Chapter 15

A week or two had passed and still Emma and Tom had not said a word to one another. Tom stopped waiting for Emma in the morning; it didn’t matter anyway because Eric picked her up in his silver Audi. Funny how as Emma and Tom’s friendship was facing rocky ground Emma and Eric’s whatever-it-was was progressing. Maybe Eric’s initial theory about the sort-of kiss relieving them of their awkward tension had merit after all. The only thing preventing Emma from getting any closer was the nagging voice at the back of her head yelling ‘GEMMA GEMMA GEMMA.’ Speaking of which Eric still had not mentioned at all.

It was now five am in the morning and the senior biology students of Oaklea High were waiting in the car park to be seated into the bus that would take them to their three-day camp in the ranges. Everyone was dressed appropriately for the cold weather. Emma was wearing her grey beanie and three thick jackets that made arm movement difficult.

Eric laughed ‘Emma what are these?’ He asked, lifting Emma’s hand.

‘Gloves,’ Emma replied

‘I can see that but some of it appears to be missing,’

‘They’re fingerless gloves…they’re cool,’ she said defensively. Although she frowned when she saw her fingers beginning to turn a shade of purple.

‘As ‘cool’ as they may be, they’re not exactly practical. I’ve got an extra pair in the car. I’ll go and get them.’

‘No Eric it’s not-’

But she could already see his back, making his way to the student car park on the other side of the school.

‘-necessary.’ She continued weakly, knowing no one was listening to her.

‘Alright everyone grab a partner and get on the bus,’

The students flocked frantically towards the bus determined not to become the last ones left to get the second row seat behind the teacher.

‘Eric hurry up!’ Emma called out to Eric who was running back to the bus with the pair of gloves in his hand.  The teacher, Miss Cameron, who was watching behind her said ‘Sorry Emma, due to safety regulations we can’t have you sitting next to Eric.’

‘Miss Cameron are you serious? Why not?’

‘It’s a security risk to call out your partner’s name.’

‘That makes no sense!’

‘Emma, I don’t make the rules okay? Now I know you and Tom are practically joined at the hip so I’ll just seat you two together.’

‘But er miss-’

‘See? It’s not so bad.’

Oh God, four more hours of this? Thought Emma. The ‘this’ she was referring to was the bus ride where she was sitting next to Tom who was playing tetris whilst listening to music on his ipod. Emma looked out the window. It was pouring outside and the rain pounding on the window was blocking the view. The phone in her pocket vibrated which startled Emma. She yelped.

Eric

30-Mar-09 5:35am

I have nothing against Miss C

But why did she have to move me next to her? She

won’t stop talking about her porcelain cat

collection. How’re things doing back there?

Emma smiled as she read Eric’s text grateful for any form of human communication. At the corner of his eye Tom was watching Emma. He was aching to talk to his best friend. The last time they had gone this long without talking to one another was after the famous Cornstarch Incident of ’05. Oh shit she’s looking at me staring at her with the corner of my eye with the corner of her eye. As soon as they had made eye contact Tom turned back to his game of Tetris and Emma went back to the raindrops.

Emma

30-Mar-09 5:36am

I left my ipod in your car. GREAT.

She planned this.  Everyone

knows Miss Cam has a crush on you

Less than a second later after pressing OK Emma heard Eric’s phone beep from the front of the bus.

Emma was getting restless waiting for a reply text. Moments passed when Jeremy, who was sitting in the seat in front of Tom, turned around in his seat ‘Hey Emma?’

‘What?’

Jeremy handed over a piece of paper over to Emma through the gap between the chairs. Emma opened the piece of paper.

It was either I had to turn my phone off or show her the text message. She was really determined to find out who it was from. Sorry Emma I’ll see you at the camp.

-Eric

After Emma read the note from Eric she folded it up and placed it in her jeans pocket. She sighed. It was going to be a long ride.