Alpha Girl by Kate Bloomfield

– 11 days to go

     
    When I awoke in the early hours of Saturday morning I was confused as to why I was still wearing shoes, and clo thes. It took several minutes for the previous evening to return to my memory.
    Bleary eyed, I dug around in my pockets for my cell-phone, to check the time. Instead my hand closed around the piece of paper Mr. Stone had given me the previous evening. I unfolded it and stared at the digits.
    I didn’t hesitate. I found my phone and instantly saved his number to my contact list under ‘S’ for Stone.
    Would he mind if I called him? After all, he’d said I could if I needed to talk. But was it too soon?
    I stared at his name on my phone for several minutes before deciding against it.
    It was nine o’clock in the morning, so I got up and poured myself some cereal in the kitchen. My father’s car was gone, which meant my mother was still home, as they rarely went anywhere together anymore. 
    I was right; I heard the toilet flush and my mother emerged wearing only her silk dressing gown.
    ‘Morning sweetheart,’ she said, running a hand through her disheveled hair.
    I ignored her and stuffed a spoonful of cereal into my mouth, leaning against the kitchen counter.
    ‘I’m sorry about last night,’ she continued, standing a few feet away from me.
    I paused halfway through another mouthful. ‘You’re sorry?’ I asked, disbelievingly.
    ‘Yes, of course.’
    ‘That’s all you have to say to me?’ I said with raised eyebrows.
    ‘What do you want me to say, Rose? You know we haven’t been happy for a long while.’
    ‘Since my attack,’ I interrupted.
    My mother pursed her lips. ‘Don’t make this about you,’ she said.
    ‘I didn’t,’ I said. ‘ You did.’
    ‘Rose, your father and I wish to go our separate ways. Lots of couples get divorced. It’s not uncommon. These things happen.’
    ‘I don’t want to leave Halfway,’ I said. ‘It’s safe here. It’s quiet .’
    ‘You’ll be safe in the city with me,’ said my mother. ‘I’ll take care of your condition.’
    ‘Like you took care of me when I was twelve? That day you and dad stayed out the whole night and forgot that I was sick?’
    She didn’t like it when I talked about that. They’d apologized countless times for their carelessness. But I couldn’t forget.
    I’d woken up in the woods, only twelve years old, completely naked with no recollection of the night before. My fever had taken me during the night.
    ‘I’ll never let that happen again,’ my mother said.
    ‘You can’t promise that,’ I said. ‘All you think about is yourself.’
    ‘One time!’ she yelled angrily. ‘I wasn’t there one time !’
    ‘That’s all it takes,’ I said, my nostrils flaring angrily. ‘One mistake. I will not move to the city. There are too many people. Too much going on-’
    ‘Fine,’ my mother snapped. ‘Stay here then. See if I care.’ And with that she stormed from the room.
    ‘Oh, really mature!’ I yelled after her. ‘Just walk away.’
    It was Saturday, and as usual I had no plans. No one ever asked to see me. I was surprised, however, when Estelle sent me a text-message that morning.
     
    Party tonight, kiddo. I’ll pick you up at eight.
     
    Estelle was probably the only person I could tolerate, but I still couldn’t imagine myself hanging out with her away from work, let alone at a party. I sent a polite message back.
     
    Uh, not really my thing, Estelle. Thanks, though.
     
    After that, I went for a quick shower, got dressed, and plaited my hair. Checking my phone, I found that Estelle had left me another text
     
    I wasn’t asking. See you at eight.
     
    Would she really show up without warning? Not only that but Estelle was a lot older than me, and was sure to attend a party full of adults, with alcohol.
    I bit down on my lip and thought carefully about it. After the argument with my mother I was feeling rebellious; she’d never allow me to go to an adult’s party with alcohol, but