I leaned on the school gate. Caleb should be here by now, I thought to myself. It had been fifteen minutes since school finished, and he was still not here. Caleb and I have always met at the back entrance to walk home together- have done since we began secondary school three years ago.  He's my best friend, most other girls think I'm weird, having a best friend that's a boy, and they always tease me saying that I fancy him. I don't care. we're really close,  always have been and always will be. I got my mobile out of my bag, and typed his number in, when I heard my name being called. I'd recognise that voice anywhere. I looked up the field and saw him running towards me, grinning. He gave me a hug, and apologised for his lateness.

"Where have you been?" I asked him, curiously.

"Sorry Elodie, Mrs Hertz had to talk to me. 'Caleb start concentrating in class and get your homework in on time!'" He replied, mocking her tone of voice, and, actually, it was a surprisingly accurate impression. I giggled, and we began strolling home. Caleb wasn't speaking to me, he was just staring at the ground, ambling along. Normally he chatters on all the time- I can't get a word in edgeways!- but he was being unusually quiet, and there was an awkward silence lingering between us both. I tried starting up conversations, but he just whispered "yeah..." and said nothing more. I started to get a bit worried; he is only ever quiet when something's upsetting him.

"What's wrong, Caleb?" I smiled, encouraging him to tell me.

"Nothing..." he muttered. I sighed.

"Yeah right... Caleb, I've known you for too long. you can't lie to me. Now tell me why you're ignoring me. Don't argue with me. just tell me", I sternly replied. I grabbed his shoulders, stopping him from walking on, and lifted his head up. what I saw surprised me. His eyes were red, and he had bruises and little cuts on his cheek. I put my hand to my mouth.

"Oh, not again..." I exclaimed, rolling my eyes. "Lance and his gang. Oh for God's sake, I'm sick of them thinking they can take advantage of you! Tomorrow, I'm going to see them- put them straight. Caleb, you can't let them do this to you!" "No! Elodie, don't go and see them. You have no idea what they could do to you! And after you, what are they going to do to me? Just stay out of it, okay!" He cried. He pushed me away, and just like that, he ran off. I was completely taaken aback! I don't think I've ever seen him so frustrated and upset. The Caleb I know can control his temper so easily, and never gets angry. Lance and his gang- The LAN -Must be getting to him. This bullying problem must be a lot worse than I firat imagined...

I opened the door to my house and greeted my mum with a hug. I threw my bag and my shoes under my radiator and started to run upstairs, until my mum stopped me. I turned around to her, but I had already guessed what she was going to say. Homework. Stupid, damn homework-always getting in the way of the stuff I want to do! And plus, my mum always makes me do it the day I get it.

"Mum, I'm busy tonight, I'll do my homework tomorrow. it's not due in for another week!" I told her.

"No, you'll be doing your homework tonight. now, in fact." she replied. I rolled my eyes.

"But mum, I need to talk to my friends. I have a life, you know, and it doesn't always revolve around homework. You never seem to care about what I want!" I exclaimed. I regretted saying that straight away. Her face fell, and she looked hurt. I felt guilty, but what I said was true; it's what I felt. I continued running upstairs, without saying another word, or even looking at her. I flicked my stereo on and put in a CD, before turning it up to full volume. I like doing this. the loud music helps me drown out everything that's happening and it helps me to relax. Even if its upbeat music I still like to listen to it loudly. I looked around my room for something to do.

I must have been on my laptop for hours, because it was 9.00pm when I heard a knock on my door. My mum walked in, the earlier hurt on her face replaced by obvious anger.

"Elodie I'm going to town tomorrow. and you're coming with me." she snapped.

"But mum, I'm going to Nadia's house after school..."

"Yes, however I won't be home in time to pick you up, so your coming with me." I couldn't believe it. how could she cancel my plans just because she can't pick me up?

"Mum, I can walk. I'm 15 now, I don't need you standing over me all the time!" The distance between our houses is quite far, but still, I need some independence!

"You are not walking all that way yourself!" she shouted back at me. my mouth dropped open.

"All that way? Mum, my friends walk further than that most days! Why do you have to be like this all the time? always wanting to be so overprotective! Newsflash, mum, I'm fifteen! FIFTEEN! Oh for God's sake. I'm going to Caleb's." I knew Caleb wouldn't want to see me after earlier, but I needed to get away from mum. She didn't even protest. she just walked out of my room.

"Fine." she replied. I grabbed my phone, with a lump in my throat, determined not to cry. I rushed downstairs kissed my little sister, Tasha, and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me.