Author's Note...
I had a bit of fun trying out different points of view. Call it practice, because first person isn't exactly my strong point.
Happy New Years! Don't get too drunk. Don't stay too sober. Be insane. Laugh a lot. Kiss someone when it turns *2009*.
Kaitlyn's POV
I glanced at a clock in the school hallway. Seven thirty. I was so stinking hungry! I hadn't eaten anything at T's because my stomach was still a bit queasy, but it wasn't until I was at school that I realized how stupid that was.
I walked past the vending machines and glanced at the snacks. They were arranged from most expensive to least, but I wouldn't have bought anything even if I had money. They all looked so unappetizing with all that sugar, fat, and who-knows-what-else. My stomach turned just thinking about it.
I shrugged. It was alright, I'd bum off of Brooke. She was sure to have… My thought trailed off as I remembered yesterday's blow-up. All my fault. She probably won't even talk to me. Idiot… I wasn't sure who that remark was aimed at, me or her. Maybe both.
Seriously, no breakfast, no lunch, and no money to buy anything. Yesterday may have been the worst day of my life, but today is a close second. Okay, that was a bit dramatic. It must have been the meteor rocks in my system.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway and off the lockers. I jumped, panicking about who it might be. Of course I was paranoid; in my situation, who wouldn't be? I felt stupid when Plaid Boy--oh what was his name?--appeared around the corner. I did my best to smile at him.
He returned my smile and nodded in greeting.
I considered saying something but decided against it. I hadn't wanted to talk to him before; why start now? He walked past me and was halfway around the corner when my stomach growled. Again. "Hey!" I called after him. "You got any food?"
Plaid Boy turned to look at me and shook his head.
"I'm kinda starving," I added before I could stop myself.
"Sorry, I don't. The Talon has some really good breakfast food, though."
I'm sure I looked a bit deflated. I don't have money, dang it! I shrugged. "'Kay. I might check that out."
He raised his eyebrows, as if he knew I was lying. Well, of course he did—I was the world's worst liar. "Don't starve yourself," he cautioned with a small smile before continuing down the halls to who-know-where.
Ha, whatever, I thought as I snorted. I decided to clean out my locker to kill time. It was a royal mess, anyhow.
--
John's POV
Kate was crumpling up old papers and throwing them on the floor when I spotted her. Finally! I had been looking for her at school yesterday, even tried her cell phone after class. She must have been sick or something. No one just disappears like that.
I picked up one of the papers and unwrinkled it. A history worksheet with a big red D on it. I shook my head. Even I had gotten a better grade on that assignment.
"Hey, Kate," I said since she hadn't noticed my presence yet.
She jumped and turned in a move that made her trip over her own feet.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to surprise you," I said.
"Um...John," she said slowly. She backed up a few steps.
What? Was I suddenly some sort of threat? I frowned, confused. Oh, right. The bonfire. Dude, I was drunk! I couldn't be held responsible for something I didn't even remember.
"Kate, about the bonfire, I'm sorry, but I never act like that. I was wasted. That didn't ruin my shot with you, did it?"
Something flickered in Kate's eyes. Was it anger? Yup. She was frowning now. I backed away a bit as I saw blood rush up her face. "Listen, John, if pushing me into a freaking fire didn't ruin your shot, I can't think of much else that would!"
Dang, meteors really do affect people's brains. Why would a normal person freak out that much? "But on Friday--" I started.
"I don't give a crap about Friday!" she snapped. "A lot has happened since, and I sure don't want a boyfriend right now!"
I blinked, somewhat shocked. "Whoa, calm down! No need to flip out…"
"You just shut up, John! I have every reason to flip out!"
I dropped the paper I had been holding in my hand and quickly walked away before she decided to murder me. Probably PMSing…
--
Tatiana's POV
I was surprised to see Kate at school that morning. Hadn't she been planning on skipping? Not like I was complaining or anything--just seemed kinda weird that I hadn't caught her lie.
By lunch, I could tell that Brooke was definitely mad at Kate. They were glaring at each other during most of history class. If looks could kill, I'd be without my two best friends.
As Brooke brushed past me on her way out of the classroom, she muttered, "Kaitlyn is so not sitting with us at lunch today. Brett can take her spot."
I just shrugged. Hey, I'm just Team Switzerland here! I hate taking sides in fights because then the other side gets mad at me when I'm so not mad at them, then everything goes all screwy and gay and……yeah.
As I walked to the lunchroom, I spotted Kate in the crowded hallway. I pushed past a few people and practically bounced to her side. What can I say? I'm naturally full of energy and Tigger-like. "Hey, thought you were goin' home. Feelin' better?"
"Hmm, kinda," Kate replied absentmindedly as she examined the noisy lunch tables. "Who are you sitting with today?"
"The usual: Brooke, Collin, Lydia, and John. Why?" And here comes the drama. I braced myself for whatever name-calling Kate was about to do.
Her reaction wasn't what I was expecting. She just sighed. So not like the Kate I knew. "I'm not sitting by Brooke, but I don't want to sit alone."
I shrugged, not seeing a problem. "So? You don't have to talk to Brooke. Sit by me! And I heard Brett might be at our table today." There was no freaking way she could resist Brett. He was school hottie! Senior, on the football team, hardest abs I'd ever seen… Wow, was I drooling?
Kate just shook her head as if he was simply another guy. "Nah, I'll go sit at the emo table or something. I'll see you fifth period."
The emo table? Party-girl Kaitlyn Grant sitting with the kids who cried all the time and cut themselves? Not while I was alive! "You might as well go sit outside," I said sarcastically. "Because you just love to hang out with losers."
To my horror, her face brightened a bit. "Right, good idea, T!" She grabbed a random coat off of the hangers that lined the hallway and headed for the doors. Did she even have a lunch?
"Whoa, I was kidding!" I called after her, panicking. What the heck is she thinking?
"Really?" she replied. "Oh well." Then she walked out the doors.
I sighed. Maybe Kate was insane.
--
Chloe's POV
I looked up from our table when I heard the school doors open with a squeak. A girl wearing a coat that was too big for her walked outside. I had seen her before, right? Oh yeah, Smallville's newest freak. Poor girl was pushed into a bonfire and was turned into… Well, it hadn't been confirmed, but rumor had it that she was fireproof.
She glanced at the tables, which were all empty except for ours. I shivered a little as the cold October wind blew. I said it was too cold to eat outside anymore, but Clark said it was fine. Of course, Lana agreed with anything Clark said. Pete was lucky enough to have a warm coat, so he didn't care. Majority rules, and apparently, I don't. I was out-voted.
The girl stood there for a while, looking like she was completely confused and didn't know if she should just go back inside. She frowned a second before she marched down the steps and up to our table as if it was the bravest thing she had ever done.
--
Back to Third Person
"Anyone sitting here?" Kaitlyn asked. She'd rather be rude and interrupt their conversation than look friendless, hungry, and cold at an empty table.
The blonde girl shook her head. "No. You can join us if you want." She smiled.
Kaitlyn sat down next to her, keeping her distance from the two boys. "I'm Kate. Um, what are your names?" she asked, looking over each one.
"Chloe," the blonde said. Oh yeah, editor of the Torch. Famous keeper of the Wall of Weird. Kaitlyn wondered if Chloe knew about her meteor power and immediately regretted sitting there. She was probably being observed right now.
"I'm Lana." The girl had dark brown hair and perfectly-shaped almond eyes. Kaitlyn envied her and wished she could have eyes like that. No, thanks to her mom, she had round eyes that made her look surprised all the time.
The African-American spoke. "The one and only Pete Ross, lady's man." He flashed a winning smile. Kaitlyn noted that he'd look great with Tatiana. If only T would get over her dislike of guys in our grade.
Chloe smirked. "If you're such a lady's man, then how come you never have one?" she joked.
He winked at the blonde. "Cuz I'm waitin' for my lady to realize that I'm her man."
"Charming," Chloe said, laughing. Plaid Boy and Lana laughed too.
Pete only laughed half-heartedly; he wasn't joking. Kaitlyn noticed a little blush appear behind his chocolate-colored cheeks. Maybe it's T. But today was not the day to play matchmaker.
"And I know you, but can't remember your name," Kaitlyn said, pointing at Plaid Boy.
"I'm Clark," he said. His intriguing blue eyes caught her attention, and she thought of the guy from the party last night.
"Hey, were y'all at the college kids' party last night?" she asked, wanting to confirm her suspicions.
Pete snickered. "Only if it was a study-party at the Talon."
"Oh," Kaitlyn said, feeling stupid. She felt it necessary to add, "I saw someone there who kinda reminded me of Clark."
It was Chloe's turn to laugh. "Clark at a party? That'd be a sight. Farmer Kent over here doesn't leave the homestead much." She elbowed him playfully.
Clark sighed and gave her a tolerant glare.
"Kaitlyn."
She jumped when she heard someone calling her name, that voice that she hated so much. She choked a bit on her own saliva and squeezed her eyes shut, hoping that he would go away. Luthor.
He called again, "Kaitlyn." He sounded angry.
She whipped her head around. "What?!" she asked impatiently. Her eyes darted across the grounds, but there was no one there. She sighed and turned back to face the group, blushing a bit. I must be going crazy.
Lana cocked her head and frowned worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, it's nothing," Kaitlyn said, shaking her head.
She felt their eyes boring into her and could almost hear their minds screaming, Liar! The meteor rocks are finally getting to you! We're going to make sure you get to the sanitarium before you hurt someone. Kaitlyn shifted uncomfortably and stared at the table.
Pete said something that made the others laugh, but she didn't hear it. Why even bother paying attention? I don't belong here...
"Kate, do you have a lunch?" Chloe asked.
"Huh? Oh, um… no." She received a strange look. "No! I'm not anorexic or anything. It's just that I didn't get around to packing food this morning."
"Here, catch." Pete tossed her a slightly bruised apple, which she barely managed to catch before it flew past her ear.
"Thanks." She took a bite and chewed slowly. This would have to last all of lunch. It was green, not her favorite, but it was better than starving.
The conversation for the rest of lunch felt awkward and forced. Kaitlyn suspected that she had thrown the balance of the tiny clique. It was probably weird for them to have a random addition to their close-knit group.
The bell rang, and she stood quickly. "Thanks for letting me sit with you," she said before rushing to her next class. She didn't want to be observed anymore for the next Torch article on freaks of nature.
--
School passed like and out-of-focus video in slow motion. She tried her hardest to listen to the lesson about logarithms, but it was impossible. She was trying to come up with a reason for not going home the night before.
She decided on telling the truth. Well, some of it. Her parents would know if she was lying, anyhow. I went with T to a party and had a sleepover. Nothing else. I did not skip school or spend an afternoon in Metropolis against my will.
School was finally dismissed. Kaitlyn drove home, trying to focus on the road. She reached the house, but instead of going in, she sat in her car and stared into space, feeling somewhat numb.
Her stomach growled and brought her back into reality. She realized just how hungry she was and went inside to raid the refrigerator. After sifting through its random contents, Kaitlyn decided on flavorless leftover pasta. She sat at the table and inhaled the stuff. Still hungry, she made a second trip to the fridge.
Kaitlyn only looked a moment before deciding that all the other leftovers were disgusting. She resigned herself to sitting on the pristine white couch to watch television. Parents will be home soon, anyhow. She went over her alibi and braced herself for their responses.
Author's Note: Isn't it special? It's a piece of work, that's for sure. Reviews are so helpful!