Starting Memories
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Chapter 1
looked at the time on the train station clock; the digital LCD said 7:03. "5 minutes before the next train," said out loud. It was the middle of December and she was going to stay with her older brother, . She stood holding a crutch in each hand. It probably would have been more convenient for her to wait on the bench but before she'd even get to one the train probably would have arrived.
"!" a guy screamed running towards her.
", what are you doing here?" She asked as he now crouched in front of her out of breath from the running.
"You really think you're gonna get to my place, needing to walk with two crutches, drag a luggage bag and a hand bag?"
"Point taken. I got this far, didn't I? Must have looked like a muppet but I'm here," laughed. "How long have you been here anyway?"
"Well 15 minutes and that was spent trying to find you."
"Sorry. Oo, the train's here."
"Here let me take your luggage and your bag," offered, with his hand gesturing for the hand bag to be passed to him.
"It's okay , I can keep the bag. It's a messenger one anyway."
"Here, take my seat," a guy offered, and presenting the seat to .
"Oh no, you're okay. Thank you for offering though," smiled.
", you know you're not meant to be standing for long periods. Just take the guy's offer," ordered.
rolled her eyes, "You're right. Thank you...?" She looked at the guy with a questionable look.
"," the guy replied.
"Thanks ," said once again.
"Thanks mate," shook his hand.
During the train ride the three got talking. was roughly the same age as and , being older than but younger than . didn't really say much, she just kept behind her crutches, which were held in between her knees. Eventually she drifted off.
Hours later shook lightly, ", wake up. We're almost home now."
"I fell asleep?" asked rubbing her eyes.
"Yeah, 's car'll be here any minute now."
"Okay."
"Hey ," gleamed as he got out of the car to embrace .
"Hey ," just fell into the hug. is 's housemate, with a very strong Northern England accent.
"God, what happened to your leg?" stepped away and examined the cast that wrapped around her right leg. "Aren't you meant to be in a skating competition?"
"Yeah but there was an accident."
"It was no accident," insisted. "The other finalist bloody pushed her whilst she was trying to do that jump."
"Please don't make a big deal out of it. It's the past now," said before helped her to the back seat.
"Yeah but you were suppose to be on TV. My little sister on TV."
"Would've been nice but I have to concentrate on getting my leg better so I can skate again."
"Just think about it this way . You were too much of a competition of her," grinned and turned to start the engine.
"Thanks ."
Moments later looked at his main mirror, "She must be exhausted"
"Yeah, she hasn't been as lively as she usually is. Hopefully there isn't too much damage. Her leg looks really bad. I'm just really praying that she can skate again."
"When will you know the results?"
"I don't have clue, Mate. I don't have a clue."
Chapter 2
"Okay guys. I'm going out! I'll see you guys later!" shouted from the hallway, balancing on one leg, whilst trying to put her trench coat.
"You're not even going to have breakfast?" asked, walking around with a bowl of cereal.
"I've already had toast," smiled, "I won't be too long, okay? Just going for a walk or shall I say hobble."
"Well, take care. The ground's icy."
"Will do. See you!"
headed to the park. She stared ahead as she saw kids skating on the fake ice. Soon she took a seat on a bench, placing the crutches behind her, horizontally.
"Hey!" A guy greeted with his hands in his coat pockets.
"Oh hey. , right?" asked.
"Yep, that's me," he grinned and took a seat next to her.
"Sorry," removed her crutches away and lent them on the side of the bench.
"It's alright," smiled. "How's your leg?"
"It's still there," tried to amuse herself by poking fun out of her leg. "It's good. The damn cast just gets in the way. Can't even sit down without looking like I want to trip someone over."
"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?" unintentionally kept staring at the cast leg.
"I hope I don't sound rude but could you stop staring at my leg please?" asked politely.
"Right, sorry."
"I should be used to it really. My brother was staring at it for ages. In answer to your question...no I don't mind you asking. Well I made it to the finals for a figure skating competition so me and the other finalist decided to hang out as, you know, a good luck before the finals...blah blah blah. We were showing each other our jumps and she pushed me. At first I thought it was a complete accident but then she ran off and didn't even say anything after that."
"Will you be able to skate after?"
"Yeah, it should be okay," answered. Little did she know that got a message off the doctor and didn't deliver it to her. He didn't get good news but decided to not let 's hopes down, "Enough about me, what are you doing here anyway?"
"Just took my niece to Kindergarten."
"Aw, that's sweet."
"Would you like to get a rose for the lady?" a woman carrying a basket of roses asked.
"We're not together," they both chorused and chuckled after the woman left.
"Oh, I was about to go see ..."
"You know ?" raised an eyebrow.
"Not personally but on the train he had a lot to say."
"That's . He's usually picking up girls but he must have wanted a guy friend instead," winked jokingly.
"Ha ha. Anyway, I was on my way to your house. He wanted to borrow a game."
"In that case, let's head back home because I told I'd only be a while anyway." They talked on the way back to 's house. He seemed a decent guy considering she has only met him once before, on the train. Once they arrived she knocked on the door, "Where are they?" She wondered as it had been a couple of minutes and still no one answered the door. "Well, this is strange. They know I don't have a key. Men! No offence ." For the third time she tried, "Third time lucky?" Still no answer. "Okay so since we're stuck out here what do you want to do?"
"We could head back to my place. Not being suggestive or anything but it's freezing out here," offered.
"I don't know..." just then a gust of wind almost threw into . She lost balance but luckily held her up, "Sorry."
"So? Would you rather to blown around like a rag doll here, or be in the warmth?" asked in a humoured manner.
"Warm place it is then," smiled.
"Thanks," she said as passed her a cup of tea.
"You're welcome."
"So ..." she looked at him with shyness, "Why don't you tell me about yourself then? You already know a little bit about me."
"What do you want to know?" asked, placing his cup of tea down.
"I don't know...like...is that a guitar?" 's thoughts got side tracked with the sight of a guitar in front of her. She then wonder why she asked such a moronic question Is that a guitar? Of course it is! It's blatantly a guitar.
laughed, "Hah, I can tell your mentally cursing yourself for asking that."
"Okay so now we've concluded that I'm a nut...how long have you been playing for?"
"Since secondary school."
"Can I hear you play something?"
"Oo, I don't know about that."
"Please, just a little bit. I'm injured here," poked her tongue out; she knew very well she was playing the guilt trip card.
Even though had nothing to feel sorry for, he looked at his guitar in deliberation, "Okay. Name a song...oh and if I sound bad a) it was your choice to hear me and b) it stays between the two of us. However, if I sound great...you can be my number one fan and praise me."
"This should be interesting..." They continued to joke and laugh. After much persuasion even got to learn a little bit. "My fingers are too small," laughed at herself trying to play a chord."
"Okay then...how about changing to this," rearranged her fingering on the frets.
"Ah, that's better," she smiled. As she was about to play a small duet with her phone rang and vibrated. She jumped in shock, "That's not funny !" she couldn't help but laugh herself, "Hey ."
"Hey , are you..." was interrupted as he heard chuckle, "! Stop laughing. That wasn't funny!" heard fits of laughter and trying to talk whilst also catching breath. "Is everything okay ?" asked.
"Yes," was the word just about managed to say. "Anyway...where have you been? I've been knocking on the door."
"Me and went to get a tree but there was huge traffic. We're home now though."
"Oh...okay. I'll be back soon then...okay...bye." She turned to face , "Aw this has been so much fun but I have to go. My bodyguards are waiting for me," giggled.
"I'll walk you home so you don't get blown away. That would be a very amusing rendition of Snowman."
"So mean," picked up her crutches. It was possible that only the two of them would laugh at humour of such.
"Let's hope it's not the same scenario as last time," smiled and then knocked on the door twice.
opened the door, "Sorry about before."
"Don't worry about it. made me some tea at his house," turned her head around and smiled at .
"'s cooking...come in."
"The game by the way," passed they game to .
"Thanks man," patted on the back as he walked past. He took the game and looked at the back cover.
"Why don't you stay over to eat? That's the least I could offer," suggested after complimenting and shouting to what a great job they did with the decorating.
"Thanks but I've got to head home. Rosie-Jam needs her food."
"Aw she's a little Maltese," defined the smallness with her hands, "You should see her, she's so cute! Anyway, don't want to starve the poor thing. I'll walk you out." led to the door, "Thank you for the tea, for preventing me from paragliding and for...well...everything."
"No problem," smiled.
"Well, since you've already done quite a bit for me already why don't we go out for breakfast tomorrow? My treat?"
"Deal," replied and they shook on it.
"Bye!"
"Don't know what 's done but seems happier," said to and then drank the rest of his beer.
Chapter 3
"Guys! I'm having breakfast with ."
"Okay! Have fun!" The other two guys replied, frantically tapping on the control pad buttons.
"You two have been friends way too long," chuckled. "See ya!" The door clicking lock was the last thing they heard.
"," said just as he left his house and saw her, "I was going to drive to your house so you didn't have to hobble your way here."
"It's no big deal to me. I don't mind trekking. I've changed my mind now anyway, how about I make you breakfast?"
"Sounds great," enthused.
"Right, you just take a seat and I'll do the cooking. Don't worry...I'm a good finder. Whatever I need I'll find eventually. You can bugger off now," joked. I think I'll be able to walk about without crutches. Let's see. Ow...ow...ow...okay...maybe not. "Okay , breakfast is ready!" shouted from the kitchen.
"Wow, this looks nice."
"Thanks. Have a taste."
took a bite, as soon as he got a taste his eyes widened, his face an amusing still photo. The egg on toast tasted hot and spicy, "What's this?" he asked using water to counteract the spice.
burst out laughing, "Ha ha. That gets you back for laughing at me when I jumped a mile after my phone vibrated." She showed him a picture of his face with her mobile, "This is going on my background." Minutes later collected herself, "Hah, that was funny. Here's the real breakfast and no, I haven't made my own concoction. Look, I've even got one. Take which ever plate you want. It's a full English breakfast."
rubbed his stomach, "That was much better." He made an O.K gesture with his fingers.
"You haven't fed Rosie-Jam yet have you?" asked.
"Not yet."
"Good because I saw some doggie breakfast at the supermarket. I hope it's not lethal but it says it's highly recommended!"
"Here she comes. She knows when it's time to eat."
"Aw, I could just take her off you!"
"My puppy. Aren't you Rosie-Jam?" picked her up and stroked her but ironically Rosie-Jam ran towards . "Fine. Traitor," joked crossing his arms.
"Don't be so nasty. Yes, you're my baby aren't you?" playfully hugged Rosie-Jam.
"Oo that reminds me...could you help me with decorating. I have to pick up my niece and I want her to see the house in true Christmas spirit.
"Sure!"
An hour later they were done and went to head home as it was time for to pick his niece up. "Thanks for today," gave a friendly hug.
"My pleasure! Thank you for teaching me to play the guitar. Soon I'll be as good as a 6 year old!"
Chapter 4
", wake up!" shook her awake.
"Hum? What?" A muffed voice from asked.
"You have a package."
"A package?" sat up on her bed, "But I didn't order anything." She squinted at the present and rotated it about. "Aw bless her. It's . She said she was going to send me a present because it was off the 'net and she didn't think it was going to get to me in time before we break up."
"What is it?" asked intrigued.
"Well if you must know..." opened the package tiredly. "Cool! It's the dress we liked. Bit hard though. Oh, how sneaky. She wrapped the dress around a photo album," laughed and then coughed. She got tissue from her bedside table and coughed into the tissue. "I'm fine. Aw, it's a photo album of our complete first year, good times!" She then let out a big sneeze, "Sorry."
"You're sick."
"I'm fine."
"You're sick."
"I'm fine."
"You're...not fine. Look at you, you look a mess," stated, putting his hand to her head.
"Hm...thanks. I think," said sarcastically.
"'ll be home anyway."
"Really, I'm fine..." she then let out another sneeze. "My nose is just itchy."
"I've got work now. Don't go anywhere. I'll put your crutches here," he lent them on the side of the wardrobe which was on the other side of the room.
"Cruel. What if I need to go to the bathroom?"
"Here...ring this bell and 'll come and answer to your needs," he quickly shot out of the room before she could contest.
huffed and collapsed on the bed, "Ow...that hurt my leg...ow!" She immediately rang the bell. It had been just over ten minutes and was sitting up bored.
"You okay there?" asked poking his head around the door.
"Hah, very funny. You can take that mask off. I haven't got bird flu or anything."
"Glad to hear you laugh. I started to get a bit worried with the quietness," joked.
"I'm okay. My leg's really sore though. It's painful but I'm coping."
"Do you need to go see the doctors or something?"
"No, they said it'll probably hurt more if I'm ill. Can't remember why but something to do with some science malarkey," joked. "I think I'm going to need more tissues."
"Here," presented the box of tissues which he hid behind himself.
"Can we go out please? I really don't fancy being cooped up in the bedroom all day."
"Okay," agreed.
"Really?" asked with a raised eyebrow, she thought her idea would be shot down immediately.
"Yeah, I know what it's like. My sister was the exact same with me when I was ill and injured. Just like you."
"What happened?"
"Football. Let's just say...do you remember what happened to Alan Smith during the match against Liverpool?"
covered her shocked mouth, that was a memory she'd rather forget, "You're joking?"
"Nope."
"That's awful."
"Anyway let's getting going." turned back around to mention one more thing, "Don't tell your brother though okay? We both know what he's like."
"Okie dokie. Crutches please? Do you think would mind if we replaced the star with an angel?"
"Probably not, it's had its days anyway. He probably won't even realise the difference."
"Oh and remind me that I need to message because I'll probably forget."
"I'll try."
"Yay, doesn't the tree look better now? Ohh I just had an idea. I'll be back in half an hour." went into her room. "Here we go," had made a small decorative cardboard framed with a picture of her parents and hung it on the tree. "Rest in peace." With help from her crutches she turned around, "Say , aren't you going back to see your family for Christmas?"
"They're on holiday. Not really winter people."
"Fair enough. One more person for me and to celebrate with."
"Nice to know."
"Well, you have known since the stone ages, so, you're like -and act like -a brother to me."
"How dare you?! It's only been since Year 4."
laughed and almost lost her balance, "Wow...okay I'll take a seat." As she took a seat she let out another sneeze.
"I think I need to pop down the chemists to get your more medicine. I won't be long."
"Okay." While he was gone flicked through the channels, as usual nothing decent was on. What do to? What to do? Not long after thinking of things to do there was a knock on the door. She opened the door, "Oh, hey ! Nice surprise," they both laughed.
"Hello," went for an embrace.
"You might not want to go near me. I've got a cold. Come in though."
"Well, I got your text about how you were homebound, here, I brought you soup."
"Oo...what soup would this be?" beamed with a smile. "Nice. I'll have it later when it's cooled down a bit. Thank you."
"The pleasure is mine. So what have you been up to sickie?" joked.
"What is this? Pick on day?" she said in sarcastic tone. "I've been suck at home and shopping with . Went to buy an angel to replace the beat up star. You?"
"I've been bored. Sleeping in...all the usual stuff. By the way my parents say hi."
"Really? Well, hi back to them," gestured a wave, "Have you been talking about me?"
"Just a little."
"Ha ha, okay. So are you doing anything on Christmas?"
"Nope, my parents are going away on a business trip. It'll last until the holidays unfortunately. My sister is taking my niece to Santa's Grotto and I'm spending Christmas like any other day."
"I suppose there's not really much to it now."
"Well I just came by to drop off the soup. I better go pick up my niece now. You should see her, she's as an elf for a play."
"Aw, too bad I'm sick. Say hi to her for me though."
Chapter 5
The next day decided to return 's soup flask. She knocked on the door twice. As soon as the door opened she greeted, "Morning ! Oh, urgh, you don't look well."
"I think I got what you had. Come in," he said with a tissue against his nose.
"Ee, sorry. Didn't think I'd get better so quick only to pass it on to you."
"I won't need to go fetch my niece today because my sister's got time off work."
"That's okay then. Here, I came to give you your flask back. Stay here and I'll quickly make you soup."
"Thanks," popped back onto the sofa.
"Here you go" passed the cup of soup. She saw that he was going to get the blanket, "Let me get that for you."
"Could you do me a favour and feed Rosie-Jam?"
"Yep, I'm on it...slowly but surely."
"Thanks," sneezed. "You might want to go home otherwise we'll keep passing back to one another."
"True. Get better then! I hope the soup works like it did with me."
Chapter 6
", here's your invitation. You can invite whoever you want for this Christmas party. Only 5 though - that's the maximum," insisted.
"Well that's not even necessary. Most of my friend's are from uni and they live in different areas of this country," returned four of the five invitation. "I'll just ask . He's the only friend I have around here," she smiled.
"How about ?" queried.
"He's your friend," she pointed at , "He's my brother...in a way," she stated. "Okay. I'm just going to pop over to 's. I'll be back in a bit."
"Be careful."
"I will. I'll be glad when I can start walking without crutches." walked over to 's house. It was only a 5 minute walk so nothing to fear accident-wise. She saw that his car wasn't there and looked at her watch, "Oh yeah, he's gone to see his parents before they leave." She slipped the invitation through the letter box.
"Can I help in anyway?" shouted from the lounge. Once again she was left flicking through the channels.
"Nope."
"By the way, I heard that you played the guitar."
"What? When did you hear that?" asked.
"When I went to return 's game."
"Would you mind playing at the party?" suggested.
"No...I mean, yes. I'm awful at it."
"That's not what I heard."
The debate still went on until someone knocked on the door. "Hm...what visitors are we expecting?" questioned. "D'oh, 's put my crutches all the way over there and they can't even hear the door. Sod it, I'll hop it." She did and it wasn't such a good idea, with her injured leg bumping into things. The crutches would have usually shielded the leg from oncoming obstacles. "I really regret doing this," winced in pain. The person knocked on the door again. She took a deep breath, "Suck it up, suck it up."
"Hey ! The soup really worked."
"I can tell," smiled and embraced .
"Where are your crutches?"
"There, my mean brother took them from me," she joked and poked her tongue at her brother who was not in sight.
"Let's get you onto the sofa. By the way thanks for the invitation."
"Can you make it then?"
"Yep," he grinned and took a seat next to on the sofa. "Ooo I need to get something first."
"'kay."
"There we go," had a huge smile on his face and he knew wouldn't be too pleased with the gesture.
He was right, 's face dropped, "You brought the guitars?"
"Yep, you're brothers' - so to speak - wouldn't believe me when I told them you could play some so I wanted to prove them wrong. Are you willing?"
"To prove my brother's wrong? The disbelief. Okay, I'm in. I'll show those cheeky gits."
"Alright."
Indeed she did show them and the look on their faces were priceless. They couldn't believe was actually playing the guitar, and not an air one.
"Are you up for doing this at the party then?" asked.
"?" asked, turning her attention to and he nodded. "Sure it's Christmas after all. Are we getting paid?"
"Nope. You're already eating the food in this house and not to mention staying free of rent. What more do you want?" retorted.
"Point taken..."
Chapter 7
It was the day of the party. was getting ready. She decided to wear the dress brought her, "Good taste ." She said staring into the full length mirror. "How did she even guess my size?" wondered, looking happily at the silky teal dress which was decorated with a simple black ribbon, which sat beneath the chest area and with lace detail on the chest area and on the straps. She accessorised the dress with a silver necklace which was set with paved peridots, in-keeping with the swirly detail on the lace. "Hm...I think that'll do. Oh wait, bracelet...watch. There," since one leg was wrapped in a cast she thought better than to wear any heels so she stuck with a pair of dolly shoes, "Cool. Now I won't be walking wonky." As she walked into the lounge and gave her an approving smile, "See I dress decently. Does this get your seal of approval?" asked.
"Yep," answered with thumbs up.
"You look great," replied.
"Good, now I can sit down. This dress - as gorgeous as it is - is really hard to put on when you're blinded by the rest of the dress over your head, and balancing on a left foot which is weaker than the right. By the way, you two look great. Who are you trying to woo?"
"What makes you think we're trying to charm someone?" asked.
"You've both over sprayed on the man perfume. Someone's wearing....Givenchy Pi," took another intake of the strong scents, "...and the other one's trying to kill with...ooo...Calvin Klein. Plus your ties are actually done up properly."
"You've gotta admit, she's good," stated and agreed.
"Since we've been getting the party sorted shall we get the presents opened?" asked.
"Definitely. By the way, you didn't do anything. We did it all," replied pointing to both him and .
"My fault? No. I did offer," retorted. "Anyway, putting all the sibling bickering aside, here you both go. You're going to have to come here because my leg's got pins and needles."
Half an hour after the present exchanges the guests started arriving. went into her room as she didn't know any of the guests who had arrived. She laid on her stomach and watched TV. The knocking of the door could be heard but neither nor heard to answer it. She grabbed her crutches and squinted as she hit her casted leg on the bedside table, "Ow, things aren't looking good for my return to skating." She cursed silently as she went to answer the door. "Okay...look cheerful and not like you went moth swotting." From her room she headed to the hallway and opened the door. "Hey !" She smiled, "Thank God you're here. I don't know any of these people!"
"Hello to you to. You look beautiful," greeted her with a hug.
"Thank you, you're looking handsome. Unlike my brother's you've came in natural pheromones."
"I got you this. Don't really know if you even wanted one but it looked fitting."
"Wow, are you being serious? Please say you didn't spend a lot because then I'd have to return my present for you," she said, her eyes glowing at the sight of the guitar.
"I can't say but take it."
"Thank you , wait is this the one I used before?"
"Yep, you seemed to take a liking to that one so I thought I'd give it you. I even got a little bit personalised. Look," grinned.
"You got the colours changing. This is the best guitar. Thank you! Here open yours."
"You are joking? A signed plectrum? Priceless."
"Glad you like it. Wait before we start this whole hug again, let me just put my crutches aside and give you a proper one." With that said, they embraced. When they withdrew they smiled at one another, looked above them. followed suit, "When was that put there?" asked. Nevertheless she gave a peck on the lips. Eventually the peck became a kiss. "How cheesy does this look? My leg is bent out like those olden day kisses."
They went back into an embrace but with deeper meaning, until the phone rang. jumped at the sudden ring, "Not jumpy much am I?" giggled and attempted to hold his laughter. "Hello?"
"Is Miss home?" a male voice asked.
"This is she," she didn't mean to should too formal with her reply.
"Aah, it's Dr. Parish."
"Oh, hey Dr Parish. Please tell me this is good news?" prepared herself for the answer.
"Well it is Christmas and I can happily say that there is no serious damage to you knee or ankle. You should be back on ice in about 6 weeks. Just don't work the injured leg too much, okay?"
"Great! I won't. Thanks for the good news...You have a good Christmas too," she turned to and couldn't hide her excitement, "Guess what ? I'll be able to continue skating in a couple of months! How great is that?"
"That's awesome!"
They ended the news with a passionate kiss. The moment was put to a halt again when 's phone vibrated causing him to jump.
It was now 's turn to laugh, "Got you!" She raised her mobile which flashed 'Calling...'.
"Come here," pulled into hug, as they laughed the night away.