When morning arrived, I took extra time in the mirror, making sure my new cut was styled just right. It would be my first, and maybe only, opportunity to get a little jab at Bunnie. I knew I shouldn’t want to, but I did anyway. I chose my favorite mini dress, the one my mom gave me for my seventeenth birthday. It was a beautiful color of green that made my green eyes look almost supernatural. It was made of a soft material, and I loved how the skirt swayed when I moved.
I stood and appraised myself in the mirror, smiling as I actually felt proud, perhaps for the first time, of the girl I saw smiling back at me. She had been through so much pain, but if she managed to survive this she would no longer be a doormat for others but a young woman with the world at her feet once again.
I spotted Reed as soon as I pulled into the school parking lot. He was breathtaking with dark jeans hung low on his hips, a green polo shirt stretched tight across his muscled chest, and black biker boots to top it off. I tried not to stare, but I was failing—miserably.
His face lit up when he spotted me. “Hey beautiful,” he said, stepping to open my door. His eyes went wide in appreciation as he took my hand and helped me out. He was getting good at this pretend boyfriend stuff. I found myself wondering how many girlfriends he’d actually had but shook the thought. I was getting way too attached.
“Hey.”
He pulled my backpack out of the car and slung it over his shoulder and leaned over to kiss me. I was surprised, but in the good way. He rested his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his side as we made our way through the parking lot toward the building.
He pressed his lips to my ear and whispered, “You look very beautiful. Your hair is gonna be a hit whether anyone admits it or not.”
I lowered my head, smiling. “Thanks to you. Thank you, by the way.” I stopped and faced him. “You saved me yesterday. I was a mess and once again you rescued me. I don’t deserve a friend like you, Reed.”
His expression turned frustrated. “Now why would you say that? You’re an amazing girl. You deserve much better than me. But I am your friend so accept it, okay?” His expression lightened. “And you’re welcome.”
I smiled and turned to continue our walk.
“Ohmigod!! Your hair!!” Haley blurted out at the first sight of me. She studied me for a brief moment. “I like it.” She smiled, but I could tell she still wasn’t sure if she liked me or not, but it would have to do for now. She had saved my butt after all.
“Thanks, Haley—for everything.”
“Oh you’re welcome, Kitty. I guess you’re not as bad as I once thought.”
I laughed. “Thanks.”
We walked into the building together and everyone stopped to stare. There were lots of whispers but no one said anything. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Did it really matter anyway?
Chapter Twenty-two
Reed
I felt proud of her as we made our way through the crowded hallway with everyone staring and whispering. Aside from the hair cutting incident, she said she was no longer receiving physical injuries, but the verbal abuse still continued. Most happened during her classes, along with notes being stuffed in her locker daily. They didn’t seem to bother her anymore, or at least she didn’t act like it to me. It still made me mad though. This girl was amazing, and I hated that everyone was choosing not to see it—to see that she had changed. Even her old friend, Phoebe, the one she had stood up for and started this whole thing, wasn’t talking to her. She passed us every day with her head held low, ignoring Kitty completely. I knew that had to hurt her, but she never complained. She just went about her day as if everything was normal.
We had just entered the cafeteria when we noticed Bunnie and her friends taunting a table full of girls. They were making them give up some of their food because they didn’t want to stand in line. They hadn’t noticed us yet so we made our way across the room to our usual table. About that time my phone rang. “Oh, Kitty, this is Charity. I’ve been waiting for her call. I’ll be right back.”
“That’s fine.”
I walked outside to take the call. I spent the next few minutes explaining to Charity the situation we were in. I told her all about Kitty and her recent changes and the abuse she had been receiving. This seemed to anger her. I sensed she had a big heart and a strong pull toward the underdog. I liked her instantly. She said she would call me back to set up a time to meet.
I walked back into the cafeteria but didn’t see Kitty anywhere. “Where is she?” I asked my friends trying to keep the panic out of my voice.
“She was hungry so she went to stand in line,” Jessie said with a shrug.
“And you let her go alone?!” I snapped.
“What?!” he said as he took a huge bite of his hotdog. “She’s just over there.”
Haley ran up and interrupted us. “Um, Bunnie just heard about Kitty’s new hair style and how cute it was. She seemed really pissed.”
Before any of us could react, everything seemed to shift into slow motion, and three things happened almost simultaneously. Bunnie marched through the room and straight up to Kitty, grabbed a drink out of some poor guy’s hand, and launched it at her, drenching her from head to toe. Kitty shrieked, drawing attention from the entire room, silencing it. I was in shock—and apparently so was she. She stood frozen, looking around, wide-eyed, at all the faces watching her. She peered down at her dress as she took the ruined skirt in her hands, her eyes filling with tears. Then the room burst into laughter. Kitty looked my way and our eyes locked. I’m sure my face mimicked the horror on hers. That was it—she darted from the room as the tears began to flow.
“Kitty!” I called, running after her. I made it to the parking lot just as her car went speeding off.
I pulled up to her house and spotted her car in the driveway. As I was making my way to the front door, I heard a commotion coming from her backyard. I bounded around the house to see Kitty angrily throwing rocks at the old barn in the farthest part of her yard. Just then one rock went sailing and busted out one of the windows. As she picked up another rock, I ran to her, grabbing her into my arms and holding her tight. At first she tried to struggle, yelling at me to let her go. Slowly she began to lose steam until she crumbled in my arms, crying, too tired to hold herself up anymore. I sat in the dirt with her in my lap, cradling her to my chest and stroking her hair.
“Everything is gonna be okay, Kitty.”
“I’m so tired, Reed. I’m trying to be strong, but I just can’t take it anymore. I just can’t.” She cried heavily, slumping against me in total defeat.
I lifted her in my arms and carried her into her house and up the stairs to what I assumed was her room. With my urging, she went into her bathroom to clean up and put on some fresh clothes. When she emerged, she didn’t resist when I pulled her into my arms and held her, stroking her back until she fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-three
Reed
It was hard leaving her alone, sleeping peacefully in her bed, knowing she was in pain, but I knew her parents could be home at any time. I didn’t want to have to explain what I was doing in her room and what had happened at school. I didn’t know how much Kitty had told them about what was happening to her. I definitely didn’t want to say anything I shouldn’t. I snuck out of her room, shutting the door quietly behind me.
Once I was in my car, I sent a text to Haley letting her know that everything was okay and then sent one to Levi. Charity called me within two minutes. I filled her in on the latest events, and we set a time to meet; Saturday at one at Happy’s Ice Cream Parlor. I was suddenly so glad that tomorrow was Saturday. A new feeling began to surface. This would all be behind us real soon.
I picked Kitty up at twelve, purposefully planning to get there early. I wanted to spend more time with her, and this seemed like a good excuse. She was beautiful as she exited her home, her newly short hair tucked behind both ears, exposing more of her flawless face. She looked tired though. Had she
not slept well after I left her sleeping?
I hopped out and went around to open the door for her. She smiled, touching her hand to my arm. “Thanks, Reed.”
My heart rate kicked in a bit at the unexpected contact, not to mention the amazing green eyes peering into mine. “You’re welcome, Kitty.” I looked around to see her parents peeping out of the living room window. I smiled and waved. They sheepishly waved back—busted. I got in the car and pulled cautiously out of the driveway, making sure to drive decrepitly slow for their benefit before punching the pedal and picking up the pace.
“So, it looks like she’s not here yet,” Kitty said, sliding into a booth.
“Oh well, we’re a little early. I thought we could talk. You know, get to know each other better.”
“Oh, okay. That sounds good.” She started fiddling with the cup containing the sugars, rearranging them by color. Hmm.
“Would you like an ice cream cone?” I suddenly wondered what her favorite flavor was. I was guessing chocolate.
“Um, sure. Chocolate please.”
Yessss!
Minutes later, I was sliding back into the booth with 2 chocolate cones. “Here you go,” I said, handing her one. “So, tell me something I don’t know about you.”
She took a big lick and smiled. “It’s good.”
I started laughing. “You have chocolate on your nose.” Before she could react, I reached over and wiped it off with my napkin.
“Oh, thanks.”
“No problem. Now, something about you?” I took a giant bite of my cone, waiting.
“Oh, yeah. Hmm, well I like to shop. My favorite subject in school is Math. My favorite food is anything Italian. I’m an only child. I love pottery. I collect crystal frogs, all shapes and sizes, and I was born very premature and only weighed three and a half pounds. I had to stay in the hospital for four weeks. My mom says that’s probably why I’m so petite, not that all preemies are. Oh, and I’m addicted to grape Kool-Aid.” She finished, taking a bite of her cone and then licking the sides, catching the drops threatening to spill over. I was awestruck. I think my mouth was actually hanging open.
She giggled. “Reed, are you okay?”
I snapped out of it. “Oh yeah, I’m fine. I’m just surprised. Grape Kool-Aid, huh? Funny, I pictured you as a strawberry girl.” Did she buy my cover? Or did she know I was in total awe of her?
“You’re silly, ya know that?”
I smiled. “So I’ve been told. Can I ask you something?”
“Um, sure.”
“Did your parents really name you Kitty?”
She laughed. “Uh, no. My real name is Summer Katherine ‘cause I was born in the heat of the summer, but my parents have called me Kitty ever since I was very little.”
“Summer Langley. I like it.”
She smiled, taking another lick. “Okay, now it’s your turn to tell me about you.” She was staring into my eyes as she purposely took small licks. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as her tongue trailed around her cone. Did she realize she was driving me crazy?
“Oh, uh, well.” I cleared my throat. “I moved here from Georgia because my dad got transferred here. I have three sisters, two older, one younger. Only my younger sister lives with us. The other two are away at college. My mom is a gourmet chef, but is currently a stay-at-home mom. We have a dog named Sushi and a cat named Psycho, because she really is.” Kitty was laughing. I loved to hear her laugh, although it wasn’t something I heard very often. “Music is what I love the most, especially guitar and song writing, and if I have an addiction it would have to be Sundrop.”
Her smile grew wider, and I could’ve been mistaken but I think she was in awe of me too. Without thinking I reached out and took her hand in mine. She didn’t pull away but gazed up into my eyes. Her eyes held mine, and I was sure I looked like a total idiot, probably even drooling a little.
The bell to the parlor door chimed and we both looked over in unison to see a beautiful girl, not much older than us, glide in. This had to be Charity. She was followed by two guys. The first one was tall, and even I could admit he was very handsome, and he didn’t take his eyes off her—must be Levi. The second man was the biggest, scariest bald man I’d ever seen. He had to be at least seven feet tall. He actually had to duck as he entered. I knew this Charity was a woman you didn’t want to mess with.
She smiled wide as she spotted us. As she approached, I noticed something else about this Charity—she was more than a little pregnant.
“You must be Reed?” she asked coming to a stop beside our booth. I crawled out and extended my hand in greeting. “Yes, and you must be Charity?”
“Oh stop,” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck and giving a little squeeze. I hugged her back carefully, slightly wary of the eyes on us. But then the guy, Levi I presumed, smiled and reached his hand out to me in a friendly gesture, and I shook it.
“I’m Levi, Charity’s husband.” He shook Kitty’s hand too, after Charity had finished hugging her, which, by the look on Kitty’s face, shocked her. After the introductions were complete, Levi and Charity took seats across the table from us. Of course we had to move the table out a little because of Charity’s protruding belly. The big guy, Hector was his name, brought Charity a butter pecan ice cream cone. I liked these people instantly. And I think the feeling was mutual.
“So, Kitty,” Charity began, “Reed tells me you’ve been having some trouble with Bunnie and the other B’s. I’m sorry about the drink incident and the scissors, but your hair looks great. I bet that pissed Bunnie off, huh?” She and Kitty both laughed as Kitty nodded her head up and down. “Well, at least you had that. I’d give anything to have seen her face when she discovered her plan backfired. You know I threw tea in her face last year during a food fight in the cafeteria. Of course she got me in the back with a plate of food first. Stinking B with a capital B.” Her face scrunched up in annoyance and we all laughed. I could tell this girl was a hoot. I watched Levi as she spoke. He was mesmerized by her. You could see and feel the love radiating from the two of them. I was suddenly wondering if that was what I looked like when I was watching Kitty. He glanced at me then, catching me off guard, and smiled and all-knowing smile. This guy was awesome. I never really had any idols in my life, but if I had one it would be this guy. He personified the word ‘cool’, and yet he seemed to be totally unaware of it.
I wasn’t here last year when they attended school, but Haley had told me the stories. She said that Charity was considered the most beautiful girl in school but had a rough exterior. Levi was a transfer student from our rival school, East Windrake High. Before him, no one had transferred from there to our school in years, if ever. Supposedly, he was so charismatic that everyone liked him instantly, all of them except Charity. They say she really hated him at first, but soon they fell in love and after Graduation they married. Some said it was because she was pregnant, but others said the timing didn’t support that theory. Looking at them sitting across from us, it was clear to me that they married because they adored each other beyond reason. I admired that.
Charity ate her cone as if she were in heaven and we all watched, mesmerized as she finished every bite. It must’ve been the pregnancy. She then pulled out some kind of lip balm from her jeans pocket and applied a generous coating to her lovely, full lips. Not that I was looking at her lips or anything. Although anyone could see that this girl was breathtaking, and yet I could sense that tough exterior I was told about.
They proceeded in telling us all about the babies she was carrying and that they were due in early April. They told us all about their experiences with Bunnie and the B’s and offered to help in any way they could. All we had to do was call them. They said their friend Jordan would also be nearby if we needed his help in any way. Just hearing that we weren’t in this alone was helpful. Charity’s advice to Kitty was simple; stand up to her and never let her see your fear. And never back down no matter what. Kitty was inspired by her words and the
two seemed to form an instant bond. It was nice seeing her having a good time and smiling so much. It appeared that she had made a new friend. We both had.
Chapter Twenty-four
Kitty
I felt so much better after meeting with Charity and Levi Drake. We hit it off and became quick friends. She said she didn’t text, which I found odd, but we exchanged cell phone numbers. She said I could call her any time I needed to talk. Her advice on dealing with Bunnie was helpful. Whether or not I could do what she said was still debatable, but when the time came I would do my best to be brave.
The best part of the day was the time I spent with Reed. After we left Happy’s, he took me to Tate’s Grill for a late lunch. I ate a cheeseburger and Reed had a club sandwich. We both had a Sundrop and shared an order of fries. They didn’t have grape Kool-Aid, but Reed checked anyway. We talked for an hour about our futures. He had just been accepted to Lee University and would be leaving before summer’s end. I was still waiting to see where I had been accepted but told him I too had applied to Lee. He was thrilled at the possibility, and I have to admit that the idea of going to the same college made me anxious, but in a good way. The truth is, I felt myself becoming more and more attached to Reed, which made me happy and concerned at the same time. There was definitely an attraction there, but it was more than that. I felt comfortable with him and more importantly, I felt safe, something I took for granted before this nightmare began.
I wondered if he felt the same, but then I glanced over at him, and he was studying me with great interest. I felt goose bumps form on my arms. Yes, he definitely felt the same, if not more so. I smiled as I took a long sip from my soda. He continued to stare intently, watching me as I slurped up the last of the soda from my cup. He wanted to ask me something. That fact was obvious, but every time he opened his mouth, he hesitated.
Exposing Kitty Langley Page 7