The Evil Inside

Chapter Eight - KATE: Invasion of the Kelseys

It is now confirmed. Kelsey Jacobs is not from this planet. Or any other so-far-discovered planet either for that matter. Well, nothing in my universe, at least.

For the first time since I can remember, my bedroom is tidy.  Consequently, I cannot find anything.  

I am a logical person. I like physics. I like maths and other habitually academic subjects. My mind works like clockwork in a complicated clock and I am definitely a left-side-of-the-brain person, no questions asked. I am analytical, organised and interested in things that a lot of people find monotonous.

None of these things apply to my bedroom. Except, obviously, they did now. However, in Kelsey’s book, uncluttered does not equal even remotely organised.

“Kel-sey! Where on earth did you put my trainers?”

Lets just get this straight. Kelsey is not organised. And quite frankly, her memory is terrible. So, where did Kelsey put my trainers?

“Umm, are they under your bed, Kate?” No, Kelsey, they are not. How am I ever going to find anything, ever again?

And, more importantly, why is my alarm clock in the wardrobe, at the very back of the top shelf? Under a huge pile of clothes?

“Hey,” I ventured tentatively, turning back to face the alien who was sitting on my carpet with an ‘I’m deep in thought for the first time in my life, probably’ expression on her face. “ I was kind of under the impression that this was my bedroom, not yours?” On second thoughts, just ask her what’s on your mind instead, Kate. “What are you thinking ‘bout, Kels?”

“I’m thinking that we need to give you a makeover, my little innocent friend.” I had absolutely no idea what this would entail. In other words…

“No.” Rule of life number one: never trust anything that Kelsey says that you don’t actually know that much about.

“Oh come on.” Kelsey sulked. “Don’t be such a party pooper.” She thought a while. I thought too. And the conclusion I came to a split second before she did was definitely not good.

You know I said that that was the first time Kelsey was deep in thought? Well, just ‘cause she doesn’t think deeply a lot doesn’t mean she’s stupid. It means she’s so smart, that most of the time, she just doesn’t have to.

She’s perceptive all right, Kelsey. Which meant unwelcome news for me. Here goes nothing.

“Kels, I really don’t think that’s a good idea…” Anything to stop her now.

“But it is, Kate.” My American friend drawled, “It is. Would it be a shame if the contents of this” she held up the leather-bound diary, “went all over the school?” 

It would be a shame indeed. “I know stuff about you too though.” I quickly blurted.

“Not the same though, is it Kate? You can tell the world and Mike whatever you want, but it’s not going to ruin a pretty much lifelong friendship, and basically, more to the point, I can’t begin to tell you how little I care.” Oh my goodness, this was so not fair.

“Fine.” I snapped. “I will give you twenty five minutes to do whatever you want. Happy now?”

The only reply – and a far from satisfactory one – was “We’ll see, Kate. We’ll see.”

I walked over to the bed and pulled back the covers in one yank. There were my mud-covered trainers. How very thoughtful of my newest friend.

I wondered what Alex was doing.

It was time for ‘Operation Remodel Kate’, which was what Kelsey had now named it. As you have probably already guessed, this was not some thing that I was looking forward to. In fact, it was something that I would probably wholly dislike.

First, Kelsey reached into my cupboard – which now contained several things that honestly did not belong there – and pulled out my school uniform.

“If you even touch any of that, my mum will kill you.” I warned. Kelsey just shrugged.  Guess she’s tough if she’s already been expelled once.

My trousers were the first item of clothing to be victimised. Well, not victimised as much as completely rejected. “Wear a skirt all ready, Kate man.”

“And what if I don’t own one?” Switch to defensive mode. Good plan, Kate. Kelsey looked at me incredulously, one eyebrow raised. Then she reached in to the closet and pulled out a short black skirt. I winced. Shoot.

“Nice try, Kate. You’re gonna have to try harder than that though.” She cocked her head to one side. “On second thoughts, don’t. I won’t appreciate it.” Kelsey moved away from the wardrobe, closer to my sock drawer and pulled out a pair of grey knee length socks. “You still wear these? Seriously, grey is so Year Seven-ish.” She gazed at me, like she was superlative in almost every way – which, by the way, is not true. Still, that thought didn’t stop a blush creeping out of my cheeks.

Kelsey sighed heavily. “We have a lot of work to do here. Kate, I’m sorry, but twenty-five minutes just isn’t gonna cut it.”

I sat down on the carpet and checked my watch, ready for utter and total humiliation to begin.

The best part of an hour later, I sat, huddled and hyperventilating slightly under my blanket in a corner of the bathtub, the door locked behind me. This was the most efficient way to avoid my eager new stylist.

My face had been made-up and scrubbed-down so many times that it was now raw red and extremely tender. I had been forced to change into so many outfit combinations that all my muscles hurt, and my supreme mortification would continue the very moment I stepped outside of this door.

Kelsey had tie-dyed my school blouse, for goodness sake. This bathroom was my safe haven.

“Come out, Kate, will you?” Kelsey yelled from behind the locked door. “All the boys will love you, I guarantee it!” Yeah, right, whatever. I didn’t trust Kelsey’s judgement any more.

I just wished Alex were here.

A/N: sorry for the short chapter. i didn't realise it was this small...