TRAPPED

37

"No." I whine.

"Come on." He says.

I groan and sit up, then climb out of bed. I follow him down the stairs, then to the kitchen. Camilo is already sitting on one of the stools when we get there, talking to our dad, who looks over and smiles at us.

     "Hey, guys. Come sit down." He says. I walk over and sit on one of the stools. My dad slides a plate of food over, as well as a cup of tea. "There you go, sweetheart."

     "I'm not that hungry." I mutter.

     "Just eat what you can." He tells me.

     I do. I stay quiet as all of them talk. I get full quickly, then push my plate away before following the food down with the rest of my tea.

     "Finished?" My dad questions.

     I nod.

     "Alright, go get dressed."

     I sigh (heavily) before sliding off the stool and walking back up to my room. My uniform is folded over my desk chair. I begin getting changed, and when I'm finished I brush my teeth, wash my face and put a bit of moisturiser on.

"Celine!" Camilo shouts. He says my name again, his voice nearer this time, before opening my door. "Dad can't drive us. We have to walk. Come on."

I frown. "Why not?"

"He just has to do something. Let's go."

I sigh and shrug my coat on, then slide my shoes onto my feet. I throw my bag over my shoulder and we both leave my bedroom. Léo is waiting by the door when we get there. He passes me a cold water bottle that I stuff into my blazer pocket, as well as a lunch box. I go to take it from him but he tells me to turn around and he puts it in my bag for me.

"Thanks." I whisper. "Where's dad?"

I thought he'd be here to say goodbye.

"He's in his study." Camilo tells me.

"Let's leave. We'll be late." Lèo urges.

I sigh. "I can't believe he's making a cancer patient walk."

Léo frowns. He doesn't say anything. I trail behind them as we walk, my headphones blaring music in my ears. I keep my eyes on the wet ground, occasionally walking through shallow puddles to avoid going on the road.

     When we get to the school gates, Léo sets his hand on my shoulder and guides me inside. He looks down at me. "I'll walk you to your form."

"I can go on my own." I mumble.

"It's okay." He responds. He takes me to the top floor, where my form class is. It's mostly empty when I get there. "What's your last lesson?"

I shrug, then get my timetable out. "Maths."

"Okay. I'll meet you there when school is over."

"Why?"

"Camilo and I have a basketball game."