My Recycled Soul (A Sample)

After we stop in front of Connell's house in one of the housing estates in the village, I smile, while I say, "Thank you, Ma'am," using the term I have heard the other kids use when talking to an adult.

Jane's mom turns around toward me, smiling friendly and says, "Bye, Elizabeth. Hope to see you again soon."

" Me too." I open the door, take my bag and get out of the car, while Jane says goodbye to her mom and negotiates her pick-up time.

I look around, looking for Jared's Jeep and I feel disappointed when I do not see it.

Jane jumps out of the car and hooks her arm into mine. We turn and wave to her mom as she drives away.

" Why did you get your mom to drive all the way out to pick me up? I could have asked my dad to drop me off."

" But then that leaves room for you to phone me later and give me a silly excuse. I wanted to make sure you were here tonight."

" Why make sure?" I ask.

She stops and looks at me seriously. "I related to you so easily right from the beginning. I have been friends with Sarah and Siobhan since first year, but still I feel closer to you." She leans nearer to me and whispers conspiratorially, "They don't even know I love Aaron."

" I understand." I smile widely.

" And - Aaron phoned me to tell me about the party."

" That is why you are acting so hyper!" I laugh.

" Maybe," she simply says, without offering any explanation. Taking a deep breath, she rings the doorbell.

After a few seconds, Aaron opens the door and he smiles at me. "At last, I thought you would never get here. I was starting to get worried."

He looks at Jane and I see something pass between them - a mysterious look. I wonder if anything happened between them, something I had somehow missed. I feel disappointed though because I thought maybe Jared would be arriving later, but with Aaron already here, it would mean he is not coming at all.

Following Jane into the house, I suddenly feel alone.

Aaron leads us into the house and I notice my small group of friends sitting scattered around the lounge.

Jane leaves me and pulls Aaron by the hand toward the kitchen.

I do not follow them because it looks as if they want to be on their own and this makes me even more curious, so I remind myself to ask Jane if anything happened between them.

I stand in the doorway leading into the lounge, deciding where to sit.