Fast Car

Sipping gin and juice.

Kat knew as soon as she and Shannon got to the beach, this was not going to be a fun night. Scott was at A&E with a broken arm, and despite her loud protests he refused to let her go with him. His Mum, Deputy police officer Sarah Daniels -also known as best brownie maker in the county- had assured Kat that she'd text her when they left the hospital, and that she could visit him on his sick bed the next morning. So Kat had begrudgingly driven home, changed her clingy cheer uniform for a white mini dress, and picked up Shan on the way to Krivard Bay.

Krivard Bay was a small beach on the south side of Port Rushton, it was smaller and more private than the main beach and was situated just to the east of the main harbor. It was sort of nestled in between The Diving cliff and the edge of Strawberry woods, meaning it was well sheltered from the wind that whipped across the coast. That night there were dozens of cars parked on the grassy dunes that led just off the main road to the, nearly hidden, beach, and a steady stream of students treading a path down the slope towards the glow of the bonfire. Kat breathed the warm salty air, as the sea swelled and sighed, and the breeze ruffled her hair. There was a sharp, piercing noise, and then music filled the night as someone set up the speaker. The chatter of excited voices got louder as more people joined the party. Alison waved to Shan and Kat, and someone handed Kat a drink as they made their way over.

Kat missed the solid presence of her best friend as the night wore on. She usually loved parties, but Shan and Tyler were bickering, and Alison had flitted off with the cheer girls to go and flirt with some boys a few years older than them. With Scott they played drinking games, and placed bets on who would be the next to vomit, or who would kiss who. She was beginning to wonder if she was any fun without her best friend, when she saw a head of blond floppy hair making his way towards her. She was sitting on a log by a smaller break-out bonfire, Tyler and Shan were off to the left of her, out of the circle of light whispering heatedly, as Matty approached he gave the small group a little wave. Kat forced a smile as he flopped down beside her.

'Hey Kitty.' She rolled her eyes at the childish nickname. 'You look about ready to murder someone.' He quipped.

Her lips twisted trying to hide a smile at that. 'No murder happening here, just boredom.' 

'Missing your shadow?' He asked, the question sounded light-hearted but Kat new it was pointed.

'My shadow's right here.' She stated firmly waving at her outline in the sand.

Matty sighed, ignoring her attempt to be obtuse. 'Can you not have a little fun without him?'

'Of course I can.' 

'Because I really didn't take you to be the type of girl who can't do anything without her b-' Kat interrupted him.

'We're just friends.' She snapped.

'So I've heard.' He said solemnly. 

They were silent for a minute. Kat thinking about the conversation she'd had with Scott about making Matty jealous and noting she must inform him of this development.

'You know not much has changed since middle school.' Kat said, still on her guard 

'I don't doubt it,'  Matty grinned wistfully 'Port Rushton always was reliable.'

'Most people call it boring.' Kat deadpanned.

'Ty said you were desperate to be shot of this place.'

'Don't you just think you could breathe easier some days with the knowledge that not everybody you walk past on the street has known everything about you since before you were conceived?'

He was silent for a moment, studying her intently before he said 'I don't remember you being so negative when we were younger.'

Kat laughed humorlessly, 'Maybe I just didn't know anything back then'

He was silent again, letting their words weigh on the atmosphere for a moment, before shaking his head as if from a daze and grinning at her cheerfully.

'So what you going to do when you leave?' 

'College.'

'Where to?'

Kat stared out into the sea, the breeze had cooled down a bit now, and it tugged at the hem of her dress, leaving goosebumps as it trailed across her leg. 'I guess I haven't figured that part out yet.'

'Well I can guarantee it, none of it will beat this place.' He murmured.

'You've got to be kidding me.' Kat giggled.

'There's no place like home.'  He said Seriously.

He glanced over at her just in time to see the end of her eye roll.

'You've just forgotten how great it is.' Matty grinned 'When was the last time you stood at the top of the diving cliff and just stepped off? Have you ever got to the top of Flint Avenue and driven as fast as you can down the straight? Or '

Kat grinned. 'Calm down Matty, are you about to tell me I can paint with all the colours of the wind?'

He laughed for a minute. 'All I'm saying is now is the time to be young and stupid. But if I were to burst into a Disney song it would not be Pocahontas.'

Kat nodded very seriously, trying not to smile. 'No? To be honest, I think I could see you as a Belle, you know studious but romantic'

Matty scoffed, 'Absolutely not, I'm obviously Mufasa.' 

'Mufasa? that's bold!' Kat grinned, 'you best have evidence for that claim.'

Matty stood up, 'look if you know, you know.' He shrugged. Kat huffed. 'I'm going for a drink, you want anything?' 

'i'm ok thanks'

Kat puffed out a breath and got up, watching his retreating back. Glancing at the sea, which was casting off an eerie glow as it reflected the moonlight, Kat kicked of her shoes and padded down to the shoreline. She let the cool water tickle her toes, as she stared up at the diving cliff, thinking about the summers they spent throwing themselves off the highest point. She remembered vividly the tug of the current as you hit the surface of the water, and the desperate rush to swim to the safety of the shore, only to do it all over again. Taking a swig of her drink, surprised with how giddy she felt considering she was still on her first, Kat felt the urge to go up and jump. If Scott was here, they'd do it.  She was just trying to get a closer look at the cliff from where she was, wading in the water to her knees, when her thoughts were interrupted by Tyler splashing up behind her.

'You ok Katrina? You seem a bit quiet tonight.' 

'I'm just thinking about the diving cliff.' She mumbled.

'I didn't realize it was such an enigma.' Tyler chuckled.

'I'm kinda getting the urge to dive.' Kat turned to face him.

'Not tonight Katrina.' Tyler frowned.

'Why not?' She pouted.

'It's too dark,' He pointed at the moon. 'And you're a little tipsy,' He grinned.

'Ugh, so lame.' 

'You can try it if you want, but I'm not diving in to save you if you hit a rock.'

'You scared, Ty?' Kat giggled flicking him with water.

Tyler froze in mock anger, 'you did not just-' She splashed him again. 'Right that's it Green, you're going in.' He yelled as leaped towards her, she squealed and attempted to run away but he had her by the waist. Before she knew it he was picking her up, and threatening to throw her in the sea.