Beyond the Ordinary

Chapter 26

KATE 

My heart pounded inside my chest. Did he just ask me out?

I realized that I hadn't responded, so I quickly said...

KATE - Sounds perfect.

I set the pillow down on the mattress, shut off my phone, and felt myself drift off to sleep.

✡ ✡ ✡

I woke up around ten, fumbling around for my cell phone. Everyone else had already headed down the stairs for breakfast.

I'd always been a pretty sound-sleeper. My mother had always joked around saying that I could sleep through a tornado.

My heart sunk like it always did when I thought of her. Deciding to discover what the culprit of the sweet smells wafting from the kitchen was, I headed into the bathroom, pulling my un-brushed hair back into a messy bun and used the tap water from the sink to swallow my pill before heading down the creaky staircase, wiping the water from my mouth off with my arm.

"There she is," Corey's mother said, sliding a plate of pancakes in front of me as I took a seat beside Corey. Sensing my worried expression she sent me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I made yours with less sugar."

I smiled gratefully before cutting a piece off with the side of my fork, then placing the bite into my mouth. "Wow, these pancakes are amazing."

Corey's mother smiled in appreciation. "Thank you, Kate."

After we'd all finished eating, we headed back upstairs to make the beds and gather our things. I let Amy use the bathroom before me and headed back down the stairs.

"Oh, Kate, you're welcome to use my bathroom if you'd like," Corey's mother stated kindly as she took notice of my wrinkled pajamas and knotted hair.

"Thank you, Mrs. Woods," I said, smiling gratefully.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, Kate, I told you, please call me Jen. And the bathroom's just down the hall to your right."

I smiled shyly. "Thank you," I said, before heading down the hall.

I shut the door behind me, locking it, before turning on the light. Jen's bathroom was much neater than mine despite being so large. The shower took up most of the space and the white tiled floor was chilly beneath my bare feet.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, wishing I'd at least brushed my hair before heading down to eat. Bending down to pick up my bag, I pulled out the outfit that I'd thrown together before work, feeling grateful that it was actually pretty enough to wear when I'd go out with Axel later on.

I'd chosen to wear a pink t-shirt with a cut-out back and white shorts with tan boots. Running a brush through my hair, I quickly put it up into a much neater messy bun, pulling a few baby hairs down across my face. After brushing my teeth and sending Corey's address to my father, I left the bathroom, shutting off the light behind me.

"It was so nice to meet you," I said to Jen as my father sent me a text telling me that he'd arrived.

Jen surprised me by pulling me into a hug. I smiled as I breathed in her scent of fruity perfume and flour, which must've been from the pancakes. I hugged her back and felt my eyes close as I relaxed. She released me and said, "Remember, you're welcome over any time," and waved goodbye to me as I headed out to my father's car.

"Hey, dad."

"Hey, Kate. How was the sleepover?" he asked before putting the car into reverse.

"It was amazing," I said, though I knew that was an understatement.

The whole night was unforgettable.

As we pulled back into our own driveway, I turned towards my father. I wanted to ask him if I could see Axel later but I held back. I had only just gotten home so I decided to ask him later.

As we headed inside, the house looked exactly as I'd left it, even though I'd only been gone for a night. My father set the keys onto the counter before digging through the fridge for a soda. I settled onto the couch, turning on the television to search for something to watch.

I finally settled on watching Dr. Chris Pet Vet and read two messages from Axel.

AXEL - Send me ur address and I'll come to pick u up.

AXEL - Btw what time should we hang out? I was thinking 4ish.

I checked the time. I'd have a few more hours to spare until then, so I responded with...

KATE - 4 sounds good.

I quickly typed in my address and sent that to him as well.

AXEL - I know exactly where to take u. Ur gonna love it!

I smiled, knowing he was right.

KATE - Okay, I'm putting my full trust in u as a tour guide. Don't let me down! :)

I put down my phone, watching as a cute pug shows up on the television with something stuck in its paw. Now that I'd still have three hours until it was four, I decided that I could pick out an even better outfit for when I'd get to see Axel. Whether it was a date or not, I still wanted to look decent for him.

"Dad, I'm going to take a shower," I stated, grabbing my bag and phone before heading up the stairs and out of sight.