Life is Better

Chapter Ten - Kate

Warren hung up and so did I. "Go ahead and yell at me" I said. Warren did something I would have never expected him to do. He hugged me. He just wrapped his arms around my thin body, not as thin as it used to be. I did gain a lot of weight, but I was still skinny. A healthy skinny.

After I got over the first shock, I hugged him back. You have no idea how much I missed this. "I missed you so much!" He said as if he spoke out loud what I was saying. "I missed you too" I said and hugged him tighter. "How did you pull this of in the first place? I didn't recognize you at all. It was like you were a complete different person!" He said, still not letting go of me. "What are you doing? Won't Max be jealous?" I asked him teasingly. "Why would I care if Max gets jealous?" He asked, taking a closer look at my tattoos. "Because you like her" I said. "No, I don't" He said, but I knew he was lying. I knew him way too well to not know when he was lying. "Fine, maybe I like her just a little bit" He finally admitted.

"I knew it! I might be this rebel, troublemaker-girl, but I still know my best friend like no other" I said, noticing he was still looking at my tattoos. "How fascinated can someone be by some black ink on skin?" I asked. "Obviously a lot. They look good on you" He said. "Thank you. But I didn't get them for beauty, they are covering my scars and give me strength" I told him. "How so?" He asked. "They all have meaning, Warren" I told him, freeing myself from him, finally. "Maybe you will explain them to me one day" He said and I nod "I will try" I said, letting out a laugh.

"Ronnie, get to class" Jefferson said and I hugged Warren briefly, before walking into the class room, while Jefferson waited for me to close the door behind me. "We have a lot to cover today, and so little time, as usual. I see all the usual suspects here... Anybody seen Kate Marsh?" Jefferson asked. "We have a lot to cover today, and so little time, as usual. I see all the usual suspects here... Anybody seen Kate Marsh?" "I think everybody has seen Kate Marsh by now" Victoria said. "Victoria, it's nice you have something to say, but why aren't you keeping it to yourself and go and fuck yourselfie!" I said, quoting and mocking her at the same time. Man, that felt great.

"Why don't you just stay out of things that don't concern you" Victoria said back, but I only laughed in her face. "I think bully does concern me! It should concern everyone!" I said and looked around at my classmates. They all seemed like they had no idea what to say. "Just imagine you would end up on a video after being drugged! I would like to see your reaction afterwards and you know what? I would pay money to say that! Because bitches like you deserve nothing else than the same they put others through!" I said, hoping that would shut Victoria up.

"She's...not feeling good" Alyssa said. Suddenly Max took out her phone and wanted to check it, but Jefferson told her not to and started with his lesson. I rolled my eyes, but paid attention. "Yo, some crazy shit is going down at the girls' dorm! Check it!" Zachary yelled as he entered the classroom. "Zachary, do not come into my class like that ever again-- " Jefferson said as the class got up and left the room. "Listen! Everybody remain seated--" He started another try, but everyone ignored him. "Let's go, Max!" I said and hurried off to the dormitory with her. It was raining heavily.

"What is going on here?" I asked as we hurried to the rest to the dormitory. Many people were talking at the same time. "Oh my god" I said and grabbed Max's arm. "It's Kate!" Max said and just a short time later she jumped. "Do something!" I said and Max used her rewind. That happened about three times until everything was still. Not moving. Not anything was moving. Nothing!

"What happened?" I asked Max, looking around "Did you just-?" I asked, my voice giving up on me. "Stop time, I think so" She replied, trying to cover her eyes from the rain. "Let's get to the top! There has to be something we can do to save her!" I said and hurried towards the dormitory, followed by Max. We ran passed so many people.

We went upstairs, skipping multiple steps. As soon as we were upstairs and on the roof, Max tried to rewind time again, but it didn't work. She winced in pain, her nose already bleeding. The time was back on normal speed and Kate turned around to face us. "What are you doing here?" Kate asked, while Max tried to use her rewind again. "Don't come near me!" She warned us. "I'm seriously, don't come near me. I will jump" Kate told us. "Okay, okay. I'm right here. We're right here. Kate, please..." Max said.

"Oh, Max, Ronnie, I know you want to help me... I love that you stepped up to David, but it doesn't matter now. Nothing matters" Kate said. "That's were you're wrong Kate, you matter! Not just to us!" Max said to her. "I do want to believe that..." She said, looking down. "Kate, your life is still yours. And we can get through this together... Let us help" Max said to her. "Like I helped by erasing all that crap people wrote on your room slate..." Max continued. "I'm glad to hear you worry about me... That makes me feel better..." Kate said. "Of course we care! Kate" I said. "And I did feel better talking to you on the phone. I always feel like you really listen" She told Max. I knew this call was going to be important.

"Kate, it might not sound like it, but I knew what you are going through right now. I've been exactly were you are right now" I said. "I don't believe you" She said. "Kate, see my arms" I said and showed her my wrists "I've tried committing suicide three times by now" I told her, hoping my story would help her in any way.

"Kate, I'm gathering proof that Nathan Prescott drugged you. And you're not the only victim. So you have to help me take Nathan down" "Nathan Prescott? That makes sense... He's a scumbag. You have proof now?" She asked. "Soon. Then straight to the police. Think of it like we're cleansing Blackwell..." Max said. "You do have my back, Max. That's the first time I've felt hopeful in a week..." Kate continued. "Good. We all need to have each other's backs. So I want you to come with me now..." Max said. "We're gonna get Nathan and he will regret messing with us!" I told her.

"Please...you don't have to do this..." Max said to her. "Max, I'm in a nightmare and I can't wake up...unless I put myself to sleep. Then everybody at Blackwell can post pics of my body; I'm already on the internet forever. No wonder they call it a "web"; nothing can ever get out. Like my video... I wish I could go back in time and erase everything..." Kate said. "Listen Kate, we are going to get through this together. I had help that saved me. Let us be that for you" I said.

"Kate, this is our chance to beat the bullies. That's the only way we can win against them" Max said. "Can we really, Max? I don't believe in miracles anymore either" Kate replied. "I do, Kate and you are one of the reasons why. I can help you get through this. I'm sorry for not offering that way earlier. I was an idiot. I've been right were you are now and I got through it and you are ten times stronger than I am! If I made it, so will you!" I said to her. "You're such a good person, Ronnie, no matter what people say. Even if you're full of crap. But I'll come with you...you're my friend" Kate said and I reached my hand out.

"No...nobody cares about me...nobody..." Kate said. "I saw that cute photo of you with your sisters in your room this morning. I can see how much your little sister loves you by her smile" Max said. "Lynn...she's only ten... She does have the best smile ever... I would hate to see her sad..." Kate said and I think I saw a small smile on her face. Max held her hand out and Kate took it. She pulled her off the roof and both went to the ground, hugging in crying. I joined in on that hug. "I'm sorry...sorry..." Kate cried.

"What are you talking about? You saved me from talking in class" Max said.