A Mermaid's Tale (Re-writing)

Chapter Seven

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Adrian didn't show up the next day at school. Kate was standing at her canvas and watching the students pile in, and was praying that Adrian would step through the door. He never did and it made her heart ache. She was concerned for him and simply wanted to check if he was okay. She didn't know his address so she couldn't check on him and she didn't have his number to call him. Going home to Allison wasn't much fun either. She got a lecture which felt like lasted for hours. She was waiting on the stairs for her when she got home. The house exploded with noise and like always Kate ended up going to bed in tears.

    As the seconds rushed by Kate grew more and more anxious. She was clutching onto her paintbrush, which was dripping yellow paint onto the ground.

    "Your paint is going to dry up," Violet said from over Kate's shoulder. Kate was startled when Violet spoke to her, which caused her paintbrush to fall to the floor. "What's up with you?" she asked as Kate knelt to the floor to pick up her brush. She got to her feet and turned on her heel to face her best friend. She had red rings under her eyes and her eyes were glassy. "What's happened?" Violet asked full of concern for the well-being of her best friend.

    Kate thought she was used to the arguments with her sister. They were frequent but this time she couldn't help feeling emotional. She felt more alone than ever.

    In her mind she was reliving that day. Her mother calling her away from the edge of the lake, Kate clutching onto her teddy bear and refusing to listen to her mother. Then that face appeared in her mind. That evil creature which turned her life upside down. Why didn't she listen to her mother? Why didn't she just take two steps back and walk away from the edge? Her parents could have still been here. She would have had a mother to talk to about boys and a father to warn the boys off of her. Instead she has nothing, two friends who are constantly at each others throats and a sister to can't stand to stay in the same room as her. Kate burst out into tears and she was past the point of caring if the "popular" kids were watching.

    "Kate," Mr Grimm was at her side, and he spoke in a gentle tone. "Would you like to take a few minutes outside?"

    Kate nodded, "Can Violet come out with me?"

    He rolled his eyes, and it was clear he wasn't in the mood for an emotional teenage girl. "Fine, but be quick."

    They left the classroom and sat on the benches outside. Kate gazed out at nothing, her cheeks were stained with tears and her head was rested against the crisp white wall. Kate had learnt to build up a wall and to hide her emotions. Since she didn't feel comfortable sharing them with anyone, she finally reached her breaking point where she couldn't take any more.

    Violet watched her intently. Her lips were a razor thin line and her eyebrows were slightly arched. "Why are you so upset?"

    Kate continued to stare blankly ahead of her. Fresh tears were trickling out of the corners of her eyes. She was breathing heavily as her heart was pounding at an uncomfortable rate. "Adrian didn't show up today," she muttered.

    "Is that it?" Violet muttered.

    Kate shook her head. "You don't understand."

    Violet chewed on her bottom lip. "Do you have a crush on him?" she spoke in a gentle tone, she didn't want to upset her friend any more than she already was.

    Without even the slightest of hesitation Kate nodded. "It's more than just Adrian as to why I'm upset. Or maybe it isn't, I don't know. I have known him for next to no time but he has this strange hold over me. He can bring out all sides of me. Like, I have never stood up to Allison but I did yesterday. I haven't cried since I was a kid and now look at me. I haven't thought about the day my parents died...until I met him."