From the Ashes

[1] A Summer of Promise

Steel here. I've decided to re-post the edited, revised, and better-rounded version of the old story "Hell to the No." The whole thing. Enjoy you sexy, sexy people ;D

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Checking the time briefly from the circular clock above the door to the library, I decide I have enough of my study hall left to meet up with Kaitlin, like she requested when she drove us to school. After getting my hall pass signed by the librarian, I swing by my locker to check my phone for texts. I have one from Kait that says she’ll be in the courtyard for this period, so I grab my books for the next few classes and head in that direction.

Bright sunlight cuts into the dim hallway when I open the door to the courtyard, causing me to blink and squint as I stumble into the brilliant, early-summer morning. Hiking my purse up higher on my shoulder, I trod through the freshly mowed grass toward Kaitlin, who sits propped against one of the trees that dot the yard.

“Let’s see the damage,” she sighs, holding her outstretched hand up at me as I approach her. Fumbling through my purse for the schedule she wants to see, I cock a brow at her as her arm flails impatiently.

“How was your nap, Sleeping Beauty?” I mutter sarcastically as I dangle the schedule just out of her reach, noticing the way her dark hair was muffed up on one side, with a maple leaf stuck in the tresses.

“Gimme, betch.”

“Pleasant enough,” I chime with a laugh as I let the schedule float down to her. I throw my purse and books next to hers before plopping down beside her, plucking the leaf out of her hair as she whips out her own schedule to scan over the similarities and differences.

“Oh, thank Jesus,” she grins at the papers as I peer over her shoulder. “At least we have AP Physics together.” I give a burst of gut laughter.

“You’re taking AP Physics?” I crow in a fit of giggles, snatching her schedule from her hands. “You’re screwing with me.” She grins and narrows her eyes at me as I confirm the fact that she’s taking an advanced science class with my own eyes. Physics, nonetheless.

“We have to have as many classes together as possible next year! It’s our last!” she defends with a laugh, and I throw her a look out of the corner of my eye.

“You’re gonna hate it, and fail the AP test, Kait,” I chuckle as I toss her schedule back at her.

“Don’t care. All the other science classes suck.”

“Have it your way,” I sing as she looks back at my schedule. She whaps my shoulder, suddenly.

“Ow, what on earth?”

“Why aren’t you taking AP English?”

“Cause I hate English.”

“Motherfucker…”

I fall onto the grass in a bout of laughter as Kaitlin glowers down at me with a crooked smile.

“Oh my god,” I manage between my amusement, “Why are you taking all these advanced classes?” I grin up at her from where I lay in the sweet-smelling grass. She flops on her back next to me with a sigh, and I watch her glare up at the swaying leaves as she answers.

“’Cause I want to get into a good college…”

“Awe,” I croon as I pat her arm, “You’re thinking of your future, I’m so proud of you!”

“I hate you, Allie.”

“I love you, too, Kait.”