Stuck In The Middle

Chapter Twenty

 Katie's POV

  I walk through the front door, crying. I wipe the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand. I sniffle as I walk into the living room to get to the hallway. I stop when I see Angel sitting in the living room watching tv.   

When she sees me her eyes widen and she jumps to her feet, running over to me. She wraps her arms around me in a hug. I slowly wrap my arms around her in return. After not talking to her and avoiding her for so long it feels weird to be this close to her.  

"What happened?" she asks softly. I open my mouth to respond but nothing comes out. Instead I start to cry all over again. I've kept everything inside for so long. Everything that has happened to me is coming out now.   

"Life sucks," I manage to choke out. She lets go of me, racing to the kitchen to get me a glass of water. I sit down on the couch, waiting for her to come back. When she comes back she passes me the class of water and sits down next to me.  

I take a sip before I explain to her what happened. She keeps quiet as I explain what went down at school. As I finish the look on her face is guilt.  

"I'm sorry I haven't been here for you," she says, quietly.   

"Angel, it's fine."  

"No, it's not. I knew Amber was a bitch but I still hung out with her. I just wanted to fit in, you know?" she pauses before continuing. "And before you say it; I didn't fit hanging out with you and your friends. You three have too much history. It wouldn't have worked and you know it."    

"Honestly it's fine, I know you just wanted to fit into the school," I offer a small smile. "Besides, you're here now and thats what counts."  

She nods and we both lean back onto the couch. I tilt my head back so I'm staring at the ceiling. I wipe the tears off my cheeks with the sleeve of my sweater.   

"Hey let's go out for pizza, my treat," she offers.   

"Sure, just let me go clean up," I say, realizing I'm still covered in paint. I run to the bathroom, jumping into a hot shower. I scrub hard at my skin since the paint has already dried. Once I get out of the shower I dry off and change into a pair of black skinny jeans and a hot pink crop-top.   

I stand in front of the mirror, brushing my hair. My eyes are red and puffy from all the crying I have been doing. I didn't know the guys could affect me like this. I did a cliché and stupid thing: fall for your best friend.   

I shake my head at my reflection as I set my brush down and leave my room. Angel is waiting for me in the living room.   

"Hey, let's go!" I say, trying to sound upbeat, even though I'm falling apart on the inside. She's trying to help me take my mind off things. She leads the way out to my mom's car and I follow silently. I turn on the music as she drives.   

A few minutes later she pulls in to my favourite pizza place, which also happens to be the one Nick works at. We walk into the building, finding a table at the back. I rest my head down on the table.  

"I look like crap," I mumble.  

"You look fine," she assures me but I still don't believe her.

"Oh, here comes the waiter, you like cheese pizza right?" I nod my head against the table.  

"What can I get for you two ladie- Katie?" I hear the waiter ask. Of course out of the whole place we would end up getting him as our waiter.  

"The one and only," I reply, keeping my head down.