The Definition of Insanity | 𝐿𝒶𝒹𝓎 𝐿𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑜

Twenty-Three

2 Weeks Later 

I walked out of my final assessment with Professor Manley, feeling like I was going to drop. Damn, I was definitely going to have to organise a facials night with Sage tonight; my skin felt awful after that tadpole and dirt abuse. I'd gotten the worst of it off afterwards but my skin still felt icky. Just because I was a villain, did that really mean I had to abandon my beauty as well? Yeah, I think not. 

At least it was all over now and the school year ended in a couple of days. I couldn't wait to get out of here.

I'd spent the past couple of weeks completely drowning myself in my studies, and spending time with my friends so I didn't have time to think. Otherwise I'd start thinking about my breakup with Lesso, and I was trying to avoid that at all costs. I still was trying to process the whole thing but every time I thought about it, I just felt like I was going to break. I was also avoiding her as much as possible, which wasn't simple, as I had two classes with her a day. But whenever I was in that classroom, I completely ignored her, which was pretty easy since she never called on me; she'd seemed to have gone back to ignoring me. I tried to act like it didn't bother me, even though it was hurting me inside. 

My friends knew of course, and tried to pull me out of my depressive state by making me eat during meals, sneaking to my dorm in the evenings and making plans for the summer. I appreciated their efforts, but I just needed time to heal. I'd never gotten so close anyone until I met Lesso and somehow she'd gotten under my skin and into my heart. My parents had always drilled into me that emotions = weakness, and I was starting to think they were right. 

'Mate, wait for me!' Sage yelled, interrupting my line of thought. 

I turned, stopping so she could catch up. 'You look like shit.' 

'Have you seen yourself?' She grinned. 

'Facials tonight?' I suggested. 

'Sounds perfect.' She agreed. 'Also, people are actually asking if its true that you have a tattoo of a demon across your back.' 

'Don't people have better things to do than gossip and spread stupid rumours?' I muttered. Dot's prediction was right; the news had pretty much spread across both schools about my secret relationship and it seemed to be the only interesting thing people could talk about the past couple of weeks. I was getting sick of it to be honest. Now the rumours that people were spreading seemed to be getting progressively wild. Still, the year was over in two days so I'd finally get some peace and quiet soon.  

We soon reached the dining hall and got some food before joining the usual group. 'Hey guys.' 

'Are you actually going to eat today, Katherine?' Hort asked. 

'I ate lunch, didn't I?' I reminded him. 

'I don't want to ruin your mood or appetite Katherine, but ex-girlfriend at 5 o'clock.' Hester muttered. 

I didn't bother turning; I just kept my head down. 'She's not coming over here is she?' 

'Nope, she's talking to Dovey, but she does keep looking over here.' 

'Whatever.' I rolled my eyes. 'So, what are you lots plans for when you're done here then?' I asked the second-years, absentmindedly picking my pizza apart. 

'I'm bringing Hester around to my parents, to properly introduce her and make them accept our relationship.' Beatrix told me. 

I nodded approvingly. 'Good on you. At least you're fighting for your relationship. Hort? You thinking of a reunion with our dear father?' 

He snorted. 'No. I'm going off to do my own thing. Not sure what yet, but I might make use of the werewolf thing. In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy the summer.' 

'Just don't start turning into a werewolf in my house, I'd rather not have dog hair everywhere.' I shook my head whilst the others laughed. 

'Katherine.' Hester said warningly. 

'What?' I frowned. 

'What did the pizza ever do to you?' 

I looked down, realising I'd still been picking it apart and had started pulverising it between my fingers. 

'Relax.' She grabbed my hand. 'You're tense as hell.' 

'Sorry.' I muttered. 

'Do you want to leave?' Dot asked. 

I nodded, grateful for her being the sensitive one. My friends started packing up their food, to take with us to my dorm and we left. 

We soon reached my dorm and the others threw themselves down on my bed whilst I set about mixing up some clay face masks for me and Sage. 

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************

Before I knew it, it was the last day and we were going home for the summer. I'd changed into some simple black skinny jeans, a dark blue t-shirt and my leather jacket and ankle boots. I made sure I had absolutely everything with me before I strapped my sword belt on and made sure my sword was secure in its holster. 

I then picked up my suitcase and left my dorm, heading down to the crowded entrance hall, dropping my keys off in the designated space for students to put them. 

'Hey, Katherine?' 

I turned to see Allegra standing nearby, looking awkward. She looked better, I noted. I frowned in confusion. 

'Listen, I heard about you defending me in my absence.' She said, a somewhat guilty expression on her face. 

I narrowed my eyes. 'Yes?' 

'Well, thanks.' She shifted around. 'I should really give you more credit for being a decent person. Especially since you actually stood up to your own girlfriend to defend me.' 

'Yeah well, it cost me my relationship, so she's not really my girlfriend anymore.' I laughed hollowly. 'I hope you're happy. You got what you wanted, to win for once.' 

'Actually no, I'm not happy.' She looked uncomfortable. 'I never meant for that to happen. I mean, I didn't even know about you two, but still...' 

'Forget about it.' I shook my head. 'I'm fucking exhausted.' 

'See you next year?' She asked, looking slightly hopeful. I nodded wearily and she left. I couldn't really blame Allegra since she didn't ask Lesso to nearly kill her. I sighed, pushing my dark hair back from my face, and as I opened my eyes, I accidentally looked straight at my ex, who was already looking over here. My heart stopped for a second. 

Her attention was suddenly diverted as another student approached her, and I picked my suitcase back up to head to the bridge to be picked up. 

'Hey, Katherine!' Hort yelled. I turned to see Hort, Hester, Anadil and Dot jogging over. 'You weren't going to leave without saying bye, were you?' 

'Of course not.' I smiled. 'I was wondering where you guys were.' 

'Right, you'll write to us when you want us to come and see you?' Hester asked. 'Promise?' 

'Of course.' I nodded. 

'In the meantime, have a safe journey home, and don't dwell too much on things.' Dot said hugging me. 

I could feel the tears coming up again. Anadil and Hester hugged me, and that was when I couldn't stop the tears. 

'Hey, you're going to be okay.' Dot said reassuringly. 

'She's right sis, you're stronger than you think.' Hort hugged me too. 'We'll see you over the summer.' 

'Yeah, don't miss me too much until then.' I joked through the tears. They all said their goodbyes and I headed over to the bridge where I was shortly picked up by a skeletal bird.