Next To Nothing

Catalina Phillips

The early morning sun glistened, shining through the open window of Catalina's second story bedroom window. She laid completely still in her single bed, basking in the silence the world granted her for a mere moment.
"Catalina! Breakfast!" Her mom called from downstairs.
Catalina willed time to slow. Willed it to stop completely. she picked up her phone just in time for the minutes to click over. Well there goes that.

She slowly made her way down the creaky wooden steps to the colourful kitchen in front of her. Her mother was somewhat of a hippie. She took everything in the house as a blank canvas. Every blank wall, chair, table. She started with painting kitchen walls in a beautiful array of colours. She loved that her mother had found something just for her, but all this colour, the brightness, it was all too much for her on a day like today.

"Pancake?" Catalina's mother sweet voice filled the air as she placed a steaming plate of pancakes on the dining table. Catalina stared the fluffy pile of sweetness in-front of her. The thought made her sick.
"You know I actually don't have time for breakfast. I'm just gonna get dressed and head out. Sorry." Catalina instantly made a beeline back up the stairs and towards the safety of her bedroom.
"Just be normal Catalina. Get through the day." She sighed, steadying her breathing as she stood and walked toward her wardrobe. It was cold out though the sun shone bright. The first sign of winter.

***

Catalina wrapped her long, velvety brown trench coat around her torso. The cold air nipped at her face and fingers. The walk to school wasn't a bad one but she had left her head phones at home and was left alone with the thoughts in her head. She groaned and lifted her head to the sky. Suddenly her feet fell out from under her and she tumbled toward the cold concrete ground beneath her. The pain in her hands was instant. The cold not helping the stinging sensation as she slowly lifted herself back off the ground.

"You should watch where you're going" A boy called out from the opposite side of the street. His arrogance giving him away instantly.
"Not today Jackson" she croaked. Out of all the people to see her trip on her own feet, did it really have to be him?
"Oh come on Cat, it's just a bit of fun" he smirked. His dimples coming out to play.
"Oh I'm having so much fun Daley, isn't this just riveting!" The sarcasm in her voice even startled her. She wasn't usually like this. Then again, today was different. She took in more steadying breaths, preventing her tears from falling. A warmth met her cold hands.
"God you're cold." Jackson said, his hands met hers.
"What are you doing?" Catalina muttered, pulling her hands away from the boy before her.
"I was just making sure you weren't actually hurt Phillips, chill." His voice was smooth and rich. It hit every spot it needed to without even trying. But he was an ass, she knew better than anyone.
"I'm fine, now if you'll excuse me." She pushed past Jackson, continuing her trek to school.
"Hey, I walk with you?!" Jackson yelled from behind her. She didn't stop walking as she responded.
"Like I said, not today Jackson." And that was that.

***

Mr. Richards class felt more insufferable today than any day before. There was something about the middle aged man before her mansplaining to every girl in the room what the word "assassination" means that irked Catalina a little more than usual. Her hand flew up before she had the chance to stop it.
"Yes, Miss Phillips?" His condescending ass face looked more like a punching bag at this point.
"Why do you feel the need to talk to every girl in this room like she's an idiot? It's the word assassination not rocket science." Catalina spoke. What she was saying felt out of pocket even to her but, she felt like her existence didn't matter today so why not cause some damage whilst she didn't care so much. Clearly her question wasn't expected as she saw the man's blue eyes frantically scan the room.
"That is an incredibly inappropriate statement, I won't tolerate it." His voice was nothing like Jackson's.
"Go to the office." Yeah, nothing like it.
"Fine" Catalina's response was simple. She simply didn't have the energy today.

She gathered her things, walked out the door and instead of making her way towards the principals office, she swiftly walked out the schools gates and towards the soft patch of trees across the road. She walked deep enough into the brush that she wouldn't be seen from someone on the street. She slowly slumped down her favourite tree in her favourite spot and finally let a salty tear fall down her face. She instantly wiped it away with the back of her hand and reprimanded herself for her slip up.

"You're allowed to cry Phillips" That buttery voice once again.
"What the fuck. Are you stalking me now Jackson?" Her eyes went dark. This was her spot. How dare he tell her she's "allowed to cry" in her spot. He completely dodged her question.
"I mean I don't know why exactly you're crying but you're allowed to. Pinky promise I'll keep it too myself." He motioned for her to link their pinkies. It was then that she noticed the half smoked joint in his other hand. She thought back to how she decided not to care today and thought to herself. Fuck it.
"You willing to share what's left?" She said eyeing the joint. He voiced exactly what she had spent the day thinking.
"Yeah, fuck it." He said as he passed her the remainder of the joint. She took a puff, coughed her lungs up but smiled to herself for the first time today as she leant her head back and closed her eyes.

Authors Notes:

Hi!!

I can't believe I actually published the first chapter of 'Next To Nothing'.

This whole writing/publishing thing is all very new to me but I'm really excited to bring you more of Catalina and Jacksons story!

Share this story and vote/like if you're enjoying so far :)

(Word count - 1036)