BooksBarbecue
Back When We Were Friends
Chapters (52)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Dedication
  4. About the Author
  5. 31
  6. 14
  7. 31
  8. 14
  9. 31
  10. 14
  11. 31
  12. 14
  13. 31
  14. 15
  15. 31
  16. 16
  17. 32
  18. 16
  19. 32
  20. 17
  21. 32
  22. 17
  23. 32
  24. 17
  25. 32
  26. 17
  27. 32
  28. 18
  29. 32
  30. 18
  31. 32
  32. 18
  33. 32
  34. 18
  35. 32
  36. 18
  37. 32
  38. 18
  39. 32
  40. 18
  41. 32
  42. 18
  43. 32
  44. 18
  45. 32
  46. 32
  47. 33
  48. 33
  49. 33
  50. Acknowledgments
  51. Discussion Questions
  52. Booklist

We laughed and coughed at our bizarre shared memories that nobody would understand but us, until a sadness laid itself over us like a quilt.

I put my smoke down. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to uni?” I tried again. I twisted toward her, watched her face for reaction, and she shook her head as if she was tired.

“Nah.”

“But now you and Liam have broken up, there’s nothing keeping you here. And you got such good grades. Without even trying, I may add.”

At that, she laughed. “I mean, the fact I didn’t try probably means I shouldn’t be getting into shitloads of debt for academia. Anyway, uni! How would I even get there? My mum doesn’t drive. Dad wouldn’t give me a lift.”

“I’m sure he would! Or there’s trains...” I wasn’t sure why I was having this debate with her now, when it was too late, even for clearing.

“I’ve got this temp job starting in a few weeks. It’s seven pound fifty an hour. So it won’t take long to save enough for a deposit to move to London. Then I’ll be in London. Stupid Liam and his shit band won’t be holding me back, so it’s going to be even more fabulous.”

That’s all her plan was. London. Go there. Be in London. She got annoyed if you pressed her for details.

“Yeah, I know, I know.” I lit my third cigarette. “I guess we wouldn’t be at the same university anyway.”

“And I’m going to come visit you all the time.”

“You better! Honestly, Manchester. It’s so huge. I’m scared I’m going to drown...”

She reached over and pulled me into her. “You won’t,” she soothed, and I could tell she meant it. “You’re so much stronger than you ever give yourself credit for. Think of how many amazing people you’re going to meet. And you get to read loads of books, and do loads of writing. It’s going to be brilliant.”

“I hope so...” I looked out again at the sea of illuminated dots of life below me. “At least with that many people around hopefully one person will fancy me,” I joked, lamely. “I may even get to lose my virginity before I die.”

“EVERYONE is going to fancy you. I fancy you.”

“Hmm...”

“Honestly, you’re gorgeous.”