4

The diner was all mustard yellow walls and red shabby booths. A couple of women with pony tails and petticoat aprons walked around taking orders and pouring out coffee from a glass jug with a plastic top. It was a pretty standard American diner.

“How did the meeting with the college application person go today?”

Mia’s mom had insisted on picking her up after school that day and taking her for ice cream. It had been something they’d done back in Philly. Mia could tell her mom was trying to mimic some of those memories. But how could it ever be the same?

“Bad.”

She’d responded without even thinking, and now she wanted to punch herself in the face. She should have lied and said it went fine, because any other response would insight the upcoming barrage of questions.

Carla left the long silver spoon suspended in her strawberry split, and looked at her daughter with concern. Mia hated that look.

“Why? What happened?”

Mia sighed and forced another mouthful of her vanilla scoop down her throat. “Not bad…just…I need to work more on my applications. That’s all.”

“Your grades are fine though. Is it the way you’ve written it out?”

Mia shook her head. “No. I just need to add some stuff in that’s all.”

“I could help you if you like? We could go through them together later.”

“Mom. It’s fine. I’ve got it.”

A look of hurt crossed her mom’s face as she went back to her ice cream. Mia couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. As annoying as her mother was, she was trying to help. Mia wanted to apologise, but the words got stuck in her throat. The resentment she felt for being here was too great.

Just then, her mom’s face brightened. She was looking past Mia, and towards the entrance.

“Hey Savannah! Over here!”

Mia’s teeth gritted together. This was all she needed. As she turned to give her best fake smile, her mouth faltered. Savannah wasn’t alone. Blonde jock was with her.

They walked over to the mother-daughter pair with a wary look.

“Er. Hi Carla. Mia.”

Mia could see her mom eyeing up the blonde jock with interest. She’d tried to ask Mia about boys since Mia had turned 15. Mia knew she’d been essentially a ‘Savannah type’ in school, and probably looked at her own teenage daughter like an alien. Mia reflected that maybe she’d stop bothering her about boys or friends now she had Savannah to quiz.

“And who is this young man?”

“Oh, this is Ryan Smith, my boyfriend.”

Mia realised that this was the first time she’d heard his name. Blonde jock suited him better.

Ryan extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, mam.”

Carla took it, silently noting what a charming and polite young man he was.

Mia however wanted to scoff. If only her mother knew what he’d done to her on the first day of school. She kept quiet though. She was sure there would be some way for her mother to take his side.

“Would you kids like to join us? My treat!”

Mia began to pray in her head that they would not sit down. She noticed how Savannah went a little rigid and knew the girl had no intention of any such thing.

“Oh, no thanks Carla. We’re actually off to meet some friends. We just came by to pick up some donuts to take round.”

Mia’s mom’s eyes suddenly illuminated. Mia knew that look too. She wanted to stop what was about to come out of her mouth, but had no idea what to do.

“Really? How nice! You know I’m sure Mia would love to meet some new people if she could tag along with you?”

Mia wanted to crawl under the table and die. Savannah’s expression communicated the same wish, a thin film of sweat appearing on her perfectly made-up forehead.

“Er well…It’s just…it’s at a friends house and well…” Savannah was tripping over her words, and Mia decided it was time to step in.

“Don’t worry. It’s cool. I have tons of homework to do anyway.”

Relief washed over Savannah. She didn’t like the weirdo that was now living in her house, but at least she knew her place.

Ryan however, had a curious grin on his face. “Tyler won’t mind an extra guest Sav. We’d be happy to take you along Mia.”

Both Savannah and Mia looked at him open mouthed. Savannah definitely wanted to kick him.

Carla was the only one oblivious to the dynamic between the three teenagers. “Wonderful! Well, I won’t keep you any longer. Off you go then.”

Mia was frozen to her seat. This could not be happening. Carla widened her eyes at her daughter’s inactivity. “Mia! Hurry up, they haven’t got all day.”

With slow movements Mia forced herself to stand up. Savannah looked like she was about to burst, but Ryan simply beamed at her.

“Nice to meet you, mam!” He called cheerily.

Mia trailed behind the pair, anxiety gripping her as they made their way over to Ryan’s convertible.

Now they were out of Carla’s view, Savannah began to hiss at her boyfriend. “What the hell?”

Ryan walked round to his car, flicking the seat forward before gesturing for Mia to get in the back. “Chill babe.”

Mia glanced between the pair. “Look. I can just go now. I’ll walk around for an hour before going home and say that I went with you. It’s fine. I don’t even want to go.”

“Great. Let’s do that.” Savannah stated.

But Ryan was looking at Mia with a curious expression. “Nah. You’re coming.”

“BUT WHY?!” The girls called in unison.

Ryan turned to his girlfriend. “Because she doesn’t want to. And I promised to make her life a misery.”

Mia scoffed. He was a piece of work.

Savannah stormed over to the car and got in. “Can’t you just steal her lunch money or something?!”

Ryan ignored his girlfriend, and instead looked over at Mia, his hand still holding the driver’s seat forward.

Mia contemplated storming off, but there was a part of her that wanted to prove to Ryan that nothing he could do was going to bother her. The sooner he realised that it would be pointless to mess with her, the better.

She climbed into the back of the car, not bothering to stop her combat boots scuffing the leather backed driver’s seat.

They drove in silence, the only sound coming from the cars radio which appeared to be tuned to a station that only played country music. Mia hated country music, but she said nothing. After ten minutes, she realised that they were driving out of town.

“I thought you said we were going to someone’s house.”

Ryan flicked his eyes up to the rear-view mirror to observe her. “That was for your Mom’s benefit. We’re going to the creek.”