A Not So Hot Girl Summer- Jeremiah Fisher

[five]

flashback: earlier in the year

Katie felt empty. like there was nothing left in her to do what she normally would. like her mother took a big part of her when she died. it was a Friday night, the air was crispy and the golden light of the sunset shone right into Katies bedroom window. she hated the light, but she couldn't resist the beautiful mixture of colors that it showed.

so she sat on her bed, staring out the window until the sunset fell and the night sky took over.

"Katie, Paula next door brought over some fresh cooked chicken cutlets." her dad called from down the hallway is voice gentle. "why don't you come and eat."

she wasn't falling for his trick. she knew that just down the hall sitting in the living room was the Conklin's and the Fishers, waiting to see Katie for the first time outside of cousins beach. they've been there for about two or three hours now, just waiting for a simple glimpse of Katie. 

she knew they hadn't left either, the minivan they all carpooled in was still parked outside the house. she saw them all get out of it earlier as well, being sure to avoid the window until she heard the front door open and close.

"im not hungry." she responded blankly.

Gregg White, her father, audibly sighed. "c'mon Kate, you haven eaten in almost a week and a half." he said. "and you haven't left that room yet."

in the living room, the Fisher boys both shared a worried look to each other. they always knew that if something were to happen to anyone in "Becks beach house", Katie would be the one to react the worst. everyone knew actually. she was the only one to have a strong attachment to everyone there.

the only thing that guaranteed this reaction was the fact that it was her own mother that passed away.

"do any of you think you can get her out of there?" Gregg asked the two families quietly, "or at least get in there to check on her?"

belly stood up. "I can try." she said, "maybe girl-to-girl might be what she needs." susannah and laurel looked ready to follow, belly shaking her head at them. "I've got this."

making her way to Katies bedroom, belly gently did their secret knock. only they knew it. they made it a few years ago when they were playing man hunt in cousins and it was them against the boys. it was their safety knock. 

"kay?" belly asked gently, waiting for a response of some sort.

Katie went to the door and unlocked it, doing the knock again which was her non audible way of saying that she could come in.

belly looked back at everyone else, then went into the room. she made sure not to open the door too much, not knowing the condition her friend was going to be in. what she saw horrified her. clothes were scattered all over the floor, the question of them being dirty or clean didn't even matter.

but then she laid eyes on Katie who was sitting on her bed in a big red hoodie and sweatpants, along with her usually beautiful curly hair an absolute mess. belly didn't hesitate to go over to the girl, grabbing her in a big hug. "Katie.." her voice trailed off as tears welled up in her eyes.

Katie didn't say a word, hugging her best friend back.

"I am-"

"don't say sorry, please." Katie mumbled. "everyones saying sorry, I don't want to hear anyone say sorry."

belly nodded. she couldn't help but notice how weak Katie sounded, along with how thin she felt. the blonde was never fat, but she was also never this skinny. it felt like if belly squeezed too hard, she would break Katie in half.