05

« How did you get here ? » asked Rose sipping her flat white. I wrinkled my nose, for as long as I could remember I hated coffee. There was something about it that put me right to sleep and made me drowsy, the opposite react from every other normal person in here probably.

I sipped my chocolate chiller and wrapped my arms around my mid section trying to keep warm. It was raining softly outside and the sun had disappeared under the thick blanket of clouds, so much for a warm day I thought.

« Front door ? »

Rose stared at me with a sarcastic expression on her face and I giggled.

« I jumped the fence into my neighbours and then out, » I said shrugging. Rose groaned shaking her head with her mouth slightly open.

« I knew there was a reason you played hockey all through high school, for the wrong team too » she said.

I smiled. In hockey we always jumped fences to get into the pitch. No one could be bothered to walk and open the fence that was on the other side and even Coach gave up bringing the keys after a month.

Playing in a guys team also made me more flexible and athletic, the atmosphere was just difference. I frowned, it held both my good and sad memories.

« Okay you got here, fine. How are you going to get back ? » she asked. I shrugged taking another large sip of cold chocolate that was starting to jam my straw which was really annoying.

« The same way ? »

« Really Rose, what if you neighbours see you ? » she asked. I shrugged, they were on a holiday or something. Maybe I could take the back entrance. I don’t think there was a house at the back. I checked the time, I had been here for more than an hour enjoying the warmth.

The rain had seemed to stop and I stood up finishing my drink as Rose.

« We should get back, » I sighed. I didn’t want to leave this place. Making sure both my hat and glasses were secure I walked towards the door Rose following beside me tucking my arm through hers. I sighed, it had been a long time since I felt enjoyment like this.

Maybe next week we were allowed to go somewhere else. Maybe I could check up with Margret, I think I pulled a muscle when jumping over the fences, there was a reason they were there in the first place.

« Are you coming over ? » I asked Rose as we walked down the familiar road making sure to keep away from view which was hard when Rose stuck out like a sore thumb.

« Maybe not for a while, you both should get to know each other, » she said. I scoffed, oh yes know each other. How were we meant to do that when he wanted me away from him unless social events.

I looked ahead watching as a car came closer and cursed.

« Shit ! »

« What’s wrong ? » asked Rose looking up at me her bright blue eyes in caution.

« That’s his car, » I said watching the car turn around the corner.

« You said you were allowed to come out, »

« I was, » I said nodding, ‘But not I’m not sure if he was joking or not. And if he saw me he might take it back, » giving Rose a quick hug I ran to the back street in my house. My heart was pounding in my chest and my breathe was ragged, oh boy I was so out of shape.

I saw the white and red roof of our house and slowed down from the back.

Time to climb this.

This was in fact easier then the neighbours, there was nothing behind her house and even if the fence had no hoisting leverage from the wood I managed to get myself to the top.

I looked down into the muddy area and sighed, here goes nothing.

I tried carefully lowering myself down but slipped landing on my bum in the mud making an awful squelching noise.

I sat up brushing away as much mud as I could when I heard the back door open.

« There you are, I was wondering where you were dearie, » said Margret walking out. I stood up plucking sticks from my hair.

« Oh yes, just enjoying the nice weather ? »

Margret ushered me inside and I sighed, back to what was my equivalent of a prison.

« Go freshen up dear and get warm in bed, I’ll bring your lunch up today, » she said. I sighed nodding as I walked up the stairs. I had taken my shoes off outside so I wouldn’t leave mud and make it a big mess but the floor was freezing. I should get her to switch on the ducted heating.

Darius came down the corridor as I walked up the last step and towards my bedroom. I felt his eyes take in my appearance and winced, great impression Ivy, just look like a mud man. I walked right past him not even making eye contact. He wanted to play hostile, I could do that just as well.

I groaned as I sneezed again a loud high pitched sneeze that shook my whole body. Margret shook her head at me from the other side.

« This is what you get for being out in the rain dearie, »

I didn’t say anything but cover myself in another warm blanket shivering. It was freezing.

« Eat something, I’ll be back. The cook made fresh hot cross buns » she said excited. I nodded smiling at her. Hot cross buns were soft buns with chocolate or fruit in them, they were usually popular at Easter.

Cuddling into my bed I closed my eyes immediately enjoying the warmth around me. I was just falling asleep when the door opened and I heard someone enter the room. There was a rich cologne smell in the air but I was too tired to open my eyes.

It was probably Margret. I wanted to tell her I would eat later but my body had already taken me into a sleep.