the little things→ kate mckinnon

1-chinese food

"Is she going to wake up?" "How old is she?" "What is she even doing here?" I glanced down at my watch, it was 5:36am, the SNL afterparty had just finished, but I left early feeling sick to my stomach. The feeling of sickness accompanied me throughout the subway ride but as soon as I saw this mysterious girl, it washed away and quickly got replaced with worry. I had always seen homeless people on the streets but what gravitated me towards this girl?

There was rustling and I quickly looked down at the girl and to my relief she was stirring awake. Her eyes quickly opened and she clutched her backpack even tighter, her eyes anxiously scanned the area and she finally focused on me.

Hey, I uh, I'm not going to hurt you." I said placing my hand on her arm trying to calm her down. She gulped and nodded. "I just need to know that you're safe and you've got somewhere to go."

We sat in silence for a few seconds before she spoke, my hand stayed where it was as my thumb rubbed in circles attempting to calm her down. 

"I don't really have anywhere to go... but don't worry about me, I'll be good." She responded, her eyes scanning me. 

I sighed, "I can't just leave you here, you're what, 15? I don't want to imagine what could or what has already happened." 

"Just... don't, okay? I know I don't look good right now, but I'll have it sorted out in a bit." </p>

"At least tell me your name, or take this." I pulled out a twenty from my pocket, scribbled my number on it and crumpled it in her hand.

<p>She took the bill and pocketed it, "I'm Clara."

"Kate." I said as I reached my hand out for a handshake. She hesitated for a moment before shaking it, but when she did, she gave me a weak smile. I assumed that that was the best I was going to get and stood up. "Please don't hesitate to call, if you need anything, my number is on the bill." I gave her a smile and walked off.

I wake up the next morning to the sound of my cat, Nino, crying in my face. I roll over to check the time, its 11:15am. I groan as I roll out of bed and head to the bathroom where I take a shot of mouthwash, Nino follows me crying for his breakfast.

About ten minutes later I'm seated at my kitchen table sipping coffee while Nino contently eats his breakfast. I let my mind wander and soon enough my mind wanders to the thought of Clara and if she was okay. The thought of her being alone in the streets of New York City just scared me. I calmed myself down by remembering I gave her my number so if she ever needed anything, she would hopefully call.

The next few hours were a blur, I went out for a run and then went to go complete some errands, it was now 4:30pm and Leslie and I decided to have a late lunch/dinner at my favourite restaurant. A little Chinese hole-in-the-wall on 77th street. I arrive early so I'm seated by myself for a bit. 

"Hey bitch!" Is what I'm greeted by, I look up and see my best friend and cast-mate Leslie Jones. She takes a seat across from me and she starts talking about the new Game of Thrones episode, which no, I do not watch. She responds to that with a grimace and continues to explain that while she watches she feels empowered. I giggle at that and soon enough we're talking about me and my life. I tread lightly on the events of last night not mentioning Clara, instead I tell her that I went straight home. I think she notices that something is off, she doesn't press questions instead, she starts talking about this weeks show. "Oh my god Kit Harrington is hosting this week, I am beyond, excited." 

"Leslie, believe me, I know you are." I respond. Leslie never shuts up about Game of Thrones and I am already imagining the endless Game of Thrones related skits that will be pitched on Tuesday's writing session. 

"All those dragons are fucking nuts, Kate, I'm telling you, you gotta get into it." She says after giving me a hearty laugh.

"Leslie, you know me, I'm too busy watching The Great British Bakeoff and all of those Masterchef shows, let alone the Bachelorette..."

"Girl please," she laughs "The Bachelorette is not a serious commitment."

We continue our bantering back and forth until a waiter comes by to take our order, which are quickly delivered and before I know it its 5:30pm. Leslie and I are just finishing up our meals, when my phone begins to vibrate. My eyes widen as I dig into my pockets and pull it out. Its a number I don't recognize but it does have a New York area code. 

"Hey Leslie, sorry, I need to take this." I swipe right on the phone and hold it up to my ear. "Hi is this Kate?" An unfamiliar voice says.<p>"Hi, yes, this is she." </p>"We've got an 'Clara' down at the 20th precinct on W 82nd, she used you as her one phone call."

The next thing I know I'm telling Leslie that I'll pay her back and text her whats going on, I rush out the door and hail a cab to the 20th precinct.