The next few weeks were great.

Although we were busy with school and homework, at least a few of us managed to sit together at recess and lunch at one time or another, and a couple times we caught up on the weekends.

And just getting used to having Darcy around as part of our group was nice.

On the few weekends I was able to properly talk to her without having to rush through food or sneakily text her in class, I learnt that her favourite colours were blue and green, she's obsessed with pretty much any music you can think of, and she wants to get a spaniel one day.

She still hadn't said much at all about where she lives before now, or why she moved. I think her parents had a messy breakup or something and she and her mum had to move.

Sometimes I get a bit worried, because she would get on the bus and have dark circles under her eyes and her expression would be sad or fearful. But Ally always made Darcy sit beside her so by the time we got to school you couldn't tell anymore, and I hadn't gotten around to asking her about it.

Then my parents invited Darcy and her mum over for dinner.

It's rare that they're not busy, so one night when they didn't have any previous engagements, Mum decided it would be nice to have the new neighbours over.

"She seemed like such a lovely lady when we talked to her, Colin," Mum said to Dad the evening before, as they got ready to go to a meeting. "And Alessia and Tennyson really enjoy Darcy's company."

"I'm not protesting," said Dad. I could hear them clearly from my bedroom, because Mum had left my door open and I was too lazy to get up and close it. "As long as you arrange it, Tina," he continued. "And don't overwhelm the poor woman. You told me yourself that she appears to working very hard to establish her therapy business here, at least that's what you've gathered from her social media."

"I won't overwhelm her!" Mum said.

"Alright, sure," teased Dad. Then he must have looked at the time because there was an "oh shit! We're late! Come on Tina, we have to go right now." I heard footsteps thumping down the stairs.

"I'm coming!" said Mum. "Bye Tennyson, bye Darcy!" she called as she rushed down the stairs. "Love you both! Tennyson, don't forget to feed the cats!" and the door slammed shut.

•••

The doorbell rang and Ally sprang to her feet and was at the door before I could even sit up and switch off the TV.

"Hi Darcy! Hi Mrs Stewart! Come in, come in!"

I stood up just as Ally led them into the lounge room and Mum came in from the dining. I gave Darcy a quick hug and waved a bit awkwardly at her mum. Thankfully Mum saved the moment by warmly embracing Mrs Stewart and smiling happily at Darcy.

"Welcome, welcome!" she said, beaming at Darcy's mum. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Mrs Stewart smiled back. "Thank you! I'm really glad too."

Mum sighed happily. "I have SO much I want to ask you about," she said, "but first, would you like a hot drink?"

"That would be lovely," said Mrs Stewart.

They walked off to the kitchen, and Darcy, Ally and I grinned at each other.

"So!" said Ally. "Do you want a tour?"

Since all going to Darcy's when she was sick, the few times we'd caught up had been at June's, because her house was closest to everyone, and it was just easier because her dad is really chill. So Darcy hadn't seen the inside of our house yet, despite living next door.

Ally grabbed her hand and dragged her out the lounge room and I followed slowly. As Ally explained in detail about the antique candlesticks we keep on the dining table, Darcy laughing and nodding along, I thought about how this house might look to her.

I mean, her mum mad enough money, and Darcy seemed well provided for, I guess; but, much as I hated to admit it, my family was, well, rich.

And because Mum loved interior design, I'd say our house was pretty fancy.

But Darcy didn't seem too overwhelmed, and as Ally pulled her up the stairs, she looked back and smiled at me.

•••

"So, Darcy," Dad asked across the table. "What do you want to do when you're older?"

Darcy, sitting in between me and Ally, swallowed a bite of her potato. "Um... I don't really know." She bit her lip and frowned before continuing. "I don't want to be rude or anything, but I feel like there's a lot of pressure on teens, like, to make big decisions about their future when they're still figuring out what life is all about. And the way people always ask what we want to do when we're 'grown up'" she made quotation marks with her fingers "like that's the most important thing, like, as if what we do now doesn't matter or isn't important at all. But...I don't know, like, um, yeah." She shrugged and took a gulp of water. "Sorry."

Dad was grinning. "Wow, Sarah, looks like you have a thinker here," he said to Mrs Stewart. "That was very well said, Darcy."

Darcy flushed and smiled as Ally and I chorused "yeah, it was cool".

"Thanks," she said.

"So, Darcy," Dad started again. "What do you want to do now? Do you have any passions? Favourite subjects?"

"I really love music," said Darcy. "Piano and singing, especially."

"And she's really good!" exclaimed Ally before I could.

"I'm not..." protested Darcy, blushing.

"Yes you are, Darcy, don't be stupid," her mum said calmly, taking another bite of steak.

I laughed. "You are," I agreed, making her blush again.

•••

We were sitting on Ally's floor playing cards.

"One six," said Ally, putting her card face down.

"Cheat!" Darcy said immediately.

Ally groaned and picked up the pile. "Your can't play cheat with three people," she complained. She threw her cards everywhere, making Darcy laugh.

"You're gonna have to clean that up, you know," I said.

Ally groaned again and started crawling around to gather the cards.

"Darcy?" I said, leaning back against the bed. "Do you-" I was interrupted by a phone ringing

Darcy picked up her phone, which was lying on the floor beside her. "Private number," she said. She swiped answer, putting it up to her ear. "Hello, Darcy speaking."

In reply I heard, faintly but clearly, a man's voice. "Darcy, sweet, how are you?"

Darcy's face whitened and she immediately hung up, her breathing shaky.

"Darcy, who was that?" Ally asked on concern.

Darcy chewed her fingernail, seeming to have a quick battle inside. "It was my dad."

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AAAAAAAHHHHH I'M ALIVE I'm so sorry I haven't updated in like seven billion years oh god. I was suffering horribly from writer's block and so this chapter is really boring and filler but you know, at least it's something! I know the story has been kinda generic and bland so far but I'm planning some drama hehehe >:)

So feel free to vote and plz drop a comment and let me know what you thought!

Btw friends4awhilehuh ur so amazing and supportive ilysm ❤️❤️❤️❤️

AND ALSO EVERYONE ELSE I LEGIT ACTUAL LOVE YOU ALL WOO

Anyhoo, hopefully I'll update again soon 😅

Don't forget to drink some water and listen to music :):):) Riss 😘