String you along

Chapter 1

"Kat, sweetie, you up yet? You're going to be late for school!" My mom asked gently at my closed door, and a silent giggle escaped me.

"Yeah, mum, be down in a second." I heard her sigh in relief and head down the stairs. I examined my outfit for the last time. My favourite floral skirt and brown belt that matched my heels with a white tank top. I curled my long red hair and let it flow over my shoulders, too lazy to do anything else with them. A small, golden feather hung around my neck. I touched it gently before slipping on my jean jacket and heading downstairs towards the kitchen.

"Good morning", I said, kissing my mom on her cheek.

"Morning, love. You look pretty, anything important happening today?"

"Well, I have debate till four then a meeting with Mr. Caleb till six. By the way, I have track on Monday afternoon, so I'll be home a little bit later than usual." My mom frowned.

"What about cheer practice?"

"Stacy broke her arm, so we'll all visit her as often as we can, but we start practice again next week." She nodded in content, looking back at the newspaper she was reading. As I smile at her, I notice the clock next to her.

"Look at the time, I better get going. Bye mum, love you."

"Alright, bye sweetie, have a great day. Don't forget to check on your grandad. Love you too." She kissed my cheek and I grabbed my keys, bolting out of the door.

My grandfather and I are really close! He lives a few houses away from me, so I see him almost every single day. My grandmother passed away when my dad was just a little boy and he never married again after that. I didn't really know him until a few years ago when he moved in close to us and we've been inseparable ever since. He always has the best stories to tell and supports me 100% of the time, even though he tends to worry about me too much.

"Morning Gramps, I'm off to school." I exclaimed, not bothering to knock as I barged into his apartment like I do every morning.

"Right on time, cherry pie. Busy day?" he said, turning his attention to me.

"You have no idea! See you tonight at dinner?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Have a good day, sweetheart." He kissed my forehead softly before sending me out of the door.

"You too, bye Gramps." I waved, leaving and making my way to school.

"You're late."

"Hello to you too. I'm doing great, thanks for asking. On another note, what are you talking about? I'm right on time!" I said with a smile, walking towards my best friend, Hayden.

Hayden moved here a few years ago. We met through mutual friends and I just knew we were destined to become great friends. We spent a lot of time together that year and it wasn't long before he became my best friend. We did everything together and spent as much time together as possible. We have been there for each other through a lot and made some of the best memories together. He's one of those annoying people who can do everything. Hes smart, sweet, funny, fit, supportive and unbelievably funny, not to mention an incredibly talented singer and he's loved by every person he knows. Don't get me wrong, he can be intimidating and annoying as hell when he wants to be, but he would do anything for the people he love.

"You are always here at 8:15 and it's 8:17. Thus. You. Are. Late", he said with an annoying smirk. I love him, but he'll seriously be the death of me one day! He can be quite the control freak, if you hadn't noticed yet.

"You ready for the calculus test?" he asked.

"Of course, I studied all week! I really hope it isn't as hard as the last one, that nearly killed me."

"I'm sure it'll be fine. By the way, Josh came up to me this morning and asked me a bit about you. Apparently, someone hasn't spoken to him in a while."

Josh and I have been friends since kindergarten. We grew up together and have always been close, but not close enough to have sleepovers or anything like that. Don't get me wrong, he's an unbelievably good guy, but we've just never been that good friends.

"Oh my gosh, how is he? It has really been a while. I mean, I see him every day in class, but we haven't spoken in forever! I must try to see him more! Speaking of which, I had a thought."

"Oh no", he commented, looking frightened.

"I swear it's a good one this time. You know how we are both going to study in California if a few months?" We both got our conditional acceptance letters a little while ago.

"Yeah", he said cautiously.

"Well, why don't we get an apartment together? It'll save us both a lot of money and time. Besides, we spend so much time together anyway that it'll be a waste to have to pay for two apartments. What do you think?" I fidget nervously, knowing that he'd say no if he doesn't want to. He's never been one to sugar coat things. He stays silent for a while before a smile appears on his face.

"Who would've thought that you would actually have a good idea, I'm shocked." Filled with elation, I jumped into his arms and started squealing, choosing to ignore the insult. By doing that, though, a sharp pain shot through my side, making me groan out loud. Hayden's look went from playful to concerned as he held me up, rubbing my back to comfort me.

"How long has it been, now? It can't be good for your cramps to last this long."

"I'm sure it's nothing, probably just sleep deprivation or something. I'll be fine, I swear." I said, straightening my back and messed up his hair, just to calm him down a bit. If I don't, he'll spend hours worrying about me. I know, he's the best! "Come on, let's go ace that test."

After a long, draining day, I finally got home at 19:30 only to find my mom and grandad already sitting around the dinner table, waiting for me.

"I'm so sorry that I'm late, Mr. Caleb and I had a lot to discuss."

"Don't worry about it, you hungry?"

"Starving!" I answered enthusiastically, causing my mom to smile.

"Monday is a big day, kiddo." My grandpa said as soon as my mom left the room to get the food.

"I know! Coach said that, if I practice hard enough, I'll be the track team captain again this year! I mean, it's been my dream for so long, I'm not ready to give that title up so quickly." He looked at me in utter disbelief and something else that I couldn't exactly decipher. I giggle.

"And it's my birthday, but whatever."

"Not just any birthday, it's your eighteenth! You'll officially be an adult." I smiled, but my smile faded when I saw the pity in his glance.

"Grandpa, don't."

"Who's ready for some spaghetti?" my mom yelled as she walked back into the dining room with a big glass bowl filled with food from heaven. My mouth watered instantly. After we said grace, I devoured my food, suddenly realising how hungry I am. Dinner was filled with a comfortable silence and a lot of strange looks from grandpa. I helped clean up afterwards and went to say goodbye to my grandfather, who was visiting my brother for the weekend.

"Katherine, Monday is going to be a big day for you." He said, getting serious. "Becoming 18 isn't as easy as you think it is, but when you face difficult times, always look back on your roots for answers or inspiration. I love you, cherry pie, never forget that."

"Gramps, I'm turning 18, not joining the league of assassins, but I love you too. Sweet dreams and send my love to Brett." I said, hugging him, but this hug lasted longer than usual.

"Will do, sweetheart. Sweet dreams." He replied, leaving the room rapidly. That was strange, but, to be fair, so is my grandpa. Shrugging it off, I went into my room and got ready for bed.