Your Wish Come True (revised): Chapter 14 - Anxiety free porn video

Your Wish Come True by Pol Roger Chapter 14 Anxiety Some friendships can be tricky ONLY two more days to the end of term, Mandy reflected happily as she put her blazer into her locker and retrieved some books that she needed for her Biology lesson later that morning. She closed the locker and headed off down the corridor. "Ow! Watch where you're going!" "Oh, sorry," Mandy spluttered. She had just collided with Genevieve Riley, who appeared out of nowhere as she rounded the corner into the next corridor. "Look! You scattered my papers all over the corridor!" Genevieve fumed. It was true. Papers were everywhere. "I'm really sorry," Mandy said again. "I didn't see you." "Well the least you can do is pick up what you knocked out of my hands," Genevieve said scowling down at Mandy. Mandy got down and started to pick up the scattered papers. They seemed much more spread out than she would have thought possible from the slight knock she had had with Genevieve. She was feeling flustered and embarrassed. Genevieve Riley was the last person she wanted to get offside with after Maria Grearly's warning. She scrabbled after the papers as quickly as she could. She wanted to be out of there as fast as possible. "Over here," said Genevieve. "You missed some over here." "Oh, sorry," Mandy said, out of breath from chasing all over the corridor on her hands and knees. "What's going on, Gen?" came a sudden voice right behind her. Mandy turned and saw Stacey and Danielle, Genevieve's cronies. Just like Genevieve they were tall and very pretty. Stacey had dark hair and Danielle light brown. They stood rather closer to Mandy than she liked. "It's nothing," Genevieve said in a resigned tone. "Nothing! Look at this mess! And who's this? Why, it's Randy Mandy!" said Stacey. "So it is!" Danielle joined in. "So you're the new girl, Randy Mandy!" "Do you think she's really randy?" Stacey asked Danielle. "She's a bit young to be getting randy, isn't she?" Danielle answered. "They start young, these randy bitches, don't they?" said Stacey. Mandy's face was red with embarrassment. "So what's this you've done to Gen's assignment?" Stacey demanded, thrusting her face close to Mandy's. Mandy thought she had managed to pick up all the scattered pages, and had them in her arms. "I didn't do anything," she said. "It was an accident. We just bumped into each other." "That was very careless," said Danielle. "You might have hurt her. I bet you didn't even ask if she was all right." "I just bumped into her," Mandy said. "And ruined her assignment! If you weren't so randy you'd be less selfish." Stacey said accusingly. "Are you going to even ask if Genevieve is all right?" "Of course she's all right," Mandy protested, "it was just a bump." "Have you asked her?" Stacey insisted. Mandy took a deep breath. "Are you all right, Genevieve?" "I--I think so," said Genevieve. "It was just a shock." "Here," Mandy said, holding up the gathered papers to Genevieve and ignoring Stacey's and Danielle's insulting remarks, though they cut her deeply. "I think this is everything." "It looks a mess to me," Danielle said gloomily. "You should try not to be so clumsy." "I wasn't clumsy!" Mandy insisted, "She just came out of nowhere." "So you're blaming Genevieve! You've got a nerve, you randy little slut! Look what you did to her assignment!" Stacey said, raising her voice a little louder. "Now, girls, stop this," Genevieve interrupted. "I'm sure Mandy didn't mean it, did you, Mandy?" "No, of course I didn't mean it," Mandy said. She was managing to remain outwardly calm, but inside she was becoming distressed. She knew the name-calling of "randy" and "slut" was malicious opportunism for her stupid slip of the tongue on her first day at school. But instead of feeling simple outrage for their onslaught she was also feeling growing fear. Perhaps Stacey and Danielle had seen through her and somehow discovered her secrets? She suddenly realised there was an awful lot of truth behind the accusations. She really was randy. She thought about sex constantly these days, and just about everything seemed to turn her on. She could feel herself becoming moist at the very thought of it--getting turned on just by the thought of being turned on! Was she a slut? In all honesty that was what she had wished for when all this got started. Nympho, at any rate. This really was all her fault. She could feel tears beginning to prick the backs of her eyes, but she tried desperately to exert some self-control. "Here's your assignment." She held the papers out to Genevieve. "Genevieve. Her name's Genevieve," said Danielle. "Didn't your parents teach you any manners? Oh, that's right, you don't have any parents." "Here it is--Genevieve," Mandy said, still holding the papers. She blushed at the remark about parents and manners. These girls are being absolutely cruel, she moaned inwardly. Genevieve's face fell. "They look pretty crumpled. And they're probably all out of order." "Sorry," Mandy said rather meekly. The situation seemed faintly ridiculous. Why was everyone still standing there instead of dusting themselves off and getting on with things. "No manners," she heard Danielle whisper loudly to Stacey. "Sorry--Genevieve," Mandy added quickly. Surrounded by these three tall girls she felt trapped. "Well, as you didn't mean it, I forgive you," Genevieve said sweetly. Forgive me what? Mandy wondered. Nevertheless, she smiled back at Genevieve with a genuine sense of relief. This farcical situation would soon be over at last, it seemed. "Wait, Gen," said Stacey. "It's all out of order. She can't just go off leaving you to sort it all out. She can't be that inconsiderate." They all looked at Mandy. "I'll help you sort it," Mandy said after an interminable pause. She was still holding out the papers to Genevieve. "Just help? When you caused it?" Stacey persisted. "Still has no manners," Danielle muttered audibly. Mandy winced inwardly. "Will you let me sort out the papers for you, Genevieve?" Mandy said, seeing no other way out. "I can do it at morning tea." Genevieve seemed to be considering this proposal. "Very well," she said, "I'll let you." Then to the other two girls, "You see? She didn't mean any harm." Then to Mandy: "I'll get it off you at morning tea, then?" "Yes." Stacey and Danielle glared at Mandy. "Yes, Genevieve," Mandy added hurriedly. "Excellent," said Genevieve, looking at Mandy approvingly. And smiling to the two other girls the three of them headed off down the corridor. Mandy looked with some bemusement at the pile of papers in her hand. Oh well, she didn't really mind sorting the pages. Those girls Stacey and Danielle were real bitches, but Genevieve had been quite decent about everything. Perhaps Maria was wrong about her. Away from those other girls she might be really nice. And Mandy couldn't fail to notice that she was very beautiful. At morning tea Mandy stayed after her biology lesson to sort out Genevieve's assignment. It took less than two minutes, as all the pages were numbered, however there was one page missing. Mandy felt a feeling of panic. This whole business had grown out of all proportion and she wanted it over with. Yet somehow it kept going on and on. It was like a strange nightmare. She hurried back to the corridor where she had bumped into Genevieve. It was morning tea, so the corridor had a few students in it but wasn't very crowded. Nevertheless, Mandy couldn't see any loose page on the ground anywhere. She walked up and down the full length of the corridor. She went round the corner and walked the full length of that corridor. She looked into the classrooms that opened off the corridor. Then she looked in the trash bins of each of the rooms. She went through the trash, searching among the waste paper and other rubbish, but still couldn't find the missing page. She went back into the corridor. No sign of the missing page to be seen. She would have to face Genevieve without the missing page, and probably the remarks and insults of Stacey and Danielle. Then she saw it. How could she have missed it? The corner of a page was peeping out from underneath the door to one of the classrooms, one she had already investigated. She ran to the page to check it out. Yes! It was the missing page. How could it have been there without her seeing it? Mandy felt very puzzled. No matter, at least it was found. Mandy suddenly realised with a sinking heart that she had arranged to give Genevieve the assignment at morning tea, but not where she would meet her. Morning tea was more than half over. She would have to search for Genevieve. She ran to the Sixth Form common room, hoping to find her there. "Have you seen Genevieve Riley?" she asked in the common room. No one had. Did they know where she might be? No one did. Mandy was becoming frantic. She ran to the refectory, the library, the schoolyard. Genevieve was nowhere to be found. The bell sounded for the next lesson, and Mandy had to give up her search. Not even General Studies with the dreamy Mr Wilson could ease Mandy's growing sense of foreboding. She just had to find Genevieve and give her this stupid assignment. She was close to tears for most of the lesson. Lunchtime. Mandy went down to the refectory in an agitated state. She scanned the room for Genevieve and her cronies, but couldn't see them anywhere. "Aren't you having lunch?" Sam had said, seeing her just standing there for several minutes. "Sorry, I don't have time today. I have to find Genevieve Riley." "What on earth for?" Sam had asked in amazement. "No time. I'll explain later," Mandy replied, leaving the refectory. There was no sense hanging about if Genevieve wasn't there. She may as well start looking for her elsewhere. Mandy renewed her search for Genevieve, asking everyone she met if they had seen her. Once again, no one had. It was impossible. Someone must have seen her. How could she have just vanished? And no one had seen Stacey Murphy or Danielle Foley either. All three girls seemed to have disappeared. The bell sounded the end of lunch. Mandy had had nothing to eat and had spent the entire lunch break searching the school without success for Genevieve. That wouldn't have been so bad except that she had missed out on breakfast, and she had got into the habit of doing very well for herself at breakfast. She didn't think she had ever known such panic and frustration. She sat through Performance Studies without being able to concentrate at all. They were talking about using lighting to enhance a performance. None of it sunk in. Mandy's mind was on the next lesson, English, when she would have to face Genevieve at last. The bell sounded and Mandy gathered her things and headed off to English, barely acknowledging Sam's concerned enquiries. The classroom was already almost full when Mandy arrived. There was Genevieve, with Stacey and Danielle either side. Everyone was going to witness whatever dreadful dressing down Mandy was going to receive. She gulped and went straight over to the three tall attractive girls. "I'm really sorry, but I couldn't find you at morning tea," Mandy began to blurt out, "I looked everywhere for you. I spent the whole of lunch trying to find you. Anyway, here's your assignment." "She has a name, or have you forgotten it?" Stacey growled menacingly. Mandy flushed red. "Here's your assignment, all sorted, Genevieve," she said. "Sorry it took so long." "Sorry's not good enough," Danielle said. "It's too late. Genevieve had to tell Mr Daley she didn't have her assignment and he's going to deduct points for lateness. It's all your fault." "Oh gosh, I'm really sorry, um, Genevieve." She remembered to use her name just in time as she saw Stacey begin to say something. "Can't we go and see Mr Daley and explain?" The rest of the class had been following the drama with interest, but they now wrenched their attention away. The teacher had arrived and was calling the class to order. Mandy had to take a seat on the other side of the classroom. The lesson dragged on in an agony for Mandy. Finally the bell sounded the end of school. Mandy quickly went over to Genevieve, her stomach churning in anxiety. Mandy was relieved that all the other students had gone; she was going to have to grovel to Genevieve, she realised, but at least it wouldn't be public. No one wanted to stay back after school, even to see the rest of the drama. Genevieve had sat down on a desk, so that her head was almost level with Mandy's. Stacey and Danielle stood behind Mandy. "I'm so sorry about this, Genevieve," she began immediately, "shall we go and see Mr Daley? I can tell him it was my fault." This is so bizarre, Mandy thought. All she did was bump into Genevieve in the corridor. "Don't you think you've done enough harm?" Danielle interjected. "Genevieve's going to lose marks because of you." "And what makes you think he'll believe you more than Genevieve? You're the one who caused all this," Stacey added to the onslaught. It was too much for Mandy. With her emotions already overwrought and no food all day, her face crumpled in tears. She felt embarrassed and ashamed to be crying in front of these awful girls, but she couldn't help it. "I just wanted to make it up to you," she gasped at last. "It's too late for that now," Stacey said. "No, wait!" Danielle interrupted. "Maybe there is some way she could make it up to Genevieve." "That'd be up to Genevieve, though," Stacy replied. "That's true," added Danielle. "Maybe it's not too late. If Genevieve thinks so, that is." Mandy was beginning to pull herself together, but she still felt distressed and embarrassed. Was there a way out? Is that what Stacey and Danielle seemed to be suggesting? More than anything she wanted to get out of this predicament she seemed to have landed in. "Genevieve, is there anything I can do to make it up to you? Just tell me. What do you want me to do?" Genevieve said nothing for what seemed an age. At last she spoke. "Oh, poor Mandy! You shouldn't be so upset. I know you didn't mean it. Come here." Genevieve had taken out a tissue and proceeded to dry Mandy's eyes. "There, there," she said, cooing. "Now that I've got the essay back I can see Mr Daley tomorrow and explain. Even if he does still take marks off it's not the end of the world." Mandy felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The state of tension she had been in all day and the powerful emotions of the last few moments had left her exhausted and wrung out. Genevieve's kindness to her now was like a ray of light in the darkness. "Is there anything you want me to do?" Mandy asked, feeling her anxiety relaxing a little. "I don't think you're a bad person really. You've convinced me you can do much better. I already said earlier that I forgave you--" That's true, she did, thought Mandy. "--so all I want you to do," said Genevieve, cupping Mandy's face in her hands and smiling very close to her face, "is to be my friend." What? After all the things Mandy had been dreading and imagining all day, Genevieve was asking her to be her friend? It was bizarre. But a powerful sense of release started to wash over Mandy. "Your--friend?" Mandy repeated. "Still has no manners," Mandy could just hear one of the girls behind her saying. Oh no, it wasn't going to start all over again, was it? Mandy gulped. "Your friend, Genevieve?" Genevieve was holding both Mandy's hands in her own. "That's right," Genevieve answered. "But only if that's what you want." "Gen, is this a good idea?" came Stacey's voice. "After everything she's done?" Genevieve didn't even look up at Stacey. She continued to look steadily at Mandy, holding her hands in her own. Mandy found it hard to look away. "I'm prepared to overlook all that," Genevieve said, still looking at Mandy. She smiled at her. "All you have to do is ask." Genevieve was swinging Mandy's hands slightly from side to side. It felt strangely reassuring. "Well?" Genevieve said after a few moments. "Genevieve," Mandy gulped. It felt faintly ridiculous. "Genevieve, can I be your friend?" Her head was swimming a bit. "Doesn't say please," she heard one of the girls whisper behind her disapprovingly. "Please, Genevieve," Mandy added quickly, "can I?" "You're sure?" asked Genevieve, swaying Mandy back and forth more firmly. "Yes, Genevieve," Mandy answered. "And I'd be your friend as well?" said Genevieve. "Yes, Genevieve." "You promise?" said Genevieve. "Yes, Genevieve." "Say it," said Genevieve. "Say all of it so I know you mean it." Genevieve smiled sweetly in encouragement. She stopped swinging Mandy's hands and held them very firmly. "Genevieve," Mandy began, "please be my friend and I promise I will be your friend." Mandy felt a sense of humiliation as she made this speech. Strangely, she also had a lovely melting feeling, as she gazed into Genevieve's amazing blue eyes. "That's a good little girl." Genevieve let go of Mandy's left hand and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Now give Genevieve a hug." Mandy thought it was odd for Genevieve to call her a little girl, but it also made her feel nice and warm. She reached round Genevieve's neck and gave her a hug. "Now, show me a smile," Genevieve said. Mandy obliged as best she could. "That's better!" Genevieve encouraged. She smoothed Mandy's hair away from her face, not removing her gaze for a moment. "Now Mandy, I want us all to be friends. It would mean so much to me. You'd like to be friends with Stacey and Danielle, too, wouldn't you?" "Yes, I guess so," Mandy said doubtfully. She heard a sharp intake of breath behind her. "Yes, Genevieve," she said quickly. "Of course you would. And you'll be their friend, too, won't you?" "Yes, Genevieve," Mandy said without conviction. "Good. Now, let's all go down to the mall, shall we? Now that we're all such friends." Mandy's heart sank. She had thought the ordeal was almost over, but she was going to have to hang out with these odious people. Genevieve was all right, she supposed, but she couldn't bring herself to like Stacey and Danielle. She didn't think they liked her either. Now she'd agreed to be their friend! It was awful. They headed out the school gates and toward the bus stop. "Stay close to me, Mandy. We don't want you getting run over." "Yes, Genevieve," Mandy said automatically. She just wanted to get this over with, and it seemed easier to play along. In fact much easier. She didn't want to risk making Stacey or Danielle angry, or upsetting Genevieve. Mandy felt slightly uncomfortable on the bus, sitting next to Genevieve. She kept smiling at her, and she seemed to be talking to her as if she were a child. "Have you got all your books from your locker, Mandy?" "Yes, Genevieve." "You didn't forget anything?" "No, Genevieve." "You won't forget to do all your homework tonight? You won't be a lazy little girl?" "No, Genevieve." This was getting a bit much. Mandy's voice betrayed a note of rebellion. "Now, stay close to me," Genevieve said, taking Mandy's hand as they got off the bus outside the Broadway Centre. "Keep hold of my hand, now," she said as they crossed the road. To Mandy's relief she released her grip when they reached the other side. "All right," Genevieve said as they entered the shopping centre, "I don't want you wandering off and getting lost, young lady, so you need to stay close to me at all times. Is that clear?" "What!" Mandy exclaimed. Genevieve was going too far. "Look, Mandy," she said holding Mandy's shoulders and bending at the knees to get level with her, "I'm just concerned about you. Is there anything wrong with that?" "No, Genevieve. But--" "Good. Now, do you need to go to the lavatory?" "No, Genevieve," Mandy answered firmly. "I think you'd better. Stacey will take you, won't you Stacey? Danielle and I will be here when you come back. Hurry along, now." "Come on, Mandy," said Stacey, "it's this way." "I know which way it is," said Mandy. "I can go by myself." "Of course you can," said Genevieve. "Hurry up now, you two. I haven't got all day." "Come on, Mandy," said Stacey, waiting for Mandy to follow her. Reluctantly Mandy went with Stacey. Mandy rushed straight into a cubicle. She did have to pee, as it happened, and she also realised she could steal a moment's privacy. She hitched up her skirt and pulled down her panties. She was astonished to notice they were damp with her secretions. That's strange. She felt suddenly helpless and confused. She finished peeing, wiped herself (Mmm, that feels good!) and came out of the cubicle. Stacey was waiting by the hand basins. Just then she caught sight of herself in the mirror. She looked a wreck! The subtle touch of mascara she had applied that morning had run badly and was smeared all over her face. It was obvious she had been crying. "Oh no!" she cried, "just look at me!" She rushed over to the hand basin and began to splash water on her face and tried to remove the ruined makeup. With nothing but water she seemed to be making things worse. Stacey stood leaning against the wall near the hand basins, saying nothing, watching Mandy. After a while she came over to Mandy and touched her on the shoulder. "You're making it worse," she said, not unkindly. "Here, let me." Stacey took a tissue out of her bag and began to dab Mandy's eyes. She got out another tissue, dampened it from the tap, and did some more dabbing. "There. It looks fine now." "Thanks, Stacey," Mandy said inspecting her face. Her mascara was mostly gone, and the smeared makeup had mostly been successfully removed. "That's okay," Stacey replied. Mandy looked narrowly at Stacey. She seemed almost a different Stacey, neither angry nor sneering. If anything, she looked a little sad. "Stacey--?" Mandy seemed about to say something. "Come on," Stacey cut her short. "We have to get back now. Come quickly." Mandy followed Stacey meekly, amazed at the brief change she had just seen and becoming more confused by the minute. "Well, you look much better now, don't you," Genevieve said when they returned, looking a bit surprised, as if she had been expecting something different. She was addressing Mandy, but she was looking at Stacey as she spoke. The look seemed to express a question to Stacey. Mandy noticed Stacey shrug in answer to Genevieve's unspoken enquiry. What was going on? she wondered. Genevieve tore her gaze from Stacey and regarded Mandy. "Now, young lady. How would you like me to get you an ice cream?" Mandy had eaten nothing all day. She suddenly realised she was famished. "Ice cream? Oh, I'd love one!" "I thought so," said Genevieve, stroking Mandy's hair. "Strawberry I think." Mandy would frankly rather have had Belgian Chocolate flavour, but she decided not to make an issue of it. She desperately wanted that ice cream. "Thank you, Genevieve." Genevieve bought Mandy a huge double helping strawberry ice cream cone. They all sat on a seat in the courtyard together. "Thanks, Genevieve, that looks terrific!" Mandy said as she took it. She began to eat it ravenously, licking the sides of the cone where it had begun to drip and then madly licking the ice cream balanced precariously on top. She felt she had never tasted anything so delicious in her life. "Greedy little thing, isn't she," said Genevieve when Mandy was almost finished. "Very greedy," said Stacey, reverting back to her earlier manner. "Disgusting really," Danielle added. "Mandy, you really should try not to be so greedy," Genevieve said. "Whatever will we do with you?" she said with concern. "Oh, sorry," Mandy spluttered, her mouth full of ice cream. Only now did she notice that she was the only one eating. Why hadn't the others got themselves ice creams? she wondered. "Come here, Mandy, and sit on my knee," Genevieve ordered. Mandy couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Quickly, now! I haven't got all day." Mandy reluctantly approached Genevieve. "Right here," she said, patting her knee. "Hurry up," she added. Mandy couldn't believe she was sitting on Genevieve's knee, right there in the shopping mall. She felt humiliated, but she seemed unable to disobey Genevieve. Somehow she was stuck in a role that she found difficult to break out of. She was also feeling a strange desire to keep up the role. She had no time to examine her thoughts, however, because Genevieve was dabbing her mouth and chin rather roughly with a paper napkin. "What a mess you are! What are we going to do with you? There, that's much better. Now, be a good girl and pop this in the rubbish bin," she told Mandy. "Yes, Genevieve," she answered, and took the messy napkin over to the bin. "Hurry now, run!" Genevieve called out. Mandy ran the rest of the way to the bin, put the napkin in and ran back to Genevieve. She stood before her, a little out of breath. "Now Mandy, I've had a lovely afternoon with you, and I hope you won't be too upset--" It's been less than an hour, thought Mandy, and I didn't want to come anyway. Nevertheless Mandy felt a sense of foreboding. "--but I'm afraid I have to go now. Stacey and Danielle have to go, too, don't you?" They agreed they couldn't stay any longer. "If we walk you to the station, will you be alright to get home by yourself?" Genevieve continued. "Of course I will. Thank you Genevieve," she added quickly at the sound of a sudden intake of breath from Danielle. "And now that we're all such good friends, we can get together another time. Would you like that, Mandy?" "Yes, I think so," Mandy answered. "That doesn't sound very enthusiastic, Mandy," Genevieve said with a wounded look. "I thought you promised to be our friend. Do you want to spend time with us or not?" "And she's forgetting her manners again," Stacey said to Danielle. "Not being very friendly, is she?" Danielle added. "I'm sorry," Mandy said quickly, not wanting to offend her new friends and risk another day like today. "Of course I'm glad you're my friends. Please let's get together again soon." Genevieve considered Mandy's reply with a cold expression. Then she suddenly broke into a broad smile. "That's my girl! Don't worry; of course we can all play again soon. Now, let's get you to the station." The four girls walked round to the tube station. They went through the same charade crossing the road as they had earlier, with Genevieve taking Mandy's hand. "Now, you're sure you'll be able to get home by yourself?" said Genevieve in a concerned voice. "I'm a bit worried about you." "I'll be fine. Thank you Genevieve," Mandy replied. "Now ring me as soon as you get home so I know you got there safely and won't be worried, alright?" "Yes, Genevieve." "Promise?" said Genevieve. "Yes, Genevieve. I promise I'll ring you as soon as I get home." "Good girl. Now, give me a hug." Mandy reached up and gave Genevieve a hug. "Now give Danielle and Stacey a hug," Genevieve said. Mandy hesitated for a second. It wasn't an unreasonable suggestion, and she had promised to be their friend. It was also rather difficult to think of reasons not to do what Genevieve said. She went over to Danielle and then Stacey, reaching up to give them each a quick hug. She waved them all goodbye as she went through the ticket gates. The train ride home gave her time to think, but it was all very confusing. The whole day seemed to have had a surreal quality about it. Anyway, it was over now, and she could get back to normal. That made her smile! Living the life of a teenaged schoolgirl was now normal! She felt a need to talk to someone. She began to phone her friends, beginning with Gemma, then Katrina, then Helen. She didn't have Vanessa's number, so she couldn't call her. She only spoke to each for a minute or two, just asking them how they were and saying that she hoped they'd catch up soon. She said nothing about her ordeal that day. She didn't want them to know that she was now friends with Genevieve and her cronies. She rang Sam, but his phone didn't answer. She sent him a text to call her soon. Mandy rang Emma. Was she coming round? She felt bitter disappointment as Emma reminded her that she'd promised to be home every night this week. But she was looking forward to seeing Mandy tomorrow as they'd arranged. She'd be at home alone. She hoped Sam would ring tonight. # FOR once Mandy didn't feel like cooking. Not just for herself. Not tonight, anyway. She picked up some precooked meals from Marks and Spencer at Sloane Square and had tea as soon as she got home. She was still ravenous from not having eaten all day. Her mobile phone rang. She rushed to where she had left it in the atrium, hoping it was Sam. "Mandy? What happened to you?" It wasn't Sam. It was Genevieve. "Hi, Genevieve. Why should anything have happened to me?" "You promised to ring me as soon as you got home so I knew you'd arrived safely," Genevieve scolded. "Oh, sorry, Genevieve. I "m afraid I forgot." "Forgot! Mandy that is so inconsiderate," said Genevieve. "I've been worried sick." "Sorry," was all Mandy could muster. "Well I'm very disappointed, that's all I can say. We'll talk about it in the morning. Now I want you to make sure you do all your homework tonight, Mandy. Do you think you can do that?" "Yes, Genevieve," Mandy said. She kept up the formality that seemed to be required, but she felt much less intimidated with Genevieve and her other new friends not physically present. "You know I'm just concerned about your welfare, don't you?" "Yes, Genevieve." She wasn't sure she knew any such thing. "Good girl. Hurry along now and make sure you get it all done. We won't discuss it any further tonight. Is that clear, Mandy?" "Yes, Genevieve." "And don't stay up too late." "Yes, Genevieve." "Goodnight, then Mandy." "Good night, Genevieve." Phew! What was this game of Genevieve's, always treating her like a little girl? Was she trying to do her head in? And yet she had been really nice to her as well. Mandy remembered Genevieve cupping her face in her hands and wiping away a tear, and the way she had held her by her hands and swayed her gently back and forth. There was something appealing about being treated like a little girl. One felt protected and didn't have to think. One just did as one was told. Someone else did all the thinking. What must it be like to be a little girl? She was learning what it was like to be a young woman, but she had never experienced childhood as a girl. Mandy felt a sense of loss as she thought this. Sam had asked her about dolls and whether she was a tomboy, and she had had no real answers for him. Perhaps she should have wished for her new life to begin as a baby. Then she could have experienced the whole of her new self. They were treating me like a little girl, but what do I know about being a little girl? I'm some sort of freak! she said to herself. If only I could remember myself as a little girl! Memories--that's what she needed! Her true memories of her childhood as Derek were now irrelevant. They belonged to someone else, someone who couldn't do anything with them because he was more or less a memory himself. Mandy had no memories of her own because she had no past; all she had was a cover story. She had only begun to exist a week and a half ago. She was an alien. A freak. Mandy's phone rang. "Hi, Mandy. It's Sam." "Hi, Sam. Thanks for calling back," said Mandy. "I was going to call you anyway," said Sam. "I was hoping I'd see you after school, but I must have missed you. Is everything okay? You seemed worried about something today. Why were you looking for Genevieve Riley?" "It was stupid, really," Mandy answered. "I knocked into Genevieve in the corridor and she dropped her assignment. I helped her fix it up, but then I couldn't find her to give it back. Then she got penalised marks because she didn't hand it in." "Really?" said Sam. "I wouldn't worry too much about Genevieve. The teachers normally treat her like Lady Muck. She wasn't picking on you, was she?" "No, not at all. Actually, I made friends with her and her other friends, Stacey and Danielle," said Mandy. "You're joking!" exclaimed Sam. "No, we had an ice cream after school. Or at least, I had an ice cream." Mandy frowned as she recalled the afternoon with her new friends. "They're a bit strange. Genevieve's a bit bossy." "She's a bitch, if you ask me," Sam offered. "But if you're such friends I probably shouldn't say that to you," Sam added rather coldly. "You can say anything you like to me. I don't mind." Mandy was feeling better already, talking to Sam and hearing his voice. "So you're okay then?" asked Sam again. "There's nothing wrong?" "No, I'm fine. Except--" "Yes? What is it?" "Um. It's nothing. Well, it's not nothing, actually. I'm not sure what it is. I just miss my Mum and Dad or something, I suppose," Mandy made up. But it was quite true in a way. "Yeah," Sam said gently. Neither spoke for a while. It was nice, Mandy felt, just to know Sam was there at the other end. "Mandy?" Sam said at last. "Yes?" "Why don't you come back to my place after school? Meet my Mum and my sister and have dinner with us? We can play some music or something." "That sounds really great!" Mandy's heart had actually leaped at the offer. Did she have anything on tomorrow? Wait--Thursday. Yes, there was something important. "Hang on!" she interjected, "I have to do something with my guardian on Thursday. It's really important." "Okay. Friday?" asked Sam. "I'm going out this Friday," Mandy answered, remembering the party Gemma had asked her to. She was starting to worry she was sounding as if she wasn't really interested in Sam's offer. "Are you doing anything on Saturday?" "It's the end of term, so I've got nothing on on Saturday. Do you want to come over in the afternoon?" "I'd love to. What time?" "Come for lunch and stay for dinner?" "If you can put up with me for that long," said Mandy. "Great," said Sam. "That's settled, then." Sam would meet her at Hammersmith Station, and then take her to his house. They arranged to travel to school together in the morning, only this time Mandy would get off at Hammersmith and she and Sam would catch the next train together. It was too tricky in the morning rush hour to be sure Sam caught the same train Mandy was on. "Now I should go," said Mandy, feeling much better. "I have to finish my homework and get an early night."