A Mermaid's Tale (Re-writing)

Chapter Three

"Are you actually insane?!" snarled Max to Kate. "You're giving permission to that creep to come inside your house! He'll know where you live!" Max was very passionate with his words. He was like Kate's protective older brother, an annoying protective older brother. 

    Kate slammed her locker door shut and let out a long and frustrated huff. "It's his first day here, you can't judge him."

    "I can judge him all I want!" Max stepped closer, as if he was telling her an important secret. "Listen, he was in my Science class before lunch and all he did was stare at the chalk board and look like he was about to vomit."

    Kate rolled her eyes and brushed passed Max. She did notice in History that it was a struggle for him to speak and she did have the same thought about him looking like he was about to throw up his guts. Before she could make it out of the school, Max snagged her arm and pulled her back aggressively. He looked as if he was ready to punch her. Kate's eyes widened in surprise and she yanked her arm free. "What is wrong with you?"

    Max's face softened, "Sorry, but I just think you should be careful. I get a bad feeling from him."

    Kate shifted her weight and crossed her arms over her chest. "He is coming over to work on an essay, that is all. It was my idea. He hasn't done anything wrong." Why was she defending him? Max had been her best friend for years and suddenly a new guy came to school, who she doesn't even know, and she was almost taking his side. She was probably still mad at Max for upsetting Violet.

    Speaking of Violet, she tapped on Kate's shoulder. Her head was hung low and her raven black hair was covering her face. Kate felt saddened by her best friend's behaviour. She wanted her to be happy or at least go back to feisty young girl she was just hours ago. "You okay?"

    "I'm not feeling good. I'm going to go home and have time to myself, see you tomorrow." Her voice was nothing but mumbled. She forced a smile and with her shoulders hunched up she stormed out of the building.

    "She seems more moody than usual."

    Kate had to bite her bottom lip to restrain herself from screaming at Max. It was his fault she was acting this way. 

    She opened up the tall doors to the school and was almost running down the steps. She marched towards the school gates until Max caught up with her. 

    "Oh you'd better hurry! You don't want to be late meeting Mr Freak." he scoffed. 

    Kate stopped in her tracks with her eyebrows drawn together. He was really starting to get on her nerves. "Cut it out," Kate snapped. "I've really had enough with how you treat people." Normally Kate would let things go but after lunch she felt Max had some serious growing up to do. She hated seeing or even thinking of her best friend being hurt.

    "Is this because of what happened at lunch?" One of his eyebrows shot up. "Just because Violet is having a bad day and getting emotional isn't my fault. It also doesn't mean it's my problem that she overreacted."

    Kate's tone was softer. Mostly because she was fed up. "Your words really hurt her today, Max. Just apologise to her."

    "Why should I apologise? Do you forget that she is always the one who insults me first? If anything I'm the one who deserves an apology. What? Because I don't run off and cry it means I don't deserve one?"

    Kate rolled her eyes and turned on her heel. "Whatever, Max." Kate walked forward and tried to push back her aggravation. 

    She walked to the front gate and found Adrian leaning against the wall, with his hands shoved in his jeans pockets.