5.1 Daisy Chain

Chapter 5 - Part 1 (Emily)

It had been a horribly long week at school and I embraced the weekend
as my salvation. I didn’'t even really like Donna. She was that girl who had been snobby towards everyone else until her forever best friend moved away. Ever since then she’'d been annoyingly desperate, looking for someone to cling on to. She’'d turned out to be the
perfect side kick to make pushing Jazz away easy.

Except…... it wasn’t easy. I felt sick all day every day. All I wanted to do was tell her what was going on with my parents. The crying, the fighting, the instability of it all – I felt so uncertain of what was
going on as if on Sunday when I walked through the front door, the family home was no more. Our welcome mat had be ripped out from under
my feet. I was still disorientated by it all and neither my parents
would give me a straight answer as to what had happened, mother-coddling me. I had my suspicions based on snippets I’'d overhead and I hoped I was wrong. I hoped my dad wasn’t a cheat.

My mum had always been house proud; everything was kept in its place
and she liked nice things. Sometimes our home could be mistaken for a
Laura Ashley magazine but now despite all the pretty things the rooms
had darkened and everything that had once sparkled had now lost its
twinkle. The lights had gone out and the warm glow of a home had been
snuffed.

I always got home before mum finished work. Usually, I’d hang out
around Jazz’'s house and we’'d do our homework together. I hope my
parents don’t get divorced. I hope they can work things out. I hope
my sacrifice is worth their lifetime of happiness.

I decided to have a shower. As the water ran over my face I allowed myself to cry. It’'s not really crying when your tears are mixed with water so I didn't’ get mad at myself for being weak.