Read Seven Days for Free Online

about me? He must know what Kez thinks of me, surely? When we were friends, it was different. We were little. We argued over Disney movies and shared giant ice pops. Besides, we were both chubby then…
    The line shuffles forwards and I keep my head turned away from the main hall, worrying that Kez may appear at any time and break the spell. I pray that Phillip comes soon and we can disappear together, talk about books in the safety of our nerdy hideaway corners.
    It’s Lyn’s turn to move over to food counter. As he goes to walk over, he carefully leans backs and whispers to me, “Keep smiling, dimples. Seriously, we should hang out again. It’s been way too long.”
    Despite myself, a piece of me dies of happiness.

I’m starving and the canteen is full to bursting already. Typical. I look bleakly over at the queue and see that Lyn is right at the front. My heart leaps, which annoys me. I’m no good at playing it cool.
    But maybe he’ll get me some lunch. Save me having to line up. I hate standing alone, it makes me feel exposed. I will him to turn round and notice me, but of course he doesn’t. Sometimes I think I would need to be wearing a bikini and be draped head to toe in fairy lights for him to notice me.
    I move towards him and then I see that he’s talking to someone. For a moment my brain can’t quite take in what I’m seeing. He’s laughing with a girl. And she’s laughing back. It’s Jess. The stig.
    He knows I can’t stand her. Is he doing this to wind me up or something?
    I rub my temples. I know I’m getting twitchy, nervous even. This isn’t right. I wish Marnie was with me, but she’s at a drama meeting and won’t be here for another twenty minutes or so. I can’t walk over to him now. He might be cold with me in front of Jess. I can’t face that.
    I can’t believe she’s laughing like that. I’ve never seen her look so relaxed and happy. She looks so different. Cocky, even. Does she know Lyn’s with me? Probably. This must be some kind of sick joke.
    I hang back for a bit, getting my phone out and fiddling with it. I could sit with Lois, but she’s still in a mood with me. Pippa is waving at me. She’s good fun, but a bit of a gossip. I wave back, realizing I must look really odd and awkward. I want to walk over to them, but my eyes fall back on Lyn.
    Lyn is now at the counter with Ben and some others. Jess is still in the queue. She has her back to me. I flash her a look of pure evil anyway. How did she manage to make him laugh like that? He’s never laughed like that with me.
    Finally, Lyn is walking over to a table, carrying a tray, still deep in conversation with Ben who scuttles beside him. I don’t know what Marnie sees in him. I put my phone away and casually walk over to them. I want this to look accidental, like they’ve just crossed my path.
    “Hello, you,” I say as I approach. Lyn lifts his head and smiles at me, slightly cocky, but still sweet.
    “Hi,” he says. “Good day?”
    “Not bad. Getting better.”
    I want to kick myself. That’s so naff. If Marnie was here she would be ramming her fingers down her throat. Lyn just grins. I think sometimes he looks a bit arrogant, just by the way he stands and the way his lip curls slightly when he listens to me; but I love this about him. I like the fact that he’s slightly remote, it makes me feel like he’s worth fighting for. He’s a prize that I really want to win. It’s no wonder Jess was enjoying talking to him, he’s so much better than the geeks she’s used to being around.
    “Aren’t you eating?” he asks.
    My eyes flick towards the queue again. It’s still really long; I’ll be waiting for ages, on my own like the biggest loser. Jess is at the front now, loading her plate with chips no doubt, she usually does. Being fat obviously doesn’t bother her. Shameless.
    “I’m not really hungry,” I say, but I steal a chip from his plate anyway. Lyn raises an eyebrow.
    “I’m goin’ to sit with