Beyond the Ordinary

Chapter 27

A/N - Kate's "date" outfit^^ 

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KATE 

I stripped out of my clothes and quickly hopped into the shower. The water felt so refreshing as it poured down my back and shoulders.

After my shower, I wrapped myself up in a towel, carefully placing my feet onto the cold floor. I headed back into my room quickly, my hair dripping water onto the floors. Opening one of the drawers to my dresser I pulled on a soft white decorated t-shirt shirt and ripped black shorts, adding my tan boots to match. I used my discarded towel to attempt to dry my damp hair, but I'd only succeed in making it messier.

After about fifteen minutes, my hair was mostly dry and flowed past my face in soft waves.

When I looked at my reflection, I couldn't help but notice that I was the spitting image of my mother. I had her hair, its curliness, and color, though hers was slightly darker than mine. I had her eyes, a dark brown, though mine are darker while hers were slightly lighter. But most of all, I had her face. Her soft cheekbones, her eyebrows, even her lips which she'd always covered up with red lipstick.

I looked away, my chest hurting from the thought of her. Checking the time on my phone, I realized that I only had two hours left and I should probably ask my father.

"Hey, dad," I stated, coming down the stairs.

"Hey, Kate. You look nice," he replied, putting down his newspaper.

I'd noticed how he'd switched the channel on the television to a soccer game, the team I'd always enjoyed watching unsurprisingly in the lead.

I took a seat beside him, the chair scratching loudly against the wood floors. "Hey, I was wondering..." my voice trailed off.

Why am I so nervous? This can't be a date, I think to myself. It's just two friends hanging out together.

"What is it, Kate?" My father asked, sounding tired and concerned.

"Do you remember that boy you'd seen me talking to yesterday? The one I work with?" I asked him, twirling my bracelet around my wrist which was something I'd always do whenever I was nervous.

"Yes, why? You're not dating him, are you? Because I've told you, Kate, no-"

I cut him off, forcing out a laugh. "No, dad. I'm not dating him. We're just friends. But he's invited me to go out with him this afternoon to show me around, Santa Monica. He'll have me back by seven at the latest," I said, looking him in the eye so he could see that I was not lying.

"Is he picking you up?" he asked, "I'd like to meet him first."

I nodded slowly. "Yes, he'll be picking me up around four."

My father nodded, considering his answer, before saying, "Okay, but bring your phone."

I smiled, getting excited. "Thank you, dad!"

He raised an eyebrow, showing me that he was not finished and I quieted down.

"If I find out that you two have become more than friends I will put a stop to it, okay Kate?" He replies, sounding serious.

I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. "Okay, dad."

"I mean it, dating your coworkers can get messy, especially if it doesn't work out."

I sighed, but I understood. "Okay, I understand."

"Good. I look forward to meeting him."

I sighed again and headed back up to my room, dialing Axel's number.

He answered almost immediately. "Hey, Katie, what's up?"

I smiled, his voice cheering me up instantly. "We still have another hour."

Axel laughed. "Miss me?" He asked with a smirk.

I blushed. Even over the phone, he was so dang attractive.

"Maybe," I whispered in response, attempting a smirk back.

"What are you doing with your face?" Axel asked, clearly trying not to laugh.

I stopped trying and sighed in disappointment. "I was trying to smirk, but now I know never to do that again."

Axel shook his head and chuckled. "Yeah, Kate, please don't do that again."

I sat on the end of my bed. "My father's excited to meet you," I stated, changing the subject.

Axel suddenly looked nervous. "I have to meet him? I thought I'd just have to walk up to the door, say hello, take you, and we'd leave."

I shook my head, smiling. "No, he wants you to come inside. He'll like you, I promise," I said, then to reassure him I add, "but probably not as much as I do."

Axel smiled, his cheeks turning slightly pink. "Katie, did you just say you like me?" he teased.

I shook my head and bit my lip, trying to hide my pink cheeks. "What? No. Not like that," I stated, but I knew that wasn't true.

He winked, and I knew that he could tell that too. "I'll see you at four, Katie," Axel said and hung up before I'd even gotten the chance to say goodbye.