One Moment, Our direction

Chapter Nine, I Want

September 1st 

Korina, Katie and Cassie woke up relatively early to go to a accumulation. The lady spoke for hours about bullying, both cyber and face to face, self respect, self hatred and many other problems teens and young adults face today. It hit all of them pretty hard. For when Katie and Cassie were seven and already 5 foot, were they called the twin towers. Korina, when ten, was put on weight loss pills by her mother. Everyone in that group, listening, grasping onto what this intelligent older woman was talking about. The problems she's faced, and the problems her family and kids have faced. She opened up a discussion about suicide and Korina had stood, looking wan, and had run from the room.

Korina, when twelve years old, had witnessed her brother committing suicide. Korina, when fourteen had fallen in love with someone who killed themselves. Katie and Cassie fled after her, calling her name when they couldn't find her. She was hiding in the bathroom, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Cassie swore under her breath and looked at Katie, who didn't know what to do either. "Tuna," She said lovingly. Korina jumped, not realizing that they were there. She cleared her throat, "I'm alright, I'm good." She said quickly, standing just as fast. Katie went up to her and pulled her into her arms, "No Tuna, you're not." Korina held her face in Katie's shoulder. Stiff at first, but once she relaxed she cried, for a long time.

~~~

Katie and her sister were laying on their brand new couch. Well, new to them anyway. While Korina was cooking dinner. Beef and noodles: her favorite. Cassie was laying back on Katie's stomach, absentmindedly watching the television, flipping through the channels. Katie was watching Korina cooking and called out to her, "You okay Tuna, want some help?" She called out. Korina shook her head in distaste, "I'm alright." Katie tried to push Cassie off, to go and talk to her friend, when Cassie put all of her weight into laying on her sister, "Cassie get off me fat ass!" Cassie laughed, "No," She sang, "Tuna is dinner almost done?" Korina paused, glancing over at Cassie, and turned back to the stove; trying to hide her smile. 

Cassie scoffed, and cleared her throat, "Tuuuuuuna!" She sang once more. Katie chuckled, "Dumb ass," She stated, "Move." She said, and hauled herself up out of the low set couch. Cassie continued to sing and Katie hit her in the breast, "She's gonna kick your ass, stop it!" Cassie held her chest and moaned in agony. "Dick," She said under her breath, "I hate you." Katie walked the short distance to the kitchen and got out the jug of water and poured herself a glass, "Tuna," She said softly. Korina glanced her way, "Yeah?" Katie leaned on the island and focused on Korina, "What's wrong?" 

Korina smiled slightly, "I was just thinking about Kasey, you know?" Katie stood tall. Korina rarely spoke of the first person she fell in love with; who, Katie found out earlier that day, committed suicide. Katie soon realized this was a serious conversation. She pushed the glass away, "No, you wanna talk about it?" Korina cleared her throat and glanced around the room, looking for something to do. "They tell you not to stay in the past. To not think about it, not to miss them in a way that'll harm you, right? I do though Katie, I miss him so damn much." Katie nodded slightly, glancing at Cassie, who watched them from the couch. "Tuna," Katie said slowly, "I'm sorry." Korina sniffed, wiping the back of her hand over her nose and blinked three times. "It's fine, thanks though." Korina nodded towards the couch and Katie stepped back, "I'm going to take a quick shower. Call when dinner is ready will ya?" Korina dumped the noodles in with the beef, "Sure thing." 

~~~

They all sat quietly at the island, watching the other eat silently. "So," Cassie broke the silence, "There's this hot guy that started working with me yesterday." Katie smiled and glanced at Korina, whom pushed her food around her plate restlessly. "What's his name?" Cassie shrugged, "Never got it." Korina looked over, as if suddenly she realized where she was. "I have work tonight, dammit." She said harshly. Katie stood and followed her back to her room, "Woah woah woah what's the problem?" Korina changed shirts quickly and shoved her feet through her sneakers, "I wanted to go school shopping." Katie shrugged, "It's okay, we can go another-" Korina passed Katie quickly, "I didn't want to go another night I wanted to go tonight!" Katie stood, blinking once, twice; and a third time, before walking to the kitchen. Katie glanced around, and only Cassie was left. She looked up from her plate and glanced at her friends, "What's wrong with her?" Katie slid into the stool, staring at the door. "Everything."

It was nearly midnight when Cassie left, and Katie being who she is, she let her sister go without question. She found herself enjoying the time alone though. It gave her time to think. Gave her time to do things alone. When living at her mothers, Katie never got to be alone; not once. Now that she has second shift, she's home alone almost every night. Her thoughts were interrupted by a series of knocking at the door. 

Katie stood from her bed and ran through the hall way, "Hold on!" She fixed her shorts and ran her fingers through her hair quickly, opening the door, "Hell-" She stopped short, swallowing the rest of her sentence. She stammered back, grabbing the door quickly. "H-Hi, uhm," She looked around the room and her heart started to pound. She made a note to thank Korina for making her clean the living room. "Katie?" Her chest ached and her head twirled back towards the doorway, "Yes! Yes that's me," Tears started to form and she cleared her throat, "Please, come in." Niall stepped forwards nervously, "Korina had said to come by anytime. I assumed that meant she told you. Though by the look of it, I'd say you're completely shocked that I'm here." He looked down, his pale features turning crimson, "Which, also means, you never got my letter." 

Katie shook her head, "No," She clutched her eyes shut, "No I mean yes. I got your letter. It's just, no matter what Tu- Korina told me," She looked around, "I still wouldn't have believed her." He laughed, and Katie's heart skipped a beat. She smiled, despite her nerves. She started to get light headed and asked if he wanted anything, "Coffee? Tea, anything?" She backed up and hit her shin on the couch and swore under her breath. She still needed to get used to the damn thing. "Coffee please," He watched her with amusement. 

She sat the cup in front of him and grabbed her own, "So," She said quietly, sliding in the chair opposite him. "What, exactly, is it that you want?" Katie asked, terrified of the answer. Niall looked around shyly, running a hand through his hair. His dye blonde locks went everywhere, making it almost impossible for Katie to restrain herself from pushing them back into place. She busied herself with taking a drink, and he followed. "I'd like to take you," He snapped his tongue, searching for words, "I'd like to take you out, on a date; if that's alright with you?"

Katie wanted to hit him, ask him why the hell he even thought twice of her. However, the only thing she could do, was nod. He smiled slightly, "Is that a yes?" She laughed, covering her mouth, "That's a hell yes."