Free Friendship on Fire by Danielle Weiler Page A

Mum talked about the latest studies being done in the health and diet world. Having a dietitian in the family came in handy for the most part, except when us kids felt like eating junk for a day. The lectures started when she caught us.
    All eyes turned towards me.
    â€˜Well, Daisy? Who is he?’ Dad was glaring dangerously at me; I’d tuned out of the conversation while he was hogging the time talking about his latest potential car deal.
    â€˜He’s an astronaut from outer space,’ I said wearily. ‘Who is he ?’
    Treston grabbed a slice of pizza off my plate and smirked. ‘My friend Nate? The guy who went into your room the other night? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already.’
    I nearly choked on some garlic bread. Dad’s face went a perfect shade of red. He put down his knife and fork delicately on either side of his plate and folded his hands.
    â€˜Excuse me?’ I managed to squeak. Everyone had gone dead quiet.
    â€˜At least tell us you have a boyfriend, Dais, and we’ll make sure we don’t interrupt next time,’ Shane shrugged.
    â€˜I very much do not have a boyfriend. Not that it’s any of your business. Look at you, like vultures. I’d rather not have this discussion over the dinner table.’ Sliding my chair out roughly, I got up and went into the kitchen.
    Mum came to join me not long after, pretending she was getting a glass of water. I was aimlessly banging around in the cupboards, shifting appliances to illogical places and cursing to myself. She placed one hand on my shoulder.
    â€˜Don’t mind them sweetheart. They’re only teasing. I know you’d never get a boyfriend without telling me all the gory details first,’ she said, sounding confident.
    I said nothing. There was nothing to tell, so I didn’t have to feel guilty either way.

voiding an awkward follow-up conversation with Dad in the morning, I slipped out early and walked the half an hour to Rach’s place. I was prepared to spend the best part of Saturday setting up her house for the big party.
    Her parents left early. We had sat on the couch smiling at them innocently, and waved as they walked out the door. I felt sorry for them, in a way, but they weren’t meant to find out. I definitely didn’t feel guilty enough to give up this party.
    Our first plan of attack was to move any valuables into their bedroom upstairs and lock the door. We cooked snacks, cleaned the party area and set up Rach’s backyard with lanterns and her older brother’s sound system. It was a perfect house for a party; I couldn’t deny it. With two storeys, a large front and back yard, pool and outdoor bar, we were all set.
    At eight, we got dressed into our well-planned outfits and waited for everyone to arrive. At eight thirty, Roman showed up, carrying beer and some strobe lights. He was wearing light blue jeans and a white dress shirt rolled up to the elbows. Roman brought a few other guys from school with him, including his best friend James, and they immediately went outside to find the keg.
    As more people arrived, we started bringing out food to soak up some of the alcohol.
    Roman turned to me in the kitchen and said, ‘You girls have done a great job of the house. Looks like everyone loves it.’
    I beamed. ‘Thanks, it only took us the whole day.’
    Rach groaned at the memory.
    â€˜Really? That’s a fair effort. I bet people can hear the sound system from China,’ he joked.
    â€˜I hope so,’ said Rach. ‘Here, Roman, eat some food. You’re wasting away.’
    Roman chuckled and reached for the food platter as we heard a loud scream accompanied by several other screams. Rushing to the front door, we swung it open to discover Skye, in all her glory, lying on the front step, short skirt ridden high up her legs, blonde hair in her face, drink leaking out of the can in her hand. The big scream was hers. With