Page 12 of The Two Halves of My Heart

“Sure.” The silence between us filled the gaps between our footsteps. I should have been making the most of these times, not wasting them wondering if she was okay or what she might want to share.

“Let’s take our bikes out when we get home. Go for a ride through the backfields. Go to the tree. We can see who can climb the highest?”

“Maybe not tonight. I’m kind of tired and want to go home and see Bob.”

Her rejection stung more than anything, and the anger from earlier was back, rolling through me and turning everything dark. “Fine. I’ll see you later.” I stormed off in the direction of home and left Grace to walk back alone.

It was a crappy move, but her dismissal had made me so cross, especially after what had happened today. I always wanted to spend time with her, so I couldn’t understand why she didn’t feel the same. Didn’t best friends want to spend time together?

The front door was just an obstacle to get through as I arrived home. The whole house rattled with the force I slammed it with.

“Hey, not okay. What gives?”

“Nothing.” I stomped past Mum and raced to my bedroom, slamming another door behind me.

“Maddison, please don’t take your temper out on the house. What is wrong?” Mum shouted up the stairs, but I chose to ignore her. I wanted to ignore everybody.

Nobody could help the way I felt, and no one could help calm the heat that was boiling inside of my chest, eager to escape through my fists. And it was Grace’s comment that had caused my anger. She was usually the only one to put it out, which was why it was ten times worse—because it was her.

I sat down on my bed and flung the book that was in my way across the room. It hit the wall with a dull thud, and I waited to hear Mum moan from downstairs. Thankfully, she didn’t. Somewhere inside of me, I knew I should go and apologise to Grace, or at least go over to see her. The anger festered in the pit of my stomach but wanting to see her won out. If I went now, I could still make it before Oliver came home.

As if just thinking his name could conjure him, I heard the door downstairs and the usual thud of Oliver’s bag. I waited for his footsteps on the stairs, but they didn’t come. The minutes ticked on, and his disappearing act only fuelled the anger that I’d only just managed to wrangle.

“Mum! Where’s Oliver?”

“He’s just left to see Grace. He’s got to be back in half an hour though.”

I flew down the stairs and out of the door, racing down the road to catch him. I’m a lot faster and caught him up on the green, a few metres from Grace’s house.

“Oi!” I yelled. “What are you playing at?”

“I wanted to see Grace.”

“Well, she doesn’t want to hang out tonight, so leave it,” I said as if he should know this already.

“Maybe she just doesn’t want to see you, thought about that?” His snide remark planted doubt in my mind and made me see red. I charged towards him and shoved him to the ground. “Don’t you say that.”

“Cut it out, Maddison.”

“No. I won’t.” I gritted my teeth and looked over Oliver, who was still sprawled out on the grass where he’d fallen.

“What are you doing?” Grace’s voice cut through the anger that had threatened to boil over, diffusing the situation in front of me.

“It’s nothing. A disagreement,” I answered.

“Jeez, guys. Haven’t you learnt to get along, yet?” She put her arm out for Oliver, and he gladly accepted her hand to stand.

“I thought you wanted to stay in and see Bob.” The accusation was clear in my voice, and I hated that I’d aimed my bad mood at Grace. I didn’t want it to be.

“I, um, saw you fighting. You know I hate it when you do.” The sadness was back in her eyes, and I cursed that I couldn’t keep my mouth shut sometimes.

“Well, that’s not going to change anytime soon.” Oliver stared at me, and he was right. I had no intention of stopping fighting with Oliver—especially over Grace. I’d have to be more careful when she was around, that was all.

“Well, I wish it would. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She turned and walked back to her house, leaving us both behind.

“Nice one, Maddison. It isn’t enough you see her all day at school.”

“You know, I don’t have to talk to you. But next time, don’t think you can sneak over here behind my back. She’s my friend, too.” I screamed the last words, flooding them with the anger that had been riling me all day.

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