Chapter 21 - I learned to take the good, the bad and breathe

"We raised a total of two thousand dollars in the 10th grade car wash yesterday," Keely read out from the piece of paper. "Now, I'm wondering when we all get our cut, seeing as we were the ones scrubbing the cars clean, and breaking our nails, and getting our manicures ruined!" She took a deep breath, and then calmed down. "But, whatever. The teachers and student council are going to meet today to decide what the money goes towards. Hopefully a new set of cameras for the AV lab, because this one, as you can see, makes my nose look big."

Phil rolled his eyes, knowing that Keely wasn't joking. She was actually serious.

"Um…next page," Keely muttered, picking up the next page. "Okay, so some of you were writing in, and asking me loads of questions about where I was last Friday, and I've decided to totally answer them. Okay, so, I spent about three hours of the day in hospital, because some raving lunatic broke into my house, and tried to murder both me and Phil. The murderer only cut my arm though, so I needed stitches, but I'm sure most of you don't want to see the gaping wound in my arm. Um…and then the rest of the day I spent at Phil's, and I do not want any of you rolling your eyes and muttering 'as usual', because I get enough of that. And I don't need to tell you what we were doing, because Pim has most likely told you that part. If she hasn't, then chase her up. Is there anything else I need to tell them all Phil?"

"No. I seriously think you have said enough," Phil said, and his hand hovered over the Stop button as Keely finished up.

"Lunch today is something equally as disgusting as it was yesterday. Did you expect something nice?" Keely chirped, and then she smiled. "Signing off, this is Keely Teslow! And…we're out."

Phil pressed Stop, and walked over to Keely, kissing her on the cheek. "You rocked."

"A change," Keely smiled, spinning around in her chair again.

"You wanted it," Phil said, and watched as Keely collected her books, and they filed out of the AV room.

Keely watched Candida stalk up the corridor with her posse. She watched Tanner bump into a dozen things whilst writing on his hand. There was Danny Dawkins running down the corridor after Pim; a number of other students following her. Keely smiled. Pim obviously wasn't the gossip-queen of the school. And then there was Via and Owen.

Their first date had gone remarkably well. Owen had said few dumb things all night. Via had said few smart things all night. And when you get one person not being dumb, and one person not being smart, it turns out they get on pretty well. And Owen had actually paid. This surprised both Phil and Keely. They both thought he'd be pretty stingy.

"Keely!" Via called, and ran up to her. "Owen wants to know if we all want to go to that music festival next week. You know, it's the holidays and all."

Keely grinned. "Why, is he paying?"

"Yeah…no," Owen said. "Why should I pay for any of your tickets?"

Phil rolled his eyes. Sure he had paid for Via's dinner, but once a stickler, always a stickler.

"Thanks Owen," Keely said sarcastically. "We appreciate your immense kindness."

Owen looked pleased with himself, not caring that the other three were laughing at him.

"So, I'll buy my own ticket, shall I?" Via joked.

"Ditto," Phil added.

"I think I can get my Mom to give me the money," Keely laughed.

Owen grinned. "So, the four musketeers are going to the music festival next week. How awesome is that?"

"Pretty awesome!" Via agreed. "Look guys, I've got to go. Hackett will murder me if I'm late again."

Keely smiled, and waved as Via and Owen walked up the corridor. Well, Via walked. Owen bounded.

"So, we're going to the music festival?" Phil asked.

Keely shrugged. "It certainly looks that way."

"Kablam!" Phil cried.

Keely just rolled her eyes. She was accepting the fact that no matter how hard she tried, she was never going to get Phil to stop saying kablam. It was like trying to get a dolphin to grow legs. Wasn't going to happen.

"Am I annoying you yet?" Phil asked, as they continued down the hallway.

"Yep. But I'll live," Keely grinned, smiling at Jenna, the girl Phil had 'introduced' her to.

"Good. I don't want you dying on me," Phil joked.

"Especially since you'll be the one who caused my death. You bored me, so I collapsed and died."

Phil laughed.

A week.

In the space of one week, it showed, that your whole life could change.

Keely had wanted a change.

She had gotten a D in algebra.

Her father had been diagnosed with cancer.

Her father had been murdered.

A psychotic murderer broke into her house and tried to kill her.

She had gained a boyfriend.

They had gotten Owen and Via together.

"So, what do you want to do tonight? I mean, if we're going to the music festival next week, we might want to go to the movie tonight," Keely said.

"It's that chick-flick isn't it?" Phil grimaced.

Keely rolled her eyes.

"I know we went to see the one I wanted on Sunday, but…"

"No buts. You promised," Keely folded her arms in mock anger.

Phil sighed.

"Right, so we have the movie tonight, the festival next week. Oh, plus, you promised that Skyak trip over to London. Shopping, here I come!" Keely grinned.

Phil rolled his eyes. Only last week Keely had been complaining that her life was too ordinary. How many other sixteen year old girls had been on a Skyak? Or been threatened with murder? Or still presented the news with a smile every morning?

Then again, Keely was anything but ordinary…

Finished. Sniff. And I don't think there's a sequel on the horizon. Unless, you know, somebody very kind, offers me some ideas that would be appreciated and used.

But onto the next project. Unbelievable 2. Well, it won't be called that, but whatever. And I say whatever a lot, so I'm going to cease now, to let you review.