Stolen Kisses

Chapter 2

The horrible drone of the alarm clock ringing was more than enough to wake me up for school. Today was the first day of my junior year, whoopdee do. School has always been easy, just something else I have to do to get out of this podunk town.

I couldn't wait to go to school and see Ronnie, my best friend who'd been in Massachusetts with her Dad for the summer, and Matt, our band's drummer and my other best friend.

The problem was that ever since the hormones really kicked in, Ronnie and Matt have had some unresolved sexual tension that sometimes messed with the music. They would get so pissed at each other that we'd have to cancel the rest of rehearsal. Our band was called The Martians, due to none of us ever really fitting in with the other idiots we're forced to attend school with. I was on lead guitar, Ronnie on keyboard, Matt on the drums.

As I dressed for school I realized how tired I was of the same white button downs and plaid skirts. I felt like a Catholic school cliché, even though my school was simply private. While buttoning my shirt over my chest, my thoughts drifted off to Dr. Kollier and the tingly feeling he left on my arm. I shook it out of my head and went downstairs to leave for Ronnie's house.

"Katie Sue! Cheer up! It's the first day of school," chimed my annoyingly perky mother.

"I'm not in the mood for breakfast, mom, I'll just head out to pick up Ronnie," I said.

"Isn't it a bit early to be stepping out, missy?"

It was early. The Martians usually practiced in the morning due to everyone's complicated after-school schedules: debate and academic team for me, Ronnie gave piano lessons on Tuesdays and then had soccer every other day, and chess team for Matt.

I ignored Heidi entirely and practically ran out of the door. As I pulled into Ronnie's driveway, she bolted out of her house yelling, "Where were you?! We're late! Matt's going to be so pissed at me- I mean you!"

"Christ, Veronica, you've got it bad! First day of school and you can't wait to get your hands on him!" I joked while holding down laughs.

"Kate! I do not have it bad. I simply want us to have a successful show on Saturday. Bitch," she cried in defense, that last part she muttered under her breath.

Mr. Quinn, our principal, allowed us to practice in the band room as long as nothing was stolen and we were on time to our classes.

Matt was already practicing when we got to the band room. He was very serious about the music. According to what he's shared with us, his ticket to higher education is a music scholarship.

Once Matt noticed our entrance, he started yelling, "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FRIGGIN KIDDING ME! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TWO SINCE THE ASS CRACK OF DAWN THINKING WE WERE ALL VERY SERIOUS ABOUT HAVING A GOOD SHOW ON SATURDAY. NOW ALL WE HAVE IS A GODDAMN HOUR!

I tried to calm him down, "Matt, I know you're pissed at us, but it's my fault. Let's just practice. Our show is going to be great. It's not like we're playing new stuff.

"Fine."

We practiced until the very minute before the bell. Even though we spent the whole summer apart from each other, not rehearsing a lick of the music, we still had it. Of course, we needed to touch up on some parts, but it was as if we had never left.

I left for classes. I took out my schedule, first hour was AP Literature.