Chapter 2
The next morning Katie reluctantly crawled out of bed and stumbled down the stairs tiredly to the kitchen. John was cooking breakfast and greeted her with a smile she returned lazily back. Clara was there drinking a cup of tea at the table while reading another one of her crappy Jane Austen novels. She sat down opposite her and John served her with a fry up, to her jovial pleasure. He always knew breakfast was her favourite meal and ensured she got exactly what she craved that morning.
Watching Clara disdainfully she noticed no plate in front of her and smirked.
'Are you seriously missing out on dad's fry ups?'
She looked up from her book but John answered for her.
'Clara's already had hers.'
Of course she had. Clara Oswald didn't wait for anyone.
As she tucked into her bacon she noticed Clara was suddenly now at John's side. She glared at the pair as he decided to slip his hands round her waist while she talked and suddenly she didn't feel as ravenous as she had a few moments prior. He kissed her neck and with a face of revolt she wondered if women really enjoyed that. It seemed like a weird gesture, to kiss someone's neck, but human behaviour had always been strange. She didn't know since she wasn't exactly a magnet for the guys, and she didn't want to be, either. In fact, she was sure that just from her father's actions she'd stay away as far as possible. She just wished they didn't have to do it every second of the day, especially at breakfast. She was disgusted by their behaviour, thoroughly cringed out. He continued to smile at her like she was a goddess, which bothered her. As Clara walked away he started playing around with her, being so foolish and idiotic she almost wanted to leave her fry up and walk away. Every caress, every kiss, every smile and flirt caused something of a riot inside her mind as she finished her food as fast as she could.
When she came back down dressed in uniform and itching to get into the car with her headphones she observed that nothing had changed. John was still chasing and teasing Clara in that overly cheesy way people would find cute in a romance film.
'Are we going yet?' She called impatiently. Her father looked up at her like he was surprised she was even there.
'We were waiting for you.' He opposed, making her grit her teeth and clench her fists in anger because it was always that typical answer from the adult which made it seem like it was her fault.
'Oh, sure.' She muttered darkly. Why did everyone take it out on teenagers? The honest truth was that adolescence was the age most vulnerable and in need of comfort and nicety, and yet her father was just like the rest of them; oblivious to those frequent bipolar mood swings uncontrollable in their nature.
Her musings ended as soon as he had finally let go of the girl and they opened the door. Another long day of school and staring into the spiritless faces of her teachers that were also her guardians. It was like transporting from one prison cell to another. That was her life.
She was probably being unfair, she loved her father; but it seemed she hated a lot more things than she liked at the moment, and Clara certainly didn't improve the mood. A long sigh as she leaned against the seats and drowned out the noise of humanity.
•••
Clara snuggled up to him further, nuzzling her nose against his chest and closing her eyes. She could almost hear the faint fluttering of his heart underneath his t-shirt, and she smiled peacefully as his arms came to wrap themselves fully round her, locked in position. There was a silence that settled calmly over them, and all around. She couldn't be sure how much time passed but all she concentrated on was the warmth and safety she felt whilst under his embrace. Her brain was in that sleepy state of no noise and no sound, and she probably would have fell asleep if it weren't for an awakening thought. After a moment, her eyes opened, and a rumination struck her, about how much she loved him and their plans they were still to finalise. But all of those unfinished promises started to invade her mind skeptically in a torrent of questions. Clara started to reflect on everything they were trying to do and weren't, and it made her feel almost empty inside. Suddenly she wasn't in any sort of tranquil state and a light frown replaced her smile. She knew she was ready, she knew he was. But there seemed to be something standing in the way, like an invisible barrier they couldn't climb over. John was oblivious to her heavy ponderations and it was only when her head lifted to stare at him that he too opened his eyes. It seemed he hadn't gone to sleep either. Clara briefly wondered what he was thinking before he gave an amiable smile.
'John...I keep thinking...It might be a bit too soon, I don't know, but I've just realised how much I want to be with you fully and I kind of miss all the plans we had.'
It took him a while to comprehend what she was saying, blinking a few times before he answered.
'I do too. But I haven't told her about it yet.'
'What? John, I thought she knew! Why didn't you tell her?'
'I...I don't know, I just couldn't.'
'You proposed 4 months ago.'
'I know, and I don't regret it for a single second,' he smiled, making her beam in return, 'but we've just been too busy, and the time's gone by so fast, I can barely keep up. I want to plan with you, Clara, I want to spend days looking at dresses and flowers and decorations and I would do it all in the next month if I could but we've all got so little time and everything. Trust me, I desire to marry you as soon as possible, but when we can afford it. I mean, we are saving up, so at least we have a head start.'
She nodded understandingly. 'I feel the same.'
'Plus, I still need to buy you that ring,' he grinned. She chuckled, shuffling forward and closer to him, softly stroking his floppy hair.
'And I will tell Katie, I promise.' He added sincerely.
'Maybe I'm just being impatient, after all, most people stay engaged for years.' she laughed.
'Hopefully we won't have to wait that long.'
That twinkle in his eye was winking at her and she couldn't suppress an affectionate smile.
'I think I'm just anticipating it so much I want it to happen right now.'
'So do I. And I want everything with you, Clara, I told you that the day I proposed. I want it as much as you do.'
'You want a family?'
'Of course I do.' he said.
For a second she considered him, his sincerity never wavering, and she knew in that moment that he wasn't saying it to distract her. He meant it all, and that was commitment she never thought she'd see in a man, which influenced her next decision.
'I do too.'
'There's something that doesn't need much planning, then.' He said, voice thick with mirth.
She raised her eyebrows at his reply, bearing down on him as he chuckled mischievously.
'Well, I'm sure there's enough time for that.'
'There better be.' He murmured.
Lips collided and his arms enveloped her once again as she finally fell flat against him, cupping his cheek and softly brushing his tongue with hers. John closed his eyes for a moment, sinking deeper into the pillows as he let himself become prey to her touch. She could feel how aroused he was becoming and kissed him harder, letting his hands roam her body leisurely. Fingers threaded through his silky hair, foreheads touching as both recovered for air, until John caught her lips again and she hooked her legs round his waist. Her hands were soon slipping beneath his t-shirt to feel the skin underneath, rubbing and caressing and fondling until he tugged it off and she could fully explore the expanse of his chest, slender and slightly toned. He smiled as she impatiently pulled off her own top to reveal her bra underneath. Clara took his shorts off him and could tell he was getting harder. John kissed her with a burning ferocity and her body took control of her mind, acting of its own accord while she melted into his kiss. But suddenly noise erupted in a burst of guitars and drums and interrupted them. Breaking off, they stared at each other and then to the wall, where Katie's bedroom was. Clara was breathless, on top of him, and John looked slightly angry, his forehead creased in frustration. She climbed off him, still staring at the wall accusingly, at the source of the music. The screaming, obscene lyrics had started by the time John walked over to the wardrobe, wrapping his dressing gown round himself and striding out before she could protest.
••••
Katie could hardly sleep, disturbing herself with her own intruding thoughts that she wished she could dispel. She usually suffered from insomnia, which made it no surprise, but it was still aggravating when she couldn't even control her musings and simply drift off to sleep. However, this time, it came in useful for her. The only downside was she got even more infuriated.
Her head rested against her uncomfortable pillow, staring intensely at a spot in the darkness, every situation and account of her day being replayed in her head, every problem being resurfaced and her conscience whispering things. And then she heard talking through the ridiculously paper thin walls, and despite needing sleep desperately, her curiosity got the better of her. Moving her head closer to the wall, she could make out a few words, Clara and her father talking. She wrinkled her nose at the sound of her voice. It had apways an hours her immensely. They continued and she listened on drowsily, until her eyes widened and heart beat hard and painful inside her ribcage at one particular statement.
'You proposed 4 months ago.'
The sentence swam round her head dizzyingly, her mouth physically falling open. Her father had proposed, they were engaged, and he hadn't even had the guts to tell her. Clara was marrying her father. The sentence repeated itself inside her mind, the enormity of what she'd just heard hitting her and she realised she would become her stepmother. And although she played the cruel, fairytale part perfectly, it still made her feel queasy at the thought of Clara's shrill voice telling her what to do like she was her mother. It was as if she was amidst a nightmare and yet she knew she was wide awake. Katie listened on furiously to all their mushy conversation, and then her father told Clara he wanted a family, and the pounding of her heart increased further. It was even harder to take than the first part, especially as she wasn't even mentioned, wasn't even thought of, like she didn't exist.
Katie didn't know what to think, whether to be upset or angry. He had made it sound as if she had no opinion or control over the matter. that they would be starting a family and getting married without even considering her feelings. Like they were a happy couple in their own independent world, and she wasn't in it. It was getting harder to concentrate on what they were saying, but finally her ears burned bright red at their increasingly flirtatious tones and she knew what would be coming. Her face smothered her pillow in temper, trying desperately to block out every sound from the opposite room. She was so ragingly mad, smoke could have been coming out of her ears. Sitting up in bed, going through everything that had been said, every vengeful emotion she possessed inside of her, and making a decision, she grabbed her TV remote. In blind fury she scrolled down her list of artists saved and played her favourite heavy metal song on the highest volume possible. A wicked smile appeared on her face when she heard the commotion from the next room stop suddenly. As the singer started to scream, she began to sing the inappropriate lyrics along with them.
'That's what I think of you.' She smirked, accompanied by a string of curse words. She heard footsteps and laid back down on her bed, crossing her arms underneath her head relaxedly, and smiled. Her father burst in, a frenzy of disbelief and anger riddling his face. He was breathing heavily, staring at her for a second until he took her remote and turned the song off. Katie only looked up at him coolly, which seemed to madden him more. What could she say, she had a natural talent for making people furious.
'What the hell are you doing?' He demanded, and Katie knew he very nearly swore in his irritation. Which was rare, for her father, but not impossible. She continued to look up at him innocently, not saying a word, but observing the dishevelled hair and the dressing gown thrown haphazardly around himself, which made her revolt in disgust.
'It's the middle of the bloody night! Why did you turn your damned music on? Disturbing us, probably disturbing the whole street too! What are you thinking?'
'I couldn't get to sleep.' She said simply.
'What, and you thought by putting on heavy metal you would magically drift off to sleep? Don't be stupid, Katie.' He scolded.
She hated it when adults said that. 'Oh, don't be stupid, the joke's on you, don't play dumb,' all the bullshit parents spew out of their mouths infuriated her.
'Look, I don't mind you listening to music with your headphones if you can't fall asleep, but putting on loud, noisy music when we're all trying to sleep is damn rude. I care about your problems with insomnia and that you can't settle properly, but that's just being senseless and ridiculous.'
He was pulling the teacher act. Of course he was. She didn't retaliate and knew, to her satisfaction, that she was annoying him more than she would have if she had shouted at him.
'Do it again, and there'll be consequences.' He warned, and stalked back out of the room. She smiled triumphantly to herself, finally turning over and pulling the duvet up to her chin. She listened intently once more, but no sound came from their room. They must have really gone to sleep this time. While her small victory had raised her spirits a little, she still couldn't shake what had happened and formulated what seemed like a good plan of action of her own. They wanted marriage and a family? She'd make it impossible, she'd make it hell, she'd prevent anything from happening. And she would make sure all of their free time was used up and wasted.
