Emeli

If Wayne is questioning my trust, then he needs to be taught about me. I can keep secrets.

When I rose up from my bed, I could hear voices coming from downstairs. This doesn’t happen very often. Only when my parents have to be at work really early.

I go downstairs. The minute I walk into the kitchen, both of them turn to face me and boy, they do not look very happy.

Situated on the table is a long and thin white envelope with the school logo on it. I don’t remember picking it up. Oh, I was at Wayne’s.

Mum takes her finger and points towards it. In other words, she is telling me to open it. I start to feel very nervous. What could I have done?

I slowly open the envelope and out falls an exam result paper. Oh, my results. I look up to see if they look pleased but they are looking very cross. I am now dreading this.

I read the paper. My face sort of lights up. I have passed virtually all of my subjects. so, why don’t my parents look pleased?

‘It’s OK.’ I say just to reassure them. ‘I passed.’

Mum looks at me and takes the paper out of my hand. She then points to the exam result for Maths. I read the result. Oh no! I got an F! My parents have warned me what would happen if I got bad grades.

‘We are very disappointed Emeli.’ Dad says to me in an angry tone. I start to feel tears pricking behind my eyes.

‘This just isn’t good enough. You are almost fifteen years old Emeli and this is a very important time for you.’ Mum adds.

For once, I feel ashamed. It is totally not my fault that I don’t understand arithmetic well.

‘I have made up my mind what we are going to do with you.’ Mum says to me. ‘We have decided to send you to LadyhurstCollege in the West Country.’

I am stunned. They are banishing me to this boarding school! No Wayne! I just cannot believe it.

‘When do I go?’ I ask.

‘You will go there next week.’ My Dad replied.

I feel really shaken up. How can I get away from this? I wish that this was all a terrible nightmare but it wasn’t.

I am going to boarding school.

Wayne

Something feels rather wired when I wake up. Then, it hits me. Yesterday I told Emeli that my Dad is in prison.

I leave the flat in good time, eating my toast as I go. How I did not choke during the walk to school, I really don’t know.

I don’t see Emeli at all. I do hope that she isn’t unwell because I want to see her. She might be somewhere else.

Jess is by the school gates looking in all directions. Clearly, she is also looking for Emeli. She notices me and walks over.

‘Hi Wayne! Have you seen Emeli at all?’ she asks.

‘No. Not since yesterday.’ I reply.

Jess and I look around until the bell goes. Clearly, Emeli is running late.

At formroom, Emeli’s absence is noticed. She is the only student absent. Today is quite an important day for the year 10s. It is Study Skills Afternoon.

Then... She arrives...

Halfway during maths. In the middle of another lecture about the importance of Algebra. Emeli walks in. Her face pale, her eyes very red. My heart stops. Something serious has clearly happened.

‘Why are you late!!!’ roars Mr Zucker’s voice.

Emeli’s mouth starts to quiver then she runs out of the room slamming the door. Oh my gosh. Emeli is hysterical.

Me and Jess look at one another before running out after her.

‘Wayne Martin! Jess Angelo! Come back here now!’ bellows Mr Zucker from the classroom. We both ignore him.

We find Emeli crying in the school library. She looks completely torn. Jess takes her hand.

‘Oh Jess. This is goodbye.’ wiles Emeli. We both look confused. She notices me.

‘Oh Wayne.’ she whispers. ‘Oh Wayne.’ I take her hand.

‘What has happened?’ asks Jess.

‘They are sending me to boarding school. In the West Country called LadyhurstCollege.’ Emeli whispers.

‘Why?’ I ask.

‘Because I got an F in my Maths exam!’ Emeli replies before bursting into tears.

My heart yearns for Emeli. She really cannot leave me. She can’t.

‘I will go and fetch Mrs Hander. She will know what to do.’ said Jess.

Me and Emeli watch as Jess runs off to find Mrs Hander.

‘Emeli, do you love me?’ I ask.

‘Yes I do.’ she replies.

‘Will you go out on a moonlight picnic with me tonight?’ I ask.

‘Yes Wayne.’ she replies.

I brush some of her fringe away so that I can kiss her on the cheek. I give her a kiss. She smiles.

The bell rings. I leave Emeli so that I can get some break.

Emeli

I just couldn’t help it. I had my very first outburst. In front of everyone. I regret it so much but at the time, I couldn’t think of any other reaction.

I am late for maths. I know perfectly well that Mr Zucker goes barmy if anyone is late. He just never seems in a good mood.

I open the door. The class look up at me and Mr Zucker loses it completely. I am fed up of everyone. They are all watching the drama unfold. I burst into fresh tears and I run off slamming the door behind me.

I run and run. I have no idea where I am going. I end up in the school library. This is where all of the geeks hang out. You can’t blame them. I sit down and cry.

I hear voices after a while. I look up and release that it is Jess and Wayne. How they got out of Mr Zucker’s class I really don’t know.

I cannot think straight.

I am so shaken and afraid. How will Jess and Wayne react? I cannot lie to them. During a mixture of crying, I break the news that I am being banished to boarding school. I tell them the reason why I am being banished. Wayne and Jess are so shocked.

Jess runs off to find Mrs Hander. I don’t know what she can do to help. Wayne stays with me.

He asks me if I love him. I reply that I do love him. Then he asks me out on a moonlight picnic date. How can I refuse? I accept his offer. He gives a small smile. Gently, he then brushes away some of my fringe and kisses me on the cheek. I smile just as the bell rings.

Wayne goes to get some break and Jess arrives with Mrs Hander.

I still don’t know what she can do to help.

Wayne 

After a day of twists and turns, I arrive at the local park feeling rather nervous. I hoped that Emeli would be feeling a little bit happier.

I start to set up the picnic. I brought some food and drinks which I think Emeli likes. I stand on the mat and I wait.

I keep constantly checking the time on my watch. Every minute feels like an hour. I wait and wait.

At about 8PM, a girl runs over towards me. It is Emeli! She is wearing a beautiful black dress with a silver necklace and bracelet. My gosh she looks very beautiful. My heart is beating fast.

I take her hand. ‘You look so beautiful.’

Emeli blushes a little ‘You look very handsome.’

We both admire one another for a few moments before sitting down.

‘How did you get out?’ I ask.

‘Climbed out of the bedroom window and over the garden wall.’ she replies.

I am amazed. And yet, she didn’t ruin her outfit.

We both eat some food still holding hands. I love her.

‘Shall we stargaze?’ I ask.

‘Certainly my wonderful Wayne.’ replies Emeli.

Together, we admire the stars and the bright full moon. Suddenly, Emeli starts shivering.

‘Are you cold Emeli?’ I ask.

‘A little.’ she replies.

‘Let me warm you up.’ I said.

I take my arms and hug Emeli. Emeli rests her head on my shoulder. I look down on her. She looks very happy.

Then, the big moment of truth. My first kiss.

I gently move so that Emeli sits up. I place my hand on her chin and I gently pull her towards me. Our lips touch. This is it. Then, we start to kiss.

I don’t want to ever let go of her. We kiss for a little while, both of us giggling.

After a short time, we both pull away from one another. She looks breathless. I feel on top of the world.

‘I love you Emeli. You are brighter and prettier then all of the stars in the sky.’ I said to her.

‘I love you too Wayne. You are the most wonderful boy that I have ever known.’ she replies.

We both cuddle for a while before getting up and start to pack away the picnic. The time is well past ten.

‘Goodbye Emeli.’ I say to her.

‘Bye Wayne.’ Emeli replies.

I wave goodbye as she turns and runs off. I smile to myself.

I gave Emeli her first kiss.

Emeli

Mrs Hander turned out to be very helpful. I can’t believe that I almost blamed Jess for making that choice.

Basically, she sat down and spoke to me. I had to go through the story again telling her every last bit of detail. She said that she was going to speak to my parents about the matter. I can’t change schools now.

I dreaded walking home. But I called myself a chicken when I opened the door and noticed that no-one was at home.

I ran upstairs to look for something to wear. My wardrobe is full to the brim of clothes. It wasn’t long before my eyes settled on a black dress. I tried it on and poised in front of the bedroom mirror. It looked perfect. I race around looking for my jewellery box. When I do find it, I take out a silver necklace and bracelet. I smile. My outfit is complete.

At dinner, I am too excited to eat anything but I have to otherwise my parents would get suspicious. All I think about is Wayne.

At about seven, Mum bustles into my room carrying a basket of clean laundry.

‘Here it is Emeli. The clothes for Ladyhurst.’ Mum said as she held up a red blazer with a red and black striped tie. That I think looks hideous but I dare not say so.

‘Get an early night. No laziness tomorrow!’ Mum orders. I slowly nod. She turns and shuts the door behind her. Thank goodness she didn’t look in the wardrobe. 

I slip into my black dress. I am feeling quite nervous but also excited at the same time. I also put my silver jewellery on and my pumps. I finish with some light make-up and a black glittery bag.

‘Look at me.’ I thought to myself. I just couldn’t believe how grown-up I looked. The next thing is, how am I going to sneak out?

I look around and spot my bedroom window. That is my escape route.

I slowly climb out of the window and successfully land on the wall before climbing down in the lane behind my house. I did it!

I run to the park. And... I spot him. My jaw drops. Wayne looks incredibly handsome. He spots me. I run over to join him.

He takes my hand and we sit down to eat. Wayne knows me well because he has chosen all of the things that I like.

He asks me how I escaped. I tell him about my escapade. He laughs. I smile.

Both of us decide to do some stargazing. (Well, this is a moonlight picnic after all!)

After a while, I start to shiver. I am such a fool not to bring a jacket with me. Wayne realises that I am shivering, so he hugs me. I rest my head on his shoulder.

Then... Romance!

He stirs a little. I sit up confused. By then, he takes his hand and places it under my chin. He pulls me towards him. And we start to kiss. Just like that.

Both of us giggle as our love is flowing out. When we pull away I have no idea what to say.

He said that I was brighter then all of the stars in the sky. I pay him a return compliment. I say that he is the most wonderful boy. And, he is...

It is just after ten when we start to pack up. I don’t want to let go of him. We both say our goodbyes. I feel rather emotional as we say bye.

I turn and run towards home. I am rather worried that Mum and Dad have noticed that I have escaped.

I slowly climb onto the wall and I walk along. My bedroom light is still on. I climb up through the open window and I land back in my room.

No sign of any angry parents. I must have gotten away with it.

I dress for bed rather quickly. I put back everything where I found it and slowly I climb into bed.

Time to sleep.