Warrior (working title) by Shannon Jade Middleton (best reads .TXT) 📕

As December rolled round I was stuck wondering whether I would be getting presents for Nathan and Robin. I’d never really had friends that I was close to; did they get each other Christmas presents. I decided that it would be a good idea to get them something little, that way I had gotten them something if they got something for me and if they hadn’t then it wasn’t a big deal that I had got them something. I decided to ask mum for help when I got home.

All of a sudden I turned a corner on my way to the bathroom and caught a glimpse of something that I hadn’t seen at all of my time at the school so far. A girl in my year was standing over a boy, who by the colour on his tie I guessed was in year 8, and shouting at him and kicking his books across the floor. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as I debated what to do. I wanted to help the kid out, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t get into a situation where I could potentially get expelled again. Mum would be furious and no other school would let me in.

I did something that I hope I never have to do again. I turned around and walked away.

The act made me feel physically sick and I went straight to my next class forgetting that I ever needed the bathroom.

When lunch came around Robin was oblivious but Nathan knew that something was wrong. I didn’t tell him what it was. I just laughed it off and said I wasn’t feeling well; which wasn’t entirely untrue.

That night I completely forgot to ask for my mum’s help in choosing presents.

The next day the incident was still clear in my mind but I managed to block it out with the sounds of music that I blasted too loud through my ear phones. I hadn’t done my maths homework the previous night, so I did it half heartedly as we waited for the teacher to come in. She didn’t notice luckily as I handed her the sheet with half of the answers made up.

By lunch time I was pretty much back to my normal self and even managed to laugh at one of Nathan’s stories from a time when he and his sister Selena were having a food fight across the table at tea time with their parents. I had yet to meet his sister and to be completely honest I hadn’t even known her name until that conversation. Nathan and Robin were the only people I knew, I didn’t pay attention to any of the people in my classes because I didn’t see the point; I already had two awesome friends. Why should I over complicate my life?

Mock exams would be the first week back after Christmas giving us the half term to revise. I’m not going to lie, I was dreading them. I just had a feeling that I wasn’t going to do very well.

“-all of us? Or are we doing a secret Santa?” I clocked in to half of Robin’s sentence.

“Secret Santa could be fun, I mean there’s only three of us, but it means we only have to get one present each.” I agreed with Nathan’s logic and watched as Robin scribbled or names of three ripped pieces of paper and folded them twice.

“If you get your own name then we’ll pick again.” Nathan said as he picked a piece of paper off the table. Robin took his next and smiled to himself. I grabbed mine and had it had a roughly scribbled ‘Robin’ on it. I also smiled and put the pice of paper in my pocket.

“I guess I’ll have to go and get something for one of you then.” I stated as the bell went and we began to clear up. “Wait. What’s the price limit?” I asked.

“£10,” Robin stated as he quickly made his way to his lesson. I followed his lead and went to biology- which I wasn’t doing very well in at the moment.

After school I went home and began brainstorming for what I could get for Robin. I know that he liked music and was obsessed with that Japanese anime stuff. He was always talking about some series he was watching or re watching. I could get him something to do with that. I decided to look online for ideas. Finally I found stuff merchandise for an anime series that he always talked about, “Attack on Titan” it was his favourite, or at least it’s the one he talked about the most. I saw a few random things, but then I found a backpack that looked to be just his style with black and green. It was perfect for him because his current back pack was falling apart at the seams. It barely carried his books any more and seemed as though it would completely break at any second. It was also on offer at £7.99 with £3 shipping. Going £1 over doesn’t count if it’s on shipping.

“Mum can I have £11 to buy this present for secret Santa?” I shouted down the stairs. I got a reply quickly, “if you want something then come and ask me properly.”

I laughed at the classic “mum” quote and lifted my laptop up to carry it downstairs.

“I said,” I started when I entered the living room “can I please have £11 to get this for my secret Santa person?” Mum took the laptop from me and had a look at the bag.

“Who’s it for? And what’s the logo?” She asked.

“It’s for Robin, and it’s his favourite anime series, he’s obsessed with it and his current bag is falling to bits, so I thought it would be a good present. And I want it to be here by next week, so can I get it?” I smiled and pulled the puppy dog eyes. She rolled her eyes at me and held back a laugh as she walked over to her bag and pulled out her purse. After handing me her card she said “order it and give the card straight back. I don’t want you ordering anything other than that bag, I need all the money I have for your Christmas present,” I didn’t ask what my present was because I knew that she wouldn’t answer. Instead I gave her my most sincere smile and nodded that I would just get the bag.

When that was done mum ordered pizza because she couldn’t be bothered cooking and we pigged out before I went to bed. The next day was Friday and I wasn’t looking forward to double maths first thing in the morning.

To Be Continued...

Publication Date: 08-08-2016

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