Chapter 33 - "Half Term Boredom..."

Clara's PoV

'So I'll see you when I get back' I said standing on my tip toes and hugging Matt tightly.

'I'm going to miss you. We've technically only been dating two weeks but I'm going to miss you so much' he mumbled into my mouth as Richard wandered in and started making gagging sounds.

'Gross. I come to get my suitcase and what do I witness? Tonsil tennis?' He scoffed. 'Blugh'

'I don't know what we look like' Matt mumbled. 'But I bet you and Lilly are worse'

'I highly doubt that' he said shielding his eyes.

'Do you have to to?' He mumbled again, bringing his hands up and down my waist and ribs, gently brushing over the top that I had on making me want more of his mouth.

'Unfortunately yes. My Dad would get really angry if he drove all the way down here for me to say I wasn't coming home - next time I'll stay'

'Is that a promise?'

'It is' I giggled, as he kissed me again. 'God I've suffered a well without you and it was awful. Who knows that two days will be like?'

'I'll be back early Friday morning' I mumbled again, as he hugged me again and my phone vibrated again. 'Okay. I really have to go now' I said letting go.

- - -

'You can let go now sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere' Mum chuckled as I kept a firm grip on her waist.

'I know. But it's been so long'

'She never hugs me like that' Dad grumbled, and in a way he was right. When I was little I was seriously a Dads girl. We used to be so close.

But I guess after the hormones kicked in - I wanted to be seen more with Mum - like hanging around with your Dad was deemed as uncool, but it wasn't really that, it's just that once you've started your period it's not exactly a conversation you want to have with your Dad.

'Come on let's go. I can't wait to get home'

'You could just come home for good' Dad scoffed.

'No way. I love OakHill' I grinned, jumping in the back seat of the car, which wasn't a lie - but I love Matt more than the school. I love the school because I love Matt.

- - -

'Who is it that you keep spending your entire time attached to that bloody thing for?' Dad scoffed as I looked at my phone again.

It was for the umpteenth time this hour, I just wasn't being as subtle about it as I originally thought I was.

'No one. Just a game' I smiled as my phone vibrated and I pounced for it.

'Bloody hell Clara. Anyone would think that was your lawyer getting in touch the way you jumped for that thing'

'It's no one. Like I said... A game' I mumbled running up the stairs with it and tapped away.

I had been worried about the fact that he hadn't texted me back, then I thought I was being a little clingy, then I figured that maybe he was busy or that he didn't want to talk all in the same 30 minutes but it turns out he was just out running.

'Come on then. Who is it that your talking too?' Mum said stubbornly as she walked through the door and closed it behind her.

'What do you mean?'

'Who are you watching your phone for? It's obviously for somebody' she smirked. 'You've never been this excited about friends'

'He's not just a friend' I blurted out as I looked up from my phone with widened eyes. 'Shit'

'Language'

'Oh crap' I said going round in circles.

'So a boy huh?'

'Please don't tell Dad. He'll never let me go back to that school if he knows I've got a boyfriend'

'Boyfriend?' She said astounded.

'I--. I'm not completely sure. I mean we're seeing each other' I mumbled.

'Boyfriend?' She said still in shock.

'Your saying that like its a bad thing' I mumbled.

'It's not a bad thing at all but you've only been there for a few weeks. You don't think this boy is using you?' She smiled assuringly.

She was suddenly getting all parent like on me but I guess it was within reason really - considering that she was my mother and as much as I hate it - she's just doing what's best for me.

'He's not just a friend. He's like my best friend. I met him on the first day and he's been so nice to me since. He's looked after me the whole time'

'So what's his name?'

'Matt'

'And he's in your year?'

'Of course he is Mum. Why would I bother dating anyone that is older than me?  Chances are it just wouldn't work out'

'You got a picture? I need to give him my mother seal of approval when it comes to attractiveness. I want him to be good enough for my little girl'

'He is' I nodded, cringing internally at her use of attractiveness. I don't want my Mothers seal of approval about who I date.

I pulled up a selfie of me and Matt and flicked through a couple of other photos, realising that I had a lot of photos of him on my phone already - some of which I couldn't say that I even recognised. There was some selfies that he must have taken himself when I wasn't looking.

'He's a good one. And you like him?'

'I don't know. I'm 15. I don't see why I can't just be innocently friends with Matt without people jumping to conclusions' I shrugged, locking my phone screen, just as it buzzed again.

'Do you want to get that?'

'Not until you leave the room' I scoffed.

'Okay. I relent. Just be careful' she chuckled, shaking her head in amusement about the whole thing.

- - -

'Do you do anything other than lay around on your ass? Can you not go outside and get some fresh air?' Dad mumbled.

'It's half term Dad and it's October - what difference does it make?'

'You must have homework or something to do?'

'Nope. Did all my essays and things before I left for half term. All I have to decide is when I go back to school. Could you take me back Friday? It's my friends birthday' I shrugged.

'Do I look like a taxi service?' He mumbled, leaving the room as I put my finishing touches to the portrait of Matt ready to wrap.

I was going to leave it there but I couldn't be sure that he wouldn't go rummaging around my room while I was gone.

- - -

'I'm ready to go. Come on. I need to get back' I said, staring at my phone realising that it was ridiculously early and that Matt certainly wouldn't be up - but I had, had my Dad up since 6am just so that he could drive me back.

'It's snowing even more now Ellie. We need to get going before we get snowed in'

'Dave. Don't you think we should just book a hotel? It seems a little dangerous to be driving in the snow' she said worriedly.

'Well the longer we hang around here - the longer we are more likely to get snowed in' he scoffed opening the door.

'Bye Mum. See you at Christmas' I grinned.

'Be good and don't make any silly decisions' she said trying to make me aware of dangers and shit but I've heard it all before.

'I'll be fine Mum. See you at Christmas' I said hugging her even more and then waving goodbye after she had kissed my forehead.

I was suddenly very happy to be back but very sad about then having left. Of course my Dad did my head in for the entire week - so I'm glad to be away from him.