs criss-crossing each other and long vines crawling up the wall. The front garden even has various gnomes dotted around.

  Walking up the pathway, I notice that one of the gnomes has been given a permanent-marker moustache.

  Blake knocks loudly on the door and a moment later a girl his age swings the door open and practically launches herself at him, her figure a flying mass of dark hair. Blake chuckles as he hugs her and then she pulls back, gripping his shoulders as if about to ask him something very serious and important.

  ‘I can definitely borrow the car on Saturday, right?’ The girl asks, completely serious.

  Blake raises an eyebrow. ‘I honestly don’t know whether you hang out with me for me or car.’

  ‘The car, duh.’ The girl grins and finally her eyes land on me. ‘Oh hey, you must be Neve!’

  The girl’s eyes are a vivid blue like Alex’s, but that is where the similarities end. She has a tall, slender frame with dark, raven coloured hair hanging past her shoulders, the tips dyed with a bright purple.

  These match her skimpy dark purple shorts which have been coupled with black tights, fashioned with numerous tears. She also wears a grey over-sized sweater, plenty of long necklaces dangling down and different bands and bracelets crawling up her arms. The girl also has a black trilby balanced on her mop of hair.

  ‘Neve, this is Dixie,’ Blake introduces and I give a slight wave of the hand awkwardly.

  ‘Nice hair, I approve,’ Dixie grins before spinning on her heel and bounding into the house. Blake winks and I follow them both in.

  Inside the décor is rather bland, which seems to clash with Dixie’s personality completely. This is until she leads us through the kitchen and opens a door to the back with steps leading down to the base
ment.

  You can immediately tell who decorated the basement. Various band posters cover the grey walls and bright red sofas bring in a bit of colour. It reminds me a lot of Blake and Jay’s den, what with the smallish TV and games console set up.

  Snacks are scattered around the place, a mini fridge in one corner. A blonde girl with delicate curls sitting cross-legged on the sofa in an old band T-shirt and jeans flicks through a magazine while the two other boys, one with dark blonde hair and the other with darker hair like Blake’s, are in a heavy debate of some kind.

  ‘Guys, we got fresh meat tonight so try to be nice and you know… kinda sane,’ Dixie announces, slipping onto the lap of the dark haired boy.

  The dark haired boy looks up and grins goofily at me.

  ‘Hey, I’m Cole. That’s Nathan and that’s Leah.’

  ‘Neve,’ I say, still extremely nervous.

  ‘Hey Blake, Superman or Batman?’ The blonde guy, Nathan, asks, leaning back in his seat. Blake snorts.

  ‘You’re both nerds,’ he responds.

  ‘Which means he agrees that Superman is better,’ Cole decides triumphantly. ‘Besides, Batman doesn’t even have powers.’

  ‘Superman can be defeated by a piece of rock,’ Nathan points out dryly.

  ‘Supernatural rock,’ Cole defends. ‘Plus, Superman can fly.’

  ‘Batman has the Batmobile,’ I volunteer in a quite voice.

  There is a moment of silence before Nathan beams at me.

  ‘I like her, she can stay,’ Nathan laughs. Cole just sends him a dirty look which Nathan blatantly ignores. ‘Welcome to the fold, want a drink?’ he asks, holding up a bottle of beer.

  I shake my head. It’s not that I don’t drink, I just don’t think having a hang over for school tomorrow will do me any good. Nathan shrugs and looks over to Blake.

  ‘I’m driving,’ Blake clarifies, sliding onto the small sofa next to Dixie and Cole. Nathan pats the seat next to him and I sit down too.

  ‘Speaking of driving, Dix asked you about the car on Saturday, right?’ Leah smirks. Blake rolls his eyes.

  ‘You know what, you guys can just have the damn car and I’ll find myself some new friends.’

  Both girls perk up. ‘Really?’ they chime in unison. Blake’s grin falls.

  ‘So, what do you do?’ Nathan asks me while Blake mutters something inappropriate under his breath.

  ‘Last year of sixth form, then hopefully college next year,’ I tell him.

  ‘Cool, what are you gunna study?’ Dixie asks from her spot on Cole’s lap.

  ‘Art,’ I say. Nathan grins.

  ‘Then you’ll fit right in. I’m up at Nottingham Trent studying Fine Art, I go back next week. Dixie is also at college studying art and Leah studies English Literature at Cambridge.’

  ‘Wow, Cambridge University?’ I ask with admiration. Leah blushes and nods. Then I turn to Cole. ‘And what do you do?’

  ‘Nobody knows what Cole does,’ Blake laughs, earning himself a punch in the arm.

  ‘I’m doing a mechanics apprenticeship,’ Cole explains dryly. ‘These guys don’t find that an acceptable option.’

  ‘That’s because mechanics is boring,’ Dixie teases, kissing his nose. I assume they are either a couple or just really close friends.

  ‘I’m sorry, but does no one seem to realise that Blake is taking Physics next year? Physics!’ Cole says with exasperation.

  ‘And we will tease him appropriately when the time comes,’ Dixie points out, this time kissing him on the lips.

  ‘So what sort of art are you into?’ Nathan asks and I tear my gaze away from the couple and back to him. Nathan is fairly handsome, although not as toned looking as Blake and with a slightly boyish face.

  ‘I prefer the more traditional paintings than anything modern,’ I shrug.

  ‘Nice, ever heard of Ivan Slavinsky? The National Gallery’s having an exhibition of his work in a few weeks.’

  ‘No way,’ I grin. ‘I love his work.’

  Nathan chuckles. ‘I thought you might. If you like, we could go? I can easily make the trip down from uni.’

  ‘That sounds great,’ I reply honestly. Blake suddenly seems to choke on something.

  ‘So,’ Blake starts after recovering himself. ‘What’s the plan for tonight?’

  ‘Pizza and movies,’ Dixie answers, amused. She casts her eyes between Blake and me but doesn’t say anything.

  ‘From Pizza Town?’ Cole asks innocently, raising an eyebrow. Dixie rolls her eyes.

  ‘Yes from Pizza Town, unfortunately you aren’t allowed to request the drivers but I’m sure Stacey is dying to have you drool all over her again.’

  The doorbell chimes and Blake and Nathan shoot up.

  ‘I’ll get it!’ The guys announce, disappearing from the room. Cole looks longingly at Dixie.

  ‘No, you have a girlfriend, no drooling for you, mister,’ Dixie laughs.

  ‘Someone has to make sure she doesn’t have to file a restraining order,’ he points out and Dixie rolls her eyes, moving off him.

  ‘Fine, but I won’t forget this,’ she scolds, smiling fondly as he disappears. Leah sits there, shaking her head.

  ‘Boys are pathetic,’ she states. Dixie laughs.

  ‘They’re just having fun,’ she counters. Then Dixie turns to me, her expression falling serious. ‘Speaking of guys, we heard what happened with Marty. You let us know if he touches you again, okay?’

  Although she looks fragile and petite, something in her expression and tone tells me she is anything but. I nod, shifting uncomfortably. Then the next words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.

  ‘Why did Blake beat up Terrance?’ I ask. It’s something I’ve been wondering since Blake first brought it up, but I don’t like to ask.

  Leah lets out a harsh laugh. ‘That arsehole got everything coming to him.’

  Dixie shakes her head sadly, ‘you know about Blake’s aunt, right? Terrance made a comment he really shouldn’t have. Blake went ape-shit.’

  Blake’s words suddenly ring through my mind: yeah, they do that. Terrance had taunted Blake about his aunt much like Marty had taunted me about Alex.

  I’m about to say something else when the guys return, looking admittedly down hearted but holding hot pizza.

  Dixie smirks. ‘So I take it Stacey wasn’t the delivery girl tonight?’

  Blake makes a face. ‘They sent this old, fat guy, it wasn’t pretty.’

  Looking at Blake now, he doesn’t look like a guy who would beat someone up, even with his obvious muscles. Terrance must have really crossed a line.

  Blake sees me staring and mouths if I’m okay. I nod and smile which he returns and turns back to the rest of his friends.

  The rest of the night runs surprisingly smoothly and the film is hilarious. Gradually, I feel myself relaxing but at around eleven I start yawning and Blake notices the time.

  ‘We’d better be getting back,’ Blake announces, pulling himself up. ‘God knows what Charlie will do if I don’t get you back before midnight.’

  I smirk and get up to join him. ‘I don’t think it’s worth thinking about.’

  ‘Hey, Neve, you’re coming to the party on Saturday, right?’ Dixie asks, snuggling against Cole.

  I point at Blake accusingly. ‘He’s making me go, even though I have nothing to wear.’

  Blake rolls his eyes. ‘Geez, what is it with you girls and clothing? Just grab something and wear it, simple.’

  Dixie gives him a condescending shake of the head before turning back to me.

  ‘Why don’t you come over before and we’ll find you something to wear?’ she offers. ‘Blake needs to drive over here first anyway. We always take his car.’

  I quickly glance at Dixie’s current outfit. It’s almost something I would wear, if I thought I could pull it off. Hey, what do I have to lose?

  ‘Sounds great,’ I agree.

  Blake remains rather quiet on the way home, only turning towards me onc
e we’ve pulled up outside my house.

  ‘You know,’ he starts shyly, as if nervous. ‘Nathan’s not the only one who can go to the art galleries with you.’

  I snort. ‘Really, you have the patience for art?’

  Blake blinks.

  ‘Of course I have patience for art!’

  I burst into laughter at his reaction and Blake scowls.

  ‘That sounds like fun, I might take you up on that,’ I say at last. Blake’s expression brightens and we say goodnight as I get out of the car. I let myself in, only to find the house empty, a note telling me he is off celebrating his promotion with Nadine, probably at a bar or something.

  I get into bed but can’t seem to sleep, my thoughts going back to Blake’s words in the car before we had gotten to Dixie’s.

  The key still sits on my bedside table, and after staring at it for goodness knows how long I finally reach for my phone.

  With determination, I type the words, Hey, Jay. Up for another road trip?

  After hitting the send button I put the phone down, an odd weight lifting off my shoulders.

  It doesn’t take Jay long to reply.

  CHAPTER 19

  ‘I cannot believe I let you talk me into this,’ I sigh, looking over at Blake, who smirks.

  ‘Well, let’s face it, it didn’t take much persuading did it?’ he grins, ignoring the glare I send him.

  ‘Hey, buddy, you have to be nice, remember? If you think about it, the state of this reputation of yours all depends on how I decide to play it tonight,’ I muse.

  Although Blake tends to hang out with Dixie and her crew, Blake is well acquainted with some of the richer inhabitants of the town thanks to his ties to Charity. It is this social circle he is trying to keep intact tonight.

  It struck me as strange that Dixie and the rest are going to one of Charity’s parties, or have even been invited in the first place, since I’m pretty sure they all hate her, but it turns out they’re all on fairly good terms with the girl because of their school days. Although, admittedly, this is something Dixie tells me is forced on her behalf.

  Dixie and I have that in common apparently.