Electric Storm

Chapter 25: California Dreamin'

Part 3

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)

And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)

I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)

On a winter's day (on a winter's day)

At this time of year the trees give up a part of themselves for soggy boots to stir into leaf stew the hue of old pears and goldfish corpses. I traipse along the damp side walk, recently wet from last night's rain. My coat is pulled a little tighter around my waist; I never did get used to New York's cold weather. I've had to take the train/walk recently as Happy's been too busy bossing around the movers in the tower. I don't mind. It gives me time to think. Despite knowing the path, I only keep one earphone in. I like to be aware of my surroundings. The spy in me always will.

It's another Monday morning. It's another day of school. October. Dad will be back soon. Stark Tower is nearly packed, my term is nearly over and soon I will be gone. I once said I wouldn't enjoy school, I wasn't going to learn anything and I wasn't going to make any friends (I imagined it'd be hard to find anyone with shared life experience). I guess I was right. I don't enjoy it; it's just a means to an end; a daily reminder of how little freedom I actually have; I haven't really learned anything and, as for friends..., in the last month of being here I've made sure not to get too attached. I knew when I began how this would end. I don't want to hurt anyone else. I don't want to hurt myself. I can't say goodbye again. I catch Parker walking ahead of me, both of us marching across the sports fields. I don't speed up. He doesn't slow down. And we both pretend not to notice each other. 

Flash beeps his horn at me as he drives past in his Audi. 'What's up Katy?'

 'If I threw a stick, you'd leave right?' I shout back. 

'Offer still stands for the dance.'

'No thanks.' I dismiss, walking away from him and his car. Sorry, his dad's car.

I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)

If I was in LA (if I was in LA)

California dreamin' (California dreamin')

On such a winter's day

It's the usual Monday morning chaos. Several students are carrying models made at the weekend for tech class. A drone flies over my head and I duck out of the way. When I peer over my shoulder, Principle Morita has confiscated it. Good. The whirring, watching sensation was putting me on edge.

As I make my way through the same sticky halls, ignoring the large photo of my grandpa that's plastered across the wall, Betty's voice greets the school. 'Rise and shine Midhigh Science and Technology.'  

I smile as I remember how much she wanted to be on the screen. I'm glad she's getting to to do what she wants, even if there's nothing more cringe than the school's morning announcement.

'Don't forget your homecoming tickets!' Jason enthusiastically reminds everyone. 

I shake my head as he tries to ask Betty to the dance. She's already got a date, I remember her telling us over lunch a few weeks ago. I'm still not going to the dance. I'm not planning on being around for much longer. Technically, I'm supposed to stay until the end of term, but that's the government's plan. I'm tired of their game. As soon as Dad's back, I'm making my move.