Into A Dream

Here Kitty, Kitty

I don't know how long I sat on the swing at Old Castle Park, but it must have been long enough for the school to let out because children flooded the park. Most of them were from Boys and Girls Inner City Prep school, a school twenty minutes away that provided twice as many classes and better-tasting lunch food. Or so I've heard.

It was also one of the most expensive schools in this area, I know because my psychiatrist wanted me to attend school there but Uncle Austin insisted that it was too much. This coming from the man who spends money on virtual sports and merchandise.

My mind has been spinning with the thoughts of those two guys. Bill and Walter. They knew about mom and the Court of Cards and Wonderland. They must have known more too. But how? I need to remember the exercises that Dr. Collins taught me.

I looked down at my feet, away from the kids arguing over who gets to slide first. I still couldn't get those two kids out of my mind, they weren't kids, they're close to my age. But thinking back now, I don't actually believe they were my age. What seventeen year old carries a pocket watch? Or spoke the way they did? None from around here.

Groaning, I leaned back in the swing, only to come face to face with a girl.

Kitty.

She smiled down at me, "Hey there," The sides of her lips curled up. "Long time no see,"

"Hello, Kitty." I couldn't help but smile, she had that effect on everyone.

She sat on the swing next to me, she had her uniform on from Prep school. A black skirt, button-up white shirt, with a red blazer jacket. Kitty was also the only seventeen-year-old that I knew that wore pigtails still.

"In third period Science today a boy tried to lift up my skirt," Kitty said glanced over at me with her pale eyes then away quickly.

"What did you do?" I asked not looking at her. Kitty and I use to be really close when we were younger. She was the only friend I had, we spent almost every day together and she was the only one that would listen to my crazy stories. My stories about mom.

She shrugged, "I pushed his hand away, but there wasn't much to do."

We sat in silence, both of our swings creaking. The kids were starting to leave, and the park was becoming quieter and quieter. It was still mid-fall so the weather was warm and the sun didn't set until later in the evening.

Soon all the kids were gone and no one fought over slides or who's turn it was to hit the tetherball. Pulling out my phone to see what time it was I realized I had a text. It was from Austin. It's past 4:30, he knows by now that I missed the second half of school and probably has a list of chores for me to do for the next month ready.

I sighed, out of all my family members, why did I end up here?

"What's got you down?" Kitty's voice melted its way into my thoughts. Looking over at her I noticed her new shoes, they were bright purple. Her favorite.

"I like your shoes," I said quietly.

She laughed, "Is that why you're down? Well, I like your shoes, Alistair." This time I looked into her eyes, they were bright and cheery, a smile broke across my face. "But really, what's wrong?"

Running my hand through my hair I attempted to gather my thoughts. As a senior, I've given no thought to college or how to even began that process. The job I work is draining and stressful for barely enough pay. I never got a chance to finish my lunch. Two weirdos bombarded me at school today asking about my crazy mom. I don't even remember my mom that much anymore. And now I'm sitting with a girl who is the embodiment of perfection and I know I will never get a chance to prove I'm worthy of her. And that's because I'm not.

"Nothing, why?" I shook my head and tried to avoid a conflict. Kitty leaned towards me until I gave in and looked at her, her lips were a shade of lilac.

"Why do you lie to me?" Her voice sounded cool and smooth, but that changed when I looked at her eyes. They were frowned and dark. "I just want to help you."

Looking away, hiding from my shame and self-disgust, I heard her sigh. Damn it.

"Look, Alistair," Kitty stood from her swing and faced me. "I know things have been weird between us since.." Her voice trailed off for a moment. "You know. But I'm here, I'm your friend and I want to help. But you need to want help before I can actually help you." She shook her head, shouldered her old purple book bag and started walking away.

"Kitty!" I jolted up from my swing, grabbed my bag and followed after her. She turned around, messy pigtails flying around her, and flashed a devilish smile. "Let me walk you home, it's getting dark."

She wrapped her arm around mine, she was just tall enough to lean on my shoulder. "Alistair Graham, you will forever be my knight in shining armor when it comes to walking home in the dark." She laughed and I couldn't help but laugh with her.

When we reached her house it was dark and the sky was starting to collect stars. Kitty was busy telling me all about the terrible experience she had when the school first started this year; not buying enough button-up shirts and her school jacket coming in late, then how she had to wait a month for shoes she ordered. Her purple shoes.

The front porch light was on, "Well, you're home." I smiled at her as she sat on her front porch steps.

Kitty tilted her head, her long bangs falling over her eyes. "I am," She patted the spot next to her. "Now tell me about your day."

I watched her, knowing that she wouldn't take no for an answer, and sat down next to her. She didn't push or prod me to start talking either, just watched the stars until I found the right words.
"You remember all the stories I use to tell you about my mom?" I asked.

She didn't look away from the stars. "Yes, she had tea parties with rabbits and a Hatter, and played crochet with a Queen."

I nodded. "Remember how when she returned, I couldn't live with her? And that's why I live with my aunt and uncle."

"Yes. The Court of Cards was trying to find her." Kitty looked at me, her eyes twinkling. "Then in eighth grade, you told me that your mom was placed in an asylum and that your stories weren't real."
My cheeks grew warm, I didn't expect her to remember all of this, or not as well as she had. "Well, I met some interesting people today that had a letter. It was from the Court of Cards." I took a deep breath. "It was a summoning for mom, or a descendent, and Kitty" Our eyes met and things were quiet for a moment. "I don't know if it was real or if I just imagined those two."

Kitty wrapped her arms around me, "They were real. You're not crazy." Then she stood and looked down at me, serious now. "But you need to go home and get rest. And not get into trouble."

I stood, confused about the sudden affection and then lack of. "Kitty.."

"My parents are probably wondering why I'm not inside yet," She headed towards the door. Then turned around before walking inside. "Hey, Alistair."

"Yes?"

She flashed a devilish smile and winked. "If they bother you again tell them you have a Cat friend that'll eat them." And with that, she disappeared inside