Chapter 242: The Commons
Wednesday, January 25th, Morning
Their ride dropped them off in their usual place, and they walked towards the high school building. Sawyer looked at Keni and nodded. Sawyer sighed and watched her breath turn to steam.
"We're waiting for LK?" Keni asked.
"As we do every morning," Sawyer said.
"Just checking," Keni said.
"As you do every morning," Sawyer said.
"Something had LK really keyed up yesterday; I don't think she did well with the snow Monday," Keni said.
"I can assure you that's a fact," Sawyer said.
Keni shook her head, "Aunt Haley and Uncle Nathan must have had a busy day, with LK, Lennon, Lacy, and Darren all working from home," she said.
"I think Aunt Haley went to work," Sawyer said.
"Poor Uncle Nathan," Keni said.
"LK isn't going to get any rest, with everyone coming into town," Sawyer said.
"It's starting today, isn't it?" Keni asked.
"Yes, it is," Sawyer said.
"Who's coming in?" Keni asked.
"Don't you pay attention to your mom's planning?" Sawyer asked.
"Not really, because it annoys the hell out of her," Keni said.
"Oh, boy!" Sawyer said.
"Yeah, I know, I'm a bitch," Keni said.
"Not my place to say, either way," Sawyer said.
"That's what I like about you," Keni said, "So, anyway, who's coming in today?"
"Kay is coming in from Chicago with her new girlfriend," Sawyer said.
"It's my turn to say, oh, boy!" Keni said.
"Why is it your turn?" Sawyer asked.
"The Garlands and the Drakes," Keni said, "Oh my."
"I forget about them," Sawyer said.
"You forgot about who?" Wendy Kilpatrick asked, her ginger hair flowing with her ears protected with earmuffs as she walked up.
"The Drakes and the Garlands," Sawyer said.
"Oh my!" Keni said.
"How could you forget about them?" Wendy asked, and gave Keni a look.
"Easy, don't think of them," Keni said.
"Yeah, well not everyone has that luxury," Wendy said, and turned to look at Sawyer, "It's cold out here, can we go inside and get warm?"
"Go ahead, we're waiting for LK," Sawyer said.
"Why do you always wait for LK?" Wendy asked, "Also, why do you even hang out with LK?"
Keni got in Wendy's face, "Don't mess with, LK," she said, in a tone to warn Wendy.
Wendy turned to look at Sawyer. Sawyer nodded, "Yeah, I wouldn't mess with LK if I were you," she said coldly.
Wendy nodded, "Well then, I'm heading to the commons; maybe Dex is in there already," she said.
"We'll see you there," Sawyer said.
"Or freeze out here," Wendy said and walked away.
Once Wendy was out of earshot, Keni looked to Sawyer. "Why do we hang out with her again?" Keni asked.
"She's one hell of a visual artist. We like Dex. Also, you said we need a redhead, and none of the Burke's are old enough or redheads. Also, Keni, it's good to have a difference of opinions," Sawyer said.
"I guess," Keni said.
"Keni, if you're cold, you could go in," Sawyer said.
Keni shook her head, "No, LK will be expecting both of us. Anyway, I like LK," she said.
"You better, she's family," Sawyer said.
Keni sort of shrugged, "Yeah, she's a cousin," she said.
Sawyer nodded. Looking around the school's front, she saw walking towards them another kid they grew up with, Gareth Reuter. Sawyer remembered the years of him being her neighbor. Gareth walked over to them, wearing his winter coat and watch cap. Yet, he still looked cold.
"Hey Sawyer, Keni," Gareth said.
"Hey Gar," Sawyer said with a smile.
"Gar," Keni said.
"Waiting for LK?" Gareth asked.
"Yeah," Keni said.
"Yes, how do you know?" Sawyer asked.
"You always wait for LK, for as long as I can remember," Gareth said.
"Somethings die hard," Sawyer said.
"Yeah, like the US Government's denial of Tesla's Experiments," Keni said.
"That's not a bad thing," Gareth said, "Remember; there were days I would ride in with you, and sometimes Keni."
Sawyer nodded, "Those were good times," she said, smiling, and nodded. Her smile soon disappeared as the memory recall went on.
"Excellent times," Gareth said.
Keni just nodded.
"So, anyway, I heard Ellie's in town," Gareth said.
"Yeah, she's the first wave of returning Scotts," Sawyer said.
"So, when do the rest return?" Gareth asked.
"Kay comes in today. Candi and Angela should be here by Saturday," Sawyer said.
"That's probably going to drive LK into a tailspin," Keni said.
"Yeah, well, what can you do?" Sawyer asked.
"I'm surprised they can keep her in school," Gareth said.
"She functions well; but she just gets emotionally overwhelmed sometimes," Sawyer said.
"We all get overwhelmed, sometimes," Keni said.
"True," Gareth said.
Sawyer looked up and noticed that LK was coming their way. Sawyer saw LK was wearing her typical boots and carrying her Hello Kitty backpack; LK was dressed for the weather and had her head down. LK never had her head up or made eye contact.
"Hello, Sassy, Keni, Gareth," LK said, head still bowed, and her voice had a distant sound in it.
"Good morning, LK," Sawyer said.
"Morning, LK," Keni said.
"How're you doing, LK?" Gareth asked.
LK nodded and kind of tried to kick some loose gravel. Sawyer looked them over and led the small group of friends into the school.
