Ch 1 – Bad Day Just Got Worse
"Guys, I can understand why you want to go, but why do I need too?" Katie whined while pratically being dragged in the mall by Tomika.
"The dance slash prom is coming up. And you need a new outfit," Alicia said to her looking her up and down, "I wonder what colors fit you best."
"Earth to Alicia! Haven't you guys noticed? I don't go to dances or proms. Never have and never will. They're stupid and a waste of money," Katie frowned.
"Oh come on. Lighten up," Summer said walking ahead of the group which was Marta, Katie, Tomika, and Alicia.
"Yeah, well since you're my best friend, I could've at least expected you to help me out, but nooo! Not even best friends will help when their best friends are in trouble," Katie said grumpily.
"You are not in trouble and besides it's not that. It's just that – you need to lighten up. It's as simple as that. And don't get mad at me because you haven't had your first boyfriend or first kiss," Summer smirked walking through the mall. Katie pouted; it was true. Sixteen years old and hadn't even had a first kiss. Boys were intimidated by her because she was a tomboy. They didn't think that she was feminine enough with her sweats and her oversized shirts and her hair always tied into a high ponytail. And because her current high school didn't require uniforms, Katie dressed the way she pleased. It wasn't her fault she didn't want to dress like an air-headed bimbo.
"I wonder," Marta turned to Katie, "Have you even had a crush?"
Of course Katie did. Tomboy as she was, no girl living for sixteen years could not have a crush. She considered whether telling them or not because she knew if she told them they would bug her asking who it was and if she said no, well they'd think she was lying and still bug her. Either way, she'd be bugged. Finally she said, "Yes."
"Who?" Tomika narrowed her eyes while still gripping Katie's shoulders tightly making sure she wouldn't run away.
"Rather not say."
"It's the past, right? So what does it matter now?" Marta asked.
"Because things in the past can make you embarrassed in the present," Katie said annoyed, "Just drop it."
"Just tell us. Puh-lese?" Alicia pouted. Usually, Alicia could get whatever she wanted from anyone she wanted with her famous pout, but Katie knew a trick: just close your eyes or avoid looking at her.
"No," Katie said firmly. Then the group suddently stopped in front of a store called Forever 21 and Katie never looked so relieved to see a store in her life, "Oh look. Time to shop. Let's go!"
"Okay you got out of it now, but it won't happen again," Alicia narrowed her eyes at her, "Hmm….I'd say a nice darkish brownish, light brown, tannish, beige thing would look good on you. Goes great with your light skin."
Suddenly, Summer had grabbed a silky beige blouse and Marta handed her a pair of beige capris with an embroidery of a rose to match. "Try these two on," Marta said and pushed her into the fitting room.
"I'm not doing it," Katie said stubbornly, "Can't I just please go to Game-Stop? I heard they got a new release in the Final Fantasy series."
"Not until you try that on," Tomika said. Katie sighed and two minutes later she came out of there still frowning.
"Damn girl! You look hot," Alicia said walking around her analyzing it. If Katie didn't know any better, she'd say that Alicia was some kind of secret fashion designer.
"She's right," Summer nodded in agreement, "You should buy it. Better yet, I'll buy it for you since it's on sale. And you better wear it."
Marta went up to Katie and turned her so that Katie was facing the mirror, "You can't tell me that you don't look good cause you do." Katie had to agree. She actually looked like a girl; and a good one at that. 'Maybe this isn't SO bad, but I still hate shopping,' she thought.
"Hey Katie? Your phone is ringing," Tomika pointed to Katie's jeans that were shaking because of the vibration.
Katie walked away from the mirror to her jeans and picked up the phone, "Hello?"
"Miss Katie Brown?" a male voice on the other line questioned.
"Yes…" Katie asked suspiciously, "Who is this?
"This is Detective Kenwood from the Criminal Investigation Services. I need you to come to your house now. I'm afraid we have some bad news concerning your father, Mr. Micheal Brown."
Katie felt her heart stop and almost didn't want to ask cause she didn't want to know, but she knew she had to, "What? What's wrong?" Her eyes started to water and her face started to turn pale.
"I think it'd be better if we met you in person to tell you," Detective Kenwood said, "See you at your home." And then Katie heard the phone click which meant he had hung up. No, she thought, no no no no!
"Katie? What's the matter? You look like you've just seen a ghost," Summer patted her shoulder.
Katie didn't answer but ran back into the fitting room and changed into her sweats. She couldn't just run out of the store wearing something that didn't belong to her. As soon as she stepped out, "Summer, I need to get home. Please. I really need too. There's not time for explanations, we have to go."
Summer knew that Katie wasn't just making this up to get out of a shopping fit, "Okay. Let's go."
As soon as Summer had dropped her off at the curb, Katie ran to her home and gasped. There was yellow tape surrounding her house that said, 'Police Line. Do Not Cross'.
"Katie Brown?" a familiar voice questioned her from behind. She turned around, "I'm Detective Kenwood." Detective Kenwood was a bald, middle aged African American with a gray mustache. He held out his hand for her to shake. But she didn't shake it. She was too worried for formal greetings right now.
"What happened? Where's my dad?" She asked quietly, but it was evident that she was worried – her heart was slowly crumbling to pieces. Tears were starting to spill from her eyes and roll down her cheeks.
"Listen Katie, I'm afraid –" Detective Kenwood hesitated. How do you say this to a girl you don't even know? He thought, "I'm afraid your father is dead."
Katie widened her eyes and something took over her. More tears started to flow and she started to sob uncontrollably. All of a sudden she grabbed ahold onto Detective Kenwood's coat and shrieked, "What do you mean he's dead? He can't be dead. He promised he wouldn't leave me – no, not yet! Where is he? Tell me RIGHT NOW!"
"I can only imagine what you must feel. But believe me, all details will unfold. For now, I want you to come with Sally McField, a specialist in our agency who is here to help you and to explain things to you."
"No!!" Katie screamed at him, her eyes bloody red, "Not until you tell me what happened to him! And where he is!"
"Katie, honey, calm down," Sally McField said soothingly.
"CALM DOWN?! I CAN'T JUST CALM DOWN! HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU WERE HAVING A PERFECTLY GOOD TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND THEN YOU GET A CALL AND THEN WHEN YOU GET THERE, YOU FIND OUT THAT YOUR DAD – THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE LEFT IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD – IS GONE!? AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU! SO DON'T CALL ME HONEY!" Katie yelled frantically. By now, all of the people at the scene were staring at her.
Suddenly, Katie felt a piercing pain in her arm and soon everything turned black.
A/N: That's it for now. Please review and tell me what you think. Thank you.
