Dodging Disasters ✔

Chapter Nineteen

19. Shake It Off

"Alex and I are going on a date today," Kay says in one breath, just as I finish brushing. I quickly walk out of the bathroom and look at her incredulously.

"And you didn't tell us before?" I ask and she looks at us sheepishly.

"I was going to... but yesterday just didn't feel like the right time to tell you guys," she says, sneaking a glance towards Anna who's still lying in bed but wide awake.

"Oh that's fine." Anna smiles and she gets out of her bed cheerfully.

Kay frowns and once Anna shuts the door of the bathroom behind her, she turns towards me. "Mads... um, I know I shouldn't interfere but yesterday, all of us noticed you and Anna in the car. Um, I mean, I don't want to know what happened but... is everything fine? I mean, with Anna? She's been acting... crazy."

I look back at the bathroom door as I think of the car ride. I was foolish to think that the girls didn't notice us but of course they did. Anna's secret isn't mine to share, so I just let out a breath and smile at Kay. "Everything is fine. It's just... she's happy because she didn't want to model for that brand anyway. She didn't like the clothes much."

Kay sighs and gives me a small smile.

She knows Anna and I are hiding something from her, I realise as she looks back down at her hands and entwines her fingers. She doesn't like the fact that she isn't being let on on a secret.

I quickly look away and a feeling of guilt sweeps over me. It isn't my fault that Anna hasn't told Kay about her struggles. I shouldn't be the one feeling guilty.

"So when is the date?" I break the silence.

Kay looks up, surprised just as Anna exits the bathroom. "He'll pick me up at 7. We're going for dinner."

"Dinner only, huh?" Anna wiggles her eyebrows causing Kay to turn red.

"Oh, come on, you guys!" Kay says and makes her way to the bathroom.

Anna flops down next to me. "So what plans do you have?"

"Nothing," I sigh. "Homework and maybe just read The Son Of The River Lord."

Anna nods and picks up her books. "Homework, it is!"

■ ■ ■

Sundays can be boring at times. Especially the Sundays, you're trying to complete your homework that seems never ending. And that is exactly why I have no appetite to eat anything and the girls, after failing to persuade me to join them at lunch, leave without me.

As I munch on a Snickers bar, I put my pen aside and lay my head on my book, my eyes drooping close.

I need music.

I quickly grab my headphones and plug then into my phone, setting the music list to shuffle.

I close my eyes as My Immortal by Evanescence plays.

And just as that song ends, the music of the second song catches my attention and I set my phone to maximum volume ignoring the warning that pops up.

Shake it Off - Taylor Swift.

And even though I can't dance for nuts, I quickly get up as Taylor starts to sing, because one cannot simply not dance to this song. I face the window on the other side of Kay's bed and twist and turn, dancing, the music on full volume, not giving a damn to anything else. I scream my lungs out, singing along with Taylor.