Kate for Keeps

Six

Smells of fresh pizza, ice cream and other foods of all sorts whiff by me as I walk through the cafeteria towards the line.

As I'm walking towards the line I spot a rather round boy sitting alone eating his lunch. he has a sad expression on his face but tries to push it away and look at peace whenever somebody walks near rather they're looking at him or not.

I have a urge to got over to him but keep walking anyway. once in line I grab my trey and stand there waiting for people to move up.

I watch out of the corner of my eye the round boy. three tough looking boys approach him. one in the front an two behind him.

The round boy stands up, his face red and fists clenched. the three boys throw their hands up as to mock him and laugh. they shove him when the pass, continuing to laugh.

I grab my lunch, pay for it and go to find Carmen.

~~

Even after lunch the round boy is still in my mind. I know he was being bullied, still is. I think he was being bullied on his weight which makes me angry.

I hate when people bully. I just want to smack em but then I'll get into trouble. what a life eh?

Walking down the hall to math class I spot him coming down the encore hall.

With out thinking I call after him. "Hey kid!" I run up to him and he stares at me curiously.

"Yeah?" he asks forming a double chin.

"Hey fathead!" I look around him to see those same boys from the cafeteria approaching.

"What do you want?" the round boy asks sounding annoyed.

"Just to tell you how fat you are!" the boys chuckle.

"Shut up zippers! get a life and pick on someone your own size! though that might be hard I haven't met anyone as stick like as you!" I snap and run off looking like a weirdo.

Okay so it felt good to stand up for someone but then I turned around and made it all fall apart by running away! seriously Kate? you've got to be kidding me!

I walk straight into math class and fake my seat next to Marsha. "what's with the blush girl?" she asks with a little giggle.

"Huh? uh...nothing!" I snap getting caught off guard.

"Okay then." she chuckles.

"Ha! Isabelle!" Marsha chuckles.

Marsha is one of the populars. I would do anything to be popular. I mean yeah I guess that Jill, Emma and Lilly are popular. who am I kidding Jill and Lilly are the most popular girls on this team. they all have connections and an Instagram.

Miranda and dad won't let me have an Instagram. I can't t ext either or have a cell phone! I hate it!

My parents are the strict parents. it sucks...I mean stinks. I'm not even aloud to say sucks!

I start to work on the division of decimals sheet I have. math is my favorite subject so I finish the sheet in 5 minutes.

I sit there quietly reading my book, waiting for the bell to ring any minute now.

~~

3 hours later the halls are crowded as everyone shoves to get out if the building to either the buses or the car lot. Miranda is starting to pick me up from school. she's quoting her job to give her kids some "mom" time.

I spot Carmen out standing towards the front of all the students jumbled up waiting for their ride. I ease my way put to her.

I didn't know you were a car rider!" I say surprising her.

"Me either!" she laughs.

"Ha!" I giggle a little.

"You going to the dance?" I ask motioning to the sign posted on the door to enter the school.

In bold letters the poster reads:

DANCE ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 16th!

COST TO COME IS $5.00 PER STUDENT! PLEASE COME! THERE WILL BE REFRESHMENTS!

IF YOU WISH TO CHAPERONE SIGN HER:

"That's sad!" Carmen with a little shake her head and a tsk tsk.

"What?" I ask curiously.

"That the have to bring spells with refreshments to get em to come." I turn my head to the sign and laugh out loud.

"So you coming?" I ask once more.

"Yeah maybe. you?" she asks in return.

"Maybe. I was hoping for ce-" I stop mud sentence realizing what I was about to say,

"Hoping for what?" Carmen asks suddenly interested.

"Nothing!" I sat quickly.

"Whaaaaaatt?!" she urges me to say.

"Nothing!" I try to convince her but know its not working.

Carmen's obviously not a car rider a lot so Im thankful she is today. usually is stand there quietly looking like the nobody I am. sometimes I'll watch Donny with his friends but other wise I'm lonely here.

"Oh bye." I say when Miranda's highlander pulls up.

"Bye." Carmen gives a wave.

~~

"Hey Kate can you come down here?" Miranda asks.

"I was wondering if you'd like for me to take you shopping this weekend?" Miranda flashes a sweet smile.

"Oh sure that'd be great!" I say trying to hide the excitement.

"Great! you can bring a friend if you

want and we can all go see a movie afterward!" she suggests.

"Even better!" I agree with her idea.

"Who you want to invite? Carly? you guys can catch up." she turns and start to slice up an onion.

"Well I was thinking my friend from school. Carmen." I suggest.

"Yeah that'd be good."

Me and Miranda don't usually get along like this or have orderly normal conversations. but for these last two weeks I've really grown attached to Miranda.

She's scone a more motherly figure to me. she tries and that's all that matters.

"Oh and for your birthday that's coming in a month! I was thinking we could get you a cell phone!" she turns and smiles at me.

"Really?!" I jump up on my tiptoes.

"I'll talk to your dad and see what her says!" she gives me a soft hug.

"Thanks Miranda!"

"Call me mom of you feel comfortable with it!" she raises her eyebrows.

"I'll work on i." I joke.

"HaHa!" she laughs sarcastically.

I walk up to my room and stare at my desk. "okay homework lets get you done with!"