Free The Good Daughter by Amra Pajalic

on his shoulder. ‘They’re stupid people spreading stupid rumours. rumours.’ I knew it. Of course he wasn’t gay. The teacher called out and we turned to the front. For the rest of the lesson we copied from the board.
    The bell rang. ‘Meet you at the front,’ Brian said as he headed to the door.
    I nodded and packed my backpack. The three of us were going to Sunshine library together after school. Sunshine library or Scumshine, as it was called by those who lived there and had reason to know, was three times bigger than the St Albans library. Thankfully it also had unlimited borrowing so I’d have books to read for a while, as long as I kept renewing them, so I didn’t cop a fine.
    Jesse was by himself. ‘Where’s Brian?’ I peered around.
    â€˜He’s coming. I can’t make it tonight,’ Jesse said.
    â€˜Oh, that’s too bad.’ Happiness crept into my voice. I would be alone with Brian. Jesse looked cut. ‘I mean, we’ll miss you,’ I jumped in, now injecting sincerity into my voice.
    â€˜Don’t worry, Sabiha, I know what you mean.’ Jesse picked up his backpack and turned to leave.
    We both saw Brian approaching.
    â€˜You okay?’ Brian asked.
    â€˜Mum’s not feeling well,’ Jesse said. He handed Brian a list with Stephen King and Dean R. Koontz titles scrawled on it. ‘Can you get me some books?’
    â€˜What’s up with him?’ Brian asked after Jesse left.
    I plastered a clueless look on my face. ‘What’s wrong with his mum?’ I asked, even though I didn’t really care. I was happy to have Brian all to myself. This was my chance to find out if he liked me.
    Brian shrugged. ‘We’d better get going.’
    We caught the train from St Albans to Sunshine. Usually I went to the library on my own. Kathleen wasn’t much of a reader, so I was rapt to find a companion.
    On the train, Brian’s face became serious. ‘You know when Dina said I was wearing foundation?’
    I waved my hand like I was pushing away a bad smell. ‘She’s a turd.’
    â€˜I am wearing foundation.’
    I examined Brian’s face. He’d applied the make-up expertly, blending it into his neck so there was no tell-tale jaw line. I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t jumping to conclusions again. ‘Do you wear foundation all the time?’ I asked softly, aware of the other passengers around us.
    â€˜Only when I break out.’ Brian touched his left cheek where there were nasty pimples.
    â€˜Foundation just makes it worse, you know.’ I knew from experience. ‘It doesn’t allow your skin to breathe and the pimples stay for longer. You should wear a tinted moisturiser.’
    â€˜Really? Thanks,’ Brian said uncertainly.
    â€˜You’re welcome.’ I felt like I’d dodged a bullet.
    At the library we pointed out our favourite novels. I borrowed J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye on his recommendation. He agreed to read Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight , even though he needed convincing. Gothic vampire romances were a new thing for him.
    While he discovered Bella and Edward, I checked my emails. Kathleen had sent me a PowerPoint presentation of cute furry critters and a line saying she was sorry for being crabby on Saturday. I took comfort in the fact that she hadn’t forgotten me.
    As we walked back to the station I winced and shifted my backpack straps. I’d left my schoolbooks in my locker so I’d have room, but as usual I’d got over-excited and borrowed fifteen books. Now I had to suffer.
    Brian took off his backpack. ‘Let’s swap.’
    â€˜Are you serious?’ I couldn’t believe my luck. He’d only borrowed five books. ‘Thanks,’ I said, catching up to him.
    Brian smiled. ‘My weight-lifting is paying off.’
    I peered at his biceps then at his chest, and saw the firm outline