The World Across

Chapter 1.2

After arranging the laundry and putting it to it's place, Katherine started the dishes. She was sometimes jelous of Sa5m for her unexplainably charisma. But she got over it back in the 8th grade. She thought of it to be so immature. But Katherine can't deny that sometimes, she still felt left alone and underestimated.

"Guess who is currently the cheer captain of our school's squad!" Sa5m shouted in excitement the moment she stepped inside their house.

Katherine was a little startled. "Dammit Sa5m! Could you atleast reconsider not giving me a heart attact?"

"Sorry." Sa5m apologized but obviously she doesn't mean it.

"Told you they'll love you." Katherine said to her like she already expected it to happen. "Now, why don't you start cleaning the living room?"

"Harsh." Sa5m sat in the couch. "Fine. But let me rest first for atleast 10 minutes."

--

It was past 8 already when their parents got home and their brother Nate just arrived few minutes after they finished dinner.

"Out drinking again?" Sa5m asked her brother.

"Shut up." Nate had never really liked Sa5m. He sees her as a spoiled little princess of the family and he doesn't really feel comfortable around her. He doesn't know why, but always thought that there is something very different about her.

"What's for dinner?" He asked Katherine as she sat at the brown antique chair near the couch and turned on the tv.

"I cooked steak and pasta, Nate. Want me to set your dinner?" Sa5m asked sweetly.

"No. I'm not hungry anymore. I'm going to my room now." Then Nate stoop up the couch and made his way to the stairs.

Sa5m just bowed her head feeling for the hundredth times, unwanted by his brother. "What did I ever do to make him hate me like that?" And for the hundredth times she asked.

"Come on Sa5m, he doesn't hate you. He just ahm. . . he just don't like you, maybe." Katherine tried to sooth Sa5m as she always did everytime their brother hurts her, but she just can't find to fit the words.

The next morning, they did the same routine during school days. Sa5m doesn't look very good. She stayed up all night for new routines.

"Up all night reviewing?" Katherine asked as Sa5m joined her and their dad at the dining table. "You can't be stressed already. It was only the first day of class."

"I wasn't making any homeworks." Sa5m said while slicing her cheese omlets. "I was making new routines."

"You better not make that squad your priority, kiddo. You won't get into college with that." Dave Montgomery, their dad said while scanning the papers.

It was their daily routine. Jessie will wake up at 6 to cook breakfast. Dave will first take a bath and will have a hot cup of coffee while reading the newspapers. Katherine and Sa5m will immediately eat breakfast before taking a bath and their brother, Nate, will wake up at 6:30 to go for an hour jogging.

"Here's your milk." Jessie gave each her girls a glass of milk.

---

It was lunch time and they were on a line. "Did you asked dad yet?" Sa5m asked Katherine.

"Nope. I still need something good so he has a reason to give me a car." Katherine answered her while getting some burgers.

"Come on. You are a straight A student, and you're a great manipulator. I'm sure you can convince dad. And by winter, we don't need to ride the bus anymore." Sa5m sounded convincingly. It's one of her talent. She is very good at convincing people and that, it's like you can never say no to her.

"Mind to join me Friday night for a party?" Mike asked. The three of them, Mike, Katelyn and Sa5m are always together at lunch.

"Where?" Sa5m asked after cuztomizing her vegetable salad.

"At the falls inside the woods. You know? The usual. Near the old cemetery." Mike answered as he grabbed some pie.

"I don't get it. Arcata has the grill. Why would a bunch of teens go and have a party in such a creepy place." Katelyn commented.

"Ah . . . Because maybe there are no cops around to check how many drinks you had. Or maybe because you don't need to show an i.d before you can get a hot sip of tequilla. And oh! Here's the best part. You can have sex with anyone, at anytime, and anywhere." And Sa5m laughed at the thought while Katelyn felt disgusted. "Trust me, sex on woods are very hot." He whispered to both of them. "So are you going?"

"I don't know. Katelyn, are you going?" Sa5m asked Katelyn who is currently scooping some yougurt.

"Hmmm?"

"Are you going to this party Mike is talking about?" Sa5m repeated.

"You know I don't go to this type of parties. And my grandma will never allow me." Katelyn answered.

"Come on. You're already a senior! Just this one time. First time in your life, care to experience it?" Mike is trying to persuade her and Sa5m made a puppy dog face.

"Okay. I'll think about it." Katelyn answered safely.

"Yes!" Mike and Sa5m both exclaimed in joy.