Chapter 8
The Best Kiss
It was Spring break and love was in the air. Katherine and Justin were together as well as, Vanessa and Shane and Toni and Josh.
Katherine was having a barbecue and pool party. The music was loud and the food smelt good. Katherine spotted Mark showing Alex his car that was almost done. She thought they looked like a good couple.
ÒHey baby, hereÕs your soda.Ó Justin handed her a ÒSpriteÓ. In his hand was a ÒHeineken. ÒYou sure you donÕt want a beer?Ó Justin asked playfully. He remembered a month ago at the beach, when Katherine got tipsy.
ÒYeah, my brother would kill me,Ó She paused ÒOr rather you not me.Ó
ÒNaw, I can kick his ass, easily.Ó Justin boasted.
Katherine laughed ÒUh-huh... sure.Ó Toni came up to her and asked if she had seen Shane. Katherine said no she didnÕt know where he was but she would help her look.
They walked into the garage and Alex was talking with Orlando.
ÒWhy donÕt you have a chick, O?Ó
ÒI dunno, I donÕt like anyone.Ó
ÒYeah right, I saw you starring at Katherine.Ó Alex nugged her arm playfully into his stomach. ÒYou got rid of your Mohawk, so youÕre hot now.Ó
ÒThanks a lot.Ó Orlando ran his hands through his hair. ÒSheÕs dating Justin I donÕt like her anyway.Ó
ÒSorry, to interrupt but have you seen Shane?Ó Katherine asked
ÒHe went to the store with Mark.Ó Orlando said smiling up at her from his chair.
ÒCÕmon, O letÕs dance.Ó Alex grabbed him by the hand and danced. She then grabbed Katherine. The three danced together, until Justin came and grabbed his girl.
ÒDude Justin whatÕs your beef?Ó Alex asked her best friend. ÒWe were dancing and you broke it up like an ass.Ó
ÒOh sorry, I just need to talk to Kat.Ó Justin placed his arm around KatherineÕs shoulder. They walked off.
ÒWhatÕs up?Ó Katherine wondered ÒAnd where did you get Kat from?Ó
ÒOh, nothing just donÕt dance with, O, kay. I just see how he looks at youÓ Justin said.
ÒUm, I was dancing with Alex to and sheÕs your friend.Ó Katherine pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone.
ÒYeah but-Ó
ÒDonÕt do that possessive shit kay. IÕm not gonna do anything.Ó She kissed him on the cheek and walked into her house.
ÒKATHERINE WHEREÕS THE BBQ SAUCE!!Ó Mark shouted.
ÒTHE FRIDGE!!!! AHHHH!!!!!! TONI!!!!!!Ó Katherine screamed. Toni had cannon balled into the pool causing a huge splash. Which was unusual because Toni was very thin.
ÒTHE FOODS DONE!!!!!!!!!Ó Mark boomed in his raspy voice.
Before Orlando went to the table Justin stopped him.
ÒDonÕt mess with Katherine okay. You know sheÕs mine right?Ó Justin asked.
ÒI wouldnÕt do that you know meÓ Orlando said offended.
ÒYeah but this is different, sheÕs mine and donÕt think Ôbout trying to take her. Got me?Ó threatened Justin. Orlando nodded his head and walked off.
ÒYou ASSHOLE!!!! How could you say that to my brother?Ó Alex had heard the whole conversation. She smacked him and walked off.
Everybody made there way to the table and their seats. Mark sat at the head of the rectangular table. Katherine sat on the right side of him and Justin sat next to her. Orlando sat in the left side of Mark and Alex sat by him facing Justin. Dragon sat next to Justin and Toni seated herself between Alex and Josh. Shane sat at the other end of the table and Vanessa sat next to him on the right.
ÒCan you pass me some ribs Katherine?Ó Alex asked
ÒJustin is right there ask him.Ó
ÒNaw heÕs a BITCH!!Ó Alex said with attitude.
ÒLook IÕm sorry.Ó Justin said exasperated
ÒWhatÕs wrong with you Alex.Ó Toni questioned.
ÒAh nothing I just thought Justin was my friend.Ó Alex reached over and grabbed the ribs herself
ÒJustin, what did you do?Ó Katherine said cluelesly she started to eat.
ÒOh Justin doesnÕt trust me and IÕm his friend. And right now I hate his stinking guts.Ó Alex looked at Orlando for comfort. He got the idea and placed his arm around her shoulder.
Ò What is wrong with you?Ó Katherine hit Justin upside the head.
ÒHey, what was that for?Ó Justin asked confused ÒYou are not taking her side?Ó
ÒIÕm not taking anybody's side. IÕm with myself.Ó Katherine stated
ÒLook, blood is thicker than friendship and you just dissed my bro.... so you just dissed me... mister!Ó Alex yelled standing up from her seat. ÒI canÕt even believe you would say that bout him!Ó
ÒWhat did he say?Ó Mark wanted to know. He glanced at Justin for an explanation.
ÒYes I want to know too. Maybe IÕll apologize for hitting him upside the head.Ó Katherine gave Justin a steely glare that resembled her brotherÕs
ÒI just asked Orlando not to dance with Katherine.Ó Justin tried to explain.
ÒYeah right! You threatened HIM!!Ó Alex yelled. Orlando had to pull down to her seat, cause she was reaching over the table to choke Justin.
ÒClam down itÕs not that important.Ó Toni said. Alex was drinking some soda, but spilt it on Justin.
ÒOpps! It slipped.Ó Alex said childish.
ÒYOU BITCH!!Ó Justin said standing up from his chair. Mark started to laugh.
ÒAlex! Stop it both of you!Ó Katherine shouted.
ÒYou know what, your right. IÕm not going to let his little comment bother me. IÕm just gonna squash it now.Ó Alex said maturely. ÒApologize to Katherine for being possessive and to O, for threatening him.Ó
ÒFINE! IÕM SORRY! OKAY YOU HAPPY?Ó Justin yelled frustrated.
They sat down and continued to eat dinner. Everybody was almost done except for Orlando, Alex, and Justin who were still glaring at each other.
Katherine picked up her plate and hurled it at the house window. Both items shattered into a million pieces. She then stomped off back into the house. Vanessa stood up.
ÒSTOPPPPP ITTTTTT!!! ALLLLLLLLL OFFFFFF YOUUUUUUU!!! CANNNN WEEE PLESEEEE EATTTTTTT!!!!!Ó Vanessa shouted. Surprisingly everyone heard her. They eyed her weirdly. Orlando stood up and went after Katherine.
He walked into the house and went to find Katherine. Walking up the stairs, he heard a door slam loudly. He guessed she was in her room.
When he got to her room, he knocked gently.
ÒCome in,Ó he heard the muffled reply. He walked into the room, and sat down next to Katherine on her bed.
He looked around her room. It was purple and white. Her bed was almost like a whole other room. It had a circular wall built up around it, and squares were cut out for windows.
ÒWhy do relationships cause so many problems?Ó He heard her ask.
Orlando walked up the three steps leading to her bed and sat down next to her.
ÒAnd people wonder why IÕm not in one,Ó He said sarcastically. He saw what he had said made her smile.
ÒYup, that was a stupid question.Ó
ÒNot as weird as the last one,Ó he made her smile even more.
ÒYeah, IÕm weird like that.Ó
ÒSo, whyÕd you throw your plate at the window?Ó
ÒCanÕt you guess? My temper is worse than my brotherÕs. I would have burnt the house down if I could, but I probably would feel even worse than what IÕm feeling now.Ó
ÒSo what are you going to do about the window?Ó
ÒFix it you dork! You think I wouldnÕt? IÕll just have to spend my allowance from last month and this upcoming one. Just a few thousand dollars.Ó
ÒSounds like a lot.Ó
ÒNot if I say that someone else broke the window instead of me.Ó
ÒOooooo, your bad.Ó
Orlando and Katherine laughed at that. They talked a little bit more then deiced to see what was going on downstairs.
When they walked down stairs Mark was on the phone and was glaring daggers at Justin. Alex was doing the same thing and had to be held back by Dragon, Josh, Shane and Toni.
ÒHey, I wanna show you guys something!Ó Katherine yelled grabbing OrlandoÕs hand and pulling him into the Japanese Garden. Everyone followed suit and ran.
They slowed down and walked when they didnÕt hear the pounding footsteps behind them anymore.
ÒSo whatÕd you wanna show them?Ó
ÒIÕm surprised you donÕt even notice.Ó Katherine said disappointedly. Orlando looked around and realized something.
ÒThe garden? ItÕs beautiful, did you design it?Ó
She said yes and while they were walking Orlando noticed how everything they talked about went smoothly and not dramatized.
ÒSo, do you have any tattooÕs?Ó Katherine asked him.
Orlando lifted up his black jacket and his green rat shirt, ÒYeah, right here.Ó He said looking down at his stomach. His boxers were poking up from under his black shorts. It was tribal a sun, in the center was colored yellow.
They heard feet shuffling and decided to scare their upcoming friends.
Justin was mad, really mad.
ÒDude your chick ran away with my brother.Ó Alex laughed. Justin told her to shut up. ÒMan clam down you have serious issues.Ó They walked farther and stopped. ÒWhere are we?Ó Alex asked nervously.
ÒIf Katherine was here-Ó Josh began but was cut short by Vanessa
ÒShe is here we just donÕt know where.Ó
ÒCÕmon Mark, where are we?Ó Dragon said
ÒI donÕt come out here, this is KatherineÕs territory.Ó Mark said. Justin started walking.
ÒI think itÕs this way. She showed me this before.Ó Justin said
ÒWell if she only showed you and not anyone else, you must be really special right? Then my botherÕs special too.Ó Alex went through another giggling fit.
ÒWould you shut up?!Ó Justin said in a demanding tone.
ÒGeeze, what a great best friend you are...Ó She said sarcastically.
Justin started to walk in the direction he thought would be the way out. He was about three feet away from the group when he suddenly fell.
ÒOPFH!!!!!!Ó
They heard laughter from one of the bushes. Orlando and Katherine came out. He had to help Katherine stand because she was laughing so hard.
ÒYou should have seen the look on your face, Justin!Ó Katherine leaned against Orlando for support. Everyone else tried to contain their laughter.
ÒLetÕs get in inside, itÕs getting dark, Ò Mark said waiting for Katherine to lead the way.
ÒItÕs this way,Ó she said walking towards Mark. She stopped in front of him. ÒBut if you want me to show you the way out, you have to give me a piggyback ride first!Ó
The group laughed, teasing Mark. He complied and Katherine jumped on his back.
ÒHey! I want one too!Ó Alex cried, jumping on whoeverÕs back was close to her. Too bad it was VanessaÕs. They both fell down to the ground screaming. Another fit of laughter was coming on.
Katherine led the way back. She kept coughing when they arrived at the back door.
ÒYou okay?Ó Justin came up beside Katherine and put his arm around her shoulder.
ÒYeah, IÕm fine.Ó Katherine coughed some more. Justin lifted his hand to her forehead.
ÒYou not fine, you have a fever.Ó Justin was about to scoop her up into his arms when suddenly Mark came and picked her up.
ÒI think IÕll do that. I have to talk to her about the incidents tonight.Ó
Justin looked at him blankly as Mark carried his sister inside.
ÒWhere are they going?Ó Dragon asked Justin. They watched Mark carry Katherine into her bedroom.
ÒFor some reason I think he doesnÕt like me.Ó Justin said hurt. ÒAlex do you like me still?Ó
ÒI guess.Ó Alex said in a not-really-but-I-guess-so tone.
ÒVanessa and Josh, do you like me?Ó Justin once again asked. They said they did.
ÒShane, Toni do you like me?Ó
ÒYeah we do okay cut it off.Ó Toni said annoyed.
ÒWell why doesnÕt Mark like me!Ó It seemed like Justin was about to cry any second but didnÕt. He just plopped down on the couch.
Alex walked upstairs to KatherineÕs room to see if she was okay. Her and Mark had been in there for an hour and her friends were getting bored.
She opened the door slowly.
Mark was sitting down on KatherineÕs bed and singing. Alex stood there listening quit surprisingly Mark could sing. The song stopped abruptly with Mark leaning in to kiss KatherineÕs forehead, which looked like her lips from AlexÕs point of view.
ÒAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! KATHERINE, WATCH OUT!!!!! MARKÕS GONNA KISS YOU!!!!!.Ó
Alex ran into the room, attempting to tackle Mark. Unfortunately, Alex took the wrong turn and kneed him in the groin. Mark fell back on to the bed with Alex on top of him.
She got up realizing that she was lying on top of him. She looked to her right to see Katherine with videotape in hand, and it was recordingÉ
Katherine couldnÕt hold back a smile as she saw Alex look up. She knew it was a risk, but imagine what she could do with it.
ÒKATHERINE!!!!!!Ó
Katherine just laughed and proceeded to jump out of the bed and run for her life. Alex followed close behind and Mark lay on the bed waiting to heal from tonight's pain.
Katherine ran down the stairs and into the living room. She jumped on the couch next to Justin who was pouting.
Justin stopped and looked up.
ÒWhy doesnÕt your brother like me?Ó Justin asked miserably. Katherine looked at him as if he was crazy and told him to hush up. Alex came flying down the stairs almost running into Josh. Alex stopped in front of the couch and glared at Katherine.
ÒYou bitch!Ó Alex screamed in a high-pitched voice. She jumped in the air and landed partly on Justin and partly on the couch. Alex desperately tried to choke Katherine but Justin protected his girlfriend. ÒIÕm your friend!Ó Alex protested. Losing her balance she fell off the couch.
Alex looked up at Justin behind emerged Katherine. She leaned on him and patted his chest. A few seconds later she kissed him on the cheek. ÒThanks babyÓ Katherine paused and looked around.
ÒIÕm hungry.Ó Katherine hopped over the couch and headed to the kitchen.
In the kitchen. She yelled into the living room ÒAlex you want anything?Ó
Alex groaned ÒOrange soda with ice please.Ó She turned over on her side and tried to hold her back.
ÒNaw how about a Twinkie?Ó Katherine giggled. Katherine reached into the cub bored and grabbed the box and went back to Justin and the couch. Alex propped herself on her elbow and looked at Justin who was sitting there.
ÒWhatÕs wrong with you? You look like your Ôbout to cry.Ó Alex stared at her once friend. She looked at him as if he was the enemy.
ÒMark doesnÕt like me.Ó He pouted. Alex looked at him, turned over on her side and told him he was pathetic.
Mark came limping down the stairs and went into the kitchen looking for ice. Alex heard him and thought she better go and tell him she was sorry. She got up and jogged over to Mark. He was sitting on a chair leaning his elbow on one knee and holding a small bag of ice on his crotch. He looked up at Alex. ÒWhat do you want? Came to finish me off?Ó He joked.
ÒNaw, I came to say I was sorry. I didnÕt mean to actually knee you. felt kinda of bad.Ó
ÒAnd the key words there are ÔI felt sorryÕ, does that mean you donÕt feel sorry anymore?Ó Mark asked with a sly grin.
Alex pouted, ÒWell, I guess that means that you donÕt really care, do ya?Ó
Mark rolled his eyes. He saw Katherine walk in through the corner of his eye. He decided to change the subject.
ÒHey Kat, whatÕs wrong with Justin? Looks like heÕs about to start a flood in a minuteÉÓ
Katherine looked at him, Ò You should know, youÕre the one heÕs upset about!Ó She took a glass from the cubed and filled it up with ice water.
ÒQuit treatingÕ him like a baby, he needs to toughen up. At this rate I donÕt see how you can still stand to be with him.Ó
The glass cracked in her hand. Alex cringed. There was too much tension between the two right now. She headed for the living room.
ÒMark, I donÕt see how you can do this! I know youÕre supposed to look after me, but that doesn't mean you should put down Justin whom weÕve known since Jr. High!Ó
ÒWhat are you gettin mad about?Ó
ÒI have every right to be mad right now!Ó She threw the glass into the sink and ran cold water in her hand.
Alex had walked out of the room right before Katherine threw the cup in the sink.
ÒHay whatÕs going on?Ó Orlando asked walking up to his little sister.
ÒShhhh,Ó Alex told him, ÒKat and Mark are fightingÉÓ
They looked towards the kitchen. Another glass was thrown.
ÒIÕm gonna go see If I can helpÉÓ He said awkwardly walking to the kitchen.
He went through.
More glasses and plates were heard breaking.
Not a minute later, Orlando came out apologizing with Katherine yelling after him hot on his trail.
ÒYOU BASTARD!!!!! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR????? WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO KISS ME?????????Ó
Justin got up from the couch immediately. Mark bust through the kitchen door holding a ÒCoronaÓ. Justin looked at him suspiciously.
ÒThis is the only time IÕm gonna let her have one of these with my permissionÉÓ He mumbled under his breath. Justin just stared speechless.
ÒYOU MINDLESS BASTARD!!!!! SON OF A BITCH!!!!!!!Ó
Her cries were soon died out as Mark lifted her over his shoulder. He plopped her down on the couch and stuck the ÒCoronaÓ in her mouth. She started to swallow and Mark didnÕt take the bottle away until her eyes were glassy.
She hiccupped and giggled.
Mark stuck the ÒCoronaÓ back in her mouth. She swallowed more, her energy draining away. He took the bottle out of her mouth once she had finished it.
Katherine tried to stand up, but failed miserably and fell towards Orlando. He caught her and put one arm around his neck. Katherine looked at him.
ÒThat was the best kiss of my lifeÉÓ she said and slumped forward, sleeping.
ÒWell this was the best night of my lifeÉÓ Orlando said breathlessly as he grumbled under her breath. He handed her to Mark. He said his apologies to Mark, saying that he should go home instead of sleep over. He went home thinking what would happen tomorrow.