A Mermaid's Tale (Re-writing)

Chapter Six

Max dropped of Adrian and Kate in front of her house. Through the passenger side window Max called out, "I'll see you at school tomorrow!"

    Violet was in the back seat and waved goodbye to her friends. 

    Kate was now left alone with Adrian. She crossed her arms over her chest in the hope that he wouldn't see how nervous she was. She felt like her heart might leap out her chest like a dramatic kids cartoon. She invited him inside and closed the door behind them. Waiting at the door was Allison, her short brunette hair made her look as if she got caught in a tornado. Her mascara was smudged and her eyes were piercing hatred through to her little sister. "What time do you call this?" she snarled.

    Kate shrugged. "I don't have a watch."

    "Don't talk to me that way!" she snapped, and crossed her arms over her blouse. "You were supposed to from school an hour ago." Allison's eyes averted down to the shopping bags which Kate was holding. She rolled her eyes and shifted her weight. "If you can afford to go shopping then maybe you can start paying rent."

    Kate felt humiliated to be having an argument with her sister right in front of him. "This is the money I earned from the summer jobs I've had." She linked her fingers through Adrian's and pulled him to the stairs. "If you'll excuse us, we have a history report to do."

    "He is not going up to your room!" Allison barked.

    "Yes he is." Kate pulled Adrian up the stairs and it didn't give Allison enough time to come up with a response or to actually say anything.

    Inside of Kate's room, Adrian was sitting on the edge of her bed with his hands tensely rested on his lap. His eyes were searching Kate's room, he looked intrigued by the posters of bands on her walls and the ridiculous amount of pillows scattered around the place. 

    Kate rummaged through her school bag and pulled a notepad and a pen. She dropped beside Adrian, which made the bounce for a moment. 

    For almost an hour Kate helped Adrian catch up with the work he'd missed from the start of the year. He listened intently when she spoke and even the things she didn't completely understand herself he tried to help her too.

    "I know you're a bit behind with all the classes, but if you ever need help don't be afraid to ask me." Kate looked over her shoulder to meet his gaze. He looked intently focused on her, he was as still as a statue. His lips were a razor thin line and Kate found herself drawn to him. He was completely different from any other guy she'd met and she guessed that was why she liked him so much. She slowly leaned in to press her lips against his.

    "Why don't you get along with your sister?" he shattered the moment into a million tiny pieces.

    Kate retracted herself back and dropped her shoulders. She felt her cheeks flush out of embarrassment; then she realised what question Adrian asked. Another personal question which he had no business getting himself into. "Is it just at my house you like to test my patience?" she shook the thought off and averted her gaze down to the ground. She suddenly felt sad, like she realised that even though she had Max and Violet at school that in reality she was alone. No mother to turn to, no dad to be strict with her, and not even a sister to go to for advice. 

    Adrian scoffed under his breath. "Y-you're s-strange."

    A faint smile appeared on Kate's lips. At her time in deep thoughts she didn't want to laugh but what Adrian said had tickled her. She grabbed one of her pillows which was resting at the head of her bed and she thumped Adrian over the head with it. She heard Adrian let out a small laugh.