I woke up in a great mood.
I sat up, yawning before hopping off my queen sized bed. The wooden floor in my room was cold against my foot as I walked the few steps to my white curtains. I yawned again, stretching before drawing the curtains, filling my room with the warm orange glow of the sun. I walked to the bathroom in the hallway, stripping off my pajamas and throwing them in the laundry basket that sat in a corner of the bathroom.
I washed my hair, taking my time since I woke up so early. I replayed the dream in my head, applying the strawberry scented shampoo to my dark hair. I smiled at the memory of fluffy clouds and I swore I could still taste the fizzy coke in my mouth. I mentally face palmed myself when I remembered what I wore though; it was weird how Lily and Felix didn't react when they saw me in that bikini.
I already knew Lily and I would be great friends, she was cute and funny and I loved the way she could control Felix, which was a wonder since he was the most stubborn person I've ever met in my fifteen years of living in this world. Ugh Felix was just plain annoying, he was rude and something else about him bugged me that I just couldn't place my finger on. The only thing I liked about him was how he took care of Lily, I had a feeling he would do anything to protect her and that was probably the only reason why I haven't slapped his face yet.
I toweled myself dry after rinsing of the shampoo and scrubbing my body clean. I slipped on a yellow summer dress that came right over my knees, it was soft and perfect for the summer. I walked out the bathroom still trying to dry my hair. I walked into my room dropping the towel on a chair before whipping my hair around trying to dry it quicker. I walked over to my kindle and turned it on, reading while I walked down the stairs to find myself some breakfast. My breakfast is never anything fancy, just cereal or bread with Nutella spread. I was graving something sweet so I made myself a sandwich after putting down my kindle.
After eating my sandwich and slurping down a glass of cold milk, I found a red apple and crunched a bite picking up my kindle again and finding a seat in the living room to continue reading.
But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't concentrate on my reading. My mind kept wondering back to the dream I had last night. I had so many questions, so many I didn't think I would ever find answers to. Were Lily and Felix real people or were they just a figment of my imagination? They didn't look familiar so I don't think I ever saw them before in my life, I mean don't most people say dreaming is just your brain replaying memories or something but I'm sure I never saw then in my life before, ever.
Soon I just settled to turning on the TV that hung on our living room wall, I cuddled close to my favorite leather chair, finding a comfortable position. I knelt forward to retrieve the black TV remote that was lying on the coffee table, having to stretch my lazy back just to reach for it... when I lost my balance and toppled over, rolling onto by back after landing face first on our living room carpet.
Laughter bounced off the walls in the room and I felt the heat rush to the point of my ears. I lifted myself off the floor to find Jade holding a banana in her hand laughing at my fall. I glared at her, angry and embarrassed but I soon joined in her laughter.
"What are you doing up so early anyway?" I asked her standing up and rubbing at the side of my face.
"Just meeting someone at that old coffee shop, the one that has the best sundae ever!" She gushed , closing her eyes dreamily, probably over the sundae part.
"Oh that one...Wow I never knew you'd date a guy that wakes up this early." I looked up at the grandfather clock that was hanging on the corridor wall; yup it was still 8 am.
"It's not a date."
I raised an eyebrow, "You only have guy friends".
"Not true!"
"Yeah, yeah, believe what you want." I grinned, before letting it go.
"Whatever," she huffed before flopping on the couch. I sat next to her and she stretched her long skinny legs on my lap. I looked at her blankly before she handed me the controller. We scrolled through the channels and settled for our old favorite, Sponge Bob Square Pants.
We watched a bit before mom and dad woke up and made themselves some breakfast. Mom went upstairs to change out of her pajamas and I followed her up to grab my phone. I walked in my room just as a text beeped; I looked around for the source of noise before I found my phone on my dressing table underneath a mess of clothes, accessories and other junk.
I turned on my phone that I barely used since I deleted Amy and Jace out of my contacts, and they were kinda the only friends I had. That thought made me realize how anti-social I really was. I never gave much thought to it before since I thought two friends were enough, but now I was really starting to worry. Was I becoming a loner? I really didn't want to walk around my junior and maybe even senior year alone, friendless. The thought scared the hell out of me, I never felt so alone before in my life.
I quickly shook the thought away, remembering the task at hand. I wasn't alone, I had my family to support me.
I had two text messages, one from Amy which I deleted and another from an unknown number. I tapped on my screen a couple of times before I started reading:
Hey u missed a killer party last night, ur sister was there where were u? If u haven't guessed by now this is Aaron. ;)
This is really what I needed , Aaron-who I have no idea how he got my number from- flirting with me after I broke up with that dickhead...excuse my French.
Wait, was Aaron really flirting with me? I stared at the wink face at the end of the text . Did it even matter if he was? Isn't this what you do when you're single? You flirt, right? Was I okay with Aaron flirting with me? Ugh I was over thinking again and it made my head ache.
"KAT, I'M LEAVING!"
I quickly grabbed my phone and stuffed it in the pocket of my yellow dress and ran down the stairs, slipping on my red flip flops. Mom was waiting for me by the front door that was open, she walked to the car switching it on and I was about to follow her out but Jade quickly grabbed me before I got the chance to close the front door.
"What are you-"
"Stand still!" I noticed she had a mascara in one hand and an eyeliner in the other.
"Jade I really need to go now!" I whined.
"Stand still or I'll have to re-do the whole thing!"
I stood still after that, waiting impatiently while my mom honked the car noisily.
Jade finally finished off with lip gloss that she pressed to my palm. "Don't forget to reapply!" And with that she pushed me out the front door. I blinked before I ran towards the car slamming it open and close. Mom looked at me, raising an eyebrow but I just huffed and looked away signaling that I didn't want to talk about it.
I played with the hem of my dress as we neared the shopping mall. I got out and waited as mom got out with her handbag on her shoulder. We made our way to the glass sliding doors and I inhaled deeply as the cold air hit me. My hair was completely dry now and I twisted it around to tame it down a bit. Mom dragged me around the mall to stores I never shop at, she bought a couple of random beach accessories like a new picnic basket since ours was too old and had a few holes, some new blankets and other random things.
I zoned out a couple of times while mom rushed around the stores. I would act like I was interested in the things around me but I was just thinking, daydreaming. I wondered what I should dream of the next time I go to bed, I looked around the store for inspiration but it was hard since everything around me was dull and plastic since mom new needed new plastic cups and paper plates. I walked over to the decorating section, an old lady was holding a basket full of knitting equipment smiled at me and I blinked before smiling back.
"Kat?"
I quickly whipped around on the heels of my feet.
Aw, you have to be kidding me.
My eyes widened before I quickly put on a blank expression, Amy was standing a few steps away from me holding a red plastic basket. Her straight blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail, she was wearing a cute short sleeved shirt that had a picture of a kitten printed on and ripped jeans shorts. She wore the same flip flops I had on but hers were yellow, I remember that day we went shopping and bought matching outfits.
"You weren't at that party last night, did you stay at home?" She asked, walking a few steps closer.
"Uh, yeah I stayed at home to help mom with her cupcake stuff", I muttered. I realized that I really missed Amy. She was always there for me, when my first pet died, when I had my first break up in 7th grade. It was hard not speaking to her, like losing an important organ or a limb. Amy was a special part of me and now she was gone, just like that.
"So you're leaving for the beach house early this year."
I stared at her blankly, folding my arms. She blushed.
"I heard your mom talking with mine." She said, clearing her throat nervously, an action I was very used to.
I just nodded. Before fiddling with the edges of my pockets, Amy could easily see through me like glass, I noticed over the years of our friendship.
"Kat, I miss you please talk to me. You haven't been answering my texts and I've been worried sick about you. I didn't have any fun last night because you weren't there." She blurted, her hands shaking nervously.
"Wasn't Jace there to cheer you up?" I know it sounded mean, I regretted it the instance I saw the look on her face and I knew something was wrong.
"Kat, I've been trying to tell you this but you just kept ignoring me... Jace and I aren't together anymore."
My head shot up sharply from where I was fiddling with my yellow dress. "What?!" I instantly let my cool slip. Amy's eyes were filled with hurt and I softened at the sight.
"What did he do?" I whispered, eyeing her carefully.
"I ended it." She breathed. I could see her eyes rim with tears and I lost it. I rushed over to her, flinging my arms at her and hugging her tight. I could feel her tears wet on my shoulders and I squeezed her tighter.
"Why?" I asked pulling away and holding her by her shoulders.
"I couldn't see my best friend get hurt like that, and it wouldn't have worked out anyway." She said whipping her eyes before blushing.
"Oh my god, spill!" I gushed, wanting to know more about Amy's mystery guy.
We talked as we shopped while our moms looked relieved as they caught up with whatever moms talked about. Amy told me about this senior she met at the party last night, I knew she really liked him by the way her eyes shone every time she described him, his blonde hair and blue eyes. She talked about how he was shy-cute and I knew he was her type.
It was finally time for her to leave, and I hugged her tightly.
"Nice make up by the way." I frowned before I remembered Jade's work of 'art'.
"Uh yeah, Jade did it." She raised a curious eyebrow before waving goodbye.
I waved back before sighing. It felt so good to be friends with Amy again, that missing organ was back again and it felt great.
The reunion left me in a good mood and I smiled back at mom's excited grin.
"I'm so glad you're friends with Amy again."
"So am I mom, so am I." I sighed dramatically as she laughed.
After I bought a new pair of bikinis, summer dresses and other beach essentials that were missing from my list, mom and I walked toward the coffee shop I wanted to try out. We took the seats outside to enjoy the summer air, the wind blew at my hair and I relaxed against my chair. I ordered strawberry lemonade to drink, while mom just took her usual ice tea.
I swirled my stripped straw around the pink drink as I took a sip, I instantly felt refreshed as the cold sweet drink satisfied my taste buds.
"You and Jade talking again?" I looked up as mom lifted up her tea after asking.
"Uh, yeah I guess..." I drew swirls on the cold glass with my finger, frowning at mom's question.
"That's great honey, and I'm so glad you and Amy worked it out." I smiled.
"Yeah, I missed her no matter how much it's hard to admit after what happened." Mom just nodded and took another drink.
We talked about her cupcake business that was doing great now that summer started. I volunteered to help as usual, earning a smile from mom. I helped her come up with new summer designs for her cupcakes and suggested other things that might help lift her business. I finally slurped the last of my refreshing drink and waited until mom finished hers.
I looked around the coffee shop, it was starting to fill up now, people eating their late breakfast and others their early lunch. I looked past the coffee shop to the trees that separated the pavement from the road, the wind brushing my skin softly while the sun glared down on my skin. I sighed, loving the feel of the heat of the sun and the cool of the wind together.
Mom paid for our drinks and we got up, heading towards the parking space. I dug my hands in the pockets of my yellow dress; my hand brushed something cold and thin. I reached out and pulled out the shiny lip gloss Jade pressed to my hand, I screwed the top hearing the squishing of the gel like substance. I quickly applied the shiny stuff on my lips, rubbing my lips together to spread them evenly.
I walked past glass doors, meeting the familiar summer air. I stuffed the lip gloss back in my pocket and almost jumped when I felt my phone buzz.
Nice legs ;)
Aaron.
I snapped my head around looking around for dark hair and dark brown eyes. We were nearing the car and I let mom go ahead unlocking the car and getting in.
"I'm over here," I turned and saw Aaron leaning on his black pickup truck.
He had his arms crossed as always, his hair gelled as usual. He was wearing a black leather jacket over a white wife beater, dark jeans and black leather boots.
"Like what you see?" He smirked.
I blushed, mentally scolding myself for making it look obvious that I was checking him out.
"Who wears leather jackets in the summer?"
He shrugged, "Girls dig guys in leather. If you haven't notices, Katrina."
I huffed blowing at the hair that fell over my eyes , "How many times do I have to tell you stop calling me that?"
"But it's your name," he pointed out.
"Yeah, and I have a nickname for a reason too."
He smirked. I was still standing where I was before, not wantig to be any closer to him. My thoughts wondered back to the text he sent me this morning, and I wondered if he was thinking about me last night. I quickly shook the thought away as he leaned away from his truck and took a few steps closer to me, boots crunching on the gravel underneath us. I stood my ground even though part me wanted to turn around and run to the car, where when I looked back, mom was on her phone probably searching new recipes for her cupcakes.
"You missed the party last night."
"Yeah I got your text", I said, trying to stop my eyes from wondering down to his muscles that showed through his shirt. I think someone said he joined the swim team or something like that, I couldn't remember as I stared at his dark eyes that looked softer now under the sun.
"So where were you?"
He took a step closer.
"A-at home..." I cursed myself mentally for the crack in my voice due to nerves. He was so close, I could smell the mint in his breath, the gel in his hair and I could see how thick his eyelashes were. God, he was beautiful.
And I hated it.
I hated how he could make my heart flutter so easily, how his smirk made my legs turn to jelly and his smile was just a whole other story, let's just say it leaves me feeling fuzzier than that strawberry lemonade... And I just couldn't fall for him, no matter how hard my heart beats for him I can't fall for the trap like half of the girls in school.
He opened his mouth to say something but mom honked the car and I almost sighed in relief.
"I have to go, bye!" I rushed and literally ran to the car.
I shut the door and quickly fastened my seat belt ; mom raised a questionable eyebrow but stayed silent like she always did. I drummed my fingers impatiently on my dress, wanting to get out the parking lot as fast as possible. I looked out the window; Aaron was staring after me his hands in his pockets and wearing an expression I couldn't read.
We were almost home when my phone buzzed; I looked down on my screen.
You can't run away from me forever.
I sighed as I landed on my bed flat on my back, my hands spread around me. I was exausted, I was ready for bed and it was only 8pm. I yawned as I pulled the sheets around me, thinking through the events of today.
Amy and I texted through the whole day, I was really missing her and I promised that I would spend every second I had when I came back from the beach house and when she comes back from visiting her family like she does every year. Last week I would have cried if someone told me I wouldn't be spending a day with my best friend, just one day and I wouldn't have been able to stand it. And now, I didn't talk to her for a whole freaking week and I didn't think I could ever be able to forgive myself.
I was so stubborn.
I groaned rolling to my side; I wouldn't be able to sleep now because I was over thinking things again. If only listened to what Amy had to say about the whole Jace thing. If there was one person I could blame for all of this, it was Jace. Why did he have to complicate things like that? If he really liked Amy all along then why did he go out with me in the first place? Ugh it was so frustrating, even my comfy pillow couldn't make this situation any comfortable.
To top it all off, the cherry of this situation, Aaron. To complicate my life even further, I don't know what to think of Aaron any more. Did I still hate him for his bad reputation? Did I still think he was a bad boy I should stay away from?
For the first time in my life, I wasn't sure.
I ran my finger over my lower lip, in thought. Was I finally giving in to his charms? The thoughts scared me and I quickly tore my finger away from my lips and rolled over to my back.
I needed to change the subject, right now.
Thankfully my thoughts went back to the rest of the day's events. When I came back from the mall with mom, I helped her with a couple of cupcakes, adding new designs. We had fun, listening to music from the local radio station and dancing along. Mom was fun, not like most moms and I was really lucky to have both her and dad as my parents. I knew lots of kids who had parents that didn't care about them, they acted like they didn't care about their parents but I knew they probably cried themselves to sleep every night. I really didn't want to know how it felt to have no one love you or care for you.
After going through the day with just ordinary everyday things, like watching TV, listening to music and reading, I decided to start packing for tomorrow. I was still not done though, but we weren't leaving until after lunch so I had time.
Fatigue finally won against my thoughts and I closed my eyes to a dreamless sleep.
After a quick goodbye from Amy, last minute packing and a belly filling lunch Mom cooked we headed out for the car outside. I climbed my dad's car. I sat in the back seat next to the right window, dad was driving, mom was sitting in the passenger's seat and Jade was sitting cross-legged, headphones blasting loud music and staring out the left window. We kept the middle seat empty, not because we got into a fight, because I wanted to stretch.
I stared out the window, plugging in my headphones on as I chewed on my mint gum. I got out my Kindle to distract myself from my endless thoughts. I tried so hard to zone into the story I was reading but my thoughts kept drifting to Aaron's smirks, Lily's tight curls and Felix's beautiful hazel-green eyes.
I was so tired last night, so busy over thinking that I forgot to write a dream wish. Huh I think I'll call it that, dream wish... thankfully I remembered to stuff my little purple notebook in my backpack before we left.
I turned off my Kindle but didn't stop the music that blasted in my ear from my iPhone. I wiggled around for a comfortable position before settling to stretching my legs a bit so my foot barely touched Jade's crossed legs. I unzipped the first zipper of my backpack, pulled out my notebook before quickly scribbling something down and zipping it back in the backpack.
I rested my head against the car's door behind me and closed my eyes. I repeated the sentence over and over in my head and just like that, I was sucked into another blissful dream.