Kayla

When it Was Normal....

Life was perfect for Kayla. She had it all. A small town, where she fit in. A jock for a boyfriend, none other than the star football player for Central A&M. A loving family. A brilliant best friend, her partner in crime.

It was a life that, though she didn't know it yet, she didn't want to be living.

Kayla felt her phone vibrate. She picked it up and read, "Hey, Kay! Bowl @ 6?"

"Ugh..." Kayla sighed.

As much as Kayla loved spending time with her best friend, Lindsay, she didn't feel up to going to the Bowling Alley tonight.

"Nah, sorry Linds. Not feeling well." Kayla replied.

Kayla knew that Lindsay was going to freak. Lindsay was the type that jumped to crazy conclusions...you have cancer, strep throat, bronchitis.

The truth was, Kayla felt absolutely fine. She just didn't want to run into Pria Marie, the girl who claims to be dating Kayla's boyfriend, Caiden. The bad thing was, Caiden hasn't denied the fact that him and Pria were seeing each other. He actually smiled when Kayla called him on it!

Lindsay texted back, "Kay, you've been in the house for a week. Just meet me @ 6!"

"Fine. See you at 6." Kayla caved.

When Kayla arrived at the Bowling Alley, Lindsay was standing at the front entrance, tapping her foot in the harshest way possible.

"What?" Kayla asked, rebuffly.

"You're forty-five minutes late! Where have you been? Let me guess, crying into a 'I-Hate-Pria' pillow?" Lindsay yelled.

"Sorry, Linds. And no, I don't own one. Look, remember when Derek dumped you for Sarah? That's how I feel. I was there for you and I deserve the same respect from you that I gave you during your time of need." Kayla replied, a little teary eyed.

"Okay...let's go eat. Sorry."

The girls walked in the Bowling Alley, passed all the 80's arcade games, the candy machine and all the bowlers. They sat down at a table in the dining area and order two root beers, their favorite sodas.

"What can I get you girls?" The waitress asked in a high, squeaky voice that always reminded Kayla of Minnie Mouse.

"The usual." Lindsay and Kayla replied at the same time. They always came in and ordered chicken tenders and cheesy fries, a classic Bowling Alley meal.

"I'll be right back." The waitress said, skipping away happily.

Kayla stirred her straw around in her root beer. She couldn't believe that Lindsay had yelled at her like that. That's totally unlike her. Lindsay was usually the type who never got angry, never even frustrated. She always thought anger was not the answer. Kayla wondered what had gotten into her.

"I'm sorry, Kay. I just can't stand to see you like this. Pria needs to butt out and let you have your man. Caiden and you are perfect, and--"

Lindsay was cut of when the Minnie Mouse waitress came back to the table with their food. The food looked perfect, as always.

"Anything else I can get you girls?" The waitress asked, almost too politely.

"No. We're fine. Thank you, though." Lindsay said.

Kayla looked down at the food on her white plate. Then she looked up at Lindsay, who was devouring her fries, ever so quickly. She had a feeling that something terrible was starting. It took away her appetite. She had been starving moments ago. She couldn't wait, when the food hadn't arrived. Now, she wished it wasn't in front of her. She felt like she could get sick.

Lindsay had now finished her fries and a chicken tender. She looked up from her meal and glared questioningly at Kayla.

"What's wrong with you, Kayla? You look a little green." Lindsay asked.

Kayla couldn't answer. She just shook her head. She wanted to say that she was fine, that nothing was wrong. She wanted to be able to devour her food right along with Lindsay. But she couldn't. She couldn't move.