The Ashes

Chapter 13

So yeah nobody is even reading this book anymore but whatever, I'm punk rock idk...

~

"Kat, you know I can't just leave you here," I say, leaning against the door and studying the cheap symmetrical tiles on the floor.

"Yes you can."

"No, I can't and I won't," I insist.

"You're going to be late for class," she says. I actually have 10 minutes of lunch break left, but I decide to humour her.

"I don't care. I'm not leaving here until you talk to me."

"I am talking to you," she points out.

"Kat," I beg.

"Please just go," she whispers, her voice breaking.

"You think I'm just going to leave you here?"

"Yes."

That throws me for a moment. "Well, you're wrong."

The next 20 minutes tick by silently save for the soft sounds of a crying girl. I am painfully aware of the fact that class has already started, but when I say something, I mean it; I'm not leaving. The lock quietly clicks open, and Kat starts to step out with red rimmed eyes. She freezes when she sees me, glancing away immediately and sliding something into her pocket.

"I thought you left," she mutters, scuffing her feet along the floor, refusing to meet my eyes.

"Nope. Look, I know that we've known each other for like a week but if you think I'm going to leave anyone crying in a bathroom cubicle then you're mistaken."

"It's none of your business."

"Well, I'd like to help."

"You can't!" she explodes. "Just leave me alone, for fuck's sake."

She pushes past me and out of the door. Surprised and hurt, I stare blankly at the closing door.

~

The large courtyard behind the science block lies bland, hopelessly retracting into itself to avoid the cold. The lone tree with the gnarled trunk which has been here forever stands dead, the weather-worn wood only resisting the wind out of habit. Somewhere behind me, the bell rings for a second time; classes are over for the day. I tried to sit through geography but the thoughts whizzing around my mind made it impossible to concentrate, so I asked to leave and here I am.

"Hi," someone says, "um, are you okay? You look kind of out of it."

I twist to face the person. I think he's a year or two younger than me, with an innocent face and warm brown eyes. I've never spoken to him before, hell, I don't think I've ever even seen him before. Sometimes the kindest gestures come from complete strangers, I guess.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking," I smile.

"Alright, well, um, I'll see you around then," he offers, grinning boyishly over his shoulder as he leaves, the first of many to come to the school gates to go home. Cold air slides into my lungs and then out as I sigh. A few more minutes pass. I'm pulled from my reverie when Harvey sits next to me. Silence reigns for a moment.

"Why weren't you in maths?" he asks, not unkindly.

"Girl drama."

"Do feel free to elaborate."

"I would, if I knew anything else," I say, studying a dry brown leaf which rolls back and forth on the gravel path ahead, alone.

"Do you want to do something to take your mind off it?" he suggests suddenly, green-grey eyes flicking over to mine.

"Like what?" I question suspiciously.

"Does pizza appeal to you?"

Is that even a question? "Pizza has always, and will always appeal to me. Need you even ask?"

"So, pizza and movie night at mine?"

"Sure." I agree, smiling honestly for the first time all day. I tap out a text to my parents first as we walk inside the building to the locker room, pulling out the spare clothes that I always keep ready for situations like these and closing the door softly.

~

"Jack. Wake up, Jack. Jack, please," Rose pleads from her pathetic raft, in between violent shivers . A warm tear trickles down my cheek, only to be wiped away gently by Harvey's thumb from behind me.

"Are you crying?," he asks. I can feel him smiling into my hair.

"No, my eyes are sweating," I defend weakly.

"Oh, of course, sorry," he laughs quietly, falling back into silence. We watch the rest of the film while I finish off my cold pizza, eyes never leaving the TV. The credits eventually roll up the screen in white letters.

"Wasn't that emotional," Harvey comments teasingly, crunching on an abandoned popcorn kernel. "I must say, I never had you down as the type of girl who cries at movies."

"Titanic is a one-off. Only people with the emotional capacity of a rock don't cry."

"How rude."

"Are you sure your ego can handle the truth?"

"No, I don't think so," he mock-sniffles, "How about a kiss to make me feel better?"

I snort. He turns me around and kisses me anyway.

~

Thalia and Harvey

sitting in a tree

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Sorry

hope you enjoyed xxxx