I have managed to stay out of detention all week. I think it's the first ‘clean’ week I have had since the start of term. I even bit my lip when the biology teacher threw me a great opener, I mean ‘Who knows why there is a soft spot at the top of a newborn baby's head?’ it was screaming out for me to say it’s the reset switch! I must be growing up.

We haven’t spent as much time with Charlotte this week, our friends have kept us busy in the breaks, we have seen her in the mornings and some lunch times, Becky really doesn't want to lose touch with the boys. I think she was the person most upset by the postponement of the football game! She wanted us to invite all the boys to swimming on Saturday, it took me all morning to convince her not to. I’m almost regretting cancelling our sleepover. I'm really conflicted, I want to spend time with Becks and Charlotte and having all day with them both would have been awesome but I am also really looking forward to singstar even though I am super nervous. I have to admit I even researched the songs and tried to learn the words for some of my favourites, along with convincing myself that my inclusion was accidental, trying on every item of clothing in my closet and rocking back and fourth in a corner thinking of all the things I might do wrong.

Right at this moment though, my anticipation of the party is insignificant compared to that of the visit to the swimming pool which is where we are heading to now. If I am being truthful to myself I guess what I’m feeling is only partly excitement, a lot of what I feel is still nerves and I don't know why. Perhaps it’s because this feels like a date, even with my third wheel nattering on about her and the boys playing their computer game beside me. Perhaps it’s the thought of showering afterwards with a girl I think I really like. That may have contributed a small amount to my rocking in the corner.

Kelly and myself are walking, the pool is about a mile from her house and I assume Charlotte may be getting a lift. My feet are pretty raw just now, I think the padding in my favourite shoes has finally worn out. I can only imagine walking long distances with a prosthetic leg. Mum’s going to insist I get new shoes soon, I guess I probably need them but there is no way she will shell out for another pair of Converse again, especially if they haven't even lasted me a year and these ones are so cool! They have that iridescent shimmer that makes them different colours from different angles, I guess they were never that comfortable but damn are they cool.

“Am I talking to myself?” Oops, Becky apparently noticed my lack of attention.

“Erm, no?” Not wonderfully convincing, let's try again, “Tom… shot you?”

“Never mind, I guess you don't care too much considering you don't have any console of any kind, not even a gaming PC! Geez Kelly, are your parents just being mean to you?”

“I think they believe games rot your brain or stop you from exercising or something. They told me once but I kind of zoned them out.” Actually, I’m pretty sure my dad would buy me one but other than getting to hang out online with Becky and Charlotte I can't imagine myself playing much. Anyway, my social life and homework already takes most of my time, when would I find time for these multi-hour long gaming sessions!

“My feet hurt.” I say, just to change the topic.

“Yeah, you shouldn’t have bought those shoes. I told you Converse shoes were shit.” She did tell me, repeatedly, before and after me buying them.

“Yeah, but your New Balance were even more expensive and wore out sooner and they look dumb.” She gave me a hurt look, “Okay, maybe not dumb, just not cool.”

She gives me a satisfied nod, “Yeah and I actually ran in them, they did more miles than yours in way less time. Even new I can’t imagine you would have run the length of the school hall in yours.” She’s right, you see people on the adverts for these shoes playing basketball, I’m pretty sure it would be more comfortable barefoot.

“Yeah, perhaps mum will get me some Doc Martens next time. Those are at least comfy.” A girl can dream, I’ve had my eye on the black and white splatter pattern Docs for ages but they are super expensive.

Charlotte is waiting for us at the pool, “Did your mum drop you off?” I ask, looking around for the car.

“Nah, I walked here. I wish I’d known you two were walking, I could have joined you.” She is so full of energy, she is literally bouncing. Well, there goes my preconception, I feel a bit of a douche just having assumed.

“Cool, let's swim, then I can take these shoes off!”

She looks down at my feet, “Ooo, pretty!”

“Pretty but stuffed and giving me blisters.” Damn, stop complaining, be positive Kelly! I smile and hook my arm through hers, “When do they turn the wave pool on? I love that thing!”

We get changed and into the pool super quick, we just stuff our bags into the cubby holes under the bench beside the pool, it's not like any of us have something to steal. It does seem surreal that Charlotte doesn't even take off her shoe and sock before taking off her leg and stuffing it alongside her bag, I guess it saves time tying the shoelace!

“Okay, a few laps to warm up then single length races?” Charlotte asks. We agree and slip into the icy water. I'm pretty sure someone forgot to turn the heater on this morning! I do a length on my back to start, a nice relaxed lazy warm up, then I do a length of breaststroke underwater. I love how it feels when you surface right at the other end of the pool with a huge intake of breath and the old people on either side look amazed that you can hold your breath that long. In fact I like it so much I do another length underwater with just the butterfly kick. It would be so much easier if I could use fins, I did this wearing really long fins in the olympic pool once and it felt like I was flying through the water.

When I get to the other end the others are waiting for me, I guess that wasn't the fastest stroke!

“Are you ready slowpoke?” Becky asks, I’m really not after two quick underwater laps but I nod and pant as she counts us down. The other two beat me hands down, which doesn't surprise me as I hadn’t caught my breath. This time they give me some time to recover before we do a length of backstroke. I lose that one too, mainly because I was trying too hard and collided with the lane divider. I stubbed my finger too. Becks actually won, which I am fairly glad of, it would suck if she couldn't keep up. We do what seems like another twenty races before we are tired, our swim coach would be proud of us.

“We still have about fifteen minutes until the waves and slides start. Shall we try to sneak into the hot-tub?” Charlotte suggests.

“Hell yes! We should just tell them were old enough! What are they going to do, take our ID?” You have to be sixteen and over but I’m pretty sure they don't care. Also, who says we’re not, people keep telling me in twelve going on twenty!

When we get there it's empty so we slip in, holy crap it's hot! I swear it's hotter than I have my baths, I’m having to ease myself in.

“Oh lordy!” Becky exclaims, she is struggling just as much as me. Charlotte however is already in and sitting down, watching us with an amused smile.

I finally get my chest under and sit beside Charlotte, I have a jet right on my back and it feels good. I wish I could have one of these at home! The girls laugh at my moan of pleasure.

“You know, people never complain when I come into the Jacuzzi, I think they look at my leg and think ‘Shit I can't tell off a cripple!’.” I have an involuntary intake of breath, somehow I am shocked at the C word! Charlotte smiles at me, I hope she thinks I was taking it.

“Got to have some benefits eh?” Becky says, “Even if they are tiny.” I’m still a little mortified but Charlotte just laughs.

“That and having somewhere to stash booze at concerts seem to be the only ones!” She agrees. "Perhaps better parking spots once I learn to drive."

“Oh come on, how much booze could you fit in there?” I ask her, thinking of the leg I had seen her remove I could swear it only had space for her leg.

“If you pull out the flexible socket my one is hollow down to the ankle, plenty of room for a flask of some kind!” She says with an eyebrow wiggle.

When the siren sounded announcing the wave pool was on I really didn't want to move. Becky however jumped right out of the pool so I guess I have to follow her. I share an apologetic glance with Charlotte and pull myself to my feet.

Oh my god! The pool felt cold the first time I got in but now! I’m glad I jumped in, if I had walked from the kiddy pool I would probably have stopped when the water got to my knees.

“Cold eh?” Becky asks, riding the wave up and down. She looks pleased with herself. Charlotte arrives in the pool beside me with a splash and she surfaces with a sharp shocked breath.

“Whoooeee that's cold!” she says before disappearing below the waves. I look around and can't see her so I take a huge breath and submerge myself. She is already across the other side of the pool so I chase her, the feeling of the swell is odd and there are weird riptides which throw me off course, Charlotte has surfaced and doesn't seem to see me so I grab her waist as I surface, it has the desired effect and I laugh at her squeal. Becky however seems to have had the same idea and I almost inhale underwater as she pokes me in the ribs!

We messed about in the waves for ages, chasing each other and holding onto the bars where the water comes out, swimming in place on the riptides, the waves stopped though and myself and Becky were racing each other to the sides. As I am getting out of the pool however, I notice that Charlotte wasn’t behind us.

“Hey, Becky, I’ll catch up.” I call as I look for Charlotte.

I find her riding the river ride and swim hard down the blue tiled corridor to catch up, “Hey, whatcha doin’?” I ask.

She looks up at me with a smile, “I’m a bit slow climbing the stairs, not good when it's busy.”

“That's easy, I’ll give you a piggyback!” I suggest, no ulterior motive at all, no-sir-e!

“You sure? I’m not light!” She asks, swimming towards me as the current tries to separate us.

“Yep, we can give it a try anyway. Might think twice after the first time!” the river shoots us out into the middle of the wave pool and we swim lazily over to the ladder. I give her a hand out of the pool and she leans on me as we walk to the stairs. Becky meets us there, she has already been down the slide once.

“You ready?” I ask, turning my back to Charlotte. She hops up and I head up the stairs, it is a bit harder than I expected but I manage. I try not to think too much about her pressed against my back or the feeling of my hands on her smooth legs. My heart sinks a little at that thought, damn I’m a pervert.

At the top of the stairs I let her down and we wait in line patiently. “Want to go down the dark one together? Last time we were here I saw them let three people go together.” I suggest.

“As long as you don't do that flipping around thing you always do.” Becky warns, I roll my eyes, it was only one black eye, and we were seven, she still holds it against me every time we are on the slides.

“I promise.” I wonder if I can convince Charlotte to go down the slide head first next time. I’m pretty sure she would like it.

It's finally our turn and the man lets us go at the same time as long as we sit together.

Becky goes first followed by Charlotte with me at the back holding onto her waist. The light fades as we go around the first bend, I don't think it's as fast with three people but we move around differently, something about the first person hitting the corners early means we spend more time up the sides of the walls. We scream as we ride the chute and I can hear other people's screams in front and behind us. As we reach the bottom we collide with the girls that were in front and then struggle to get out before the people behind arrive. Charlotte has trouble getting up in the slippy chute and we end up bodily lifting her out and placing her upright.

“Geez, sorry about that. I normally just bail out and stand up at the side.” She looks a little embarrassed, “I totally forgot how to do it in the rush!”

“No worries. Again?” I ask.

“If you are sure you want to carry me up!” She is obviously feeling bad about being a burden.

“Hey, our coach would be all for this kind of thing, weighted steps? It's just the kind of torture we are forced to do.” I’m not even kidding, though perhaps not an entire person’s weight. I don't know how many times I will be able to carry her without my legs going all wobbly.

“I can take a turn too!” Becky insists, obviously not wanting me to have all that lovely exercise to myself! Complete FOMO!

It turned out four times each was our limit before the burn in our thighs started to get too much, that still meant we got to ride the slides eight times.

“I’m done.” I say, sitting at the side of the pool with my feet in the water. “I don’t know about you two but I don’t feel like swimming anymore.”

There was a general agreement, though Becky wanted to stay and watch the boys who were jumping into the deep end. I can't see the appeal myself.

She was overruled and we grab our gear before making an exit to the changing rooms. I’m pretty sure I’m both an exhibitionist and a voyeur, I just love being naked around other girls. If I ever get a spa pool of my own it is totally going to be declared a clothing-free zone!

The showers are empty aside from us and I have my swimsuit off as soon as the shower hits me, Charlotte hops over and glances my way as she lathers her hair. I'm pretty sure she isn't a costume off girl, pitty. I borrow some of her shampoo as I forgot to take mine out of my bag and it's way over the other side of the room. Hers smells like apples, or at least it smells like what some chemist a hundred years ago thought apples smelled like. I'm not complaining about the smell, just that it isn't apple.

Becky strips but I've seen her so many times that the thrill is gone, I still look because the view is nice, it just fails to excite me. Again, I find myself amazed at Charlotte's dexterity, she is showering with her eyes shut on one leg and not holding onto anything. I would have fallen over or had to put my foot down after about two seconds!

"Your balance is amazing." I tell her, intending it as a compliment.

"Well, I'm not out of the shower yet. The hard part is getting out when the floors are slippy." She holds the wall this time as she tilts her head back under the shower. Once her hair is clear of suds she hops off towards the changing rooms, grabbing her leg and bag on the way. She most definitely doesn't slip so I am still super impressed.

I hurry to finish in the shower but by the time I get to the changing rooms, Charlotte has locked herself in a cubicle. I'm a little bit disappointed but I towel myself dry alongside Becky, slipping a glance at her bum for old times sake as she dries her feet, it is a nice bum!

I'm dressed and blow drying my hair by the time Charlotte steps out fully clothed and multi-legged. She grabs the other dryer with a nod to me. For some reason Becks never dries her hair, she puts it up in a bun and lets it dry naturally.

"Want to come round my place after?" Becky calls over the dual drone of the driers. "We can play the PlayStation or something?"

"Well, I am getting picked up there so I'm in." I turn to Charlotte, willing her to say yes.

"I have to be home by lunch." She admits with a sad look.

"Mum's collecting me at noon so we can give you a lift home, we have an hour at least." I urge, she looks thoughtful for a few seconds before agreeing. "Yes!" I celebrate with a fist pump which raises smiles from my two friends. "Perhaps we can do something cool, I know Becky's dad has Cards Against Humanity" That would be far more fun than the PlayStation.

"I don't know if he would let us, I think mum took offence to the 'Two midgets shitting in a bucket' card last time we played." Becky says with a pout.

"Damn! That's like a trump card! What could she possibly take offence to?" I ask, knowing exactly the answer. Becky just looks at me, one eyebrow raised.

"Well, I'm up for whatever." Charlotte answers and we head off, hair semi-dry.

Again, my feet are killing me. Mum is totally going to say she told me so but I need new shoes. Arse.

By the time we get to Becky's I've taken my shoe's off and am walking barefoot. It's totally more comfortable, the girls are laughing at me though.

"I've always thought I should just steal the shoes from outside the shoe-shop, you know how they only ever display the left shoe? I could wear people's old right shoes and a completely odd left." Charlotte muses as she holds my shiny, beautiful, torture shoes. "I mean, it's not like my fake leg would get blisters." We have arrived at Becky's and she is now sitting on the doorstep comparing the size of my shoe with her prophetic foot. You know, I have a pair of plain converse boots, I could mix and match."

I look at her, exasperated from the painful walk. "It's yours. Do what you like, just be aware they stink."

She takes a tentative sniff and reflexively throws the shoe halfway across the garden, I thought that might put her off.

"Hey, dad! Mind if we play some board games?" Becky calls as we enter the house.

Unfortunately, he vetoes Cards Against, and House on Haunted Hill. We end up playing kittens in a blender, it's fun but mainly for the artwork. It’s oddly quiet in the house, I can’t understand why Becky never listens to music, she doesn't even have a stereo in her room, the first thing I do when I get home is put music on but I have never heard anyone in this house listen to music. Are they the freaks or is it my family that is odd?

The card game does pass the time quickly though, mum is tooting the horn outside halfway through the third game. We rush out to meet her and I find her holding my shoes.

“Care to explain why these are in the middle of the front garden?” she asks with a smirk, I would have thought she was mad otherwise but I suspect she wants to gloat.

“Ah, that was Charlotte, those are her shoes now. Apparently, she didn't like the smell though.” I explain, throwing Charlotte under the bus. Mum peers into the shoe before holding it at arm's length.

“Understandable, gosh Kelly, are your feet gangrenous or something? Perhaps I need to send you to a specialist.” Yeah, very funny. Mum puts the shoes in the boot as we climb into the car. “You may need to soak those in bleach and then put them in the washing machine. Or do an exorcism and burn them.” She hasn't asked why I gave away my shoes, probably because she knows. Mum always knows. “I assume we are taking Charlotte home to her house?” Mum asks, oops.

“Erm, yeah. Sorry, I forgot to ask. It's just around the corner.” I wish I could take her with me to the SingStar night but I’m pretty sure there isn't a plus one included on the invite. Also, it might be a little crowded in Abby’s double bed!

“Sure, we can take her home. How was swimming?” Fortunately, Charlotte answers her, I am trying really hard to be communicative, I am, it's just… tedious.

Mrs Patterson is in the garden weeding or something when we pull up, I don't understand gardening, Patios and decks are all that should be in a garden. She introduces herself to my mum and again brings up the subject of babysitting, I’m still in two minds about this.

“Are you sure you want Kelly to be in charge of young children? Are we talking about the same Kelly?” Mum asks incredulously.

“She was great with them last weekend. And it would only be for a two-hour movie.” Becky’s mum must be desperate for time away!

“Well, if you’re sure. Perhaps next weekend? Have you anything on Kelly?” Mum asks me, damn this is a bit sudden. I’m not sure I even want to!

“Erm, swimming on Friday and Sunday. Otherwise, I don't think I’m doing anything on Saturday.” I hate being put on the spot, looks like I am babysitting though.

“Great, I can pick her up if you like.” The mums make plans for us whilst Charlotte slips out and grabs my old shoes from the boot. I watch them fondly as she disappears into the house with a wave. I kind of hope she does bleach them, they really did stink and they were never comfy but I’m going to miss them.

Mum waves goodbye and we are off home, “So I guess we are going shoe shopping? How about shoes and then sushi? We can leave your dad and Anne to their own devices.”

“Am I allowed Doc Martens?” I ask sullenly.

“Probably not. I am guessing your feet are filthy?” I pull my foot up and look at the sole. It's kind of yuck. If I was selling shoes I wouldn't want me putting my feet in them. Mum glances over and grimaces. “Yeah, you can wear my gym shoes and socks.” Ew! “They’re clean!” She adds after seeing my face, yeah, and two sizes too big. "That's a huge blister." She points at my heel. It is kinda nasty, I hide my feet away before she can make any more remarks about them.

Holy crap, she’s talking me to the mall, it's huge. I know for a fact there are at least two good shops selling Docs, I’m not too sure about their sushi though.

“Wow, acres of parking and not a single free parking space! Perhaps I should just take you to the high street?” Mum is kidding, I know she is. Well, I’m not overly sure, we seem to be heading for the car park exit.

“Ah! There we go, people always want the closest parks to the door.” She pulls into the car park and I breathe a sigh of relief. That is until I have to put on the girly pink boats that she wears to the gym. Ug.

I am surprised she isn’t wanting to hold my hand as we walk through the carpark, she seems to be twitching at every car that comes anywhere close to us. This is why people park close!

“Right, Shoe Zone is just up here.” She says as we get to the entry to the mall.

“Oh come on, they don’t even sell Docs!” I can hear the whinge in my own voice but I can't help it.

“Well, we can find something you might wear and then compare prices in a shop that does sell Doc Martins. How about that?” I sigh and trudge along in my clown shoes.

The shop is dreary, not a single cute boot in the place, it's all sports shoes, ugg boots and dressy night out stuff. They all look super cheap and nasty too.

“Look, here are some Doc Martens.” Mum says, picking up a black boot.

“Those are not Docs mum! They just look a little bit like them. They don't even have the stitching around the sole!” I shake my head and walk in the other direction.

I find a sum total of two pairs of semi-nice shoes and I swear they would fall apart in a month. They are both Doc ripoffs, a decent looking cherry red pair and a mustard yellow pair with a slightly different splayed heel. Mum comes up to me with some boring brown things with wool around the ankle.

“These are nice, and only twenty-five pounds.” She says waving them at me. The ones I like are both sixty so I don't hold out much hope for me getting the ones I like.

"Okay, I can see you don't like them. How much are the ones you found?" She doesn't look overly happy when I tell her, "Well, put them back and remember where they were. I will let you show me the shoes you want to buy." Woohoo! I almost skip putting the shoes back. I still doubt she will buy me the docs but at least she is going to look at them.

I pull her enthusiastically through the mall, not letting her stop and look at the silly brick-a-brack stores she seems drawn to. We have enough of that rubbish at home, things whose entire purpose seems to be to fill horizontal space. My shop is up on the next level, I totally don't understand these people who stand on escalators, even worse, they stand in a way that means you can't walk past them! If you just walk up them like stairs you get there twice as fast! Perhaps I'm in a little bit of a rush?

When we finally get to the shop there is a sale on, score! I leave mum looking at the sports shoes and delve into the back where the cool shoes live. It takes me all of thirty seconds to find my black and white splatter docs in my size.

"Here they are." I say handing mum one of the boots.

"These look like someone wore them whilst painting a house!" She has no taste. "How much?" She asks handing it back to me.

"Eighty." I can see her frown, her eyes narrowing. "But they're much better made than those ones downstairs."

"And that's the sale price?" She asks the frown still there.

"Shall I put them back?" Oh god, I think I just sounded like a huffy child.

"Tell you what. I will give you sixty. You have some money in the bank, if you want them that badly you can put your own money towards them."

"Yes!" I may have been a bit loud and mum cringes as I hug her. I know this is meant to be one of those 'teach Kelly the value of money' lessons but I don't care, I got my Doc Martens! "Can I wear them now?" When she nods I quickly tear her awful pink trainers off and pull the wadding from the boots. Oh hell yeah! They possibly don't go with the shorts but, damn they are awesome!

Mum pays for them and I put her old shoes in the box and carry it out. "So, sushi? I don't have to pay for that myself do I?" I ask cheekily, earning me a shoulder bump from mum.

Sushi is way over the other side of the mall, it feels like a mile away, perhaps more! I even let mum look in some shops along the way without complaining once. Though I do have to veto her buying dad an apron for his birthday.

There is a new sushi place, it is way better than the other one where you get six bits of the same sushi in a plastic tray. This one you can pick your own and have it on a proper porcelain plate.

I get all the different ones with cream cheese and this vegetable fritter thing. Mum seems amused at my use of chopsticks. She is using her fingers like a heathen.

"So, how was your swim?" She obviously wants more than 'fine'.

I sigh and put my chopsticks down. "It was good. We raced a bit at the beginning." She asked who won. "Well, I had to let them win some of the races. They would have sulked otherwise." She 'mmhmm's this, knowingly. "Charlotte is ungodly fast at butterfly, Becks is pretty good too so we each won a few. I still think I was the overall winner!" She smiles at that. "And then we sat in the spa pool. Oh, can we buy a spa pool?"

"No. Not a chance." Mum says with a smile, likely amused at my pout.

"And then we went to the wave pool, that was fun. Then we helped Charlotte up the stairs for the slides, we both have her piggybacks."

"Did she not just wear her leg?" Mum asks.

"I just kind of assumed the chlorine was bad for it. She doesn't wear it in the shower either." I briefly wonder if that's a TMI moment.

"Did she ever tell you how she lost it?" Geez mum is nosy.

"She said she never had one in the first place. She was born without it." Mum's eyebrows raise and she nods thoughtfully.

"I suppose that's easier on a child than having one and losing it. Any word on her replacement blade yet?" We talk away for ages, eventually, she lets me finish my food though. I don't know, she complains that I talk with my mouth full but then gets annoyed when I stop eating to talk to her!