Stay Courageous

Chapter 7

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Kat's POV

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I was confused at first when I rolled over and smacked my alarm clock to get it to shut up. The time read midnight. Then, I remembered it was October 23, album day.

Lunging for my phone, I hurriedly opened iTunes and watched as my pre-ordered Sounds Good Feels Good album downloaded onto my Iphone 6. In those moments, I knew what it felt like to be a mother holding her firstborn child.

Finally, all the songs loaded and I listened to the whole album one time through. After the voices of Michael, Ashton, Luke, and Calum (mostly Calum) made me cry and sob and cry some more, I turned my phone off and went back to sleep, leaving myself in the best mood I've been in in a long time.

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Zoe's POV

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"Well lookie there, my favorite goth whore," Ian drawled as I made my way to my locker. I was not in the mood. And it really didn't help my case that my outfit of the day was a plaid mini skirt, a leather jacket, thigh highs and some black lipstick, the height of my gothness. Not to mention the usual eyeliner and choker. Maybe I really am a freak.

"Go away, soul sucker. Hell, that nickname isn't even accurate since souls aren't the only thing you suck," I felt my face burn from the lameness of my comeback. I buried my face in my locker and prayed that Ian would somehow vanish into thin air.

"Nope, sorry. I have to ask you this one question," he continued to my dismay. "What the hell is wrong with Stella lately? Is your stupid emo music making her depressed or something? She won't even talk to me."

"I'd hardly call 5 Seconds of Summer emo," I was still fiddling with things in my locker in order to avoid looking into his irritating face.

"I was thinking more along the lines of Pierce the Veil or Sleeping with Sirens, sweetheart. Trust me, I can hear it through your earbuds when you play it in class it's so loud. But seriously, what did you do? She looks like her dad died or something," I was shaking with rage. He had no right to get all up in Stella's business like this, especially when she wasn't even here to testify for herself. I slammed my locker shut.

"Listen, Ian. Stella won't talk to you because you're a creep and she doesn't like you. Get over it. I'm not  what's making her depressed but it's none of your business what is. Don't get involved in things you don't have a place in. You don't even care anyway, you just want to get Stella in bed and it will never happen," I finished. I wanted to scream I was so mad but we were still in the middle of the hallway.

"Geez, hanging around you really is depressing. So negative. And that temper! Tsk, tsk, tsk..." he mocked me.

"Get out of my way," I said, shoving him away from me, hard. A few people near by turned and stared as Ian stumbled backwards and I stormed past him to Biology.

"Just FYI Zoe, fat people aren't supposed to wear short skirts. Have fun killing people's good moods," he called out after me. I heard gasps directed at his fat comment. I sang the lyrics to Outer Space/Carry On in my head as I stomped into class. Thank God the album came out this morning or I'd be calling home for my mom to bring me jeans.

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Stella' s POV

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In first period this morning Zoe looked really upset. When lunch time rolled around I asked about it. Not my best idea.

"What's wrong?" I inquired as I munched on an apple.

"Nothing, I'm fine," she grumbled, chomping down on a french fry and not looking me in the eye.

"Hey, you can tell us if-" Kat touched her arm and started to say before Zoe stopped her.

"Don't touch me! I'm okay, really, I'm just tired," she said shrugging Kat off. When she was finished with her lunch, she mumbled something about having to use the bathroom but we didn't see her again until Algebra that afternoon. You never know with Zoe, every day's a roller coaster. I didn't worry too much cause there's been days like this before. She probably is just stressing because of  my talk about moving. She really is a people pleaser. It'll blow over once she realizes I'm gonna have good and bad days just like everyone else.

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Kat's POV

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"Hello?" Zoe answered the phone that night. I was so anxious about asking her this. I hoped she agreed. It really would be good for her.

"Will you join the basketball team?" I blurted.

"What?"

Slower this time, I replied "the basketball team. Will you join it with me? It's so fun! I know you'll like it. Sam is playing this year too," maybe she'll join if there's more than one person she knows.

"I don't know... I have so much n my plate already with swimming..."

"Please Zoe? You can quit after a week if you hate it, promise," I begged eagerly. I really think this will be so fun for her.

"I guess if you show me a bit before the practices start. I've never played a sport with a ball in my life," I could almost see her smirking on the other line.

"So that means you'll join?" I persisted.

"Maybe..."

"Yay yay yay yay! See you tomorrow Zo!"

"Kat wait! I didn't say-" I hung up before she finished. There was no point in listening to her stupid rehearsed speech. A maybe from Zoe is a yes no matter what she wants you to believe. And, for the second night in a row, I fell asleep happy. This was going to be so much fun!

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Wait what? Zoe? Play basketball? What is Kat thinking? Keep reading to find out ;) More updates coming your way. Thanks for reading. ILY

-SJ