Shadow Keepers (Unedited)

Fifteen: Festival

I needed to get out of this small town; I need to run, to fly, to be myself, not a cutout. I followed the back country roads until I came across a town that was littered with tourists. I parked in front of a café called ‘Java Joes’. I went in and found myself wanting to run again. The smells and sounds were overwhelming, but I stuck it out till I got to the counter and ordered a medium house coffee.

 “Can I have a name for the order?” the girl asks.

“Yeah, it’s Kidstrong.” I say plastering on my best pleasant fake smile. She smiles back and hands me my recite. I sit down in a corner by the windows. The town was a descent sized town, called Berlin. I watched as horse drawn buggies drove past, and the tourists gawk at the little things. The front door had been open sixteen times since I sat down, so I wasn’t surprised when I happened again, but what did surprise me was the sent that followed.

I looked up and saw an elderly couple walking around trying to find a place to sit down; they were obviously very tired. There was a group of teenagers sitting two tables down from me, laughing and carrying on, they had two seat open and when the man asked if they could use them, the teens said and did some things that made me want to chew them out. The old man look so shocked he just walked away with his wife. They were making their way to an empty table next to mine when some of the teens grabbed it out of spite that is when I lost it.

“Excuse me sir, you and your wife can have my table.” I said as politely as I could muster in my pissed state, the man just nodded and I help them sit down. I felt the glares from the teens on my back.

“Aww, it’s a kiss up.” said a boy that looked eighteen with dirty blonde hair falling over his dark eyes. I whirl on him with a death glare that nearly made him soil his pants.

“I’m not kissing up, I’m being respectful and mature, because it would seem as though you’ve never grown up.” I am in his face, but remaining calm. He can’t get under my skin but I can get under his. His girl friend takes his arm and leads him and his friends out of the shop not wanting to make a scene.

“Thank you young lady. It’s not often you find someone like yourself.” The man says with a smile. I couldn’t help but smile back, a real smile. I enjoy the feeling I get when I help someone, even if it’s something small. I walk out of the café and decide to take a walk. I walked up the sidewalk a few blocks till I came across a gift shop. I walk in and I love the place. The vintage, the modern everything was so amazing. I walked around, all over, until I get a call. I check the I.D, unknown. I debate on whether or not to answer and end up answering it.

“Hello?” 

“Katie!” I hear penny yell into the receiver.

“Whoa, Pen. What’s up?”

“Where the hell are you, everyone is so worried!” she whines, yes whines.

“I’m out… why?” I ask starting to get a little worried.

“Oh its nothing, except we haven’t seen you for a good three days!!” Penny exasperates.

“Yes, I know and I’m sorry, I’m coming home now.” I say hoping to cut the lecture time short.

“Um, well that might be a bit hard. You see we are at the park for the Fourth of July festival.” I can hear her stifling a laugh. OMG!! I forgot that it’s Fourth of July?!

“I’m such an idiot! I’ll see you guys there. Gah I hate this week! I love you, bye” I hung up before hurrying through the crowd to the Jag. I retrace my ‘steps’ and race home. I slow way down once I reach the city limits of Hope. The parade is long over and I was able to get home easily. I ran up stairs and switched shirts to a red DC® t-shirt. I put on my navy sleeve and grabbed the bikes keys and raced off to the park to find my siblings.