prologue
The thing is; Jane was sort of expecting it.
She knew that at some point that day Kat would walk up to her and say goodbye, and maybe even have a brief conversation with her (if she was lucky). But she never knew it would bother her this much to watch Kat casually stroll up to her, the black canvas sneakers that adorned her feet sweeping through the choppy grass of the Middle School's front lawn, the sunlight that filtered through the perimeter trees illuminating her face and making her seem more beautiful than she already was. It made Jane's stomach twist uncomfortably, knowing that she wouldn't be able to see her friend (and crush of almost one year) for the next three months.
"Hey." Kat said, flicking her head towards the back of the open courtyard, and that was all it took for Jane to follow her like a lost puppy to the area of the yard where there was next to no people.
"They were annoying me." Kat stated simply, referring to her rambunctious group of acquaintances, who were currently sitting in a circle and making loud squawking noises, which Jane thinks might be some sort of freaky mating ritual for two of the guys in the group who obviously like each other but won't do anything about it.
Making a humming noise of agreement, Jane leaned up against the nearest tree and toyed with the frayed sleeves on her gray sweatshirt. "I can imagine. They're very... loud." She replied, wrinkling her nose a tiny bit. Jane didn't like loud people. Or, loud things in general.
Kat chuckled, casting her eyes to the ground. "That's not the problem. They're trying to get Tess and I to kiss, even though I'd never kiss a best friend. Just thought it would be good to escape them for a moment." Giving a sidelong glance to Jane, she added, "Plus I haven't had a proper conversation with you in ages, babe. Talk to me."
Jane preened under the attention she was suddenly recieving, and although she had nothing to say, really, she was happy to know that Kat actually wanted to listen to her.
"Well Ciara's been talking a bit more with Tony now. I think they might actually start dating, if Tony admits his feelings for her." Jane informed rather lamely, cringing at how much of a horrible conversation starter that was.
Kat chuckled, flashing Jane a quick smile. "At least Ciara won't complain about Tony every five seconds if they do end up together. She'll have something to smile about." Concern flashed in Kat's stormy eyes as she curled her palm around Jane's forearm, fingers stroking the fabric resting on it. "Speaking of having something to smile about. How have you been doing?"
The softly spoken question had Jane swallowing thickly and gently tugging her arm out of Kat's grip, wrapping both arms around her too-pudgy stomach and sighing. "M'fine, Kat. Just a little sad." She whispered, looking downward and blinking.
Jane heard Kat sigh. "How many times have you done it since I last asked?"
"Six."
Jane looked up just in time to see Kat tiredly placing her head in her hands, heaving a breath into her palms. "What am I going to do with you..." She mumbled sadly, and Jane looked away from the sight, trying to ignore the prickling feeling in the back of her throat.
"C'mere." Kat said quietly, tucking Jane into her arms even though Jane was easily about two inches taller than her.
Jane slowly wrapped her arms around Kat's neck, breathing in the scent of the cinnamon apple shampoo that still clung to the strands of Kat's short, frizzy hair. "M'sorry." Jane tried, her voice breaking halfway through the sentence as her friend shushed her. "Don't be. I'll help you get through this, I promise."
Jane smiled shakily into her neck, voicing her thoughts. "I know you will."
