Aaron and Kat (Wattys 2017)

Chapter 5

KAT Wednesday January 20th

When the bell rings, signalling the end of second period, I still haven't heard from Marie. Yesterday Stacy had asked us whether we wanted to hang out at the mall after school, but Marie declined the invitation because she was going to see Carter. Ever since then, we haven't heard anything from her. The only good news is the fact that she got home alive after Saturday's party and doesn't seem to remember how I left her there.

'Have you heard anything yet?' Stacy asks me while I'm packing my bag. Aaron has already run off, probably setting a new record in bag packing. I shake my head in response and don't need to ask her the same thing to know what her answer is going to be.

'What do we do?' Stacy asks me. This time it's my turn to shake my head.

'Nothing.' I tell her. I know Stacy is going to object to that so I quickly explain myself. 'I think we have to wait it out. At least for now.' I think about the unpleasant conversation I had with Marie last week Friday, the day before we went to the party, the one where I tried to warn her about drug dealers and criminal activities. 'We can't force her to stay away from him, because it will only turn her against us. That's how she's always been.' The partying may be something new, but Marie has never let anyone tell her what to do. Or what not to do. For as long as I've known her, Marie does what she wants, no matter what others think about it. It used to be an admirable quality, but in this situation I'm not very happy about it.

Stacy sighs but doesn't say anything, which is proof enough for me that she knows I'm right.

AARON Wednesday January 20th

'Seriously, if I have to work another day with Holly, I'm going to die.' Tyler says, shaking his head. We're at Isaac's house, playing video games and eating pizza. Isaac, Daniel and I are actually supposed to be studying for a calculus pop quiz that Mr. Harris was strongly hinting at today, but then Tyler, Josh and David decided to join us and the plans changed. My mom doesn't need to know that, though.

'You guys really need to make up soon.' Tyler continues, jerking his head at Isaac. 'This is killing me.'

'You'll be fine.' David says, picking up another slice of pizza while trying to use the controller with one hand and failing.

'David!' Isaac yells annoyed when his character dies on screen. 'You really need to learn how to control yourself.'

'And you need to learn to keep your girlfriend.' Tyler says, still not ready to change the subject to something else.

'At least you don't have to live with her.' Josh says. 'She's ignoring me all the time and even my parents are siding with her.' He shakes his head. 'I have to do all the chores.'

'At least you can just ignore her and are not forced to work with her once a week.' Tyler replies, slumping even further down on the couch and snatching David's controller away.

'You should join the drama club.' David tells Tyler. 'I bet you would do pretty well. And it would make up for the credits this not so cooperation with Holly are costing you. Not that you need them.' He adds with a grin, because everyone knows Tyler's grades are perfect. Isaac's character dies again.

'He can't join the drama club.' I say before Tyler, who looks pretty heated up right now, can say anything to David. 'Holly is in there too.'

'Can we please stop talking about my ex?' Isaac sighs and he swings around in his chair so he is facing us instead of the television. 'I really want to pass this level.' He swings his chair back around. 'And David and Tyler are not allowed to play anymore.' He warns them. Tyler scoffs but David just shrugs and helps himself to more pizza.