Dear Ocean Sky

Chapter 16.1 | Kata

"Hey Kitty." said a smug voice, surprising Kata.

Kata had just walked out of the bathroom after getting control of her anger but of course, Hunter was leaning against the wall right next to the cafeteria door, undoubtedly trying to look cool when in reality he just looked ridiculous. However, that didn't stop Kata from freezing in her tracks and trying her best not to let her hands start shaking again, but not from anger. This time from fear. "Oh I'm sorry, it's not Kitty, it's Kata K right?"

Okay, now it was definitely anger.

Kate told Hunter about their nicknames? It was such a simple thing and yet it hurt so much. No one had ever called her that but Kate and it felt like such a breach of privacy. What else did Hunter know about her? Now she was both scared and mad, and she couldn't keep her hands from twitching just a little bit so she stuffed them in her hoodie pocket to hide it.

"Hi to you too Hunter," Kata said with much more confidence and attitude than she felt. Hunter pretended to look hurt.

"What's with the harsh tone Kata K? I thought we were friends." Hunter pouted, then gave a menacing grin.

"Whatever Hunter, I have to get back to rehearsal," Kata replied, making a beeline for the doorway, but Hunter stepped in front of her.

"To rehearsal? Or to that little girlfriend of yours?" Hunter smiled, knowing that those words hit Kata in the way he wanted.

"She's not my girlfriend," Kata said through gritted teeth, taking her hands out of her pocket.

"Really Kata K?" Hunter replied in an innocent tone.

"Don't call me that."

"Well, see I just got confused." he continued, completely ignoring her. "See you guys were holding hands, and you're just a little gender-confused bitch, so I thought your girlfriend had gotten confused as well just by being around you. You know, confused about you actually being a girl despite the fact that you just look like a really ugly guy. Ooh or maybe you roped her in by tricking her in some way? Is that it Kata K?" Hunter smiled, waiting for Kata to get riled up.

Now he was roping the transgender community into this in addition to the gay community whether he realized it or not, and Kata's anger doubled, but so did her fear and self-doubt. Being trans or gay wasn't a bad thing at all and Kata hated it when people used it as an insult, but some of Hunter's other words were cutting her deeper than she would have thought. She clenched her fists at her side, fighting back tears and staring Hunter in the eyes even though he was taller than she was, trying to appear fearless. "I said, don't call me that," was all Kata could think to say, even though she had so many other words she wanted him to hear.

"Or what?" Hunter said, smirking. "You'll beat me up with those manly muscles of yours?" Kata made a start towards him, all her sadness and insecurities being blurred out by her rage. She was no longer acting with her mind but with her emotions. Hunter, however, turned out of the way right before Kata reached him and shoved her into the wall. Kata hit her head hard and back hard. The wind was knocked out of her, and it took all she had not to start crying from the pain. Hunter had her pinned to the wall by putting his hands on her shoulders. He leaned in close to her and dropped his voice. "Listen to me Kata K, you shouldn't be allowed to walk the halls of this school. You and your girlfriend have no right to hold hands in public either." he paused and Kata could feel his breath on her face. "You are a freak. You don't mean anything to anyone and you never will." He leaned in even closer, and Kata could feel herself giving up. She couldn't fight what was true. She blinked the tears out of her eyes. She would not let Hunter see her cry, she just wouldn't. "You. Are. Nothing." And just like that, the tears that she had gotten rid of came rushing back. Kata was about to start sobbing, which she knew would end badly for her until a voice cut through everything.