Winter of Discontent (Four Seasons Book 1) by T.S. Harvey Read Free Book Online

expecting a confession.
    ‘OK. So why did you do it?’
    ‘Because I’m an idiot. I took a dare from the girls, trying to fit in, new girl and all that.’
    Now I felt embarrassed. I might as well have written ‘shallow bitch’ across my forehead. I felt like the whole school could hear me.
    ‘Yeah, well, erm, just forget it. It’s no big deal,’ and with that he just turned and walked off.
     
    Well, all things considered, that didn’t go too badly. Moments later the bell sounded. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful and only Britney spoke to me.
    ‘Did you go see Kacey?’
    ‘Yeah. She’s just a bit off colour. Should be back soon.’
    ‘Yeah, I bet she is. A bit black and blue-ish no doubt, that’s the usual ‘off colour’ for her.’
    I wanted to contradict her but it was clear she knew the truth, and it was also clear she was genuinely concerned. This was a bit of a surprise; I didn’t really think any of the girls were actually true friends. They had always seemed so superficial and phoney. Britney was always the loudest, most foul mouthed of the girls; perhaps that wasn’t the real Britney.
    ‘I’ll call her tonight. See if she’s OK,’ she said, as we headed out of school.
    ‘Say hello for me.’
    ‘I will,’ she said, as she walked off toward the bus stop.
     
    As I rode out of the parking lot toward the main road I spotted Erik boarding the bus. I stopped for just a moment remembering back to my attempts at getting his photograph and the state my clothes were in when I’d gotten home. No matter how hard I tried to push it to the back of my mind it still bugged me. I had wondered whether I’d had some kind of epileptic fit, it was possible if I’d had a fit that that was how they got in that state, it would also account for what I’d thought were missing hours.
    Before I knew it I started to wonder what it would be like to get to know him better. He had been really reasonable after I’d apologized; I couldn’t say with all certainty that I’d have been as nice if the tables were turned. As the bus pulled away, I could see him stood up towards the back of the bus, smiling and laughing with a girl who was in my year. It was stupid really; how could I feel pangs of jealousy when I didn’t even know him? I tried to shake it off and set off for home. Unfortunately, I didn’t pay full attention to what I was doing as I pulled out into the traffic. The next thing I remember was when I woke up in County General.
     

 
    Chapter Eight – Starting over
     
    Sarah
     
    ‘Oh my …’ I tried to sit up but I felt a rush of blood to my head. I struggled to focus but I could just about make out Aunt Suze.
    ‘Just lie still, sweetheart, you’re gonna be just fine.’
    ‘What happened?’
    ‘Well, let’s put it this way, next time you want to start taking the bus to school you can just tell me. You don’t have to throw yourself and my scooter at the nearest passing motorist!’
    ‘You’re kidding me? Oh hell, I’m so sorry, Aunt Suze. I’ll pay for it, I promise.’
    ‘No you won’t. I don’t care about the stupid damn scooter. You are OK, that’s the only thing that matters. Now you get some rest. I have to go and let your dad know what’s happened. I’ll be back tomorrow.’
    As she left the ward I could feel myself fading out and before I knew it, it was morning.
     
    As a result of the accident I had two broken ribs and a broken wrist. The doctor said that if the driver had been going any faster it could have been a lot worse. Although I felt quite sore I didn’t feel nearly as bad as you’d have expected; so much so that after one long and very boring day in the hospital the doctor agreed I was OK to go home.
    ‘You need to get plenty of rest, though, young lady. Understood?’ he said, over the top of his glasses that perched precariously on the end of his nose.
    ‘Don’t you worry, Doctor,’ piped Aunt Suze, ‘she will!’ And she wasn’t kidding!
    Being stuck