Our lives

F i v e

~Katie~

"You said you were coming home for dinner. You said" I clutched the phone tighter in my hands, my voice rising a fraction.

"I know, honey, I know. But work is usually c-"

"So you think that work is better, more important, more interesting then your own family" I said flatly, ignoring Adam's curious and concerned glances from behind me.

"That's not exactly what I-"

"Next time you say you'll be home for dinner, mean it and keep to your promise," I snapped, slamming down the phone back in its cable. I took large shuddering breaths in and out as my hands shook with contained frustration.

"Mum's not coming home for dinner, is she?" Nicole yelled from the front door, her house keys and bottles of beers in her hands, jiggling slightly.

"No" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes furiously.

"Good, text me when she gets back so I can sneak back through the back door" She yelled as she ran out of the door, with her short black lace dress, bikers and scarf fluttering behind her as she climbed into a white car, blasting with music and drunken laughter.

"You know she tries her best. She's just finding it hard after dad" Adam said softly, wrapping me into a warm comforting hug. I sniffled into his shirt, letting calmness slowly pour back into my body. It's just so hard, faking a smile when people ask you if you're okay, forcing a laugh to pretend everything's all right, hiding tears to run away from sympathy.

The phone rang again, shrilling, reminding us we had another phone call. I tensed in Adam's arms for a moment, I swear, if that was mum saying she'll be home later than she already said...

"Should I..." He trailed off, looking down at me worryingly.

"I'll get it" I forced a smile, slipping out of his grip and carefully, nervously, picking up the phone. I barely managed a simple hello, when Clarence's excited voice came through the phone.

"Hey Katie. You would never believe what is happening right now" She gushed, her words jumbling out.

"Someone actually did fall and break their leg?" I answered, half joking.

"No, I told you that's never going to happen. Guess...oh forget it, I'll tell you. I am, right now, standing in Zac Efron's twins house" She sighed dramatically, and I could almost hear her swoon.

"Zac Efron doesn't have a twin?"

"Point taken, Zac Efron's exact look alike"

"Shocking blue eyes, perfect brown hair, six pack, faint worthy smile?"

"Yes, yes, yes and most definitely yes!" She squealed. She has me at Zac Efron.

"Address?"

"Thought you'd ask that. 17th Quince Street, Lorensville"

"Be there in five" I hung up, turning to Adam.

"17th Quince Street, Lorensville" I repeated, quickly brushing my hair with my fingers to attempt to make it look neater.

"And this is whose house?" He asked as I pushed him into the car, closing the house door behind us.

"Clarence's ah...friend" I smiled sweetly, pulling my signature orphaned kitten look.

"You have to stop doing that face, you could get away with murder" He shook his head, reaching over to ruffle my hair. On an instinct, I lightly slapped it down.