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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On Wednesday, the weather decided to do a complete 180 and go from rain and storm clouds to sunshine and high humidity, so at lunch, my group and I make our way outside for lunch. Erica is obsessively going over her routine for Friday and getting in her head.
"Ugh! Why can't I get this?!" She exclaims.
"You're overthinking it Erica. Trust me you got it, you just need to take a breath." I assure her.
"I can't mess this up, this might be my only chance at Juilliard." She answers.
"You're not gonna mess it up Erica, you've done this routine like 200 times. Besides, we're all gonna be there cheering you on and I'm sure if those Juilliard scouts don't take you for whatever reason, Kat will break their legs." Delilah comments.
I slightly shrug. "You joke, but I probably would if you really wanted me to."
Erica continues trying the routine and getting more uptight, when Nick walks over with Beckett. "Guys, I want you all to meet Beckett, Beck these are my best friends, Aidan, Matteo, Erica, Delilah and Kat." Nick introduces us.
Beckett smiles nervously. "Nice to meet you guys."
"Hi." We all say in unison.
"Are you as freaked out by the Juilliard scouts coming on Friday like I am?" Erica asks him.
"Oh I'm terrified. But you're amazing, you have nothing to worry about." Beckett assures her.
"Are you wanting to get into Juilliard too?" I ask.
Beckett smiles and nods. "Yeah, they have 4 positions going, which is good, but even still we Dance with some really talented people, the competition's gonna be tough."
"Well we'll be there cheering you on too then." I smile.
"Thanks." Beckett smiles and gets pulled into a conversation with Aidan and Matteo.
Nick looks over at me and mouths, "Thank you." Which I return with a wink, assuring him it's fine and turn my attention to the boys.
"Football or Basketball?" Matteo asks.
"Oh for gods sake, not this stupid argument again!" I exclaim.
"It's not a stupid argument Kat! There can only be one winner and that's Football!" Aidan argues back.
"No Basketball wins and everyone knows it!" Matteo argues back. "Beckett, what's better?"
Beckett becomes nervous. "Don't answer Beckett, whatever you choose will be wrong." Nick says.
"And besides they both suck anyway." I comment.
Aidan and Matteo both gasp in horror. "How dare you Katrina?!" Matteo asks.
"What are you going to do about it?" I ask standing up.
"You wanna fight Lawrence?" Aidan asks, putting his arms up ready to box.
"Bring it Gamble." I challenge and we start play fighting.
I hear the others laughing as Aidan throws some of the most pathetic punches I've ever seen. And when he goes to tackle me, I throw him to the floor and lock him in an arm bar. "Ow! That hurts Kat!" He screams, tapping out. After a few seconds I let him go, laughing.
"Kat's a Martial Arts prodigy, she's a Black Belt in like 5 different styles." Nick explains to Beckett.
"Ever need someone to break one or multiple of the 206 bones in the human body, I'm your girl." I add, winking which makes them all laugh.
"She knows how to bruise a guys ego to, she tell you that?" Aidan complains.
"What can I say? I'm just that talented." I answer.
"Beck!" Someone calls and I look to see his friend group, including Axel walking over to us. Nick gives me a pleading look to be nice, and I simply nod my head in assurance. "We wondered where you ran off to."
The voice belongs to Janae Cleveland, Captain of the Girls Swim Team. I've only spoken to her a handful of times, but she seems like a nice enough girl. Standing next to her is Alisha Morgan, who I've known since Elementary. They came out as non-binary a few years back and went through a whole ordeal with our former Principle who was a complete Homophobe. I may or may not have had some involvement with getting him fired.
"I was just meeting all of Nick's friends. Nick, this is Janae, Alisha, Evan, Lucas and Axel. Guys this is Nick and his friends, Aidan, Matteo, Delilah, Erica and Kat." Beckett introduces us all.
My friends all say hello, whilst I wave. One of the guys, Evan gets a sly smile on his face. "Kat as in Kat Lawrence, Axel's former best friend?"
"I wasn't aware we had another Kat Lawrence in this school, so yes I would assume that would be me." I respond.
"He made you out to be a total bitch." Evan remarks.
I nod my head. "Oh I am, you've just caught me on a good day."
"Just forewarning though, even on a good day, she's lethal, my arm barely hanging on will tell you that." Aidan comments.
"So are you guys going to support Beckett at the Dance Comp of Friday?" Delilah asks.
They all nod their heads. "Yeah we'll be there." Lucas comments.
"Great, I guess we'll see you guys there, we're all going to support Erica." Delilah adds.
"Oh yeah, I forgot you guys go to the same Dance Studio!" Janae remarks. "How you feeling about those Juilliard scouts being there?" She asks Erica.
"Shitting bricks. I'm so nervous I can't even think straight." Erica comments.
"Well we're sure you'll do amazing." Alisha offers comfort which makes Erica smile.
I find my eyes drifting to Axel, whose already staring at me. He looks away when we make eye contact, which makes me shake my head. His group of friends say goodbye to mine and start walking away and I watch as Beckett and Nick kiss each other goodbye before Beckett leaves with his group.
"They seemed nice." Delilah remarks before sitting down again.
"Hey Erica. Would it be cool if I brought April on Friday too. Our parents are arguing so much I'm trying to get her out the house more?" I ask.
"Of course she can. You know how much I love April." Erica smiles.
"Thanks." I smile and the bell sounds.
"Ugh!" We all exclaim, gathering out things and walking back into school to finish the day.
