Masks

Masks - Chp 5

The first thing I did the next morning as soon as I got to school was searched for Kate and got down on my knees and begged for forgiveness – figuratively of course, she wasn’t that mad at me.

I had avoided Kate entirely for the rest of the yesterday after fleeing the assembly hall, I had once I got home ignored her one sole text message that told me basically that she knew I needed space and when I was ready she’d be ready and waiting to talk to me. I loved her to bits for that, others would text and call and smother you, like some clingy deranged girlfriend that turned you off. Kate didn’t, she understood how I worked as a being and knew when I wanted to be left alone and took the hint and sat ready to wait.

I found her under a tree and sitting on the picnic table instead of the chairs as she flicked through her mobile phone, in her own world and not caring in the slightest about all the gossip and chatter surrounding her. I smiled faintly at her, I adored that about her. She was a strong independent person, which helped boost and balance out our friendship with my overly petty insecurities and cravings to be invisible.

With my shadow blocking out the sunlight raining down on us she looked up blinking and with an exasperated expression “For the last time no! I’m not telling you what….” She trailed off sheepishly catching my eye “Sorry, I thought you were the paparazzi.” She said impishly.

I laughed faintly “The paparazzi? How suiting.” I commented with a faint smile.

“Vultures would be perfection.” She added with a look as she glanced out at the sea of student milling about in their own spots until the bell signaled for roll call. Her face was full of distaste and repulsion, as if they were a swarm of diseased mutants rather than school students.

“So,” I began trying to act casually when my heart was bruising my ribs and threatening to tear me open “I owe you a really huge apology and thank you in one. Do you know any places I could find a car as such?” I asked hoisting myself up to sit beside her, our shoulders touching.

Kate snorted “Yeah, I actually saw a card the other day that would be perfect. It was the sorry I ran off and kept to myself for a couple of days, but I really needed time to myself since I came across a murder scene. Thank you for your understanding card.” She mocked laughing softly.

I looked at her, my smile trembling before I burst into laughter shoving her shoulders playfully, and before I knew it Kate was laughing with me, the two of us instantly relaxing and everything pushed behind us as if nothing was wrong and nothing had happened.

Finally our laughter trailed off and we were composing ourselves, laughter like that not so common these days in our school since yesterday. Wiping underneath my eyes as I giggled, I glanced around when my eyes met Gavin, my smile turning into my shy smile, my eyes just as shy as I blushed. He smiled greater at me, his eyes telling me he had seen me laughing for quite some time as he tipped his head in a silent greeting. I blushed deeper, my smile growing and twitching more so at the corners as I nodded my head subtly back – so Kate didn’t catch it – before turning my attention back to Kate.

I sighed smiling still as I felt my cheeks cool down “Well I’m going to have to go searching for it; hopefully it won’t be all that difficult to fine.” Kate snorted in laughter making me giggle at the snort.

“So,” she began her voice turning more serious and gentle “how are your parents taking it?” she asked her eyes full of worry. Kate knew as well as I did how my parents were with me and how much dramatic my household must be like.

I shrugged “Mum’s walking on egg shells and at any sound passing my lips she’s asking me if I need anything. Last night it was past ten thirty, I came into the kitchen sighing just the faintest and she offered to drive down the street and get me ice cream.” I laughed shaking my head.