Exotic

XXXI

Sydney

It's been a few weeks since Kath started her antibiotics and meningitis treatment. I've started physio with Christina again and my knee feels so much better. I can walk without crutches and the brace is coming off later today! I'm so happy. I've been so sick and tired of the bloody thing and I'm finally getting rid of it.

I've been working some shifts at the zoo again as well. I've missed all of the animals and Wendy missed me too. Abigail was really happy when I started working again, I always take photos of the big animals for her. I've also earned a new badge, WOLF WHISPERER. I didn't know that was a thing but I got my badge.

I've kept to my promise of sending Kath a photo everyday and facetiming her every night. I've missed her. I've missed her so much. School just sucks without her. But I did make some new friends, Evelyn and Tiana. They're pretty cool, I met them in school during Physics. They were checking up on me and Kath and are genuinely nice girls. I hang out with them and their whole friend group, Immy, Oscar, Juaqine and Doodle.

Doodle is very funny, and she has that nickname because she's never not drawing. What's even better is that this whole friend group is in my homeroom, so we spend pretty much a lot of the time together. Mum was happy that I've made some friends, I'm expanding my social bubble. Okay, Mum.

"What do you have first, Syd?" Tiana asked.

"Spanish." I roll my eyes. Spanish has been insufferable without Kath. She, as a fluent Spanish speaking woman, makes everything make so much more sense. But she's not here so now I have to deal with the torture that is Spanish with Miss Hummel, who doesn't pronounce things correctly.

"That sucks. Any news from Kath?"

"No, she's not responded since yesterday morning. I'm slightly worried."

"I'm sure she's fine." Tiana shrugged. The bell went and we all make our way to first lesson.

I'm left staring at the seat beside me. Just wishing that Kath was here, ready to clear up my inevitable confusion in the Spanish language.

Miss Hummel takes to the front of the class and announces, "Alright, class. You will be happy to know that this morning's lesson is cancelled for a show in the auditorium." the whole class cheered, "So let's make our way down there immediately to get good seats."

I sort of just follow the crowd down to the auditorium because I have no clue where that is, scrap that, I didn't know the school had one.

It was a big room with red seats. A stage at the front and for some reason, a judge panel halfway up where I recognise the music teacher, Miss Peters, and Eli. My parents were here too, sat in the front row. Miss Hummel told me to sit there with them. I sat down next to Mum and she beamed at me.

"Hi, Sheila."

"Hi, what's going on?"

"Oh, you'll see." she chuckled.

Eventually what seems like the whole school files in. Seniors to freshmen. I make eye contact with Eli and she smirks at me. I raise my brow at her and she chuckles and looks away. Should I be nervous?

The lights go out and everyone cheers as the announcer says, "Guys, gals and non-binary pals, please put your hands together for the great return of Kathryn Rogerstone-Montgumery!"

What?

So, it was no secret that the whole school had missed Kathryn and were really worried about her meningitis diagnosis, but she's has a full on show to return with?

The lights flash back on and Kathryn is on stage, dancing to the instrumental of a song that I'm assuming she's gonna sing along to.

"Oh, little did she know- couldn't let me go. Already apart of her." she sang as I heard some freshmen girls scream and practically have an orgasm.

Mum clapped along to the song with a big smile on her face and Mama was the same.

I look my girlfriend up and down. She was wearing a white t-shirt that made her tanned skin look even darker. She wore black jeans and her favourite pair of Vans. I could tell she was looking for me. But I'm hard to miss since I'm the only one wearing shorts...

------

"Baby!" I heard Kath scream through the hall. I turn around and she was running towards me, arms about and ready to give me a hug. I broke away from my conversation with Evelyn and Tiana to accommodate the impact of her hugging me.

"I've missed you so much." I tell her as I squeeze her tight, "How are you feeling?"

"So much better. God, I've missed you." she pulled away and kissed me deeply. It got a bit passionate at one point when Kath had me against the lockers and I was... Well... Slightly horny.

"That's something I didn't need to see today." a voice said from behind me. Kath pulled away and spun around to see her older sister, Bennie, stood there, making a face at us.

"Shut up." Kath replied.

"It's nice to see you too. How are you feeling?" Bennie smiled, pulling Kath into her, "And when did this happen?"

"I'm fine. Feeling a lot better." Kath nodded.

"Yeah? That's good. Now, answer my other question."

"Uh, it's been about three months?" Kath shrugged.

"Oh, okay. When were you planning on telling us?" Bennie interrogated.

"Soon. It's just Sydney had a medical emergency then I had meningitis. It's been hectic." Kath explained.

"Well, you should get everyone over for dinner. I'm sure we would all love to meet her. Hayley will be in town soon as well." Bennie suggested.

"Yeah, I'll speak to Mama." Kath a agreed.

"Good." Bennie smirked and left.

"Sorry, we just have a thing where we all meet everyone's girlfriends over dinner. Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah, I'd love to meet all of your siblings." I smile, "Oh, I made some friends. You should meet them."