Seven Days Read Online Free Page A

difficult to explain why, because her family are so lovely, but I just struggle to relax. Her house mirrors mine in the inside; same layout, similar smells. In some respects her life even seems the same as mine, but it’s not. It never will be.
    “It was my idea. I’m sorry, Lois, I should’ve included you,” says Marnie quickly. She raises an eyebrow at me, a kind of “what’s the big deal?” look.
    Lois shrugs. “Well, it’s done now. I’m just kind of … I feel a bit, well…”
    She seems to be struggling for the words but I know what she wants to say. Squeezed out. Unwanted. Left behind. None of these things are good. For a second, I squeeze my eyes shut to try and relieve the pressure that’s building. I hate seeing her upset. I hate myself for screwing things up, but I just couldn’t face going home. I didn’t want to be anywhere near there.
    I open my mouth to say I’m sorry again, that I can make it up to her, but I’m stopped by Marnie jumping in front of me.
    “Oh my God, get a look of that!”
    I turn to see what she is pointing at and it takes a few moments for my mind to register the sight. Jess Pearson is running – if you could call it running – up the road towards us. She looks demented. Her arms are flapping around in the air, her thick legs seem to bending the wrong way – struggling under her weight – and her face is just a red, sweaty lump. Even her hair, which is usually scraped back, has forced its way out of its tight ponytail and is swinging round her face in wet, mousey strands. She looks hilarious.
    We usually call her the stig, because in all honesty she is the most trampiest girl in school. If there was a competition for that category she would win first prize, no problem. Her clothes are old and ratty, her hair is greasy, it’s really that bad. But today she looks even more gross than usual, and that’s saying something. I really don’t know why some people are nice to her. She is beyond help.
    She approaches us, panting, coughing and choking. I step back, actually worried that’s she’s going to gob on my shoe. Or worse.
    “Nice look,” I say. I can’t help myself. I’d die if I looked like that.
    She glares at us and then passes me quickly. I know she hates us, it’s written all over her face. But it doesn’t bother me; she should take better care of herself. Doesn’t she have mirrors in her house, or does she just not give a toss?
    “Errgh, did the stig just touch you?” Marnie says in disgust.
    I spin round quickly to face Jess. Did she just brush past me? Because if she did, that is rank – she is dripping with sweat and I don’t want it on me. I stare at this breathless lump of a person, who is too frightened even to answer Marnie back. It’s so pathetic. If she hates her so much, why doesn’t she say something back? I can feel the pressure building again, but this time it’s giving me a different kind of feeling. The burning, hot sensation in my head is now buzzing through the rest of my body.
    So pathetic. How can you be so pathetic?
    “Haven’t you got something to say to me?” I ask. The words come out calm, despite my thoughts. I want her to bite back at me. I want to see some fire in that floppy belly of hers.
    But she just looks at me, her mouth hanging open slightly. So I continue, “You shoved past me. I think you should say something.” I’m pushing her. I know I’m pushing her. I can see the tears pooling in her eyes making them look even more glassy than ever.
    She says that she didn’t touch me. She protests, weakly. She looks like she’s going to sob hysterically. I can feel the rage burning even more. Why can’t she stick up for herself? Why is she such a victim?
    “On your knees and say it,” says Marnie.
    For a split second I’m shocked. Surely that’s going too far. I see Lois’s face and I don’t think she’s impressed. She turns around and starts playing on her phone again. But I know Marnie expects me to support