Nothing Ever Happens Here by Sarah Hagger-Holt

Author:Sarah Hagger-Holt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

I’m not sure how long it is before I move. Before I notice that I’m shivering, and that it’s getting dark. I can see that the streetlights are on, and I know that Mum and Dad will be expecting me home. Even so, it’s a struggle to move my feet. I don’t know if I can face them. Maybe if I just don’t think about this…

I let myself in and wince at how bright and loud the house is. The curtains are drawn against the night and all the lights are blazing. The TV is on full blast, and Mum is singing to herself in the kitchen. Jamie runs up and demands I play with him.

“Sorry, Jamie, not right now,” I say, surprised that my voice comes out sounding almost normal.

“That was a long rehearsal,” says Mum, as she comes out of the kitchen. She gives me a peck on the cheek. “Go on, don’t just stand there, take your coat off, we’re about to eat.”

“Actually, Mum, I’m not feeling that hungry,” I say quietly. “I think I might just go to my room and lie down if that’s okay.”

Mum turns back. She puts her hand under my chin, and pushes it up gently so that she can look me in the eye. I notice we’re almost the same height. I can’t hold her gaze for long.

“Are you okay?” she asks softly. “It’s not like you not to want to eat.”

“I’m fine, just a bit tired, and there’s this bug going round at school, so I think I’ll just…”

“Nothing bad’s happened, has it?” she interrupts.

I shake my head, not quite trusting myself to speak.

Thankfully, Jamie runs out and wraps himself round Mum’s knees. “Mummy, I’m hungry. I’m so hungry I’m going to explode into a million, billion pieces – and Izzy won’t even play with me,” he moans.

“Keep yourself together, Jamie, we’re just about to eat. Okay then, Izzy, get yourself to bed. I’ll bring you up something in a bit – or come down if you feel better.” She continues, “I wonder if you girls all do too much, perhaps sometimes you should just slow it down a bit, concentrate on your school work, not all this extra stuff.”

I lie down on my bed. I feel like there’s no space left in my head. The comments from Lucas, the conversation with Sam, the argument with Grace – it’s all too much for one day.

I pull on my pyjamas, and get out my phone in case Grace calls. I put it on the bedside table, close at hand.

I wonder about messaging her. I pick up the phone. Then put it down again. Then pick it up. I want to…but what would I say? After what she said, she should be the one to apologize to me.

I pull out the crumpled piece of paper from under the corner of the mattress and smooth it out on my lap. I read again where Grace has written, SUPERSTAR. BEST FRIENDS FOR EVER, and then I start to slowly scrunch up the paper in my fist.

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