Desires | A Kidge Story

2: Introduction

Katie woke up, finding herself on a bed. It wasn't very comfortable but she noticed she was still at school.

"What?" She asked herself quietly.

Just then a figure turned around. It was the school nurse.

"Oh you're awake!"

The lady walked over to Katie and helped her sit upright. The nurse stood next to Katie, looking at her with a warm smile that she found to be calming.

"Okay sweetie, so apparently you fainted."

She got that right.

"The boy waiting at my desk brought you to me-"

-Boy?

"I've already emailed your parents about the incident, they should be coming soon since school is now over."

They won't be coming.

"Wait- school is over?"

"Yes sweetheart, you've been in my office for more than 20 minutes."

The nurse walked over to the mini fridge and grabbed a mini water bottle which she handed to Katie.

"Here honey, you look very tired. Drink up, you should eat once you get home."

Katie gave her a weak smile in response as the nurse's eyes went wide for a second.

"Oh- I'll bring in that boy for you now."

Please don't.

The nurse walked out of the room, and a few seconds later the boy she was talking about came in.

Katie kept her eyes on the tiny water bottle in her hands to avoid eye contact, seeing as the boy sat down in the seat next to the bed.

"Hey.. I'm Keith. I'm in your sixth period history class- and your english.. and science-"

He mumbled the last few.

Silence.

Keith observed the girl. She was obviously avoiding looking at him, or maybe even talking to him at all. But she still looked tired, even after being unconscious for so long.

After a few more minutes of silence Keith finally talked again.

"Is everything alright? Uh.. I found you unconscious in the hallways so I brought you to the nurse." He lied.

"Why?" Katie spoke.

"I- uhm, I wouldn't just leave you there, I mean you seemed pretty out of it for the past couple of weeks.."

Keith knew something was up. He knew they weren't close, but he still wanted to help.

"Are you doing okay? -I know we just met, but if there's anything you want to talk about-"

"Why would I tell a complete stranger what's going on with my life?" Katie responded with an annoyed tone as she faced him.

As she saw his face, she locked eyes with him. She tensed up, not being so used to talking to people other than her family.

"I- I have to go- my mom's going to be here soon." Katie said as she stood up from the bed.

As Keith watched the girl head to the door, he wanted to stand up and grab her wrist to stop her. He wanted her to tell her what was going on, but he let her go and watched her leave the room.

—x—

Katie sat on a bench outside of the front of the school. Her backpack was next to her feet on the floor as she stared at a picture of her and her brother in her hands.

It had been about 5 minutes since she left the school building, and her mom still hasn't shown up.

The girl rubbed the face of her brother in the picture with her thumb as she sighed.

"Hey."

Katie jumped in surprise, facing where the voice came from.

"Oh, it's you." The girl said, resting her head on her hand facing away from Keith.

"Why are you still here? I thought you said your mom was coming soon." Keith asked as he sat down on the same bench.

Katie stayed silent for a few moments, before sighing again, shifting, looking at her hands.

"I'm sorry, for snapping back there."

"It's alright." The boy paused, "Is that your brother?" He asked, pointing to the picture in the girl's hands.

"Yeah.." Katie answered before she put the picture back into her backpack.

She placed her hands in her lap, taking a deep breathe, then exhaled.

"Truth is.. my mom's not coming."

"Why not?" Keith raised a brow, becoming more curious.

"She's, busy.."

"How about your dad? Or your brother maybe?"

"They- um.. They're busy too."

Keith knew there was something she wasn't telling him. But he wasn't going to force her.

"Anyone else?"

"No.."

"I.. can give you a ride home if you want." Keith smiled.

"Really?" Katie asked facing him.

"Yea, for sure. Just tell me how to get there, I'll drop you off."

"Thanks." Keith could see the girl slightly smile.

"Oh- also.. I ride a motorcycle." Keith scratched the back of his neck.

"That's fine." Katie chuckled.

—x—

Katie stopped in front of her door, turning to face Keith as she handed him the lended helmet.

"Thanks again." She smiled.

"Anytime." Keith smiled back.

Keith watched Katie walk into her house as she closed the door behind her. He stood on her porch for a few more seconds, looking down at the helmet he let her wore.

And he smiled.