Table for 6

Chapter 18- Aisha

The last thing I wanted to do was kick out Catarina. But I just couldn't talk to her right now.

I walked down the hallway of my house and turned into the bathroom. I stood in front of the round mirror hanging above the sink. My face looked normal, but it didn't feel like it.

I grabbed the wash cloth that I use everyday after school and ran the tap to soak it. I watched in the mirror as the cover-up and concealer lifted off of my face to reveal the red marks and bruises.

It had become a routine now. Sure, Catarina came with me to my dad's one on one basketball training. Or as I liked to call it, abuse sessions. I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that he enjoyed my pain. The fact that he enjoyed inflicting pain on me. His only child. His little girl.

When Catarina came along, she helped me avoid most of the usual conflict brought upon me by my own dad. But she stopped coming with me when she forgot... well, everything I'd told her. This sparked all of the slaps, all of the shoves, and all of the violence again.

It had an effect on me. Like I couldn't be myself around our table for 6. I would always have something to hide and it would show. All the time. It hurts to know that I don't think I can open up to any of those six. Not again.

Since Catarina had forgotten everything, she hasn't been with me at the times when I needed her most. So... That also means she doesn't remember our little deal we made the day I told her about my dad. The day after I found her water bottle by the gym doors.

I told her I wouldn't tell anyone about Kathy's secret if she didn't tell anyone about mine. But now, I guess the deal's off.

* * *

Mom was always away on business trips. I barely ever saw her anymore. It wasn't fair. The only person I could depend on now, was my dad. And that wasn't looking like my best option. But it was my only option.

He was Mr.Chambers, one of my school's home room teachers. That meant he usually stayed late after school. So I would always take the bus, get home, make myself a quick dinner, then run upstairs and lock the door before he even had the chance to come home.

I quickly brushed my hair and made it into a high bun, pinning a turquoise bow to the back. Then I applied every foundation you can name to cover up the bruises. I ran down stairs and grabbed my bag before bursting out of my front door to catch the bus and head to school.

When I finally arrived at school it seemed like any other day. But I was still dreading the drama that awaits inside. Just thinking about sitting at that table with the other six made me nauseous. I mean, who knows what will happen next with us?!

Something tells me I didn't want to find out. And I was definitely correct.

I thought we really were becoming better friends until everything sort of started to slip. Ryan bugged everyone. Macy was annoyingly oblivious to him. Kathy was always so nice when Ryan clearly deserved a slap to the face. Kataniss would laugh at all of his jokes for who knows why. And Catarina... forgot everything we'd told her. All of this basically just clashed together and I guess you could say we all weren't exactly on 'good terms'.

"Hey Aisha." Catarina greeted me as I walked through the classroom door.

"Oh, hi Catarina, what's up?"

I hadn't talked to her since I told her to leave my house on Sunday. I bet she still wanted answers, but she wouldn't ask me anything with the other four about to walk in.

"Y'know, not much. So hey I have a question, about what you said on Su-"

"Morning guys!" Kathy chirped. Literally the only person I know who can be so happy so early. I wish I could be more like that.

"Hey Kathy." Caratrina and I chorused. I mentally thanking The Lord that she had interrupted.

Not long after, we heard Ryan and Macy coming to take their seats.

"School should start at like, 11:00, not this early! I'm so tired." Macy groaned. I couldn't agree more with her there. Ryan just laughed at her.

"Muffin." Was all he said.

"Shut up." She shot back. Some conversation, but he still managed to make her smile.

"Ugh, don't call people 'muffin' I hate it and it makes no sense at all." Catarina told Ryan as he sat down.

"I think it's funny." Kataniss defended.

"Yeah Catarina, don't be such a muffin." Ryan muttered.

"That was a terrible come back." I pointed out.

"It was..." Macy agreed with a smug smile. Ryan just rolled his as at us.

"Whatever."

We didn't have any time to start any more teasing or arguing because Mr.M got us straight onto silent work. Or as I like to call it, shut up and try to focus on writing something down.

"Okay, see you outside." Called Mr.M. That was his way of telling us it was time for our gym class I guess. All we really do is go outside for some fresh air. I wasn't complaining that much though. That is until he told us what we'd be doing.

"Alright, um... Let's go for 2 laps around the track. Get into heats then move it!" Mr.M said nonchalantly. Everyone shared groans.

This was insanity. It was like 30 degrees out!

He made us get into heats to run and as everyone formed their groups, the very own people I sit with were left.

Aisha's POV

We ran the two laps together and were officially exhausted. All six of us say down in the grass as we watched the others run. I think more than most of us noticed that Kathy was still wearing her sweater... Only Catarina and I knew that's its because she was hiding the scars.

"Oh my gosh, that was awful!" Kathy panted.

"I think I speak for all of us here when I say that's the truth." Macy pointed out.

We all nodded our heads in response. Even Ryan and Kataniss were out of breath when we finished.

"Kathy, are you serious! How are you wearing a freaking sweater right now?!" Ryan said clearly amused.

"I, uh, I guess I just don't feel like taking it off." That was a lie. But she didn't know that I knew. I'm not thinking of blackmailing her or anything, thats just so wrong. No, I'm only going to keep this information in my back pocket.

"Yeah Kathy, you know you're my friend and I love ya because your crazy sometimes, but not this crazy." Kataniss said. I swear she hangs off of every word Ryan says. Something's definitely up with her.

Now it all makes sense to me. I almost laughed at the fact that she has totally been crushing on him. She always laughs at his dumb jokes, always agrees with him, always joins in with him when he bugs someone...

Woah. I can't believe I'd never noticed. Kataniss likes Ryan.