Atomic | Eddie Munson

20

Katherine Wheeler was used to being stuck in Nancy's shadow from a young age. When Ted and Karen Wheeler were planning on starting their family, they weren't planning on having twins. Nancy was the planned daughter, Katherine was not. For most of their childhood, Katherine watched as her parents doted on Nancy. She watched as her parents gave Nancy everything she wanted and was always second in line. She was their parents second choice. 

On November 11th, 1985, Katherine watched from the kitchen doorway as Nancy received birthday gifts from their parents. It was a Monday morning and Nancy was getting ready to leave for school, but her parents had stopped her to give them their gifts. Katherine scoffed as she walked to the door to go to Steve's car.

Katherine had no resentment towards Nancy, but she had been growing tired of playing second fiddle to her twin sister over the years. 

Katherine slid into the backseat of Steve's car since Robin was in the passenger seat.

As soon as Katherine closed the car door, her best friends started singing Happy Birthday to her. "Happy birthday, Kat!" They exclaimed once they finished their off-key singing.

Katherine slowly began smiling. Her friends always knew how to make her smile, even if it was something as simple as singing Happy Birthday. She felt seen by her friends, even if she didn't feel seen by her family. 

"I love you guys," Katherine grinned as they pulled out of the driveway. Robin pulled a small box out of her backpack and handed it back to Katherine. She stared at the small box in her hands. It was wrapped in a light blue paper and a small black bow. 

"You can open it," Steve said, looking at her through the rearview mirror. Katherine carefully pulled the ribbon off of the box before taking the wrapping paper off, trying not to rip it. She was always one to care about wrapping paper and the effort that went into it. Once she had the paper off, she slowly lifted the lid of the little paper box that was underneath. Inside of that box was a nicer, almost ornate even, brown box. She pulled the brown box out and opened it. This one was on a hinge. Katherine gasped.

Inside was a beautiful watch. It had a brown leather band and a bronze clasp. Katherine instantly put it on. 

"We knew your old one was busted, so we wanted to get you a new one," Steve said. Robin turned around and gave Katherine a big grin. "Do you like it?" she asked.

Katherine blinked back the tears that were forming in her eyes. "I love it. It's perfect. Thank you guys so much. I love you both."

"We love you too," they responded. Steve soon pulled up to the high school and Robin and Katherine jumped out of the car. They waved to Steve as he drove off and walked towards the entrance. 

The pair stopped at their lockers to put away their books. 

"You're so lucky Keith gave you today off," Robin said. Katherine chuckled. 

"Robin, it's Monday, you'll be okay. Besides, Steve is already working today, so you'll barely have anything to do by the time you get there," Katherine responded. Robin shrugged in agreement 

As Katherine closed her locker, she felt arms wrap around her waist and lift her. She shrieked as she was spun in a circle, before she was set down. When she whirled around, Eddie was standing in front of her with a grin on his face. Katherine giggled as she smacked him on the chest. 

"These are for you," Eddie said as he handed her a bouquet of wildflowers. Robin's eyes widened at her friend as she awed. "Happy Birthday, Katie." 

Katherine pressed a kiss to his cheek and opened her locker back up to gently place the bouquet inside. "They're beautiful. Thank you, Eddie."