Warning Sign

one

Kathryn

I eyed the figure in front of me.

Her cat-like eyes stared back at me. I glanced at her body. It didn't deem curvaceous but it screamed slender. She wasn't tall but she wasn't short either.

I looked up at her eyes again, realizing the brown in them. Her eyes, bloodshot as if she just finished crying from a heartbreak.

Looking away from the mirror, I rubbed my palms to my face as I let out a sigh.

I miss them so much...

I shook my head, whisking away the thought that's been haunting me for days, months.

I looked back at my reflection again and forced a smile.

Gosh, you look dumb Kath.

My smile faded as soon as I thought of that. Heck yes you look dumb for smiling even though you know that you're hurting inside.

"Kath?"

Turning around, my roommate, Julia, was standing at the door. Her empathetic eyes reached out for me as she walked towards me and pulled me in for a hug.

"It's okay Kath, just let it out." She hushed, caressing my hair.

With that, I let my tears flow that I held in ever since that day just to show that I was strong. The day that my parents died.

"I should've appreciated them. I should've let down my pride Juls...I should've-"

"Kath," she warned, pulling out of the hug and looking into my eyes.

"It's not your fault they died. It never is and never will be. Drill that into your head, okay?" She demanded.

Startled by her sudden outburst, I looked at the floor.

"Chin up Kath, you're stronger than that. Heck, you can cry it out but never ever think that it's your fault." She held my chin, making me look up as she wiped away my tears.

As soon as she smiled, I couldn't help but return the gesture. I was always thankful for Juls. She may seem brutal because of her honesty but when you're out there in the storm, drowning, she will do anything just to swim to you, no matter how much the currents pushed her back. Best friend? No, I never saw her that way. She's my sister.

"Gosh, stop crying Kath! You're making me cry too." She laughed, using the back of her hand to wipe away her tears.

Laughing, I took my knapsack and followed Julia out of the room.

But before I could do that, I turned around and grinned at the picture on my bedside table.

"Bye mommy and daddy, I'll be home soon."

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Why did I even agree on going to a summer camp?

"Trust me we'll have lots of fun! This is the perfect time to relax and forget whatever's been bothering us." Julia squealed in excitement.