When Summer Ends by Katy Wormald (notion reading list TXT) 📖

/> “Aww, I hope he gets better. Don’t get too close though it might be catchy.”

“It’s not; he said he got ill from eating a worm.” He said and we both burst out laughing. I could so picture little William eating a worm! I heard shouting in the background on the phone, and Declan told me that his mum was shouting him and would have to go. We both said goodbye and I told him I loved him. He said it back and we hung up.

I sat on my bed for a few more minutes before deciding it was time to unpack. I sorted through all my things, making sure that I had got everything for Marissa’s. Even though I kind of wished I forgotten something important so I would have had an excuse to go back and see Declan. I sat down onto my bed for a few minutes and help my head in my hands. I so desperately didn’t want to feel like this- loads of people have long distance relationships, surely it will get easier.

For the rest of the day I stayed in my bedroom, watching old movies on my small flat screen TV. I had dressed into my sweats a while ago and lounged about on the bed. I didn’t want to do anything, which was fair enough. I text Declan and Ali through the day, but Declan was busy looking after will and Ali had a date soon. I tried texting Jaz, but apparently she was doing some after-school hour’s thing for school, so all in all I was left alone for most of the day. I didn’t mind too much though, I did miss everyone, but I think I needed some ‘me’ time as well. I got up out of bed and stretched, my back was killing from being in bed for so long. I decided I would have to do something other than lay in bed, so I started to sort through all of my things, making sure I had everything for when school started in two days times.

I noticed that I would need a new bag, new books, and general crappy things that come with having to go to school. I shouted down to my mother, who had gotten in from work an hour or so ago, and told her I needed money to go shopping tomorrow. She told me that it was okay and I went back into my bedroom, switching on my stereo and started singing along to Fallout boy.

At some part in the night I must have fallen asleep because I woke up at 8:30AM the next morning. At first I thought someone was shouting at me in the room, I rolled over sticking up my middle finger to whoever was in the room, but soon realised that I had left my music on. I apologised to my CD and walked into my bathroom to get a nice hot bath, knowing I wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep.

I ran the water so hot that it hurt when I moved, I completely relaxed in the bath and I pushed all thoughts out f my mind. I washed and shampooed my hair, and shaved my legs so that I wouldn’t be caught embarrassed with hairy legs tomorrow for gym. I left my bathroom door open so that I could hear my music early. I wasn’t worried about anyone coming in though because my bedroom door was locked from the inside. I think I must have fallen asleep in the bath as it became really cold, and I couldn’t remember if I had been awake or not. I jumped out and brushed my teeth, walking into my bedroom with the toothbrush still in my mouth.

I stood looking at myself in the mirror. I turned around so I could see myself from all angles. My legs were too fat, my hair was too short, and I had man arms. Or at least that what I saw. I grabbed my robe and turned from the mirror, not wanting to look at my disgusting self any longer. My mum and Dad always tell me that I’m beautiful, but as any women, of any age will know, you always pick the small things and blow them out of proportion. I didn’t know how anyone could call me beautiful when I looked like this. Of course though my opinion of myself is completely dependent on what mood I’m in. If I’m happy, I will think I look good, and vice versa.

I dressed in a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and a silver off the shoulder top, which went just past my bum. I blow-dried my wet hair, taking my time. I straightened it perfectly and applied a little make-up. I don’t know what I will be doing today, apart from going to the mall by myself. I really wished that there was another mall in town, and I knew all of my so called friends would probably be there.

After I was done I put some essential items into a bag, and went downstairs to make breakfast. My dad was sat at the kitchen table and stood up to give me a tight hug when he saw me. This was the first time I had seen him since I left at the beginning of summer. I missed him so much; I had always been so close with my dad. And we only had cross if it included my grades or boys. I doubted he would have anything bad to say about Declan though, after the impression he had made on my mum.

We spoke for a while about my summer, and he told me about work (although I didn’t really understand all of it). He even asked about Declan, or as he referred to him ‘That boy’. I smiled and told him Declan’s name. We spoke about him for a bit and I told him about how perfect he was, although I tried not to sound like a love-struck teenager. He got up eventually though as he had to go do something at work. I stood in the kitchen wondering where my mum was, probably out I guessed.

I made myself some toast and sat on the counter eating it. I checked my phone again, 10:45AM. I knew Declan would be working today as I didn’t text him- just in case he got into any trouble because of it. I munched on my toast, thinking about how deserted my house was. That’s when I got a brilliant idea. I should get a pet. Just a little one, something I could look after easily. I figured I wouldn’t have to ask my mum or dad, because I would buy it. With this idea in mind I grabbed my bank card that was ‘only for emergencies’. I suppose it was kind of an emergency though, people can die of loneliness after all.

I wrote a letter to my mum telling her I’d gone out and would be back later and walked to the bus stop. It was a sunny day, but nothing compared to the weather back near Declan’s. I got on the bus and sat impatiently until I got to the pet store. When my stop came I practically ran off of the bus and to the store. I stood outside looking for a minute or so. There were turtles, but I didn’t want one of them because they are so boring. Hamster? No I needed something I could cuddle. Kitten? Well seen as though I’m allergic I didn’t think it would be a good idea.

I walked inside and looked around at a few other animals until I came to where the puppies were. It was literally love at first sight. I let out a loud squeal and everyone looked at me like I was crazy. He was the most beautiful dog I’d ever seen. His body was blonde with flashes of light brown in. He had huge floppy ears and was currently trying to get out of the dog bed he was in.

“Can I help you?” A girl who worked there asked.

“Yeah, I want that puppy, there.” I said pointing at it, not taking my eyes away from the precious puppy for a second.

“Okay, do you need all the things for him, too?” She asked picking the puppy up and handing me him. Straight away he started licking my nose and cooed over him. Man he was cute! He was so small too.

“Erm, yeah I guess.” I told her realising I’d not even thought about everything that comes with a pet.

The assistant lead me over to where there were dog beds, play toys and food. I picked out a small blue bed for him, and loads of toys and food. She took him away from me for a minute to make sure he was fine to go. I stood waiting for him to come back, tapping my fingers on the desk.

She came back empty handed a few minutes later, telling me I would need to fill forms out, which I did without reading what they were, and she gave me some certificate to prove he was a pure breed Labrador. She left again and came back carrying my new puppy with his lead and a collar on. I paid for him and his things, carrying the bags easily as all the things were so small. I walked him on his lead and we left the store, both much happier.

I spoke to him as if he was a baby all the way home, it was only a ten minute walk from home, but I had to carry him after a few minutes as his little legs were getting tiered. I walked past a small group of girls who ran over to stroke him and ask me questions about him.

“What’s his name?”

“What type of dog is he?”

“How old is he?”

I told them all I could, but realised I needed a name for him, as we walked away the perfect name popped into my head. Romeo. After all, he did have all the girls after him! I and Romeo walked the rest of the way home, where I showed him around the house, and put his dog bed in my bedroom, and food bowls in the kitchen. I filled them up, but he didn’t seem very interested. He was a playful puppy, always trying to lick and play with you. But he would tier himself out quickly and then just want cuddling. I put puppy pads down and showed him where they were.

I took out all the papers and began to look through them; he was seven weeks old and was perfectly healthy. He had all his injections and was being trained on puppy pads already, which I thought was good. I cuddled up on the sofa with my new puppy. Maybe he would help turn things around?
Chapter Sixteen