Who Said Life Was Simple?
Exams were drawing to a close. Kit nervously tapped the end of her #2 pencil on the desk, racking her brains, trying to search her mind for the correct answer to this difficult question she was stuck on. Finally, it occurred to her, and she raced to bubble in the corresponding circle before time ran out.
She let out a sigh of relief. Normally, she sped through tests, even with checking her responses. This time, however, she'd cut it pretty dang close. The teacher announced the completion of the exam just as Kit flipped over her paper.
Kit tried to remain calm, but doubts and worries filled her mind as the answer, scrap, and graph sheets (footnote 1) were collected. She had to admit, though, it was a relief that this thing was over. Once that bell rang, she'd be free of homework, projects, exams, quizzes, and studying for a full two-and-a-half months!
She spent the rest of the time thinking about the end of class, when she'd meet up with one of her best friends in the entire world, Kai, and pondering over what they could do with the crap-load of time they had. Forget required reading, summer was for fun!
Kai was Kit's polar opposite when it came to fashion. Where Kit liked to dress "cutesy" style, this girl simply loved to show off her hard-core attitude with punk-like clothing. Otherwise, they were so alike, one would almost think they were sisters. They were around the same age, same size, clothing-compatible (footnote 2), and liked pretty much the same things.
I know what you're thinking. Sounds like the perfect friendship, right? But what's the catch? Bet they fight all the time, huh? Wrong. In the entire five years the two had known each other, there had only been two major arguments, which were settled in close to a few days.
Most of the class jumped in surprise when the final bell rang, late as always. They recovered quickly and grabbed what few things they had decided to carry to school with them, dashing out of the room and ready for the beach, camping, and all that good, fun stuff!
Kit was no exception. She waved to her instructor, said some good-byes, passed out a few hugs, and shoved her way to Kai's locker. She couldn't help comparing the cramped hallway to a can of sardines.
"I know," Kai sympathized, snatching her jacket off of a hook and slamming the locker door for the last time for another couple of months. "Get used to pushing people outta your way. Two years don't go by fast, contrary to popular belief."
She demonstrated as she made her way to the other side of the hall, Kit closely following.
"Maybe next year, they'll wisen up and give us lockers on the right side of the hallway," Kit hoped.
Kai let out a small snort. "Keep dreaming. The school system can't do nothing right. At least they can't screw things over even worse." (footnote 3)
"Wanna bet?" Kit opposed, struggling to keep up with her friend. "They already messed up the scheduling for next year, remember? They've got to go over 'em again. Just watch," she added, "they'll still be screwed up when we get 'em, like, a week before school starts. I halfway feel sorry for the counselors who have to deal with all of this."
"I hate counselors," Kai mumbled. The brunette roughly thrust open the doors to the back terrace. Kids were crowded everywhere, getting in a few conversations before they had to rush to the bus parking lot just down the steps.
"So what do you wanna do this weekend?" Kit changed the subject.
"I don't know. There's nowhere to hang out, ya dummy," Kai reminded the blonde, stopping and scanning the asphalt for a clear path to her bus, the one towards the far end. "Our mall sucks (footnote 4); the roller rink leaves much to be desired; there's no skate parks; there's hardly even a park, and that one's for little kids…What is there to do besides chill with the Goths at Books-A-Million?" (5)
"True. But we have a movie theatre, and there's always the next towns over," Kit suggested. After a moment of silence, one more bell sounded, the signal for '5 minutes until bus exit'.
"We'll figure something out," Kai promised hastily, knowing that if she didn't get to her bus soon, it would leave without her.
"We say that every week and look what happens," Kit joked. She, too, was anxious to leave. She wanted to get to her special seat on the bus before that piece of crud, Josh, got to it. Man, she hated that boy…
"I'll…try to call you later," Kai said, then began to get going.
"We say that all the time, too!" Kit called out teasingly. She didn't hesitate, however, to board 235. (6)
"Hey!" greeted Stephen, the boy that normally sat across from Kit, as she slipped into her spot and hurriedly placed her backpack in the window side.
"Wuzzup?" she returned, propping her knees up on the seat back in front of her.
"The usual," he replied, "the ceiling, some clouds, the sun…you know."
Kit smiled, then turned to stare out of the window. Josh strolled down the aisle, winking at her as he passed. He even blew her a kiss. Kit wanted to puke.
Stephen was cool, she thought. He was nice, respectful, and had some rather good jokes. He wasn't exactly the hottest best-seller on the shelf, or smartest, but at least he knew it and accepted it. That was so unlike Josh, who was hideous and conceited. He thought every girl in the school wanted to date him, when in reality, they all wanted to run and hide.
'Honestly. I go to the Military Ball with him because he was the only option, and he thinks we're a couple now,' she thought, frustrated. (7). She was aware that Stephen, who also had a crush on her, was staring at her. She also knew that he wanted to talk, but she wasn't really in the mood for discussion.
The bus finally arrived at her stop, and she got off carefully. She succeeded in not falling, and loudly celebrated for the bus.
"Yes!" she cheered. "A whole year, and I didn't trip off the bus once! Yay!"
She could hear laughter coming from the remaining riders as the yellow vehicle she wouldn't see again until August pulled away and drove around the curve. She stayed in the driveway for a little bit longer, staring at the bare road, somewhat sad that school was out.
Just as she was getting ready to turn and walk into the house, she heard a voice behind her.
"Hello, there."
Kohari: Okay, so the focus was on Kit for this one, mainly because I'm the one that wrote this part. I promise, we'll get to seeDaphne in the next one. Oh, yeah. Not all of the girls know each other just yet. And there are MANY surprises in store, I can guarantee!
(1) Why do they always pass out a GRAPH sheet for every exam? For example, when, exactly, are you gonna use it for an English test?
(2) "Clothing-compatible" is a term we can all guess, I'm sure, but I'll explain it anyway. Basically, Kit and Kai could wear each others' clothes if they wanted to, which does happen.
(3) Yes, I know Kai used a double negative, but y'all knew what she was saying, right?
(4) The mall in our town really DOES suck! It's only one story high, and has just enough stores to keep it in business. It's not even filled up the one story it's got!
(5) I should point out that I have absolutely NOTHING against Goths. They just hang out at our BAM, so I put it in there.
(6) No, that is not my bus number. Or any of my friends' bus numbers either. I just made it up. So if you ride Bus 235, good for you!
(7) I know people aren't going to understand this, so here's the explanation. The Military Ball is a dance where you can only go if you're in ROTC or have a, quote unquote, "date" who is. Kit is not in ROTC; Josh is. Josh was willing to pay the way, Kit was broke. Kit couldn't find anyone else to take her in time. Do the math. I may explain that whole thing in a later chapter.
NOTE: This particular chapter IS copyrighted. Original version coming soon to fictionpress.
Kohari: Hope you guys really enjoyed that chapter. Another is on the way! Remember to review now…! Seriously, we want 6 reviews by the end of chapter 2, is that clear (More would be nice, hinthint.)? 'Cause I know you wanna read what's going to happen to Kit, and there's really no point in posting that satisfying chapter unless people are ACTUALLY READING!
