Meredith Costain - Burned

Table of Contents

monday morning

I see Michis smile coming up the corridor before the rest of her arrives. It stretches from ear to ear, lighting up her face.

Mia Moo, she says, giving me a big hug.

Let me guess, I tell her. Youve just been talking with Ben.

Michi shakes her head. No, she says, her dark eyes dreamy. But he did text. She holds up her phone so I can see the screen. Want to see what he said?

Is she serious? I open my locker door and start pulling out books for first class. No, thanks. Its too early in the day for mushy stuff. Ever since Michi and Ben got together after Amiras party last term, all I ever hear from her is stuff about Ben. Funny things Ben does. Cute things Ben says. Bens favourite music track and least favourite thick shake flavour. If Michi had to go on one of those quiz shows with Ben as her special subject, shed win it, no worries.

Michi reads the message again, then snaps her phone shut. Its not mushy. She grins. Well, not very. He only put two kisses. I normally get heaps more than that.

Maybe his bus turned up halfway through the text, I tell her. Well, it might be true.

Oh, for sure, says Michi, her eyes going dreamy again.

All around us, kids are slamming their lockers shut and hurrying off down the corridor. I poke Michis arm. You going to get your books for class? First bell went ages ago.

In a minute, Michi says, opening her phone again so she can text Ben back.

Its like aliens have sent down a beam and transported cool and independent Michi back to their planet, and replaced her with love-sick puppy Michi.

I swipe the phone out of her hand before Turnip Turner, the duty teacher, sees her and confiscates it. Come on, I tell her. Youll probably see Ben at recess anyway. Cant you tell him then?

Michi gives me a goofy smile. I guess, she says, grabbing a couple of folders from her locker. Hey, did I tell you what Ben said on the weekend? About how he thinks that

Yes, you did tell me, I sigh, dodging streams of students as we weave our way along the corridors towards Room 19. On the phone yesterday afternoon, and then again when you messaged me last night

Yes, but did I tell you the most important part? Michi babbles on. About whats going to happen when we

Michi, I plead. Tell me about it later, kay? Im trying to get to class here!

She shoots me an apologetic grin. Yeah, sorry, Mia. I know I get a bit carried away sometimes. Its just that Ben is so

Lovely, I say, finishing the sentence for her. And he is lovely, too. From what Michi tells me, hes everything you could want in a boyfriend. Funny. Kind. Thoughtful. Not to mention a definite hottie, in a quiet kind of way. Not all obvious about it, like some of the guys Alysha drools over, or the actors on shows like Baileys Beach.

I just wish he didnt take up quite so much of Michis headspace. Or time. Time she could have been spending with me. A few weeks ago she cancelled a trip to this cool vintage clothes market wed been planning to go to for ages. All because Ben asked her to go the movies that day. What was I supposed to say? No, you cant go with him? And then when we actually did go to the market last week, all she wanted to do was look at clothes for Ben.

Second bell rings just as we arrive at our classroom. We hurry inside and over to our usual place near the window. Weve been sitting here ever since the big fall-out between Michi and Amira last term. They made up after a few weeks of cold looks and awkward moments, but not enough for us all to sit together like we used to. Guess thats going to take a while. And the fact that Michi did end up going out with Amiras crush, Ben, hasnt helped, either. Just as well Amira has found herself a new crush to stress over.

Ms Hayes, our English teacher, clears her throat. Welcome back, everyone. I hope you all had a good break over the holidays. Anyone do anything or go anywhere exciting?

Theres a chorus of No, miss, and Boring, miss. She smiles. Just as well weve all got next weeks camp to look forward to then, isnt it?

Jane sticks up her hand. Why do we have to go on an outdoor adventure camp? she whines.

Yeah, says Jess. Its the middle of winter. Well freeze our bums off. Why cant we go somewhere warm, like the Gold Coast?

Fiji, calls out Liam.

Hawaii, snorts Harry. I want to see hula girls.

Typical. Those guys are such morons. I think its going to be awesome. Who cares if its cold?

Ms Hayes holds up her hands. Okay, thats enough, settle down. Wildwood is a fantastic place and youll all have a great time. Now, before we get down to todays lesson, any last questions about the camp?

A forest of arms shoots into the air.

Yes, Tara?

Are we allowed to bring our mobiles with us?

Definitely no personal phones allowed on camp. And in case youre thinking of sneaking one in anyway, theres no point. Theres no reception in that part of the mountains.

But how am I going to talk to my friends? asks Tara, horrified.

Im sure youll cope, Hazy tells her. Theres a public phone in the rec hut. Anyway, this is a good chance for you to make some new friends from the other two classes that are coming.

Theres a rush of questions then. Which other teachers are definitely coming? Whos doing the catering? Will hamburgers and pizza be on the menu? Who chooses which kids will be in which cabin? What time will lights-out be?

Michi turns to me, her dark eyes huge. How am I going to last for a whole week without talking to Ben? she whispers. I wont even be able to text him.

Come on, Michi. Youll survive, I tell her.

No, I wont, she says. I wont have anyone to talk to!

But Ill be there, I tell her. And Lexi, and Leesh. Itll be fun.

Plus it will give us some time to hang out together, like we used to. Leesh seems to be spending more and more time with Paige and Jayde these days.

Michi doesnt look convinced. But I want Ben to be there, too, she sighs. You dont understand.

Maybe I dont. Ive never had a boyfriend. Well, not a proper one that Ive officially gone out with. Okay, Ive had a few crushes here and there, and theres this Year 8 guy from another school who I chat to at the bus stop in the mornings some days. I think he likes me. A bit. But Lexis always there, and Im scared to say too much to him in case she gets all silly about us being boyfriend and girlfriend, and scares him off. And its not like weve ever gone to a movie or we text each other like Ben and Michi do. So no, I probably dont understand what Michi means when she says she wont be able to survive without any contact with Ben. But that doesnt mean I have to agree with her.

monday recess

Lexi is already waiting for us at our special place under the peppercorn tree.

Hi, you two, she says, crunching into an apple. So, did Hazy talk about the camp this morning?

Sure did, I say, plonking myself down on the bench beside her. Im really looking forward to it.

Me too, says Lexi. Ertie reckons were going to do kayaking and rope courses and all kinds of cool stuff like that.

Michi pulls a face. Im not.

Lexi stares at her. What? Youre not going kayaking? But its so much fun.

Michi shakes her head. Not looking forward to it. The camp. Any of it.

Not even the concert? Lexi asks. Ertie says were having a concert on the last night. We all have to get into groups and put on a skit or something. I thought you loved that kind of stuff.

Yeah, normally I Michi begins, then breaks off and stares into the distance sadly.

Michis worried about the no-mobile-phones rule, I explain to Lexi.