Baby Bottles and Artificial Plastic Pt. 5

“Well”, I answer back, “It doesn’t necessarily have to have any use whatsoever, it’s pretty and I like it so there” I stuck my tongue out at him, ready to fight for all I was worth.1

“Alright hun, calm down” Zac tried to reassure me “I was only joking sweety, I know you like random weird crap and that’s fine with me.”, he smiles.2

“Hey!” I retorted, “I am not a retard and that’s final! If it’s anyone who is a reject, it’s Eddie.”3

By this time, all my friends were sitting around the art table, watching the comic slanging match that was going on between me and Zac… and about to involve Eddie.4

Eddie gives me an evil look. “That was totally uncalled for. You are so mean, I don’t like you anymore.”5

I give him a sorrowful look and say “I was kidding! You know… you like me really.” I grin “and anyway, no one can hate me.”6

Paris looks over, willing to intervene. “hey dudes, chill out. And yes Ro, no one can hate you. We all love how you bite and hiss and generally just act demented. But yes, we all love you” She raises her eyebrows.7

Zac puts his arms around me and holds me closely to his chest, “Well I love you…”8

That’s the thing about our group. We’re totally open with one another. Zac doesn’t mind letting them know how he feels and visa versa. Sometimes my and Zac’s lovey doveyness drives their nuts insane but we are still there for one another. Me and Zac try really hard to keep the kissing to a minimum but it’s all very well to say that but I personally find him irresistible. 9

After general chit chat and rabble between us, Jamey looks round and comes out with,10

“errrrrrr guys? Where’s Annie? Ro, where is she?”11

Fido gets out of her relaxation zone and says “She wasn’t in science this morning, I figured she was just late but I see she hasn’t turned up at all.”12

“Meh” I butt in, “She’s probably ill or something, nothing to worry about guys, just more chocolate for us!”13

I look over at Paris for her approval of my thoughts but she seemed to be thinking with her head in her hands and racking her brain for a reasonable excuse. I hold Zac’s hand tighter and stare at Paris, willing her to look at me. Eventually she looks up and sighs, takes a deep intake of breath and says;14

“I think that X equals 1.5…” she looks at me seriously15

“What, you mean…” I ask intrigued, staring at her complicated maths paper16

“Yes I mean exactly that. We’re missing one and a half people.” I look at her weirdly17

“And whose the half?” I ask her18

She points her eyes straight at me, closes her mouth to form a tight lip shaped form and says, “that would be George”19

“Ah George”, I say. Strange girl.20

Well now you see this George. He’s an ok guy. When he wants to be.  He generally hangs around with our group when most of us don’t want him there. Me? I don’t particularly mind, I try to see the good in everyone even when I can be really mean at times – most of the time. I would feel depressed if I was in his boots, I’m just lucky I have Zac and everyone else, I don’t know what I’d do without them.21

Zac gazes at me as a puzzled look comes over my face; 22

“Babe… what are you thinking about?”23

“Huh? Oh what? I mean…” I give a little cough and shuffle. “I’m not thinking about anything my love. I’m just sitting here wandering what I should be thinking about and then not thinking about it. Unless by NOT thinking about it I actually AM thinking about it in which case, I am thinking about something. But I’m not sure what that is. Yes. That would be it.24

“Er Ro” Eddie says, “What?”25

Zac looks at him, unimpressed, “Mate, you’re so slow on the uptake, you’ll get used to my Ro rambling in time.”26

I kiss Zac with enthusiasm. He always fights my battles. But one battle I couldn’t get my head over was where exactly was Annie?27