Let it Burn

Chapter 4 - Slow and Steady

Dear diary,

I couldn't believe it this morning when I woke up, but I wasn't dreading the day as much as normal, considering I had to go back to the dreaded hell hole know as high school. I even got out of bed before my mum had to climb up stairs and drag me out. I haven't been so willing to go to school for a long time (if that's what you call willing) not for months, not since... I was actually excited. I've never been excited for school. Not even before. I haven't seen or spoken to Jason since Friday night. For a first time in a long time I have a friend, well in English at least. Maybe not any other subject but it's a start. Even if it isn't a real friendship, it's better than nothing. Better than being lonely.

And people say Mondays suck.

-Kat

I finished writing and looked up to see Dr. Margolia smiling at me. Why is he so happy?

"After just a few days of keeping a diary, and it's already improving" Oh, so that's why he's happy.

"It's not the third time I've come seen you though" I reply completely smashing his complement, or whatever that was.

"No, but it's still an improvement from Friday, and the day before that, and last month. What's changed?"

"Weren't you reading it?" I shrug.

"No I wasn't. And before you ask I can tell just by your face."

"Oh," I reply. "I guess what's changed is I made a friend... Kinda."

"That's wonderful! Tell me about your friend"

"Um, his name is Jason, he goes to this school..." I start

"Yes. Yes I know Jason. Go on. Do you two hang out a lot?" He queries,

"Um well we went out on Friday, and had dinner, and then went to the movies... Where we saw Nathan.." I trail off.

"Nathan was one of Drakes friends, wasn't he?" Hearing his name washes away my happy resolve in an instant

"Ah yeah... Can I go now?"

"Sure you can Kat. I'll see you tomorrow." I nod as I walk out of the room and check my phone for the time. It's still halfway through period 5, so I have to go to that class. I quickly check my timetable and head off to geography. When I walk into my classroom, the lights are off and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust and realise that were watching a movie. As I take my seat the screen is showing a young lady with a burn across her arm and face and I can feel my hands go sweaty as I latch onto my chair. I take a deep breath in attempt to calm myself down. I look back up at the screen to see a building. And then a boy being wheeled into an ambulance. I jump out of my chair and run out of the room without looking where I'm going, and I run into someone. I try to keep running without looking back, but they grab my arm and wont let me go anywhere. They then pull me into a hug and sooth me. I look up and see Jason.

"Shhhh Kat just breathe. It's okay. Come on," and without letting go of me he starts to lead me to the back of the school, where the ovals are.

"Come here" he says as he sits down on the fallen tree that he and his friends convinced the teachers to keep as a seat and pulls me into another hug. Not asking anything of me.

I don't know how long we were sitting there, until I hear the bell and I go to get up "where do you think your going?" Jason asks not letting me go.

"I.. We.. English..."

"No ones coming down here this period, were bonding, getting to know each other, so don't worry about English either. But now that you've calmed down, I want to know what's wrong. Okay? Once you've told me then maybe we can go." He finishes with a smirk.