Remnants of Shattered Innocence (Unedited First Draft)

Chapter 12 (October 3, 2004)

She woke up to Katie talking on the phone. Looking at the digital clock on the bedside table, she realized it was already past eleven in the morning.

"Well, I was just thinking that maybe you and I could hang out again today," Skylar heard Katie ask in her most flirty voice.

Skylar got up and brushed her fingers through her hair as she followed where Katie's voice was. She found her in the dining room downstairs. She was sitting at the dining room table on the house phone. The smile that was on her face when Skylar first came downstairs seemed to be fading.

"But, I thought you said," Katie started but was apparently cut off.

"So you were basically just," Katie began again, but with the same result.

Katie's eyes were welling up.

"Well, yes, I guess 'just friends' is okay," Katie said trying to keep her voice steady.

Skylar couldn't take any more of this. She pulled the phone out of Katie's hand and hung it up on the wall.

"You don't have to just sit there while he makes you feel like crap. You deserve better."

Skylar sat down next to her. Katie's eyes overflowed. She began crying and she leaned into Skylar as Skylar put her arms around her.

"I thought he was different. He really seemed different," Katie cried.

"They always do," Skylar said.

"How could I be so stupid? I thought he wanted to be serious. He said all he was looking for was a quick lay and that it was taking too long to get into my pants. Then he said he still wants to be my friend," Katie said, sounding astounded.

"He's just a perv. That's all any guy wants. They want no strings and quick satisfaction. You're too good for him anyway," Skylar consoled her as she brushed her fingers through Katie's hair. "You'll find better I know it."

"You really think so?" Katie asked, picking her head up to look at Skylar.

"I know so."

"Okay," Katie said, standing up and smiling a little. "Let's get ready and go out! My mom left us forty dollars with this note."

Katie walked toward the stairs. Skylar looked at the note. It read:

_______________________________________________

Hey girls,

Didn't want to wake you. Do something fun today!

See you later tonight. xOx

Mom

_______________________________________________

She put her signature through a heart.

Skylar went upstairs to get her stuff ready while Katie was taking a shower. She pulled her hygiene bag out of her backpack and went to the closet to get a towel. Skylar heard the shower turn off, but knew Katie would take a few minutes longer to brush her teeth and get dressed. Katie came out of the bathroom brushing her wavy brown hair.

"Took you long enough," Skylar joked as she walked past Katie.

Skylar took longer than usual in the shower. For about ten minutes, she stood under the stream of water with her eyes closed. She tried not to think of anything but the warm water hitting her face. Finally, she turned off the water and dried herself off with the towel. With the towel wrapped around her, she wiped the mirror with her hand and brushed her long blonde hair.