Monday morning. 7:03am. Groan, groan, groan. It's not that Jill didn't like school. It was more of a hatefilled relationship. She could hear her parents banging stuff around in the kitchen.

'Mum! I think I've got arthritis in my knees. And my toes. And fingers. And all up my spine. And pelvis. I better...'

'Get up!'

Jill hobbled into the kitchen. 'That's not actually how I was going to end my sentence.'

She sat down at the table and did the usual cement mixer trick with the cornflakes, muesli, extra sultana, and milk. Jill's dad sat on the opposite side of the table, behind the Weet-bix. Jill moved the packet so she could see him.

'Good morning, dad.'

Mr Lenin was a psychiatrist. He didn't talk much. One wondered if the two things were related.

'Hm. Good morning.'

Jill moved the Weet-bix back into place and started the familiar arguement about why on earth should she have to wear a uniform?

'Because you look nice in it dear.'

That was a new one. Jill wiped a fake tear from her eye. 'Oh, dad, I've got post-vacation depression. Could you write me a note on some fancy paper with your name on the top saying I don't have to go to school for the next three years?'

'Huh?'

It was hopeless. She would have to go to school. Just as long as she didn't have to play the role of Jasons baby sitter. He really had to grow up.

'I called Anthea Burke last night and said you would pick Jason before school then show him around and be nice.'

Jill wondered if her mum had actually said that on the phone, "Yes, dear, Jill will pick Jason up before school then show him around and be nice.

'You will, won't you.'

It wasn't a question, it was an order. Jill decided that she couldn't lay all the blame on Jason for his being a drip.

'Hey, Jason, you coming or not?!'

Mrs Lenin poked her head out the front door.

'JILL! Don't stand there shouting, go and KNOCK on their DOOR!

Sigh.

'Too late, mum!' Jill shouted. 'Here he is.'

'Stop SHOUTING!' Mrs Lenin shouted.

'C'mon Jase, let's just back away from the crazy woman and maybe we'll get out of here alive.'

Step, step, step, step. Something was wrong.

'Okay, out with it!'

'Jill... do I look alright? You know... cool?'

Jill untucked his shirt, battled with his hair to give him a I-just-got-out-of-bed look, scuffed up his shiny new shoes, and loosened the straps of his schoolbag so he wasn't wearing it around his neck.

'Darlin, the girls are gonna fall for you!'

'Yeah?' Jason blushed.

'Y-e-s.'

It made the guy happy, anyway.

At the bus stop, he asked 'Did you find the question and answer?'

'Nope. And no accordian either. By the way, when the bus comes, don't make it look like you're with me, definitely don't sit next to me.'

'I suppose nobodys going to believe that you're talking to yourself if you're not sitting by yourself.'

Yeah, well, there was that too.