A bad influence

Chapter 11

I ran into Evie and Mal's dorm, not wanting to face Maere. I locked myself into the bathroom, leaning against the door. Sobs escaped my lips as the tears leaked down my face, onto my dress. I heard the door open and two people entering the dorm. "Who's there?" Mal's voice rang through the room. "I-it's m-m-me...Kath." I sobbed, unlocking the bathroom door. Someone walked over to the bathroom and opened the door, making me fully visible. I felt like a mess and I probably looked like one.

"Oh, Kathy..." Evie breathed out, stepping towards me. She embraced me into a big hug, petting my hair. "You'll be fine..." she whispered in a soothing voice. Mal stared at me sympathetically and closed the bathroom door. "You were so brave out on the cricket field..." Mal breathed out. "Yeah. And after you ran off, Carlos nearly punched Ben in the face." Evie laughed dryly. "Carlos? Why would he hit Ben?" I questioned. "He cares for you Kathy, more than you can imagine." Evie said. "I've never seen him so protective." Mal added.

"It doesn't matter. Besides, I'm not going to the coronation tomorrow." I sniffled, letting go of Evie. "What?! Why?" Mal asked. "I'll have to be with my dad and the rest of my family. And I don't know if I can handle that." I replied, taking my sword out of the scabbard once again, looking at the inscription on the blade.

"You have to go, Kathy. I'm gonna be upfront and I need someone to calm me down." Mal anxiously said. "Besides, I already finished your dress." Evie told me, placing a sassy hand on her hip. I laughed a bit and placed my sword on the desk. "We got your back, Pevensie." Mal said with a genuine smile. "Just like you have ours." Evie stated. "Argh! You and your speeches are gonna be the death of me." I groaned. "So...does that mean you'll come?" she asked. "Yes! I'll come." I smiled. The two girls cheered, high-fiving each other.

"Now, you go to your room and get some rest. I'll make sure your dress will be in your room by tomorrow morning, so that your aunts can do your hair and makeup, okay?" Evie asked me. "Sounds like a plan to me. Thanks again, guys." I told them. "Oh! Before I forget, Carlos wants to know if you like dancing." Mal exclaimed. "Sorry, what?" I questioned, looking at her strangely. "I don't know, he just wanted me to ask you." she replied, holding her hands up in defence. "Well, I'm not great at it, but I know how to dance." I said, walking towards the door. "Okay, I'll tell him that. See you later." Mal said with a smirk, like she knew something I didn't. "Bye?" I questioned, closing the door behind me. I walked to my dorm, confused. What in Aslan's name was that all about?

-NEXT DAY-

"Wake up! Your aunts are here!" Maere shouted, shaking me violently. I groaned as I squinted against the bright sunlight that streamed into the room. "What time is it?" I asked in my morning voice. I saw Maere check her phone. "Seven thirty." she stated. "What?! The coronation is almost seven hours away!" I yelled, getting out of bed. "Well, your aunts are here. Also, Evie dropped off your dress this morning. I didn't think you'd be pleased if I woke you up for that, so I just threw it on the desk." the redhead said with a smile. "Thanks, Mae. I appreciate it." I yawned as I got out of bed.

I opened the door and my aunts stormed in. "Kathy! Thank Aslan, you're okay." aunt Susan exclaimed, hugging me tightly. "Why wouldn't I be?" I wondered. "After you ran off with those villains yesterday, your father and I were worried sick!" she stated. "What about you and uncle Edmund?" I asked aunt Lucy. "You stood up for what was right. And even though you acted inappropriately, you followed your heart instead of your head." she answered walking over to me.

She handed me a box, neatly wrapped in black and white paper. "When we were waiting for you to wake up, Mal offered for us to stay with her and Evie for a bit. We declined kindly, but she did give me this. She told me to give it to you." aunt Lucy explained, nudging at the square box. I opened it and there was a piece of folded up paper. It read my name in a beautiful handwriting. I opened the note.