breathe// 5SOS

15

"Yeah, have a good day."

I walked along side Harry, into the school gates. Immediately, Amber came over, pulling me into a hug.

"I love you, and I'm not mad,"

"I know, I'm sorry,"

"Don't be sorry," Sapphire said, hugging me as well, "I think we've shut everyone down,"

I smiled and look at the floor, Harry nudging me. I looked back up and saw Owen, almost falling into his hold.

"I told them, not my parents, but these two,"

"We can all go to pride next year," Amber smiled, "we would come, but we are both on holiday,"

"It's okay. I've got to see the head but... we will meet over summer?"

"Yeah. I'll see you soon,"

I didn't actually know why I was seeing miss, but I could guess. Most of all, I was just glad she was nice.

"I'll come and see you at lunch, for ten minutes at the end,"

"No, stay with your friends,"

"No, I want you to have company. You're seeing Lucy tonight so I don't get to see you then,"

"Oh yeah," I smiled, "that's good,"

"Ava! And Harry, how are you?"

Mrs Lockheart walked in behind us, opening her office door. She always had a pretty dress on, and her hair was curled; her makeup was nice too.

"Good thankyou, tired,"

"We all are, would you take a seat? Thanks for bringing her Harry,"

He squeezed my hand and I went in, sitting on the chair opposite her's. She logged into her computer and sorted out her desk, leaning back comfortably.

"How do you feel today?"

"Fine,"

"And are you going to your lessons?"

"Yeah, but not drama,"

"No? Okay, but will you next year?"

"Yeah, I just feel shaken up lately. Savanna is back today,"

"She is, and if she says anything then you tell me. If she threatens you, tell me, no matter what she says she will do,"

"I don't want her next to me in English,"

"Well she's not, because Sam is sat there now, isn't he? And he wants to be your friend,"

"A lot has happened,"

"It has, but we have a long time to clear our heads over summer. How are you coping with your medicine?"

"I got some new ones so I'm trying them out,"

"That's good. Basically, I want you to know that if anything happens in a school day that makes you scared or uncomfortable, Mr Carter and I are the first people you go to. Not Harry, not Amber, not dad when you get home,"

"Why?"

"Because we can immediately correct their behaviour,"

"Oh, okay,"

"Have a good day, the last little push,"

I took my bag and went to our room, Charlie and sir talking. They smiled, Charlie reaching his arms out to hold me in his side.

"Did you have a good weekend?"

"Yeah, kinda. Sunday was okay because we saw Calum,"

"Good, and is Milo still okay?"

"He keeps jumping up at me and licking my face," I giggled, "but he's really good at helping too,"

"And are there any holidays planned?"

"I'm going across the country to my other family," Charlie said, "I'm looking forward to a change of setting,"

"And I'm going somewhere but dad won't tell me. Four days with Harry and everyone, three days without them,"

"Sounds like you'll both have a great time. The countdown to Christmas is coming up,"

"What's that?" I asked, "like, I know it's a thing, but I don't know what it is and I'm scared,"

"People do it differently but sometimes you have an advent calendar, sometimes you just do some nice things, but it's throughout December,"

"Oh, dad said we have to visit Calum's family, and Luke's and Michael's, but Calum is dad's best friend so I expected that,"

"That will be nice. If they talk to you Ava, you've got to try and speak back,"

"I know," I sighed, "Luke has two big brothers though,"

"Just remember, your dad will have grown up with Calum's family as a second family, and I'm sure the other two helped a lot too. Seeing them will be special to your dad,"

"Viola is going to see her dad is hospital,"

"Why don't you make him a card? I'm sure he'd love that,"

"Yeah, okay. Dad said we would visit soon,"

"Are you at pride this weekend?" Charlie asked, "Harry mentioned it,"

"Yeah, I'm a bit nervous," I admitted, "with the big crowds, and there might be people there to bring us down,"

"I'm sure you'll enjoy it. People go to celebrate, and your dad will keep you safe. I know we don't have a great track record with big crowds but I think you could get through it,"

"Julie and Owen are coming too, and then Owen is sleeping over because his parents don't like that he wears makeup, and I am going to have my flag as a cape, which his parents probably wouldn't like either,"

"Don't stay up too late," sir smiled, "and involve Owen as much as you can. It sounds like he could use that extra bit of love,"