• "And what do you think about this, Ryan?"
    "It's true doctor, she's totally changed. We used to do so much together, now she just stays locked up in her room."

    "Hello?"
    "Lara, it's me."
    "Oh, hey babe."
    "Hey, listen what are you doing today?"
    "Nothing that I know of, dad has gone out with Ryan and left me all aloney in the house with 50 quid."
    "Can I come round?"
    "Sure. I'd better jump in the shower then!"
    "Ohh, at least wait till I'm there!"
    "Har-di-har-har. I'll see you in half an hour?"
    "Ok, see you then. Bye."
    "Bye."
    Lara put down the phone, finished her toast then went upstairs to get in the shower.
    A few minutes later, she was showered, changed and sitting in front of the tv, waiting for the door bell to ring.
    Eventually it did go, and Lara jumped up off the couch to go answer it. Turning off the tv on her way out of the lounge, she opened the door to find Mark, a guy in her form, but not her boyfriend whom she had been expecting, standing on her doorstep.
    "Er, Mark, what are you doing here?"
    "I wanted to ask about that history homework, can I come in?"
    "Er, I..I guess so."
    she opened the door more and lead Mark into the kitchen.
    "Wait here, I'll go get my book. Help yourself to drinks."
    She quickly ran upstairs, found her history book from under the pile of clothes on her floor, and then went back down and into the kitchen, where Mark was browsing through her fridge.
    "So er, what did you want help with?"
    Mark looked out at her, and then suddenly remembered what he was there for.
    "Oh yeah, er, i just don't understand the bit about Hitler re-uniting with Austria again."
    Lara sat down at the kitchen table, as did Mark, and she rifled through her book, looking for the information. When she found it she gave it to Mark.
    "Here, take it home and copy it into your book."
    She got up from the table and gathered up her stuff.
    "But, er, wait!" shouted Mark as she started to walk away. "Aren't you going to explain it?"
    Lara sighed, and quickly ran through it with him.
    "Ok?"
    "Yeah," Mark nodded "thanks."
    "Thats ok, now I really must ask you to leave, I'm kinda busy."
    "Oh, ok then."
    Lara ushered him out into the hall, anxious that Alfie didn't see them together, and just as they got to the front door the doorbell rang.
    "s**t."
    Lara winced, and opened the door. There stood Alfie, holding some flowers and an Xbox 360 game.
    As Alfie took in the scene, his face turned from being a happy smile, to a glare.
    "Oh, sorry am I interrupting?"
    Lara shook her head quickly,
    "No, Mark is just leaving. Bye Mark." She shoved him out of the door, pulled Alfie in and then slammed it shut. Then she turned around to face Alfie.
    "What was he doing here?" demanded Alfie.
    "He wanted some help with the History homework." Lara tried to shrug it off, act like it was no big deal.
    "Oh yeah right, thats complete bull."
    "Oh Alfie, you know it's not!"
    "Oh, come on. That was Mark Goldenstone. One of the most popular guys in school. Why would he be round here 'asking you about homework', when he could be somewhere else shagging some blonde bimbo in the year above."
    "Alfie, just calm down, it was nothing, he just wanted some help, that is all! Look, my History book is still down here!"
    "It'll only be down here because you needed an excuse when I got here!"
    "Alfie! For God's sake! Why would I have invited you round if I was shagging him! You know I wouldn't do that to anyone else but you!" Lara suddenly realised what she had said, and went bright red.
    Alfie was slightly taken aback, by this, but soon recovered,
    "Well what if I don't want to do it with you!"
    The words hit Lara like daggers. She crumpled, but managed to stay standing up. Alfie realised he had gone too far, and put down the things he was holding and immediately hugged Lara.
    "Babe, I'm so sorry. I was just angry 'cos Mark was here. I wasn't thinking straight. I'm really really sorry."
    Lara sniffed, but managed a crooked smile, and muttered "It's ok."
    "No, it's not." He replied and picked her up in his arms. Putting her down on the couch, he sat next to her and stared deep into her eyes.
    "I am sorry, really, and just for the record. I DO want to do it with you. I'm just waiting for you to be ready."
    Lara stared back at him, and smiled. "It's ok, really, it is."