Skins: Endgame

Chapter 14

Karen was at a dead end. Freddie had been gone for over a week, with the only clue to his whereabouts being a simple note stating "Can't stand this, gone away for a bit, look after dad, Freddie x".

"Did family mean nothing anymore?," thought Karen? Sure Freddie had been through a lot, so much so that she could completely understand why he would need some time alone, even if it was for a few months. But she was his sister, and their dad, despite having had issues with Freddie in the past, was his dad. He would have notified them if he intended to go away for even a single day. So why the disappearing act?

She had sat around for a week but now was the time for action. So she decided to go to Naomi and Emily's house to see if he was there. But standing outside, she didn't know what to do. She knew JJ and Cook well enough, but none of the others. She felt like such an outsider to their ranks, fueling her anxiety to even knock on the door.

Thank god for her that Thomas just happened to be walking down the street. She met him at the front garden entrance.

"You're Freddie's sister." Said Thomas.

"Yeah," Replied Karen, "Thomas, right?"

She looked towards the house.

"I thought maybe he's hiding in here." She said.

"Why would he hide from you?" Asked Thomas, genuinely curious.

"I don't know. But something's not right. So I want to-" Karen was cut off as she remembered her earlier anxiety.

"I don't fit here." She mumbled.

"I don't think it matters," replied Thomas, "I don't fit anywhere."

"But I like all the wrong things," Moaned Karen. "I mean lets see - Gossip Girl, Dawson's Creek, Davina, Dick Van Dyke, Lady And The Tramp, Snow White, Hannah Montana, Monster Trucks, Dancing On Ice, mojitos, Rio Ferdinand, Marsala Zone, X Factor, 4 Fish in a Barrel: thats a Youtube Series, Twilight, Barbie, Pop Tarts, Jude Law's accent in Cold Mountain, hair straighteners, Love Actually, Wetabix, Kylie, Whitney, Britney, Robbie, Brucie, L'Oreal, Wild At Heart, milk, Comic Relief, ponies, Posh, Becks, pecs, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and heavy petting... Oh, I fucking love that!"

Thomas was at a loss for words, but thankfully for him that didn't matter, because Karen wasn't done yet.

"Anyway," she continued, "Freddie doesn't mind what I like. If they knew where he was, they'd tell me, right?"

"Let's ask," said Thomas.

"So what are you doing here?" Enquired Karen.

"Oh, Katie has a plan," Thomas replied eagerly, "I'm supposed to teach her French for her interview. You know, Panda notices that we are a little too friendly. She's jealous, and she wants me back because she can't stand to see me giving Katie French. It's a good plan, yes?"

Karen couldn't hide it: she was impressed. "Go for it." She said.

Panda meanwhile was on the bus with Katie, also heading to the house to meet up with everyone.

"Yo. You're looking happy." Said Katie to Panda.

Panda reacted with shock, "Am I? That's weird. I'm suicidal, obviously."

"Because your boyfriend smashed your heart into 1,000 pieces seven months ago?" Asked Katie, "Speaking of which, Thomas is coming round to Naomi's later to give me French lessons for my interview. That's kind of him, isn't it?"

Panda looked downbeat, "Yeah, kind."