Keep the Faith

by Candy Harper

  I was looking over people’s heads at the entrance, still waiting for Ethan to appear.

  ‘I’m not sure he’s even coming,’ Megs said. She was starting to sound a bit shrill.

  ‘Didn’t he come with Cam?’

  Megs hesitated in an extremely shifty way. ‘You know there are some really fit Year Elevens here. Cam knows a boy who’s always being rude to his teachers; you’d like him.’

  ‘Can I sit with you two?’ Westy said. ‘That lot are a bit immature.’

  I thought Megs was going to wave him away, but she said, ‘Faith, I’m going to get you a very sugary drink and then we need to have a chat. Westy, don’t let her move.’

  I wasn’t really listening; I was starting to panic that maybe Ethan wouldn’t show.

  Westy plonked himself down. ‘You all right, Faith?’

  ‘Yeah, fine.’

  ‘Are you upset about you and Finn? I heard you split up.’

  I shrugged. I actually hadn’t thought about Finn for several days.

  ‘Sorry if you’re sad. But he didn’t deserve you because you’re . . . you’re really nice.’ Westy was squirming a bit.

  ‘Thanks, but I’m not that bothered about Finn really.’

  ‘That’s great!’ Westy grinned. ‘So why are you looking worried? Why don’t you tell Westy what the problem is? Go on, you know me; I’m good at keeping secrets. I’m very quiet. Hardly speak. Don’t mix much. Nothing will shock me. You can say anything you like.’

  I caught sight of some curly hair and my heart leapt. But it wasn’t Ethan. ‘It’s nothing,’ I said.

  ‘Is it your love life?’

  ‘I’m fine, Westy.’

  ‘Maybe you’re dating the wrong kind of boy. Have you thought about trying something more in the lovable bear range?’

  ‘Very funny.’

  ‘All that good looks and charm must get tiring after a while though, don’t they?’

  He looked so hopeful that I couldn’t help laughing. ‘If it did then we’d all go off you, wouldn’t we?’

  Westy coloured right up which was really very sweet. ‘Er, Faith?’ he said.

  Elliot came past our table on the way to the loos.

  ‘Have you seen Ethan?’ I asked him.

  ‘Yeah, he’s downstairs with some St Mildred’s girls.’

  I stood up.

  ‘Hang on, Faith,’ Westy said. ‘I wanted to ask you something.’

  ‘I’ll be back in a sec!’ I called over my shoulder.

  I smoothed my hair and tried to walk down the stairs in a casual yet devastatingly attractive way. Below me I could see the glossy heads of a pack of St Minger’s; trust them to be cluttering up the place. I hoped that Dawn wasn’t one of the ones talking to Ethan.

  ‘Faith, wait!’ Megs yelled from the top of the stairs.

  But it was too late.

  I’d already spotted Ethan.

  And Dawn.

  They weren’t talking. They were kissing.

  Now what am I supposed to do?