I drive to Chadwick, pushing down the churning feeling in my stomach and pretending I'm not actually constantly looking around to see if Silas is there. Driving in the car beside me, crossing the street, racing by on a bike...but he's not. And I know he's not. So I make myself relax and pull into the Chadwick student parking lot. I find Axel's usual parking space, and smile when I see his car. I park beside it and check my phone. He should be leaving for lunch in five minutes.
I haven't talked to him in a couple days; he doesn't even know I'm back in LA. When I hear the bell ring, I get out of my car and go lean against the hood, waiting for my friends to arrive. I stand there and stare at the east wing of Chadwick. I feel pangs of longing; missing my senior year. But mostly I feel relief. To be finished with this painful place.
"Shit, girl," I hear a smiling voice. "When did you get back?"
I turn and see Axel, a huge smile on his face. He grabs me and hugs me tightly.
"Just last night," I reply, returning the hug.
"Damn good surprise, Kate," he grins, pulling back to look at me. "I'm glad you're back. And whole again."
He gestures to my cast-free arm.
"Me too," I smile. He hugs me again and we hear voices.
"Is that Kati?" I hear Max.
"No way! When did you get back?" Jenelle smiles, and they come forward to hug me.
"Just last night," I reply. They release me and Chase moves in for a hug.
"We miss you, Freedman," he says.
"I miss you guys, too," I reply. "Feels like it's been forever."
"Well," Max makes a face. "It's been a really...fucked up year."
"Very true," I nod. Axel slings an arm over my shoulders, squeezes.
"Well, shit. Let's get outta here," Chase shrugs, grinning.
"I'm game," Max agrees.
"Me too," Axel says.
Happily, we all pile into my car, because, let's face it: I'm still not up for getting into anyone else's, except my parents'.
"Where's Megan?" I ask, as I put the car into drive.
"Still in Sacramento," Jenelle replies. "You know her family. Every holiday gets drawn out into a week-long event."
"Thanksgiving was last week," I laugh.
"Try telling her grandma that," she replies.
"Where are we going?" I ask, pulling out of the parking lot and getting on the main drive.
"Let's hit the pier," Axel suggests. "They got the best food trucks."
"Oh my god, Kati, you missed the opening of this new one. It's this Italian guy and he makes the greatest sandwiches you will ever eat," Max rolls her eyes emphatically.
"Sold," I reply. "'Italian' and 'sandwich' are magic words when placed together."
As we drive to the pier, they fill me in on the latest news at Chadwick. Who cheated on who, which couples broke up.
"And Cranston," Jenelle says, shaking her head. "You should have seen him after...well. That night."
I see Max elbow her through the rearview mirror.
"What?" Jenelle looks confused.
"It's fine, Max," I say. "Really. I'm fine."
"Sorry, Kati," Jenelle says genuinely. "I just mean, everyone missed you, and everyone had your back. Cranston arranged this whole assembly about rape and abuse and...it was intense. He was livid."
"I miss that sarcastic Democrat," I say.
"Oh, and Victor was asking about you. Weeks ago, I mean, but I forgot to tell you. He was wondering where you were," Max says. "He was really worried."
"He's such a sweetheart," I reply. "I miss that kid."
"You should come to prom," Axel says suddenly.
It gets quiet.
"What?" I make a face.
"You should. Why not? You're still a Chadwick student. You have friends who want you there."
I hadn't even thought about prom, and I definitely haven't considered going.
"I don't..." I begin, shaking my head slowly.
"Come on, Kati," Max says. "You have to."
I pull into a parking space near the pier.
"Let's just...eat," I say, shutting off my car.
We all get out and head towards the pier. Axel swings his arm around my shoulders.
"You've gotta come," he says seriously. "You're my girl. We can't not spend the biggest party of the year together."
"I wouldn't miss your year-end party," I tilt my head. "But..."
"Just think about it," he asks. "Come with me."
He gives me the pathetic puppy-dog look, so I laugh and shove his chest.
"Come on," I laugh. "No faces."
But he puts a frown on, adding to his forlorn look.
"Fine," I give in, and he squeezes my shoulders. "I will think about it."
He smiles and holds out his fist. Rolling my eyes, I bump it and he hurries us forward to catch up with everybody else.
After lunch I drive over to St. Ambrose, after Mom texts me that I need to come for a follow-up Xray. I navigate through the halls until I find her office. I knock twice and open the door slowly.
"Cooper and I've been married 17 years and we're still having sex three, four times a week," I hear Mom say, as I come inside and see her and Amelia sitting on her couch.
Horrified, I make a face, staring at her. "Gross."
They look over and Mom rolls her eyes. "I don't think it's a secret, baby girl," she laughs.
"I feel sick," I frown, staring at the floor.
"But they're so good at it," Amelia teases, getting off the couch and giving me a quick hug as she passes me. "Look at you."
"Stop," I shake my head slowly. "Please."
She laughs and heads towards the door.
"I'll see you later, Charlotte," she waves.
After she's gone I turn and stare at Mom, complete distaste written all over my face.
"How was lunch?" she asks pleasantly.
"Quite possibly on its way back up," I reply.
She tilts her head and walks over to me, dropping a pen into her white coat.
"Come on," she laughs. "Let's get that hand looked at."
She opens the door and we head down the hallway.
"So how's everyone doin'?" she asks.
"Good," I nod. "Megan wasn't there, but everyone else was. It was good to see them."
Mom smiles. "I'm glad you went and saw 'em."
I nod.
"Axel...asked me something," I say after a minute.
"Mmhmm?" she turns and looks at me.
"He...asked me to prom," I finish.
Mom gives me a huge smile. "Darlin', that's wonderful."
"Is it?" I wrinkle my forehead. "I mean...I wasn't planning on going. I don't...it would feel weird."
"Going with Axel?" she asks, surprised.
"No, going...at all."
"It's your prom, baby."
"I know, but...hasn't exactly been a year of...planning for prom."
"Well," she considers. "Maybe it's time you do."
I shrug.
"You're still a student there. You absolutely deserve to go and experience your prom, sugar."
I nod. "Maybe."
"Well. Think about it?" she tilts her head.
"I will," I nod.
We reach Xray and go inside.
"Sheila, I just need five minutes," Mom calls over to the nurse in the room. She nods and Mom sits me at the machine, placing the drape over me.
"Do you think it healed weird? Because of that bump?" I ask.
"No," she replies. "I think you broke a lot of tiny bones and that bump'll go down in time."
She places my hand and moves back to take the Xray, and then takes two more at different angles.
Ten minutes later she sticks them up in the light in the Xray tech room.
"Beautiful," she grins, staring at the Xrays.
I nod. "Looks...almost normal." I glance down at my hand, flexing it. "It looks smaller."
"Just a little atrophied," Mom assures me. "It'll be fine. 'Specially if you keep playing on that guitar like you've been doin'."
"Guitar therapy," I reply.
"Exactly," she kisses my forehead and pulls down the Xrays. "Let's go put these in your file. And then do you want to come grocery shoppin' with me?"
"Sure," I agree.
"Your daddy drove us both here, so he can take the car home. I'll text him and let him and know, and we can head out.
