Chapter Three

I chewed at my Chicken slowly as we sat at the kitchen table in silence, except for people chewing, and the occasional 'clink' of china.

"So, uh, Sam..." Beth looked between me and Kate as if she'd find something to talk about by looking at us. Well, she did. "Lizzie looks like a nice girl. Do well in school?"

I looked at Dad, waiting to see what his answer would be. "Well, yeah. Other than the fact that she got detention today."

"Really?" Beth looked shocked, and I don't blame her. I kinda DO look a bit like a never-gets-in-trouble-obeys-all-the-rules girl, "Kate got one today aswell. Talking in class, would you believe it?"

"You know, that's exactly what Lizzie got hers for!" Dad said it in the type of tone you'd hear someone use when they're about to solve who killed Mr Body in Cluedo or something.

"Yeah, we were both talking in History today." I said, taking a sip of my soft drink.

"To eachother?" Beth asked.

"Well, uh, kinda." Kate cut in.

"Oh, well what do you know, you guys are friends again!" Dad said cheerfully.

I had to bite my tongue. I had no idea how I could say that no, we weren't friends, in face we were worst enemies, with putting it lightly. Either way, I don't think it would have come across very well to Beth OR Dad. Why did I think that that wouldn't stop Kate though?

"Well," Kate started, but I gave her my wide don't-say-anything eyes. She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, we speak.. every now and then.. if we must."

"Aww, this must be so fun for you guys!" Kate's Mum had the excited mother tone. I HATE that tone!

"Oh yeah, it's a bowl of party mix." Kate said sarcastically.

Dad ignored the comment and tried to change the subject, "Speaking of party mix, Lizzie has her birthday coming up soon. She's having a party and everything, aren't you sweetie?"

I looked up with chicken in my mouth. Everyone was looking at me. "Yeah, should be.... cool." I replied, trying not to choke on the chicken.

"So is Kate! On a Saturday night, the seventh I think it was, wasn't it Kate?"

I froze and looked up at Kate. She ignored me and took a sip of water. "Yeah, it is." She looked at me and gave me an evil smile. "I'm inviting MOST of the grade."

"What a coincidence, that's the night of Lizzie's party too! What are the odds?" Dad laughed, along with Beth. Some people are SO stupid.

"Well, seeing you'll both be inviting most the grade, why do you have a joint party or something?" Dad suggested.

Before me and Kate both had a chance to shout out "NO!" Beth jumped in excitement. "Oh, wow, this sounds so cool and fun! You simply MUST girls!"

"Well, actually Mum-"Kate started but Dad cut her off.

"Think about it. You're both inviting virtually the whole grade. On the same night. So instead of two small parties, why not have one big party? It'll probably be a lot funner!"

"Dad..." I said, but I knew I was defeated. It DID make sense.... but... it was KATE.

"Oh, this is gonna be great, we have so much planning to do..." Beth talked for over an hour about where we can have it, themes, decorations... and the list goes on.

I looked over the table to Kate, who was sitting there with her chin in her hands. She looked pretty upset, and I understood. Fifteen was a big age, almost sixteen! No-one should have to share it, especially with your arch nemesis. Then it hit me. Kate changed it on purpose to the night of mine, so no-one would come. That was so typical!

"Lucky we found out about this tonight, because Kate came home and did her invitations and was going to hand them out tomorrow at school, so we can change them tonight." Beth said with a huge smile. I bet that little witch did.

After another two hours, we'd printed off all the invitations, Kate and Beth left, and I trudged upstairs, trying to think of a way to explain everything to Gordo and Miranda in the morning.

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I handed sparkly purple invitations to Miranda and Gordo and gave them small smiles. "What's up?" Miranda asked.

"Look at the invitations, and please, try not to scream."

"You're invited to Kate and Lizzie's Joint 15th Birthday Party..." Gordo read aloud.

"Umm, Lizzie, I think there's something wrong with the invitations." Miranda said.

"Tell me about it. But that's it. They're the invitations, no mistakes."

I explained the whole story and when I finished I was almost in tears. "I don't want to share my party with... her. It's Kate. She's made the last few years of my life hell. Why did this have to happen to me?"

"I still can't believe her Mum is dating your Dad. Talk about twilight zone." Miranda said, leaning against her locker.

Claire and Kate walked past. Kate cocked an eyebrow and looked me up and down. "Well, your party might have been lowered because there's losers going now. But think about it Kate. We've made Lizzie's party, like, ten times better!"

I rolled my eyes, and so did Kate. "Not helping Claire. Can we just talk about something else?" Then they walked off around the corner.

"She's right. Look at this way, Ethan will definitely be coming!" Gordo said, then scrunched up his face, "I can't believe I just said that."

"And as long as Ethan's there, it'll be fine! Trust me Lizzie." Miranda gave me a reassuring smile and we walked off to class.

Why did I get the idea she was totally WRONG? This was a total disaster.