To Where You Are

Chapter 1 (Katie's POV)

It was times like this when I wish I could be a child again.

That way, it wouldn't be so awkward when the waitress handed me a kid's menu and a colorful pack of crayons.

I was not amused whatsoever, but I smiled politely. "Actually, I'll take a regular menu."

"Oh, don't worry," the waitress said sweetly, "the kid's menu goes up to age 14 here."

I blinked. "I'm 17."

Her already big eyes widened as she apologized profusely and scrambled to get me a different menu.

One that didn't have a maze on the back.

"It's okay," I assured her even though it bothered me to no end.

Puberty wasn't that cruel to me, was it? I mean, I didn't look 14. Right? Just because I was 5 feet didn't automatically mean I was a freshman.

Destiny and Conner didn't ease my conscience. They laughed through the humiliating process, and quite loudly, I might add.

"Didn't this happen the last time we were here?" Destiny wiped a tear from under her sparkling blue eyes.

"I'd prefer not to think of that, thank you very much."

The waitress seated us at a table in the middle of the restaurant, apologized to me again, and informed us that a waiter would be with us soon.

"Now," Conner said in hushed tones, "if either of you say it's my birthday, you will not be invited next year. Am I clear?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You don't like them singing the birthday song? It can't be anymore embarrassing than a waitress thinking you're a 14 year old. Twice."

Conner only glared. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

I admitted defeat. "Fair enough." I peeled open my menu and scanned the pages for something that would cure my bacon craving. "Guys, what do you think about the bacon avocado burger? Yay or nay?"

Destiny leaned over and craned her neck to see the page I was on. "Dude, go for it. Whoa, 6 pieces of bacon on the burger? That's gotta be at least a thousand calories, but so worth it."

I nodded. "All right, you had me at 6 pieces of bacon."

Suddenly, the doors to Red Robin wooshed open and the entire Jackson High football team tumbled in, laughing, chest bumping, and slapping each other's butts.

"Did you see that?" I said in disgust. "They are so uncivilized. We're in public, people. Come on."

Conner didn't even look up from his menu. "It's a guy thing. It's just what we do." Destiny kicked him under the table. "I meant what they do. I'm, uh, what was it you said, Katie? Civilized?"

With my elbows propped up on the table, I watched them intently. "Is that how guys mark their territory instead of peeing?"

"I'm sure they pee, too," Destiny added nonchalantly. "Guys do the weirdest stuff."

Conner cleared his throat, hiding behind his menu slightly. "Can you two stop talking about peeing? And you think they're uncivilized?"

Destiny and I smirked knowingly. "Are you embarrassed yet? It's our job you know."

"Just shut up..."

"Oh!" I tapped Destiny's shoulder repeatedly. "Look, look, look! Drew's got a new girl with him. Do you think he's cheating on his last one or he just broke up with her?" How many girls would that be so far this year... Two? Three?