Chapter 4:
MR. PERFECT
Katy continued to sit at her study table and stare at the laptop screen. She had decided she wasn't going to think of anything remotely connected to Josh or boys in general. Maybe just check her email or look at some cute puppy pics.
Katy meant to type "AMAZING PUPPY" PICS but the words that appeared in her search bar were
"Why are boys such a jerk."
She only realized what she was typing after she had pressed Enter.
Surprisingly, her browser returned very sensible search results. The results were
Why Are Boys So Violent?
Boys May Actually Be Meaner Than Girls, Study Says.
8 Reasons Guys Are Obsessed With Sex.
Why are more boys so harmful?
Why are so many young men failing to grow up?
Katy was amazed by this evidence of intelligent search algorithms. She heard the familiar chime of mail arriving in her inbox. Interestingly, it was an email from Dion, dated yesterday.
The subject line was an innocent
How Are You?
Katy started reading.
Hi Katy, How are you holding up? I hope you're fine and you've already recovered from your ordeal. I'm sorry if I speak too honestly with you in this email. At first, I couldn't understand your decision to stay mum about the rooftop incident.
I thought you wanted to protect Josh but now i know you're just thinking about the future of all the graduating members of The Freaks.
All of them are at a Crossroads in their lives. One more strike and they'll be repeating 12th grade. Ironically, this just might be the best solution for everybody. because if they fail to graduate, they'll be back to terrorize even more students.
God, I can't wait for The Freaks to have taste of the real world, with its college applications and dismal job-hunting scene.
At last, I can see the logic of your decision. It seems really unfair that the best way to resolve the issue is also the worst way.
Above all these things, what I want to say is that you were so brave to go to that rooftop alone.
From all the time we've worked together in the student council, it has never escaped my attention that you're such an wonderful and amazing person. Josh was a fool for not appreciating you enough. Also, my biggest concern is you and your condition.
Please get well soon and don't forget that you have many friends who are ready to listen and help.
And for many of us your schoolmates, you're our hero and inspiration.
Don't worry about the prom decorations for a while. Just focus on your recovery. You're such an invaluable help but we can manage without you. I'll sort things out with the rest of the council."
Katy re-read the email a couple of times. The timestamp was 11:00 pm of Thursday, plenty enough time for Dion to rescue her phone first and then to return it to her mom at the diner. And yet there was no mention of that anywhere in the email, especially in the opening.
Katy had no intention of replying to Dion's email because, the truth was, she didn't know how.
