After a falling out in Freshman year of High School, Kat Lawrence and Axel Jones who were once thick as thieves haven't spoken since. They've gone down their own paths, found new friends and new interests, they have different plans to what they once...
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The first thing I am woken up to in the morning is the screaming match happening between my parents. It's pretty much been the same thing the last 5 months, along with listening to it as I fall asleep as well. It's no secret my parents have been unhappy in their marriage for a while, I'm just wondering who will finally cut the chord first.
As I lay in bed, looking at my alarm clock, delaying having to get up and ready for school, a faint knock on my door gains my attention and my younger sister April walks through the door, a sad, tired look on her face. "Morning bean." I greet her and pat the side free next to me on my bed. She shuffles along and climb up onto the bed and I tuck her in.
"Kat, why are they fighting again?" She asks softly while clutching onto her favourite stuffed bunny, Thumper.
"I don't know bean, sometimes mummy's and daddy's fight. But one thing you should never do is think it's your fault OK? Because it's not." I assure her. April has always been a sensitive girl, the far opposite to me. "Why don't we go brush our teeth and pick an outfit for school today and I'll drive you?" I suggest and she nods her head.
We both climb out of bed and head into the bathroom we share. I brush and style her hair, whilst she brushes her teeth and we head into her room and pick out an outfit for school, which ends up being jeans, a sweater and boots since it's raining outside. We head back into my room when April is already and I put my TV on for her to watch so I can get ready myself.
After deciding on ripped jeans, an oversized T-Shirt and denim jacket/hoodie combination and sneakers, I style my hair in a half up/half down bun and let my natural red curls fall. Once my make-up is finished and I'm ready to go, I switch the TV off. "Lets go bean."
Walking downstairs, the yells become silent and as April and I head for the front door we're stopped. "Hey girls, where you off too?" My mum, Esme asks.
"Here bean, go wait in the car alright?" I instruct my 7-year-old sister, who nods and climbs into the car. "I'm taking April out for breakfast and then to school."
"Why?" She asks.
"You two are so dense it's actually a joke. You know we hear you every night and every morning right, the walls aren't exactly soundproof. And you're not doing a great job at easing April's mind, because she thinks she's the problem. The truth is, you're marriage is done and you're too afraid to admit it to yourselves, so instead you've resorted to making each other and quite frankly April and I miserable." I respond. "So I'm gonna treat April to breakfast at Starbucks and drive her to school and you guys can decide what's more important."
Not waiting for a response, I walk out the house and climb into the drivers side of Jeep Wrangler, heading to Starbucks and buying myself an Iced Latte and April a Strawberry Iced Drink and Croissant. I take her to school and walk her in, waving goodbye before driving to my own school. As I pull into my usual spot, I see my group of friends already waiting for me.
"There she is! Kat can you settle the debate that Football is better than Basketball please?" Aidan asks as soon as I reach them.
"Dude Basketball is way better!" Matteo argues.
"Actually you're both wrong, Martial Arts is the ultimate sport and puts Football and Basketball to shame." I respond, which makes Delilah and Erica burst out laughing. I look around and see Nick is missing. "Where's Nick? He's never late?"
Delilah shrugs. "No idea, he's not been responding to any of our texts either. Why are you late this morning?"
"I took April to Starbucks and school. Mum and dad were fighting again this morning." I answer. I text Nick and ask where he is and I'm surprised by the quick response;
"Got held up, see you in Biology."
I show them all the text. "He responded, just that he got held up but he'd be here."
"At least we know he's alive. He could've answered one of us!" Erica exclaims towards my phone as if he can hear her. "So I have this Dance Competition on Friday, will you guys come?" She asks.
All of us answer in chorus. "Yeah, of course."
Erica smiles. "Thanks. According to my Dance coach scouts from Juilliard will be there, so I have to be perfect!"
The bell rings and we all make our way inside to grab our stuff and head to our first classes. I'm sat between Delilah and Matteo during History, where our teacher Mr Phelps has put on 'War Horse'. "I actually can't watch this movie." Delilah responds, hiding her face. I pull out a pack of tissues from my bag and hand them to her. "Thanks."
I doodle in my book, not paying attention to the movie. I may be a cold bitch most of the time, but even I don't like watching this movie. That poor Horse. When the class is over, I start walking to Biology when Nick walks up next to me. "Morning stranger, where were you?" I ask.
"Just had something to take care of. I didn't miss anything did I?" He asks.
"My parents are fighting as usual, Erica has a Dance comp on Friday, we're gonna go support, apparently some big shot Juilliard scouts will be there and if Delilah's eyes are a little puffy when you see her, we were watching 'War Horse' in History." I explain. I look at him quickly, however clock something on his neck. "Dude were you attacked by a Vampire or something?!"
He frowns. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you've got a fat ass hickey on your neck. God, it's so obvious you've had like zero experience in the dating field. So who were you with?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"It's nothing." He responds, pulling his hoodie over his neck.
"Sure, keep telling yourself that sweetheart, but I will find out who your little friend is one way or another, so you may as well tell me." I remark, however he ignores me and walks into class. "Come on, I tell you about all the people I've hooked up with!"
"That's different Kat, you hook up with people, you don't do emotional attachments. I really like this person." He snaps.
"First of all, rude, the reason I no longer do emotional attachments is because, I for one got burned the last time I remotely cared about someone and, two, everyone I've been with since are boring. But that does not mean, I am incapable of being sensitive to your feelings." I respond.
"Sorry, it's just I know as soon as I tell you who it is, you'll freak." He says.
I gasp. "Oh my god, you're dating Mr Fields!" I whisper shout.
"What?! No! I'm not dating Mr Fields!" He responds.
"You sure? Cause you guys were giving each other some eyes the other day and although I don't condone teacher/student relationships, they're just wrong and creepy, he is very easy in eyes and I wouldn't blame you." I answer.
