Erin The Fire Goddess: The Beginning

  ***

  That was the first time I'd blacked out. I wasn't sure why I had been so ill, but when I woke up I felt fine. I looked around my darkened room, wondering where I was. The clock on my bedside table read 4:27am. I knew I needed the toilet, so I sat up and almost stood on someone sleeping on the floor.

  “Oh sorry.” I almost wet myself with fright when the person quickly got up.

  “Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling?” It was my Mum and she sounded exhausted.

  “Fine, I just need the toilet.”

  “Okay.” She moved out of the way to let me past.

  When I returned, she had switched on my lamp and was putting my quilt on my bed.

  “Sorry about last night.” I told her, but all she did was give me a weak smile. “Everything okay?” I asked, unsure by her reaction.

  “Yes, it’s just...” She paused for a moment and stood to look at me nervously, “it's Monday.”

  “You're joking?” It must be a joke. I sat on my bed in shock, but she shook her head. “Wow!” I reeled at the revelation, “I don't...” My voice trailed off, unable to find the right words.

  "You had a fever and passed out." She told me very matter-of-factly. I'd never passed out before, but there again I'd never felt as hot as I did on Friday, but I felt fine now. I didn't understand.

  “Have you been with me the whole time?”

  “Pretty much.” She nodded as she came to take my temperature. “You can stay off school today and the rest of the week."

  “No. I want to go to school.” I said as I went to find a clean uniform, “I only have three more days left!”

  My Mum sighed as she realised she wasn't going to win this fight, and was probably too tired to even argue with me.

  “Okay, but it's only 5am now.” She picked up her pillow, putting it under her arm.

  “I'm just going to have a shower and get dressed before breakfast. I'll probably watch TV downstairs, until Kasey-Ray is up.”

  “Okay!” My Mum yawned, “I'm going back to bed.” Then she left me sorting out my uniform.

  Once I was washed and dressed, I headed downstairs. I couldn't believe I'd slept the whole weekend away. I'd missed movie night.

  After making some toast and a cup of tea, I carried them through to the living room to try and find something to watch on the TV. We had all these channels and do you think I could find anything to watch? Not a chance. Luckily there were a few good things starting at 6am. I thought I could watch one episode of Oprah, followed by Extreme Home Makeover.

  By the time the last programme was finished I was in floods of tears, I heard the concerned shushing from my sister.

  “No, I’m fine, honest,” I said, wiping my tears as I looked at her, “I was just watching Extreme Makeover and you know how I get.” I laughed through the tears.

  “How can you cry when you got that hot old guy presenting it?” Kasey-Ray laughed as she tried to cheer me up, and it worked as my tears of sadness, turned to tears of joy.

  “Trust you to make something sad end up being about a man.” I laughed. “I can imagine, if I ever have an accident and need an ambulance, you'd be like ‘stuff Erin, where are the hot paramedics’.” I mimicked her as she tried to act offended.

  “I'm just going to grab some breakfast, you had any?”

  “Yeah! I grabbed some toast.” I called after her.

  It didn't take long for Kasey-Ray to finish her breakfast. Then we grabbed our bags and headed off to school. We didn't need our coats as the sun was shining brightly down on us.

  "I can't believe I slept the whole weekend." I shook my head in disbelief. I don't think I'd ever slept longer than ten hours.

  “You didn't miss much. We didn't even watch the DVD's we got.” I was ready to start apologising when Kasey-Ray started laughing. “I wouldn't worry about it. Mum and Dad picked two DVD's and they both looked guff. You probably did me a favour.” She was still laughing as we approached the school gates. “You okay now though?” She gave me a critical once over.

  “Never better.” I smiled hugely.

  “One way to get out of the grilling I was going to give you.” We both laughed as I realised she was talking about Friday night, and before she could start interrogating me, someone shouted her. We both looked to see it was Matt and he was standing with Claire. Saved again. She laughed as she waved at Claire and Matt. “I'll meet you after school.”

  “Okay.” I watched as she almost bounced over to where her friends were waiting. I was sure I would hear all about this after school.

  Just then I heard arguing, coming from the car park. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I recognised the voice. I wasn't sure exactly what was being said, but I was sure Jessica and Justin had had some kind of falling out, as she barged past me, almost knocking me over.

  “Erin?” Kasey-Ray shouted over, obviously concerned for me, but I was fine. Jessica didn't seem mad at me, I just happened to be in her way. I wasn't the only one she had barged into.

  Giving a weak smile and a wave, I pulled myself together and walked through the main doors.

  Once I got to form room, Jessica was still mad. I heard her say some obscenities about Justin, but one thing was for sure, I would do whatever it took to stay out of her way today. I didn't want to be a punch-bag for her rage against Justin, and if she found out about my Friday nights, then I'm sure she would lose it.

  “Is there a problem?” Ms Forrester had just walked through the door and stopped at Jessica's table.

  “No Miss.” She grunted.

  “Well, if I ever hear you,” She paused to look at everyone in the class, “Or anybody else, using that kind of language, you will be sent to Mr Jenkins office. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Miss!” We all chorused.

  Ms Forrester then headed to her table, pulled out the register and called our names.

  Once form room was over, we all picked up our bags and started to leave.

  “Not you, Jessica Watson.”

  Jessica stopped right in front of me and turned around. I froze. She looked right at me, but her eyes were glazed over, like she didn't register my existence, as she seemed to look right through me to Ms Forrester. I quickly stepped out of the way, letting her past, sure that if I hadn't, she would have pushed me out of the way. I thanked my lucky stars that I had no lessons with her today. I was scared to be in close proximity to her. It would only take the smallest thing to trigger Jessica. I felt sorry for anyone who got in her way today.