riptide

Chapter 1.

"Can I keep this?" I hear my best friend, Lola ask. I turn around and see a thin, white, square sheet of paper in her hands.

"You seriously want to keep that old thing? Out of everything I could've given you, you choose that poster! We made this in freshman year before going to that Lady Gaga concert," I laugh recalling the memory. "Look, it even has the stain on it from where I spilled my lemonade!"

"Don't forget your shitty last minute handwriting," she adds with a smirk.

"Exactly! So why would you want to keep it?" I inquire. I glance up, and see her gleeful smile waning. A melancholy expression crosses her pretty face, and the corners of her mouth turn downward.

"The memories." She gives me a doleful smile, and I watch her eyes fill with tears. "You knew you were gonna wreck the poster if you brought it into the restaurant. You are literally the clumsiest person on the face of the planet. I don't think I will ever understand you, Katelyn Armstrong," she says with a slight shake of her head.

"You know I hate the name Katelyn," I reply, attempting to scold her. I fail, and find myself smiling at her.

"I know," she says with a smug grin. Before I knew what was happening, her lanky arms were engulfing me in a sudden, strong embrace. I'm caught a little off guard, but quickly circle my arms around Lola, desperately clutching her to me.

I'm not much of an affectionate person. I guess I just can't help but feel awkward and uncomfortable at those type of exchanges.

But today is different. It feels right. "I'm really gonna miss you, Kat," I hear her mumble into my hair.

"I'm gonna miss you too," I truthfully reply. I hear her sniffle, and I gently pull back giving her some space to wipe her tear-streaked face. "Oh, keep the crappy poster." She giggles and folds the paper twice before tucking it into her bag.

"Lola, Kat! It's time to come down girls," my mother hollers from the bottom of the stairs.

I sigh before grabbing the last box of items on my desk. Together, we trudge down the stairs to greet my mother and father who await us.

When my mom takes in the sight of Lola's moist eyes, her expression softens. She wraps an arm around Lola pulling her close. "I know honey, I know." I watch as my mother places a small kiss atop Lola's head.

Lola has always been like family to us. My parents seem to adore her, which isn't always the case when it comes to my other friends. She lives just a few doors down, and was always a fun person to talk to. Even if it was over something pointless, she was your girl.

But I guess no more Lola.

"I wish it didn't have to be this way," my dad says, bowing his head guiltily.

"Mark, it isn't your fault," mom starts. "North Carolina is the best we have right now. As much as it breaks my heart to leave Seattle, I know its the best thing for all of us." With a wordless reply, dad sighs and takes the box from my hands. He saunters out of the house and goes to place the box in the taxi.

No one says anything during the ride to the airport. It is a glum silence that hangs in the air. Even the taxi driver is silent, exchanging very few words with us.

This move is going to be hell.

I'm already a loser here, what are people gonna think of me there! Lola has been my best friend since I was six. Sure, I have other friends, but none of them compare to her. No one understood me like she does.

I was lucky enough to not have been bullied here, but what if things were to change? People think of me as the shy, timid, little mouse who can be walked all over.

My stomach churns at the thought of change. It isn't easy for someone like myself to make friends.

I am also aware of the fact that I'm not the prettiest. Sure, I'm not ugly, but I'm not pretty either. Somewhere in between, I guess. I don't have a stick skinny figure like Lola, and I'm just so average with my basic chocolate colored hair and dull brown eyes. Sure, I have nice cheekbones according to my friends. But seriously...cheekbones?

Last time I checked, no one gives a damn about nice cheekbones.

I know I shouldn't, but I care too much about what other people think of me. What I look like, how I act, how I dress. As much as I've wanted to change, I can never bring myself to do it. It wouldn't be right changing.

It wouldn't be me.

After unloading the car with our luggage, I turn to Lola, who chose to see us off.

"Screw North Carolina," she snickers, before giving me one final hug.

"Can't argue with you on that one," I smirk back at her. With one final wave, I turn around and begin walking in the opposite direction.

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A/N: Hey everyone! Hoped you liked the first chapter of riptide. (I am aware of the fact this was a short chapter, but I double uploaded to make up for that) Writing this chapter was painful because I kinda went through the same thing as Kat. Leaving your friends behind sucks :( Anyways, expect updates every friday. Hope you're all having a nice summer. Staying locked inside my room watching Vine, Youtube, Teen Wolf, PLL and stalking people has been an amazing thus far!

MASSIVE shoutout to one of my best friends, and editor, sos_disconnected. You should go follow her because her 5sos references are on point and she will fangirl with you over basically anything. But seriously, thanks Natassja. You da main.

(DAWWWWWWWWWWWWW STAHP IT THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU DA MAIN ASSWIPE 😍 LOVE YOU BOO AND NP BTDUBS OUR FT SESHS TO BRAINSTORM WERE THE BOMB.COM WE DIGRESS)

(That was her^^^ please excuse our ratchet ways of affection.)

Don't forget to vote, comment, and read! Stay fierce ~ Nikita