Today, the teen’s report cards had been issued. Somehow, Mia had managed to escape an F; instead getting a D. Nobody had any idea how, though, as it was no secret that she had only got into school once this week, to fix the boiler. But the main concern at the moment was Elize. She had somehow managed to get a baby, although no-one was living with her, she had been single all the while and two days ago she had not been pregnant. It was very puzzling to all involved, especially as she didn’t remember adopting a child. Even if she had tried to, she would not have been allowed-a young boy, that she had named Tigger, had been taken away from her before. This had happened to many people since that meteor had landed in the park. Now infants outnumbered the extremely confused adults.
However, as things stood now, none of the girls had any chance of getting a boyfriend or later, a husband, of a similar age. Natalie had lost her first admirer, her first boyfriend and her first love. A secret one, of course, but most decent ones are. This meant silent nights in her bedroom, crying herself to sleep. Skiving lessons, especially Personal and Social Education. Her teacher, Mrs Dew, would notice the invisible scars. However, not going to lessons wouldn’t keep her safe. Even if it seemed that she had cried a river, it wouldn’t be enough to sweep her away. The only thing for it was to avoid eye contact, avoid conversations. From now on, she would only look into the eyes of her opponents at the start of a fight. Spending hours at a time on the treadmill had done her wonders, and she was now the most slender and muscular girl in the High. Perfect.
“Natty! Teatime! You should listen! Natalie! Now! Don’t make me come in…” Emma slowly opened the door leading to the girl’s bedroom. It was too late now, and going in the room had never been a real threat anyway. Mia’s side of the bedroom was unusually neat, and Natty’s was not completely spotless. Strange. The cleanliness of this cramped bedroom was usually the only thing the two sisters argued about. Mia was a typical teenager, whereas Natalie was almost obsessive-compulsive when it came to neatness. Emma shook herself. She had let her mind wander, avoiding this huge issue. Where was her daughter? It was so unlike her to go out, and she would never do so without permission anyway! It was almost curfew-what would the neighbours think? She quickly ran about and screamed, again and again, for her lost daughter.
“What WERE you thinking? Exams…grades…report cards…personality changes…worried sick…must have looked mad, you were just at the park…why didn’t you tell me? Why? What’s happened? Natalie! Listen! How could you? How?”
Emma’s frantic questioning seemed to drift into one of Natty’s ears, then straight back out the other. She just didn’t seem to be able to tune in, or even want to, as she had discovered a secret world, one just about her and what could have been. Actually, Natalie Kindler had gone to the graveyard and met all the dead teens. She now had five romantic interests, all in one night, all perfect. They would never age, never be able to marry, never even have children, and never have any responsibilities. They didn’t even have to go to school. Mothers didn’t lecture them if they were caught out by the police. They wouldn’t be caught out by the police, full stop. Ah, back to the lecture.
“Speak! Spit it out! Is it the wedding-but Dean’s your father! It can’t be! You know I’m not good at this kind of thing, so just tell me! I can’t guess, you know I can’t,” and with this, she flopped onto the bed beside her unloving little girl. Natty stood up and simply walked two steps away from her overly-emotional mother.
“I really don’t want to talk about this,” she said in a monotone.
“You have to! I’m your mother, and you clearly have some problems!”
“I suggest that you leave this room. If you decide not to, then I am afraid I must leave, mother.”
Emma stood up, shook out her skirt and left the room.
They finally had enough money to start preparing the garden for the upcoming wedding. Dean couldn’t wait any longer now, and neither could his fiancée. The fence was sugar-white, the carpets rose and the picnic baskets made of caramel-coloured weaved willow. There was a large statue of the founder of civilised society on the left, which was an expensive but lovely addition. Provided that there were no more meteor showers, it should be suitable for several generations. To tell the truth, he could now not wait for Mia to move out and leave the happy family alone. Dean wanted another child, and Emma must feel the same. She kept giving Elize, who was now carrying her newborn around, wistful looks. It must be torture for her. Yes, the wedding must happen as soon as possible. Now would be suitable, before Emma went back to her job as a receptionist on Monday. He picked up the phone and dialled everyone on the proposed guest list.
“Yes, it’s a surprise for her. Of course, we’ll have the outfit ready here. Just bring yourself. Bye now!” He hung up, rolling his eyes. Telephone calls were not his strong point, but these ones were special cases.
