Girl Trouble (Completed) - Ayesha Azhar (graded readers .TXT) 📗

stretched as I brought myself into a sitting postition. Every part of me hurt. I only wanted to lie down again and forget everything. But I knew I would have to go to school today, first because even though it was the weekend, but Mr Owen's had sheduled rehearsal today.It was 6th June today, the dress rehearsal was on 9th June, so there was really no time.I couldn't miss that. And for the other, bacause I had to face Jake. And Ashley. I breathed heavily. I had sworn yesterday, as I cried myself to sleep, that I wouldn't let those two mess me around. I would be strong. Not just Steph anymore. I would be Stephanie Moore.

   I would have to face Mummy too today. What would I say to her? She should want me to eat something. I sighed, even though I had not eaten anything the whole of yesterday, apart from the little breakfast I had had, I didnot feel hungry. I felt empty, yes, weak, but not hungry. Not prune to any sort of human needs. I was stron now, much stronger then I had been yesterday. My resolution would hold. It was so weird, how one sad news could drive you into the depths of despair, but at the same time, also give you strength.A reaon to live. And my reason to live now, was to show everyone that I could survive alone. I did not need anyone. Not even Mandy.It jsut seemed like a chapter out of a book now. A chapter that I had read, the good time I had spent. But it was over now, I had moved on.

The rehearsal wasnt until afternoon, so there was no need for me to get up now. But I knew that Jake would come around.He would want to know why I had left early yesterday without even greeting him. Maybe Ashley would be with him, acting all good and angel like. The devil.

 First thing to do today was talk to Mummy and reassure her that there was nothing wrong with me. That would take alot of time. Second thing was.....talk to Mandy? I had to make it up to her, but she wouldnt let me. I had tried that day but without sucess. I jumped off the bed, it was almost morning. I looked at my bedside clock, it was 8:00. Had I really slept all that long? And mummy hadn't even woken me. I have never been able to sleep for more then 7 hours so this was a surprise. People always say that when you have had a heartbreak, its difficult to sleep. But here I was, sleeping more then I do normally. Maybe there really was something wrong with me.

I opened my bedroom door and went quietly down the stairs. Mummy was on the breakfast table. She looked up when she saw me. I smiled as I pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Now sit down, or do you want me to take that chair back?"

I forced Jake's memory to get out of my head. That was over. I was here now, with mummy.

  "Are you alright, Steph?"

I  nodded as I buttered a toast. I couldnt let mummy think that I had lost my hunger, or she would get suspicious.

"Why were you so upset yesterday?"

There it had came.The big why."Nothing,mummy, just the rehearsal did not go well yesterday. and it was sort of my fault, so you know."

"Did someone say anything?"

  "No. Not at all."

Mummy looked at me like she was about to argue, but then merely shrugged and said,

  "By the way, Steph, your father and I arent going to be home on the 11th-"

 "But arent you going to watch me in the play?!"

    "Let me finish. We are going to watch you. We are going to leave after. In the night."

"But where are you going?"

   "Your fathers Aunt Catherine is very sick with pneumonia, we have to visit her at the earliest possibility. We will be back by the 13th."

"But I cant stay home alone,Mummy, you know how scared I am of being alone."

That was true. Ever since I had been little, I had been afraid of the dark. Of being alone, of loosing everyone. It wasnt fear of thieves or bandits which held me back, but fear of the paranormal. Fear of the unknown.

"Dont worry, you can go to any of your friends house. I am sure there will be an after party to celebrate the sucess of the play.And in any way, I have asked Mrs Simons to keep an eye on you."

 Mrs Simons was our next daughter, I nodded."But you'll stay to watch the play?"

  "Yes. Look, Steph, Mr Harry Sutton, you know he's the one who directed that blockbuster movie."

I nodded,"Yeah?"

  "He's going to come to watch your play too. Here's an interview of him."

I saw now that mother was reading the newspaper."Wow.Such a big celebrity, how did Mr Owens convince him to come?"

  "Who knows?" Mummy shrugged,"But it says here that he is going to select one of you who is the best actor and give him or her a part in his new movie.Wow, Steph! What if he selected you?"

 I laughed."You know I am not that good, he's probably going to select Mandy or Ash or Justin. You know I am not good enough."

"You MIGHT be. That's all I am saying.Now, do you have to do have a rehearsal today?" I nodded,"Well, be back early, you know how worried I was yesterday."

"ok, I'll be back by 8:00. I'll see you later."

I nodded once more and climbed the stairs to my room. Once inside, I picked up al the stuff which I had thrown around yesterday, and placed it neatly in it's proper place. I tried not to look as the picture of me and Jake came in my hand. I held it in my hand, wondering where to put it.  Then I crumpled it up and threw it into the waste paper basket. That was it's proper place.

 Where was my backpack now? Yup, there against the wall. I held it up and placed all my books inside, except Algebra which I had to do today. Once done, I settled down with my Algebra homework spread in front of me and vowed not to think of anything except completing my homework.

 

 

I looked up a while later. After what seemed like hours, I was finally done. I glanced at my bedside clock and gasped. It WAS really hours. I had started homework at 10:00 and now it was 2:00. Just about time for the rehearsal. I gathered my books and then went down stairs.

"Mummy, did anyone call for me?"

"No, was someone supposed to?"

   "Yeah. Well, anyways, mummy, I am going, I'll be back soon."

I walked out in the fresh air. It was such a beautiful day, it seemed to mock me. Soon I was through the school gates. There was no hiding now, i walked with my head held high. There they were. Jake and Ash. Together.I chose a chair and sat down. Jake motioned for me to come over but I ignored him.

 A few minutes, and I was already starting to feel sleepy. Even though I had had 11 hours of sleep already! Though that was maybe becuase Jake was rehearsing hi scene, where he mourns and cries because the love of his life has run away. I could barely keep up my eyes open. It was all so nauseating. Finally, it ended. I only knew it had ended because there was applause and Jake's voice could be heard beside me,

"Hey, Steph, are you ok? You look sort of sick."

 I just turned to look at him and nodded. Mistaking my enthusiasm, he continued,

"Did you hear about Mr Harry Sutton?" I nodded again,"Ashley's so excited. You know iif he selects her, then she has her career set. And ofcourse he'll select her."

  I forced myself to speak,"You cant be sure of that, he might select me-"

 Jake laughed, I glared at him."Really, you cant be serious, You!"

  "Why?" I said,"Why I cant be selected, Jake? Why must it always be Ashley?"

      "I mean, she's the lead, so you know."

"No, I dont know, Jake, Mandy may as well be selected. And dont talk to me if all you want to do is shower praises on Ashley."

 Jake looked at me, and realized that I was serious and that it would be better to change the subject.

"Why did you leave so suddenly yesterday?"

   "I remembered I had something important to do."

"But you left-"

  "Listen, Jake Wilson, dont interfere in my personal life. Go run. Your best friend Ashley is looking for you."

"What's wrong with you today, Steph? Have you and Ash had had a fight?"

   "No. Bye. I am leaving."

"Wait! What's the hurry, Steph? Wait!"

    I ignored his voice and went out instead. Serve him right. The image of him and Ashley kissing came in my mind. And with it, tears. I forced myself to run harder. There was a park around the corner. I entered it and looked around.

 Despite myself, a smile came on my lips. There was only love here. A girl of about twelve was feeding bread crumbs to some ducks. An old couple who must be around 75, were sitting on a bench, talking about old times. There was another couple here. I didnt recognize them from my school though they seemed to be my age.Maybe Jake and Ash had came here once too. Like this couple.

I walked towards a pole and supported my weight against it. It was around 6:00 now. The sun was setting. It looked beautiful, a blob of yellow drowning in a sea of reddish black fire. Dim light was spread everywhere. I looked around, the old couple was holding hands now and looking at the sunset.A tear escaped through my eyes. It was all so beautiful, if only there was someone else here too, to enjoy this with me. I sighed and looked up too. The sun had almost set. A feeling of hopelessness suddenly overcame me. The dark was slowly enveloping me in it's firm grasp. And I realised, that it was over. The dark evil had spread. My sun had set.

Chapter 23

I was home early yesterday. Back even before I was supposed to. Today was Sunday, try as Mr Owens had, he couldn't schedule a rehearsal today. It was a public holiday, and 7th June today. Which meant that there was going to be one last super rehearsal tomorrow, and then it would be the dress rehearsal. And then once all this play shit was over, I would be free of Jake and all the other unwanted people in my life. And then I could plan on how to get Mandy back. She was angry now, but I knew she would be more calm once the play was over.

I got up and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked the same as ever. Pale, thin. Noone could see how broken I was. On the outside, I looked fine. Whole. But no one knew. No one could see the scars beneath.

I walked and went quietly down the stairs. Mummy was out somewhere, she had left a note,

 "Gone for some shopping. Will be back by 1:00."

I