Pest//phan au

Four

"So, Phil is going to be sitting with us at lunch for a while," I said casually as Cat and I were walking home.

"No he's not!" Cat shouted, disbelief written all over her face. I nodded, giving her a smirk.

"I succeeded in not being a total awkward loser," I said happily. Cat didn't seem to be listening. I could practically see steam rising out of her ears.

"I have to wear something nice, and do my hair, and put extra perfume on, and--"

"Cat, what are you going on about?" I interrupted her mumbling.

"I am meeting my possible soul mate tomorrow," she whispered nervously.

"Are you seriously freaking out over that?" I scoffed. "Chill out."

"No! I have to be perfect," she yelled. "He has to like me!"

"Cat, I told you. He likes everyone," I said, exasperation evident in my words.

"But what if I'm the rare one that he doesn't like?" She gasped. "I'm gonna be lonely forever!"

"Figure it out for yourself, Cat. Don't be weird."

---

Cat walked out of her house in an elegant summer dress. Her hair was done up nicely, and her makeup was subtle but pleasant.

"Oh my god, how are you not cold?" I asked, laughing.

"I am not weak," she snapped, but I could hear the shivers in her voice.

"Please wear my jacket or something," I pleaded, pealing it off of me. I handed it to her, and she grabbed it, skillfully avoiding my hands.

"Aw, do you care about me?" Cat asked mockingly. She took the jacket and wrapped it around herself.

I didn't respond, just kept walking forward, trying to ignore the cold. I had on a sweatshirt underneath that jacket, but it was thin and definitely not enough to keep me warm.

"Well, thanks," Cat mumbled, referring to the coat. I nodded, and continued walking. My ears and nose started to go numb, and my breath came out in quivering puffs.

The walk to school seemed longer, since I fought off the threatening frostbite. When I finally walked into the building, I welcomed the warmth happily. Cat handed me back the jacket, which I took gratefully.

"How do I look?" Cat asked, twirling to face me with her arms spread.

"Great," I said. "Can we go to our locker now?"

She nodded happily. "I know I look great."

We started walking in that direction, Cat with a little skip in her step.

"Hey Cat, you look nice," a girl said happily. She walked up beside Cat and struck up a conversation. I tuned it out, just focusing on what I had to do that day.

First: test. Second: homework due and quiz. Third: nothing. Fourth: lunch, study with Phil--

"Dan!" Cat yelled, snapping her fingers in my face. "This is Zoe," she introduced the friend that walked up.

Zoe waved happily, and I nodded in return. "Dan, you're in my fifth period chemistry, right?"

I stared at her. I don't actually know. I don't really pay attention to other people in my classes.

"Yes, Dan has fifth period chemistry," Cat answered for me. "Sorry, he's a little scatterbrained."

"No I'm not," I defended. Cat shot me a look.