Free Closer by Maxine Linnell

me looking, and as soon as I’ve taken the tissue she quickly takes her hand away. The sleeve falls back down over her arm. 
    The bottom of the soda is the best, pure melting ice cream that won’t go up through the straw, you spoon it out with the long spoon and scrape up every bit. We concentrate on that, and I lick the end of my straw. It’s like finally saying goodbye to being a child. I’ll never do this again, I know that. 
    We don’t bother with the shops. I’m shopped out, and it’s nearly closing time. The bus is crowded on the way back and we don’t talk much. At home Dad and George are playing video games downstairs. Mum’s in the kitchen. Hannah and I go off to our separate rooms. 
    Everything’s changed, but it’s still the same. I can’t get my head round all this.

Me and Raj 
    We’re in the front room eating pizza in front of the TV. Mum calls it her Saturday night treat, something easy. It’s disgusting, oozing fat and calories. I’m doing my best not to eat mine. My phone rings. It’s Raj. Mum sighs, and I put my pizza down and go out in the hall. Raj is ringing me like he said he would yesterday. It’s one of the things I like about him. He does what he says he’ll do, and he’s straight, no secrets. 
    â€œHi Raj.” 
    â€œHi you. What’s up?” He reads me so well. 
    â€œNothing, everyone’s stupid round here, that’s all.” 
    â€œCome and meet me up the park. I’ve got something to tell you.” 
    â€œWhat?” 
    â€œWait and see – can you be there in five?” 
    I’m picking up my jacket and purse and I’m out of there before anyone can ask what I’m doing or where I’m going or tell me to come back and eat my tea. 
    It’s good to be out in the evening sun, swinging down the street with my denim jacket over my shoulder, one finger hooked into the collar, going to meet Raj. The park’s not far, across two side streets. It starts on the corner, with trees and grass and dogs and ducks and a pond and people who look completely normal and ordinary, who like living together and don’t hurt each other all the time. 
    Raj is standing by the gates, grinning at me as I reach him. 
    â€œHi there, babe.” 
    He’s wearing his blue teeshirt and baggy trousers and he’s looking fit. 
    â€œHi you. What’s this you’ve got to say then? Playing for England next week?” 
    â€œI wish. No, something better than that.” 
    â€œBetter than England?” I’m teasing him, enjoying his smile and his being there with me. 
    â€œYeah. I had a letter this morning.” 
    â€œWhat’s with the guessing games? Tell me.” 
    â€œI’ve got in. The journalism course. In Manchester. They’ve given me a place in the end.” 
    I try to be pleased for him, I do try. Say what you like about me, I do my best to be happy for my friends when things go well for them. And this is what Raj has always wanted, Manchester, journalism. A hundred miles away, when I need him to be here in Leicester with me. So I do what you have to do in these situations. I lie. 
    â€œHey, that’s great. That’s cool. Wow. When do you go?” 
    I’m making out like I don’t care if I never see him again. Like I can’t wait for him to leave. 
    â€œWon’t you miss me?” 
    â€œMe? No, I never miss people. Easy come, easy go. What’s three years?” 
    I’m lying through and through, and I can’t understand why Raj doesn’t see it. 
    He’s looking uncertain, and I’m angry, angry that he’s so sure of me that he thinks I’d want him to stay. 
    â€œBetter go,