Seeing You - Boys of Tommen

Unwanted Introductions

November 9th, 2001

Katie:

My mind was reeling from yesterday, I fainted in front of Patrick. It wasn't that I didn't want to eat, I just couldn't bring myself to, my Da was so busy with work that he didn't even notice. I had been trying to eat, but whenever I managed to I just ended up throwing it all up. I felt weak and wobbly. It wasn't the first time I had fainted this week, but the other times had been at home, not at school and especially not in front of people. 

As I walk into the cafeteria to sit with Hugh, a familiar and grating voice catches my attention, "Little Katie" Bella says, glowering at me, "I think we need to have another little chat."

I obediently walk towards her and brace myself.

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear to stay away from Johnny, Feely, and Gibsie." She hadn't mentioned Gibsie on Friday, great another friend I have to cut off. Her tone was condescending, "But of course, you're too much of a slut to stay away aren't you."

"I haven't been near Johnny."

"Pierce saw you with Feely afterschool, doing God knows what."

"He just walked in on me, he didn't even know I was at school."

"I gave you one job, it shouldn't be this hard."

"I'm sorry, please it won't happen again."

"You're right, it won't you have one more chance and then I'm telling the whole school what you get up to with your boyfriend's friends."

"Thank you."

"It comes at a price."

I stomach drops,"uh what do you want?"

"Introduce me to Johnny."

"Umm..." I've barely spoken to Johnny all week and now I'm bringing over some mean girl over to him. I don't want her to hurt Johnny, and I know he hates it when girls throw themselves at him.

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. Just walk me over to your table and I'll do the rest."

"Okay." I start following her and praying for a meteor to hit the school.

When we reach the table, I immediately sit down beside Hugh and lean on him for comfort, "Hey, how was your last class?" Hugh asks.

"It was fine, I did well on that Science test from yesterday."

"That's great, I told you were stressing for no reason, you're a bloody genius." He says and kisses me on the forehead, I already feel like a weight has been lifted off me.

Bella clears her throat and looks at me expectantly, "Oh yeah...Um this is Bella." I say looking towards Johnny who looked at me like I was betraying him, and I felt like a traitor. 

Gibsie eyed her warily, "is there something we can help you with Bella?" His tone is not warm like it usually is.

"Yeah, I was hoping I could sit with Katie and you guys."

"You're in third year how do you know Katie?" Patrick asks, looking between Bella and I. 

"Not many girls in my grade, I sometimes have to outsource for friends."

"More like, you've bullied every girl at Tommen, and have to prey on new girls who are too nice for their own good." Gibsie says. 

"Of course you can sit with us, it's Katie's table too." Hugh says. I usually love how diplomatic he is, but I was kind of hoping that Bella would just pick up on the hostile vibe that Gibsie and Patrick were giving off and leave us alone. 

Bella smiles like a Disney villain. Hugh starts moving so she can sit on the other side of me, but she ignores him and pushes her way into sitting between Johnny and Patrick. They both look uncomfortable and I feel horrible.

"Kate, how'd that science test go?" Johnny asks, avoiding Bella's sultry gaze, which has turned hostile from Johnny talking to me and using a nickname.

My stomach drops, usually the only time I can actually get food down is when I'm sitting with Hugh, but I doubt that will be happening today. "Good, I got full marks."

"Atta girl!" Gibsie says reaching over to high five me, I return it and can feel Bella's gaze sear into me. "I should get you to tutor me, science just goes in one ear and out the other for me."

"How would she tutor you? She's in year one?" Bella says and Gibsie shrinks. Something I've noticed about Gibsie is the only insults that get through his thick skin are to do with his intelligence. He's never said anything but I know he has dyslexia, Hugh's never mentioned it, I think they keep it quiet out of respect for him. The truth is that he is actually really smart in every other way.

"I'm sure Katie could figure it out." Hugh says, draping his arm over me. 

"If you say so." Bella says bringing her attention back to Johnny. Bella spends the next twenty minutes asking Johnny question after question about Rugby and the Academy. The lunch time conversations are often centred around rugby, but it's different with Bella and I want to pull my hair out. I haven't been able to touch my food. 

About five minutes before the lunch bell rings Bella leaves making some excuse about touching up her makeup and the table goes silent.

"Okay, what the hell Katie?" Gibsie says.

"Hey, don't talk to her like that" Hugh says but he looks equally as confused with my behaviour.

"She brought Bella to our table, Bella Wilkinson, Bella the bitch Wilkinson."

"Don't call people that." I say out of habit.

"You're defending her now?" Gibsie asks.

"Hey man, stop." Hugh defends me but I don't deserve it.

"It's okay..." I hate lying but..."I kind of owed her."

"Are you offering bribes to let people sit with us?" Gibsie asks.

"What no? She just helped me with something."

"With what? Word of advice Katie, that girl is trouble."

"It was...um..." What do I even say?"Girl stuff." That shut the boys up, expect for Gibsie he still eyed me warily. Aoife's said before that Joey has this natural ability to tell when people are lying or have ulterior motives and I think Gibsie is the same. 

Gibsie doesn't ask what I meant though. I feel bad for lying, the truth is I haven't even had my period yet but it was the only thing that wouldn't involve further questioning. "And, she said that she just wanted an introduction."

"We've all been introduced." Gibsie says shivering. 

"Hey, don't worry about it, Bella just likes to take advantage of people." Hugh says and I rest my head on his shoulder. 

"Hugh, coach wants to talk to you before lunch ends." Johnny says.

"Okay, I'll just walk Katie to her class first."

"You've got two minutes, lad."

"We're going the same way, I'll walk with her." Patrick says and Hugh nods in thanks.

Before Hugh leaves he leans towards me and gives me a quick kiss. It catches me off guard, it's obviously not our first kiss, but we've never kissed in front of people, especially the whole lunch room, although I doubt anyone's paying attention. "See ya Katie."

Blushing, I turn towards Patrick. 

Thanks for reading!  - H <3