Here's an extra long chapter for all of you to enjoy! Thank you for all of your kind words and reviews. I appreciate every view and review very much. :)
Kate didn't even bother to look back after Beth had turned and disappeared back into the meeting room. Instead, she kept on, her hands grasping onto her arms self-consciously. Honestly, she felt horrible. The lost and frustrated look in Beth's eyes made her feel immeasurably guilty.
Even Kate knew that all Beth wanted was to welcome her to Forest Hills, to perhaps be her friend. Kate wasn't sure, though. Beth's intentions always seemed to be shrouded in mystery. She had come on strong, practically requiring her to attend this meeting, only to be gunned down for saying all the wrong things.
She had only showed up because she liked the idea of making friends. Beth seemed so cool and confident; she wanted to be around people like that. In essence, she wanted to feed off Beth's charisma. She felt drawn to her. It was a shame that things didn't wind up better than they did. Kate found herself wishing that she had agreed to attend that rally, or whatever it was, with Beth. At least then she wouldn't go straight home after school, doing nothing.
Sighing in annoyance, Kate glanced up. She was nearing the library now. Gazing past the glass, she was surprised to see someone inside. It was a short-haired blonde girl, busily typing on her laptop.
However, as if on cue, the girl within the library looked up from her work, catching Kate's stare. Feeling embarrassed and flustered, Kate looked away and continued walking.
A moment later, the library door creaked open, causing Kate to look up once more.
"Hey!" The short-haired girl called out to Kate, waving one of her hands to get her attention. "Can you come here for a second?"
Kate blinked, but then walked over to her.
"Hi," The girl from inside the library smiled and nodded her head shrewdly. "I'm Carrie Schaefer," Carrie extended her hand. "I was wondering if I could borrow you for an interview? I run the school's TV station."
Kate shook Carrie's hand and sported a slight, courteous smile.
"Uhm…" She wasn't sure. Something about being on the school's morning TV show didn't appeal to her. The last thing she wanted was for people that she didn't even know to judge her without her even knowing. "Sure… I guess." Kate cursed her intense desire to feel apart of something.
"Great!" Carrie exclaimed excitedly, as she grabbed Kate by the arm and led her swiftly inside the library. "I'll just set up the camera, and we'll be good to go."
Kate nodded her head, surprised by Carrie's rushed behavior.
"So, where'd you come from?" Carrie wondered, as she took out her camera and began prepping it. "Most people are usually gone by now."
Clearing her throat slightly, Kate cringed as she recalled what had just happened.
"Uhm, actually… I was checking out the Vegetarian Club."
Carrie stifled a laugh.
"You're a Vegetarian?"
"No," Kate shook her head and placed her hands awkwardly on her hips. "The leader of the club invited me. She's in my Government class… and Gym class."
"Beth Davis, right?" Carrie's voice was positively sarcastic. Kate wondered why.
"Yeah…" Kate remarked uncertainly.
"I wouldn't be surprised if she invited you so she could sleep with you."
Kate's heart practically leapt from her chest. What in the world was this girl even talking about? Suddenly very embarrassed, Kate's eyes darted around before landing on Carrie once again.
"What… do you mean?" She asked, afraid of the answer.
"What are you… new?" Carrie asked, astonished.
"Well, yeah—"
"Of course you are," Carrie corrected herself and nodded. "I haven't ever seen you before, and I know everyone."
Kate smiled tightly, her lips twitching somewhat.
"Anyway," Carrie continued. "Everyone knows Beth is bisexual," She held Kate's gaze. "She's dating this one girl from her club, but everyone just thinks the Vegetarian Club takes turns sleeping with each other, like some, big harem, or something," She shrugged.
Kate's mouth had fallen agape. She had no idea. Yet, at the same time, she felt a certain amount of anger inside of her. Carrie had no shame; she probably didn't even know Beth personally, and yet she was passing judgment.
"Uh, you know what…" Kate began, irritation radiating off her in waves. "I actually have somewhere I have to be," She pressed her lips tightly together and narrowed her eyes challengingly. "Can we do this some other time?"
Carrie had since looked up, her eyes burning holes into Kate. She had virtually finished readying her camera at this point. Sighing, there was honestly nothing Carrie could do. Kate smirked inwardly in satisfaction. It served her right.
"Sure," Carrie mumbled, exasperated. "What's your name?" She took out a pen and a notepad.
"Kate Spencer."
"Got it," Carrie's voice was flat and aggravated. "I'll catch up with you sometime within the next few days, all right?"
"Sure," Kate shrugged her shoulders, and then began toward the door. "Sorry." She tossed the apology over to Carrie lightly, abruptly uncaring to how 'big' of an inconvenience she had caused the other girl.
Kate didn't care. She hadn't appreciated Carrie's passing judgment of Beth at all. Although, admittedly, Kate was extremely shocked. Never had she thought that Beth was… well, bisexual. She began to wonder if perhaps that was where Beth's intentions laid.
Exiting the library, Kate summoned her car keys from her purse, and then began down the hallway. She felt curious, yet satisfied.
Perhaps the guilt of denying Beth's offer wouldn't lie on her heart for too much longer.
The following day, Beth found herself feeling incredibly foolish and guilt-ridden. She didn't want Kate to feel uncomfortable around her. In fact, she wanted the opposite. All Beth wanted was Kate's friendship. Sure, Kate was gorgeous and adorable, but Beth knew what she could, at the moment, realistically shoot for.
That morning in Government, Beth kept her gaze to herself, despite how desperately she wanted to see how Kate was. Was she angry? Was she all right? Beth wasn't sure.
Biting her bottom lip, she swallowed nervously, mentally kicking herself for getting so upset over someone she had just met two days before. She had never cared so much about forging a friendship before Kate. Suddenly, it mattered; everything mattered.
Beth tapped the end of her pen against her desk and frowned. There were no group projects today. The teacher had just planned on lecturing them and giving them individual work. Needless to say, Beth wasn't too happy about that.
Heaving a quiet, annoyed sigh, she painfully tore her eyes away from the teacher's overhead notes and glanced over to Kate. She was obediently scribbling down the notes, much to Beth's disappointment. Rolling her eyes, Beth debated her options: a.) toss a pencil and hope it hits Kate lightly in the head, b.) whisper loudly to get her attention, c.) wait until class was over to talk to her, or d.) attempt all of the above.
Beth smirked as she decided to go with the obvious choice: selection A. Readying herself, she prepared to launch her pretty, pink pencil at Kate's head.
Just as her arm pulled back, aimed and ready, the loudspeaker chimed in:
"Just a reminder: This school year's prospective student council members will meet after school in Ms. Clarkson's room. New students who received the green invitation slips are especially requested to attend. Thank you."
Blinking, Beth peered curiously at Kate's desk. Much to her surprise and pleasure, a folded piece of green paper was tucked between the pages of one of her writing journals. Perfect! The brunette grinned and folded her hands in her lap.
Kate was indirectly making this way too easy for her. Beth had come to the 'wise' conclusion that this was the perfect way to reconcile with Kate. She would show up in a situation in which Kate was comfortable, and then show her that all of her intentions were pure. Beth was flexible, after all. All she had to do was show Kate that she was approachable, that she wasn't some spiteful bitch out to get her.
Beth nodded to herself and continued to smile. Her heart thumped rapidly in her chest. She was eager to prove herself.
After the final bell of the day had chimed, Kate was excited to get to the Student Council meeting. She had been a Student Council Representative at her last school, and it had been right up her alley. It was no surprise that she wanted to check out Forest Hills' program, also.
Kate had received the invitation from Carrie Schaefer. Regardless of Carrie's stance toward Beth, she was inclined to attend. Besides, it would keep Kate's mind off the troublesome brunette. She still felt incredibly remorseful about denying Beth's invitation the other day, in spite of the brief lapse of time.
As Kate walked into the room, she was surprised to see a large group of people packed into the smaller classroom. There were at least thirty in attendance. Carrie was there, as well, and glanced up as soon as Kate entered the room.
"Hey!" She called out, making it very plain to Kate that she didn't remember her name on the spot. "Glad you could make it."
Kate merely nodded and sat down at a desk near the front of the room.
"I think we can begin now," Carrie clapped her hands, calling everyone to attention.
"Wait!"
A familiar voice echoed through Kate's ears.
"Beth?" Kate whispered the girl's name under her breath as the brunette essentially flew into the room, breathing heavily. The blonde's heart flipped in her chest as her face grew redder by the second. What in the world was Beth doing here? Student Council didn't seem like something Beth would ever even consider.
"I'm here," Beth announced, causing several people to chuckle callously. "Sorry."
Carrie brusquely locked her eyes with Kate's, alarming the reserved blonde. Had Carrie seen her reaction to Beth's arrival? Kate licked her lips anxiously, cleared her throat softly, and then glanced away. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest. Beth had caught her completely off-guard by this completely unexpected appearance.
Ignoring Kate's obvious inner struggle, Carrie rolled her eyes and sighed in annoyance.
"Sit down, Beth," She stated flatly.
Beth's eyes flashed with veiled irritation that only Kate could pinpoint. The brunette moved and sat two chairs behind Kate, as planned earlier. Beth knew that subtlety was the best choice.
Kate swallowed and kept her eyes ahead of her. She felt awkward. She wasn't sure if Beth was angry with her, or if there was any bad blood at all. She was entirely flustered, and the thought of having Beth here while she voluntarily visited another club was nerve-wracking.
"All right," Carrie began, her voice booming. "Welcome, one and all, to this year's first Student Council meeting. If you're here, you're basically in," She laughed. "Of course, as you all know, the ranked positions were voted for and decided on last semester," She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "However, we're always in need of representatives and volunteers—A.K.A.—you guys!"
The room buzzed quietly with whispers. Carrie waited for a moment before cutting the chatter short with a hiss.
"Now, we need to brainstorm," She noted, grabbing her clipboard and pencil. "We need a Homecoming theme, as well as the dress-up week themes."
At an instant, the room was alive with people spewing off idea after idea. Carrie's eyes widened at the amount of noise that overtook the small area.
Kate simply sunk into her seat, while Beth's eyes blazed with intent.
"Guys," Carrie tried to hush the room. "Guys!" She yelled, causing everyone to fall silent. "One at a time," She directed, absentmindedly waving one of her hands. "Raise your hand, or something."
One girl raised her hand.
"What about Hollywood Stars?"
"Too cliché," Carrie insisted.
"Manhattan Nights?" Another girl inquired.
"Too overdone," Carrie remarked dryly.
Then, Beth's hand shot up, drawing Kate's eyes over her shoulder to look at the energetic brunette.
"What about an Animal Lovers theme?" Beth wondered earnestly, her eyes blinking pensively.
The room was quiet for a good few seconds before it erupted into cruel laughter.
"Just… no," Carrie snickered, scribbling something out on her clipboard paper.
"What?" Beth looked shocked. "Why not?"
A few of the people laughed to themselves while Carrie looked on at Beth incredulously.
"Are you serious?" She scoffed. "Beth, what could you even do with a theme like that?"
Beth stood her ground, shocking Kate, who already felt unbelievably embarrassed and sympathetic for her.
"A lot of things," Beth responded coolly. "Everyone could dress up as their favorite animal."
Carrie and the rest of the room, sans Kate, burst into unbridled laughter. Kate's face absolutely burned with humiliation for Beth. She felt horrible, and yet there was nothing she could possibly do to help the other girl.
Beth remained strong, regardless of her idea's negative response. She kept her head up and her jaw locked. She was determined to remain composed in front of these students.
"This is a school dance, Beth," Carrie managed, after she had finally began to stop cackling. "Not a hoedown at the zoo."
Narrowing her eyes, Beth scoffed quietly and gave Carrie a stare directly out of hell. Kate felt a surge of pride course through her. She smiled to herself, glad that Beth wasn't outwardly allowing Carrie to get the best of her.
"Fine," Beth shrugged her shoulders carelessly. "I guess it is your decision."
Carrie laughed again.
"It definitely is," She smirked. "Animals aren't on the agenda."
Snickers and giggles filled the room for another moment. Beth glanced away, and Kate thought that she saw a tiny glimmer of humiliation flash through Beth's eyes. Kate's heart swelled with pity once again for her.
"Anyway," Carrie cleared her throat, still grinning ear-to-ear. "Does anyone have any good ideas for the theme? Not dealing with animals?"
Giggling to herself, Carrie watched with sheer pleasure as Beth's eyebrows knitted in soundless aggravation. Beth said nothing; she only looked away, refusing to maintain eye-contact with Carrie.
"What about Arabian Nights?"
"Totally copied from another district, Karen!" Carrie corrected her shamefully.
"An Animal's Night Out?" One boy cackled, sending the room into a squawking reel of their newfound inside joke.
Beth kept her eyes on the wall while Kate sunk into her seat yet again. This was terrible. All Kate wanted to do was take Beth out of the room so they didn't make fun of her anymore. She felt totally awful, and yet there was nothing she could do about it.
"All right, you guys. Enough," Carrie was smirking again. "An animal joke is only funny for so long."
"The only thing better than an animal joke is a dead animal joke!" jeered one boy, as he purposefully glanced back at Beth, who was fuming.
"Hey, asshole," Beth hissed, losing her temper for the first time. "What ever happened to respect for others?"
"The hippie slut's pissed now!" One girl howled with laughter.
Beth rolled her eyes. Kate felt anger flare in her stomach. She wanted so desperately to say something, but timidity choked her up.
"Guys, guys," Carrie settled them down with a wave of her hand. "This is about Homecoming," She started, as both Kate and Beth braced themselves for the punch line that they both knew was coming. "—not about Beth's beef against non-Vegans."
Once again, the room howled and cackled with unrestrained and seemingly eternal laughter. Kate sunk further in her seat. It almost seemed too obvious who had won this verbal war.
For the first time throughout this fight's entirety, Kate turned her head to glance back at Beth, to essentially observe the damage. The look in Beth's eyes and on her face absolutely broke her heart and utterly floored her.
Beth was smiling. Beth's face lit up as soon as Kate's eyes met with hers. It was an expression that Kate hadn't thought she would find there. Sure, she saw embarrassment; she saw hurt, even. However, there was something else, as well—something far from sinister, something angelically pure.
Subsequent to the meeting and the endless dead animal jokes, Kate finally excused herself from the intolerable meeting. Forest Hills' Student Council was obviously not the place for her. She wanted nothing more to do with those insufferable people.
Remorse weighed down Kate's heart suddenly as she thought of Beth, who was still gathering her purse in preparation to leave. Kate could have—no, should have—said something. She knew that it was the right thing to do, and yet she still did nothing. Fear of rejection by her peers and shyness held her back, and she mentally cursed herself for that over and over again.
"Hey."
Kate was startled by Beth's husky, gentle voice behind her. Turning, Kate was yet again astonished to see a delicate smile on the brunette's face.
"Hi," Kate's mouth grew dry all over again. "I'm… really—"
Beth waved her hand and shook her head. It was just her and Kate in the room now. They could talk freely and without interruption.
"Don't say it, Kate," She smiled to her. "It's not your fault."
"But… but I should have said something!" Kate insisted, the words leaping out of her mouth frantically.
"Hey," Beth seemed surprisingly good-natured, in the face of the grim circumstances. "You barely know me. It's not your job, or anything."
"But you…" Kate swallowed, her heart heavy again. "You were the first person to even notice me at this school." Her voice was small and docile.
Beth tilted her head slightly, and then chuckled once.
"I just wanted to say 'hello,'" Beth told her simply, with an affable shrug. "and you looked lonely."
Kate's heart lurched forward, nearly out of her chest. No one had ever taken note of that before. Kate was shocked. How had Beth known? She blinked and swallowed away her nerves and wariness again.
"I… ah…" Kate was at a loss. Tears threatened to form in her eyes, causing her to have to blink them away repeatedly. "Thank you… Beth. It… really means a lot to me, what you did."
Beth's lips curved to form the most heartwarming smile that Kate had seen in years.
"No," She shook her head. "I mean—I do wish that I had someone like me to come say 'hi' on my first day," Beth laughed softly, causing Kate to smile and giggle a little, as well.
"Yeah," Kate smiled, beginning to feel a bit more comfortable.
"You know…" Beth ventured, noticeably hesitant. "I could tell you something, but… I don't want you to… hate me, or anything."
The stressed word seemed almost painful for Beth to say. Kate perked up instantly.
"No," Kate blinked her eyes, smiling as she added: "You're too sweet to hate."
Both of the girls grinned and chuckled to themselves.
"Well," Beth started, setting her purse down on the nearest desk. "I wanted you to know that… I invited you to my club, because…" Reluctance bit at Beth's tongue. "I… didn't want some other group or clique or person to snatch you up and have their way with you. I wanted you to be treated nicely, you know? You didn't deserve to get sucked up in their hateful, judgmental worlds."
Kate's eyes widened ever so slightly. Her heart nearly stopped beating in her chest. All along, these were Beth's intentions? Kate felt criminal for ever even doubting her at all. She had no idea that Beth had such thoughtful, optimistic objectives.
"Beth…"
Beth shook her head abruptly and laughed, warding off a creeping blush from her cheeks.
"No! Before you even think about it," She grinned. "I know it sounds creepy, but it's really not."
"No, actually…" Kate looked up at the other girl, fighting hard to keep any appreciative tears at bay. "It's really, really nice of you."
Beth watched her in pleasant silence for a moment, her eyes shining.
"I'm just sorry that they… treated you so badly," Beth spoke after a moment, regretfully.
"Hey," Kate giggled softly. "It was good practice," She smiled up at the brunette. "It seems like I'll need some really thick skin at this school if I want to survive, anyway."
There was another moment of silence before Beth's expression broke to reveal a smile of both happiness and relief.
"Yeah," She concurred, her green eyes bright with pleasure. "Though, we're supposed to be the most peaceful group at this school. You got off easy, Kate!"
As Beth spoke, she knocked one of her fists playfully against Kate's arm.
"Watch it!" Kate joked, laughing all the while, as she recoiled teasingly from the light hit. "Remember: I'm sensitive."
Beth laughed heartily, causing Kate's face to light up with delight. She had never thought she would feel this comfortable around someone new before. This was the first time since her playground years that she had been so friendly and playful with someone else. It felt magnificent.
"Oh, Kate Spencer," Beth sighed happily. "Where have you been all my life?"
"Moving from house to house looking for you, of course," Kate teased, drawing a smile from both of them.
"But, really," Beth calmed, a sense of solace and solemnity rushing over her. Kate was amazed how regal and serene the brunette looked as she spoke such simple words that sounded wise beyond her years. "Thanks for not being 'weirded out,' or anything. I just wanted to make sure you were okay," She paused, uncertain if she should continue. "and you seemed like a really sweet girl—and… a really great friend, too."
Kate watched her for a couple of seconds. Their eyes locked, and both girls grew quiet. It was neither awkward nor overly stimulating. It was a simple moment of inner solitude and contentment. It was.
"You, too, Beth," Kate decided, after the moment had come to a graceful ending.
The girls stood there, comforted by the joy glittering in the other's eyes.
"Beth," Kate spoke meekly, her eyes narrowing with thoughtfulness.
"Yeah?" Beth blinked her eyes encouragingly.
"You're not really apart of Student Council… are you?"
The question took Beth by little surprise. In fact, she had assumed that it would be brought up eventually. Therefore, she had been prepared. She merely smiled.
"Nope," Beth crossed her arms over her chest. "I wanted to show a certain girl that I wasn't some creepy whack-job, and… that I wasn't out to get her by sending an army of crazed Vegans her way," Her eyes shared Kate's gaze unwaveringly. "—and that I was willing to feel what she felt before we could actually be friends."
It was at that moment that Kate Spencer had no idea what to say. All of her collective intelligence did her little to no good in this instance. In the eyes of a virtual stranger, she saw more than she had seen in any person that she knew personally. She saw understanding, wisdom, hope, and emotion. Beth had made it clear that she wanted to open up to her and vice versa. This wasn't just a one-day friendship that was on the table for the taking.
Biting her bottom lip gently, Kate blinked her eyes still. The tears were beginning to be more and more insistent, but she wasn't giving in just yet.
"Well," Kate spoke softly, her voice nearly shaking with feeling. "That girl you're talking about… appreciates it more than you know," She admitted, staring up at Beth gratefully. "And, she told me… that she would love to be friends."
At that instant, a smile burst onto Beth's features uncontrollably. Happiness radiated off her in waves. She couldn't control the amount of excitement and bliss that she felt. It was strange, but Beth felt as though Kate—who happened to still be a, in all fairness, stranger—actually understood her and where she was coming from. There was a definite spark in Kate's eyes that told Beth that Kate had been there and, more or less, had done that.
"Thank you, Kate," Beth sighed quietly. "You're so sweet. You're practically making me blush here!" She chuckled and shrugged her purse onto her shoulder.
Kate smiled with the utmost satisfaction.
"Good," She replied pleasantly.
Beth nodded her head, unable to suppress the sparkle in her eyes and disposition. She readied herself to leave, her lips poised to offer a friendly good-bye, when Kate broke in.
"Beth," She began to say, her voice hopeful and apologetic. "Do you think that I could have another chance, and—maybe—still come to one of those rallies with you?"
Taken by complete surprise, Beth's eyes flew open. Her heartbeat picked up intense speed, and she had to take a moment to compose herself lest she would stutter when she spoke a moment later.
"Uh—sure! Of course!" Beth nodded, reaffirming herself. "There's not one for another week, but… we…" She paused, taking a stab in the dark. "—could still hang out, if you want."
"I'd really love that," Kate resolved, smiling cheerfully. "I'd really love to get to know you better."
Kate bit her tongue, realizing how that may have sounded a tad bizarre. Though, she thought little of it when she observed the ecstatic reaction that it drew from Beth.
"Yeah, definitely!" Beth spoke swiftly, her heart pounding in her chest while her blood rushed loudly in her ears. "Just give me a call. We'll work something out—something not involving some school club." She winked.
Kate giggled and looked up at her questioningly.
"What's… your number?"
Beth watched her, feigning hurt, out of nowhere. It stirred up alarm in Kate suddenly.
"You mean… you didn't save the number I wrote on your hand?" Beth frowned, her lower lip poking out slightly and her voice tinged with sadness.
"I—no—I mean—"
"Kate!" Beth giggled. "Relax. I'm just messing with you."
"I didn't know that was what you wrote dow—"
"Kate," Beth placed both of her hands on either one of Kate's shoulders. "Calm down. It's really okay. Do you have your cell phone with you?"
"Yeah," Kate dug into her purse, and then handed her phone over to Beth. "Here."
As Beth supposedly put her number into Kate's phone, the blonde looked on curiously. Beth had appeared to be typing something far more than just a number before she slid Kate's phone back into its rightful owner's hands.
"There," Beth smirked. "Now you can't wash it off," She spoke smoothly, as she whipped out her own cell phone which practically chirped on cue, signifying a text message. "And—I have your number!" She winked at her, waved her fingers teasingly, and then slipped past the blonde, out of the room, leaving Kate smiling behind her.
Kate's eyes flashed over the newly-added number in her cell phone. Her eyes glinted knowingly, and she grinned.
She didn't need that number at all. She had memorized Beth's number ever since Beth had first given it to her two days ago.