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TUESDAY
The day began the same as every other day. Kira's alarm went off at the crack of dawn. Kate was especially cranky since she stayed up past 'lights out' to make her phone calls and catch up on her assignments (which in hindsight she should have done in detention). She didn't make it down to breakfast and barely made it to Practical Life Skills in time. Ms. Betz droned on and on about an online article the FDA posted about the dangers of preservatives. Kate was barely able to stay awake.
Honors English didn't get any better. When she got to class Aaron wasn't in his regular seat, instead he was sitting with some girl a few rows over. Kate sat in her normal seat, thinking maybe Aaron would return once class began. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. Her new freshman 'friend' Edison Montgomery took Abbot's seat instead.
"You know Aaron usually sits there," Kate mentioned to him once again. She purposely looked to where Aaron was sitting hoping Edison would get the hint. The freshman followed Kate's gaze.
"He's with Goldie Kamison," Edison chuckled, knowingly. "It's highly doubtful that he'll return."
Kate frowned. Leave it to Aaron to choose today to change his seat. Now she was stuck with this kid. Thanks a lot Aaron. Even so, she took another glance his way – curious to see what Kira's ex-roommate looked like. Goldie wasn't anything special – at least not wearing her Spenser uniform.
Edison asked her thoughts on their reading assignment from the night before. In all honesty, even though Kate read the three poems she was exhausted and didn't look past answering the four questions. Thankfully class began and she didn't have to suffer through more uninteresting conversation.
When the bell rang at the end of class she packed up her books and walked to Calculus. Now that she knew Tyler and Caleb a little better maybe she could sit with one of them today. Especially since there would be two empty seats; Pogue's and Reid's. Edison stayed by her side all the way to Mr. Pitt's lecture hall, letting her know that he was going to be at the library after school if she wanted to study. Kate nodded politely and said she'd let him know before she ducked into math.
Stepping into the familiar room she looked up at the seats. Caleb was there but Paris was sitting in Pogue's seat. They both had their books open and were reviewing problems. Kate looked a few rows back where Tyler and Reid usually sat but their seats were both empty.
On the other side of the room sat Kira, Aaron and Bordy. Her seat was empty. For a moment she thought about sitting with them but instead she went up the steps, passed by their row and sat in Reid's seat. She unpacked her books and went about her business. As Mr. Pitt entered the room she looked down to the front of the room. She caught a glimpse of Kira and Aaron sitting silently next to each other. But Bordy was turned around in his seat looking back at her in confusion. He discreetly moved his lapel, opening his blazer and exposing a silver foil package.
Pop Tarts.
What's up? He mouthed to her.
Sorry. She mouthed back feeling a tinge of guilt. Bordy wasn't a bad person. He was just annoying at times.
Mr. Pitt began the day's lesson and Kate focused on the board in the front of the room. About ten minutes into class, a tardy Tyler Simms entered. Immediately there was a low hum in the room as he placed his pass on the table but Mr. Pitt barely noticed.
As Tyler climbed the stairs, Kate smiled at him. He looked even more tired than she felt. She wondered how things went at the house after she left. It looked like he was up pretty late.
"Where are we?" Tyler whispered as he sat beside her.
"Page 76," Kate whispered back.
Tyler flipped through his textbook to the correct page and then took his notebook out of his bag. When Kate heard him groan she turned her head. Tyler's notebook only had three blank sheets of paper left. Kate's heart went out to him. He sighed and forced a smile. Kate smiled back.
Mr. Pitt finished the lesson with several minutes left before the bell, which gave everyone a chance to start their homework. Tyler was out of paper so Kate tore a few sheets from her own notebook and gave them to him.
"Thanks," he took the papers from her hand.
"So how bad did it get last night?" she asked curiously.
Tyler shook his head from side to side as he copied the first problem. "You don't want to know."
"Oh come on," Kate coaxed. "Tell me something. I gave you paper!"
"Okay," Tyler smiled. "In the Belly Flop contest Team Larry defeated Team Glenn 10 to 6."
"Oh my God!" Kate giggled. "They had a belly flop contest." She imagined the fat old men drunkenly leaping from the pool's edge landing on the water's surface. SPLAT.
"Usually they do cannonballs," Tyler continued. "I don't know what got into them last night. Crazy old people."
Kate laughed softly.
"Oh and you left your clothes at my house."
"Oh yeah. I have your clothes too." She'd completely forgotten about that.
"My mom's gonna wash them for you…"
"She doesn't have to do that."
"There's a catch," Tyler rolled his eyes. "She said you have to come over for dinner again. When she's home."
Kate smiled. That was one condition she didn't mind at all. "I'd love to have dinner at your house again."
Tyler frowned. "Really?"
"Yes," Kate punched his arm.
"Okay," Tyler shrugged sheepishly. "I'll let her know."
The bell rang signaling the end of class. Kate packed up her things and walked with Tyler out into the hallway where they parted. World Geography was going to be very lonely without Pogue. Kate sat in the back of the room by herself. They were still discussing the continent of Africa but today the focus was on the tourism industry. Their teacher had been on a Kenyan safari and was using this as an opportunity to show off all the photos that he'd taken. Kate fought the urge to fall asleep.
Eventually it was lunchtime and a starving Kate Tunney wasted no time getting to the dining hall. She loaded her tray with Vitamin water and a salad but also added a fruit cup, a bag of veggie chips and a piece of carrot cake. With her tray in her hands Kate looked around for somewhere to sit. She was a little depressed that it was the second week of school and she didn't have any designated lunch buddies. Walking outside to the patio, where she and Pogue had eaten fries that night she spotted Caleb and Ashley sitting at one of the tables. Feeling a little more confident now that she'd hung out with Caleb outside of school she made her way over to their table.
"Hi guys," she smiled and set her tray next to Ashley and sat down. "How is Andie doing?"
"We only got to see her for a couple minutes last night," Ashley replied bitterly. "They said she was having seizures but when we saw her she said she felt fine except for a migraine. But the neurologist wanted her to have a CT scan and an EEG."
"Chopper is with her now," Caleb added. "He's supposed to text us if he hears anything."
"Caleb and I are going back to the hospital today after school," Ashley continued. "I'll let her know you were asking about her."
"Thanks," Kate answered a little surprised that Ashley was being so nice. The conversation died off as Caleb continued eating his lunch – which looked a lot like Mrs. Parry's lasagna. Kate cracked the seal on her bottle of water and then began to eat her salad.
Ashley's phone buzzed and she looked at the display hopefully only to frown. "It's my sister," she said as she rose from her seat and took the call.
As soon as she was about fifteen feet away, Paris made an appearance at the table. Kate noticed her TAP pin hanging from the hem of her skirt – which was definitely more than two inches above her knee.
"Hi Caleb," Paris said as she leaned a hip against the table, turning her back to Kate. "Have you heard anything else about Andie? We're all really worried."
Caleb took a moment to finish chewing. "No I haven't heard anything but Ashley and I are going to the hospital after school."
"How is Ashley doing?" Paris feigned concern as she slipped, onto the bench beside Caleb. Kate could barely watch her pathetic efforts. Come on, using Andie as a reason to talk to Caleb and then faking concern over Ashley - that was such a Reality TV move.
"She's hanging in there," Caleb answered glancing over at Ashley who was still on her phone. "I think the toughest part for her is the lack of a diagnosis. But hopefully they'll have the test results soon."
"That sounds rough. How is Pogue doing?" Paris angled herself so she was practically facing Caleb. "I heard he spent the night with Andie."
Kate had been eating her salad but her jaw froze when she heard that.
"In the waiting room," Caleb glanced over at Paris then looked at Kate. "He slept in the waiting room."
Not that Pogue staying with Andie was any of Kate's business but she was thankful that Caleb clarified that a little more. Funny how the facts become muddied when they get whispered down the lane… Kate made it a point to remember that.
Ashley was coming their way and Kate saw that she was openly crying. Caleb got out of his seat quickly and rushed over to her, scooping her up in his arms. "It's cancer," Ashley sobbed into Caleb's chest. "He's got cancer. I…I...have to go home."
"Oh my God," Kate muttered aloud. Cancer.
She looked over at Paris to gauge her reaction and was horrified to find that Paris was rolling her eyes as she examined her manicure. "Show a little sympathy," Kate snapped at the girl sitting across the table.
Paris snorted. "Why?"
"Why?" Kate hissed under her breath. "Didn't you hear her? It's cancer."
"Who cares?" Paris rolled her eyes again. "It's a stupid dog."
"A dog?" Kate stared at Paris. "Her dog has cancer." Not that a sick pet wasn't important but it wasn't the same as a person being diagnosed with cancer.
"I have to go home," Ashley tore herself out of Caleb's embrace. "He needs me."
"Ashley, wait a minute," Caleb kept hold of her. "You're too upset to drive."
"I'll be fine," Ashley fought him, yanking her arm free.
"Let's wait until after school. We'll go together."
"No. I need to go now."
"Calm down, Ash," Caleb pulled her close again, smoothing down her hair as he kissed the top of her head. "I'm here for you," he cradled her against him. "Whatever you need I'm here."
Paris got up from the table with a disgusted 'ugh' leaving Kate sitting alone. She sighed and took a forkful of the carrot cake. It was dry and crumbled right off her fork. Wonderful. She went back to sipping her Vitamin water and eating the tasteless Veggie chips.
After lunch it was time for Jackie Chan's Chemistry class minus Pogue Parry. Kate walked into the room and took her seat next to Bordy.
"Hey," he looked a little surprised.
"Hi Bordy," she smiled at him. "Sorry about Calculus. Things with Kira are a little," she paused searching for the right word.
"You don't have to explain," Bordy smiled back. "I'm Aaron's roommate, remember? I've been there. Believe me." He stopped and shuddered dramatically. "I still have nightmares." Kate laughed a little, thankful to know that she wasn't the only one who'd walked in on Kira and Aaron.
The rest of the day went quickly and Kate found herself in the library after school. Not because she planned on studying with Edison Montgomery but somehow as she passed through the doorway he was there, waiting for her. It was weird. Like really weird.
But nothing strange happened. Edison was all business and kept Kate focused on their homework. They completed their poetry assignment in about forty-five minutes. When they were done, Edison promptly packed up his things.
"It was a pleasure studying with you, Kate. I hope we get the opportunity to do this again."
"It was nice working with you too, Edison," Kate grinned. As he left the table heading out the door, Kate couldn't help thinking that she may have misjudged the freshman. Kate was about to take out another assignment – when she suddenly remembered that Pogue said he would call her after school. What if she missed his call!
She gathered her things and rushed to her dorm room. Tossing her back pack on her bed, she removed her phone from the charger. Sure enough, there was a missed call. Quickly she checked her voicemail.
Kate. Hey. It's Pogue. Uh. I hope you're not in detention again. So. Uh. I'm heading to the Lakehouse with my dad. Cell reception isn't that great up there but we have a land line. So I'll try to call you later but. Uh. I'm kinda grounded too. So. If I don't call back. Um. Okay. Well. Yeah. Bye.
As awkward as it sounded –it was so sweet. She replayed the message a dozen times so she could hear his voice. Then she made a call to Jessica and spent an hour discussing a proper return call and possible voicemail. It was half past four when Kate called Pogue back. His phone went straight to voicemail. The message was definitely not Pogue's voice:
"Hey Bitches. Pogue is a loser. Don't waste your time leaving a message. He just deletes them. If you're hot and looking for an all night booty call, give me a shout. It's Reid Garwin…"
Kate started laughing as Reid gave out what probably was his real phone number. When the beep came to leave her message, she glanced at the notepad beside her.
"Hi Pogue. I got your message. Give me a call if you can. Otherwise we'll catch up when you get back to school."
Then she hung up the phone and exhaled deeply. The message wasn't close to everything she wanted to say but Jessica advised keeping it short and platonic. Kate had argued that she wanted to leave some a little more personal but her BFF was insistent that despite everything that happened the night before, Kate shouldn't get swept up in it. Reluctantly Kate agreed to take a step back and leave the ball in his court. Would he call her back? She hoped so – but if he was grounded and couldn't call – that would be okay too. She didn't like going two more days without seeing or talking to him but it wasn't like she had a choice.
Now it was time for the next phone call. Kate scrolled through contacts and selected the number. The phone rang twice before it was answered.
"Hi honey!"
"Hi Mom," Kate sighed. "Do you have a minute to talk?"
"Sure. What's wrong?"
"Something happened at school over the weekend…."
I hope to post multiple updates over the weekend. Look for one tomorrow! And as always thank you for reading! - Gemma
babyshan211 - it was great hearing from you : ) Thank you so much for the reviews!