Chapter 6

WhatÕs SoÉDifferent?

Katherine sighed; it was once again lunchtime. Alex was once again chowing down on some food. She got up from the table they were sitting at outside the cafeteria. Katherine took out a little change purse from her pocket and took out a dollar and put it in the vending machine. She pressed a button to get a small bag or Oreos. She then grabbed the bag and headed back to the table. She sat and looked down at her rings and pretended to clean it. She stopped when she felt someone looking at her.

Orlando was bored. He had promised his mother he wouldnÕt go an break any bones, and he had kept it so far for a month. Nobody was around today. Mark went to go get some supplies, Dragon was out with one of his girls, Shane was with Vanessa and it seemed like there was more than a friendship going on between Josh and Toni. He didnÕt know where Justin was, but he supposed he was busy.

The only people who werenÕt busy were Katherine and Alex. He decided he would hang with them for lunch. Orlando started to walk over but stopped when he saw Katherine walking back to the table.

He looked at Katherine

She had jet-black hair that curled helplessly at the ends and faint tints of dark red streaks. Three earrings that represented the past, present, and future were pierced in a row on each ear. There was two jade crescent earrings hanging from each ear lobe and the rest were diamonds. His eyes traveled to her neck where he saw a beautifully designed jade choker. His eyes traveled more.

Katherine was wearing a white pullover, which kept him from seeing anymore. Her blue jeans were tight, and flared out at the bottom. She was wearing a pair of wood impression sandals and her toes were adorned with toe rings. He looked at her hands and saw there were more rings there.

He remembered Mark saying that he had took Katherine to get her first tattoo. She had gotten a crescent moon around her belly button. He looked back at her face and stared deeply into her eyes. They were gray and you could see a hint of natural looking eye shadow on her lids. He then entranced himself with her lips that were full and pink before he saw her smile cutely. She could have been mistaken to be Hispanic if it hadnÕt been from her almond shaped eyes that she got from her mother.

ÒWhatÕs up with your brother?Ó he barely heard her whisper to Alex.

Orlando suddenly looked down at himself and thought of how stupid he looked standing in the middle of the yard and staring at Katherine. What made her look so different this time? He had known her since Alex had introduced them to each other when she was in sixth grade.

He jogged over to them and sat beside Alex. He ruffled her hair.

ÒWhaÉwaÉ datÉor?Ó Alex asked between bits of eating her hot dog.

ÒYour my lil sissy, aren't you? When canÕt a brother do that?Ó He asked propping his head up and leaning his head on it. He remembered a time when him and Mark were talkingÉ

ÒHowÕd you and Katherine turn out soÉ different?Ó He had asked Mark one time.

ÒWhat are you interested in her?Ó Mark said turning around and gave Orlando a steely glance.

ÒIÕm just asking, I mean, well, I mean, well your soÉÓ Orlando looked at Mark knowing he was getting impatient. ÒNever mind that, but likeÉÉÉhow???Ó

ÒWhy donÕt you go ask her since your asking so much,Ó Mark said turning back to fix his car.

Orlando didnÕt know why, he didnÕt feel like asking Katherine. At that time he was over at Marks house. He looked up at her window and saw her and Alex jumping up and down on her bed. He forgot about it then went back to helping Mark with his carÉ

ÒHello? You their Orlando?Ó Katherine waved a perfectly manicured hand.

ÒHuh?Ó He stared at both of them. They looked at him like he was weird.

ÒYeah, IÕm fineÉÓ he said kind of dreamily. He smiled at Katherine. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

ÒOrlando?Ó the moment was broken when Alex said his name.

ÒWhat?Ó

ÒI donÕt know.Ó

ÒIÕm bored, you guys have anything planned this weekend?Ó asked Katherine; She looked at both Orlando and Alex for an answer.

ÒLetÕs go to the beach then. I heard the weatherÕs going to really nice on SaturdayÓ

Ò89, yeah, anybody got any money? I want some Cold Stone ice cream.Ó Alex commented.

ÒArenÕt you full yet?Ó knowing full well what her answer would be. Orlando waited expectantly.

ÒI ate first lunch, now I have to have second lunch. So nope, IÕm still hungry. Alex looked at her tummy. It looked like she hadnÕt eaten anything!

ÒSo, IÕm guessing thatÕs a yes?Ó Katherine waited expectantly.

Orlando agreed and said he would come and Alex would ride with him.

ÒThen itÕs settled!Ó Katherine said.

ÒKATHERINE VINCENT, PLEASE COME TO THE THIRD FLOOR TO SERVE YOUR DETENTION!!!!Ó

The intercom went off and Katherine mumbled something under her breath. It sounded like, ÒStupid detentionÉÓ

ÒSo lets meet at my house and then weÕll head to the beach. Yup, ask anyone if they want to come, kay?Ó They nodded their heads. Katherine left to go to detention.