Note to self: learn social skills

Chapter 13

I have no excuses. Just read and enjoy and try not to hate me too much!

""

""

""

Chapter 13

There's a sad feeling to the Monday after any break. The feeling of dread, the feeling that you have been free for a few short days and now must go back to prison. I'm dreading the Monday after Thanksgiving in particular because I already know. I know the camera phones will be worse, the glares from two-toned-hair Audrey will be worse, the singing and prancing of Lily will be worse.

Even worse than Mondays, my nights have been filled with nightmares of tulle and ribbons and waltzing. I don't mind playing the waltz on my violin, I just don't want to dance it.

I sit grumpily in Hal's car as we drive toward school.

"What's your problem?" he asks.

"Have you ever been attacked by a monster made of pink tulle?"

"No."

"Then you wouldn't understand."

He sighs a little, "I'm sorry about this weekend, okay? Bringing your dad, and the debut thing, really, I'm sorry."

"I'm not mad." I huff.

"Then can you act happy? Because in about a minute we're going to pull into the school, and we need to be in love."

"Yea, sure." I say.

Hal parks the car with his usual jolt stop. I'm undoing my seatbelt when I feel a hand on my shoulder. "What?" I ask.

"Real quick." He says.

I turn to look at him to see what on earth he means and he kisses me. My stomach jolts and my face heats up and I pull away. I glance out of the car. Everyone is looking.

"I wish you'd give me some warning." I mutter.

"You're better when I catch you off guard."

"I'm better at kissing?" I ask.

"Well you just don't freak out and go all tense if I surprise you. So yea."

"Can we just go to school?"

He grins, "Never thought I'd hear you say that."

"Trust me, I'm as surprised as you are."

Hal opens my door and kisses my hand as he helps me out of the car. I think he's going a little over the top, but I hear some the girls in close proximity sigh and whisper, "Why can't my boyfriend be like that?"

Hal walks me to my locker, where Lily and Ruth are waiting not so patiently. As soon as I'm within arm's reach, they grab me and drag me to the bathroom.

"Tell us everything!" Lily squeals. The pictures are so adorable. I love the way Hal looks at you. And that article was so precious!"

"I don't really know what to tell you. It seems like you already know." I tell her.

"Katie! How was it?"

"Cold." I reply.

Lily and Ruth exchange looks. "He was cold? Like distant?" Ruth asks.

"No, it was cold. And windy."

Lily heaves an exasperated sigh, "Katie! How was the kiss? Was Hal nice to you? Did you like it? Did you get butterflies in your stomach?"

"Er... yes."

"To which one?"

"All three I guess."