A Not So Hot Girl Summer- Jeremiah Fisher

[fourteen]

Katie never ended up going for a swim in the country clubs pool after all. instead, she caught a ride home with Jeremiah. the two of them drove with all of the windows down and the wind blowing in their faces. if a cop were to pass by, they'd probably be pulled over, but they weren't.

"jere, let me do your portrait." susannah said as they walked into the house. she must've been waiting for them.

Jeremiah sighed. "really? like, now?" he asked, smelling the pot that lingered around the house. "were you smoking?"

Katie giggled and looked at susannah.

"me? no." susannah said with a grin, pointing at the stair case. "I left you some clothes on your bed, go change and meet me outside."

Jeremiah nodded and turned to go upstairs, leaving Katie and susannah in the main room. 

the two females walked towards the kitchen, susannah sitting on a stool and Katie standing on the opposite side of the counter. they haven't had time to just the two of them to talk yet, so susannah was eager to hear from her.

"so, Katie." she began, "have you heard from your dad? how come he never showed yesterday?"

Katie sighed, scratching the back of her neck. "well, he called when it was later that night. it was about eleven or twelve when he finally called." she began, taking a deep breath. "he wasn't planning on coming. he told me he liked when I was away because its one less thing he has to worry about."

susannah frowned. "what'd you say back? anything good?" she asked, becoming interested, "maybe an f-bomb or two?"

"more like him telling me how he really felt.. about my mom's death and who to blame." Katie frowned, wiping her eyes. 

"Katie.." susannah said softly, holding her arms out and giving Katie a hug. "I don't know if I've ever told you this, but your father is one of the biggest assholes I've ever met besides my own husband... and laurels ex husband."

the girl held onto susannah tightly. she knew her dad had always been annoying, but to know that someone as sweet as susannah couldn't stand him meant a lot. its impossible to get on Susannahs bad side, and there's no escape once you're there.

"no, no, it's alright. for the way I acted not too long ago, I probably deserve this." Katie whispered, "susannah, I was way worse than what he told you.. than what I've told anyone else too."

susannah sat up straight, looking at Katie confused. "how so?"

Katie shook her head and grabbed a paper towel and wet it, rubbing it gently on her left arm to remove the makeup. the look on susannah face dropped as she realized what Katie was showing her. scars were scattered around her arm from her cutting herself.

the woman grabbed Katie's arm, examining the cuts for herself. "why.. Katie, why..?" she asked worriedly.

"Why what?" Conrad asked as he was walking in through the back door.

immediately, Katie pulled her arm away and put on a fake face. "why... why was I thinking about getting a tattoo." she made up, breathing quickly as she grew nervous.

Conrad furrowed his eyebrows. "you want a tattoo?" he asked with a small laugh, knowing she was lying.

Katie is a terrible liar.

"yeah. maybe like, a wave." she said, "on my wrist or my ankle. you know, when I'm older."

the boy suspiciously nodded.

"I have a wave tattoo on my back." susannah said, faking a smile. she knew Katie wasn't ready for anyone else to know about what she had told her, and she had to respect that. "its tiny, but it was my first tattoo."