How Not To Survive In High School

7 - How Not To Fight A Boy

Before I start, let me tell you that asking for Skye's number was definitely worth while. He would call more or less every day telling me how he was doing. Sometimes he just wanted to talk to me. I thought he was doing way better until I was woken by beeping three Sundays later.

"Hello," I rubbed my eyes. Looking at my alarm clock, it was two in the morning. "Who is this, it's the middle of the night."

"Sam, I can't take this anymore."

"Skye... Don't worry. Just stay calm and tell me what's happening."

"I need to get out of here. Can I meet you at the field?" he whispered.

"Erm..."

"Please, I don't have much time."

"Ok, ok. I'll be there."

Call me a pushover, but I was worried. Usually it was just mean texts but he was never as bad as this.

I climbed out of my window as my parents would hear me if I went out the door. The ledge outside my window is creaky on the left side so I balanced on the right beam. Jumping onto the floor broke my knee once so I climb down the lamppost now.

Can you tell I've ran away before? It was quite a chilly night on the way to the field. Alright, fine, it's just round the corner but my jacket is still quite thin.

I swung the torch around (I have one on my bedside table ready) looking for Skye or the bench I could wait for him at. But there was no sign of either. As the street lights began to fade away behind the forest, all I could see was the moon.

Then my torch blacked out. "Come on," I moaned whacking at it as the darkness started to close in. It finally flickered back into light. When I held it up there was a white pale face.

"Skye! You scared me."

"Sorry..."

Just so you know, I did manage to get dressed and fix up my hair a little. But by the look of it, Skye was still wearing a sleeveless top and joggers.

After I got my breath back, I asked, "So why am I here at two in the morning?"

His face seemed guilty through the torch light. He was silent but grabbed my hand and led me to the bench.

"So?" I said as he sat me down. He couldn't seem to look me in the eyes.

"It's... it's my dad."

"What, did he lose his hat again?"

"No," he laughed. "That's grandad, pay attention."

"Sorry," I giggled. "Well what happened to your dad?"

"Um, he.... He lost a bet again. It's just racing, he does it all the time. And err... He gets a little angry. Sometimes he takes it out on me. And Mom. Maybe even Jack..."

Oh my God. Jack is his baby brother. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you might tell someone." I couldn't tell whether he was crying or not.

"It's ok. I'm not going to tell anyone. But how can I help?"

"You are helping, Sam." He turned to face me and he clutched both of my hands. "All I need is someone to talk to, and that's what your giving me."

I smiled. "Well I'm always here, you know I am."

He was definitely starting to cry a bit. I didn't care, he's to cute. I reached over his shoulder and gave him a huge hug.

"You're hurting me..."

I squeezed harder and then let go.

"Wow, I never knew a girl could be so strong."

"Hey! I could kill you if I wanted."

"Oh really?"

"With my eyes closed!"

"Ok then. Come at me."

I chased him around for hours and almost managed to get him. But he was annoyingly fast ....and strong. But finally I grabbed hold of his foot and he fell over.

"Ha!"

But then he grabbed mine and I landed next to him on the dewy grass.

"It's a good thing I'm not in the mood to kill you today..."