Seeing You - Boys of Tommen

School's Out

June 28th, 2003

Hugh:

"How'd your exams go Hughie?" Johnny asks as we exit Tommen school for the last time as third years.

"Fine, I'm just glad it's finally over." I say, it was true, having Lizzie attend Tommen added stress to all of my days. I was constantly on edge, worrying that Katie or Gibsie or really any student might look at her the wrong way resulting in her wrath.

I felt guilty for prioritizing Liz over Katie, but Liz needed my help because she had pushed everyone else away. Even Claire, who was supposed to be her best friend was growing more impatient. It was like the people around her's empathy had an expiration date. 

"How was yours Kate?" Johnny asked, pulling my attention back to the tiny redhead tucked underneath my arm. 

"They were good." She replied, the main exams took place in third and sixth year, so she only had final tests. 

"You studied so much, I'd be surprised if you got anything less than full marks" I say as I ruffle her hair. Katie just shrugs. 

Katie took school really seriously, and she was an actual genius, she helped me with my work even though she hadn't learnt it yet. She always brushed it off whenever I complimented her on it, or pointed it out. It wasn't just about her intelligence either, whenever I remarked on her appearance, it was like she thought I was lying, whatever I did. She always denied it, deflected it onto something else, or just shrugged it off. 

It was like she was completely blind to how beautiful she was, I saw how the other lads at school looked at her longingly and how when we went out guys and girls stared at her, but she was completely oblivious. 

"Christ, what the hell was that?" Gibsie says a little out of breath from running to catch up with us. "It will take a miracle for me to have passed that bloody thing."

"I'm sure you did fine, Gibs" Johnny offers, earning a smile from Gibsie. 

Johnny's Mam had invited us all over to celebrate us finishing our Junior Certs for a party at the Kavanagh Manor. Edel, Johnny's Mam was driving Johnny, Katie, and I to the party. 

"You kids deserve this for working so hard all year." Edel spoke, as exited her car and entered the house, "John just cleaned the pool, it should be ready." Katie stilled beside me.

She pulled at my sleeve, "You didn't tell me this was a pool party." Katie said, with panic in her eyes.

"I thought you knew." I said confused, "What does it matter anyway? Why are you upset?"

"I... I just didn't know, I didn't bring a swimsuit." She stammers out.

Claire, speaks up having gotten a ride from Gibsie's Mam "Don't worry, I got an extra one, I brought it for Lizzie but she just went home, you can borrow it."

"Oh....Okay thanks." I can'f figure out the source of Katie's shift in mood I look at the others, Johnny and Gibsie are oblivious to it and oddly enough Patrick is wearing a sympathetic look on his face. 

We make our way inside, and Claire and Katie disappear into another room, most likely to change. 

Patrick approaches me, "Is Katie okay?"

"Why wouldn't she be?" I ask.

"I don't know, it looked like Claire said something to upset her."

"No, she just offered Katie, her extra swimsuit."

"Oh" he said knowingly and looked almost apologetic.

Thanks for reading! Just a short chapter.  - H <3