Getting up, I started to walk away, trying to keep the tears in. I felt an arm curl into mine and turn to see my sister as Stu started shouting he was sorry, but I really couldn't care less at this moment.

The damage was done.

Sidney quietly walked with me to Math. "You going to be okay?" she questioned as I looked at her, but I felt a bit distant, like I was waiting to wake up from this nightmare.

I nodded slowly, my eyes peeking into the empty classroom through the glass window on the door. The desk Casey and I sat at caught my eye, the same table where we first met in freshmen year.

Hearing a hurried breath behind me, I turned to see Stu watching at me sadly. Sidney looked at me concerned and rubbed my arm before walking off, giving Stu the stink eye on the way past.

"Kat," he murmured, grabbing my arm, and as soon as he did, it felt like a comfort blanket where I felt safe. "I can't say I'm sorry for what I said, but I am sorry for hurting your feelings."

I looked up at him with a wide grin. "You know girls have feelings that's a new one" somehow, in our talking, I had leaned against the wall, and Stu had his arm bent above my head but his body leaning towards me.

We stood like that for a few minutes before Stu rubbed my face gently. "Listen, Kat, we need to talk.." I jumped when the door was slammed open by Mr. Molina.

"Oh Miss Prescott, Mr. Macher, I didn't see you two there," The teacher said before walking back inside the classroom. I glanced at Stu, who was still staring down at me.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked him as he looked like he was struggling with his words. That in itself was unusual.

"Ever since we met.." Stu was once again cut off by the bell ringing. I giggled at his defeated face as students began running through the halls, trying to get to their classes.

Stu's face dulled like he remembered something, "Are you working tonight?" I bobbed my head, "oh good," he breathed a relieved sigh until he saw my confused face and started stumbling over his words.

"Well, not good because who wants to work, but it's good that you do want to work and.." he shrugged, seemingly giving up and walking off to class, leaving me smiling.

Turning, I followed other students into class and stopped at my table and stared. I could hear people whispering, but I didn't care as I slowly sat down and remembered the last time we sat here together, which was yesterday morning before she was...murdered.

"So, are you sure you don't wanna come over?" Casey asked as I smiled into the phone and shook my head, laughing.

"Oh yeah and if Steve comes over? I don't want to watch you two playing tonsil hockey all night!" I grinned, knowing that's exactly what would happen.

Casey gasped in innocence but eventually agreed with me. "So what are you watching?" I asked, playing with the red varnish on my nails.

"I'm thinking Psycho tonight," she told me but seemed unhappy with this; Casey and I are real horror nerds.

"Not the best choice, but what can you expect without the guidance of your bestest friend ever," I jokingly replied as I glanced at the tv with my own horror film playing.

"Damn! I have to go; I have another call, it's probably my parents" I burst out laughing. That girl burns everything she cooks. "I'll see you at school!"

"Miss Prescott...Miss Prescott!" Jumping in my chair, I was out of the daydream and darted around to see everyone looking at me, some in concern, others just whispered.

"Are you okay, Katherine?" Mr. Molina asked me, leaning over my desk with a worried expression, his eyes moving to the empty seat for a quick moment.

"I'm fine, just a little tired, I guess" I sighed and listened to Mr. Molina explain about Math will help us in the 'real' world, but this was the real world right now, and I'm not sure I could survive it anymore.

🔪

Hearing the last bell, I shoved all of my books into my bag and practically ran out of the classroom and out of the school, groaning when I saw the media were still out and buzzing around.

"Kat!" I turned to see Sid running to me. "Hi," she greeted out of breath. This is why I tell her to exercise more. Being out of breath wasn't a cute look for her.

"Hey," I replied, walking to the bus stop.

"Are you working tonight because if you are, I'm probably gonna go to Tatum's. I don't really want to be alone, ya know?". My sister says as she peeked at me hopefully.

I nodded at her, mom's death had really affected her a lot more than it did me " I'm working until closing tonight, so you should get Tatum to pick you up after Cheer practice".

Sidney nodded at me with a frown. "Aren't you staying for practice?" she asked me as we both climbed onto the bus.

Shaking my head, I sat by the window as Sid sat down beside me. "What to see all the girls fight over Casey's cheer captain position? No thanks. Hard pass".

I could just imagine Tatum listing all the reasons she should be captain now my best friend was gone.

Sidney put her hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. "It will get better, Kat, I promise".

I looked at my older sister, blankly. "Will it? So far, it doesn't feel like it".

Frowning, I didn't take my hand from hers. "I just can't believe I'll never see or speak to her again. We'll never get to do any of the things we planned to do," I poured out to my sister, who just nodded knowingly.

I guess that's how she felt when mom died.

Looking out of the window as the bus drove down our street, I suddenly noticed all the houses were the same, a huge two-story country home with a spacious lawn for families.

I never really paid much attention before, but I never needed to. I guess losing people makes you reevaluate your life and surroundings.

The bus stopped in front of our house, and we jumped off and walked to the house in silence, something I was thankful for.

I threw my bag and shoes on the floor and jump on the couch, resting before I go to work as Sidney grabs the phone and walks off upstairs, minutes later she walks down, holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder and carrying some of her clothes.

"You sure I can stay over? My dad won't be back til Sunday," she pauses and waits. "Tell your mom I said thanks" I guess Sidney was staying with Tatum for all of dad's business trip.

"Where's Kat? Uh?" Sidney looks over at me, and I just shake my head to indicate I didn't want to talk to her. "She's sick, yeah, she got really sick, so she came home."

I smirked at my sister's lack of believable lies. "Yeah, I'll tell her, see you later" Sid put the phone down and walked over to me. "Tatum hopes you feel better, Captain of the squad."

Sitting up straight in my chair, I look at her, shocked, "What?"

Sidney smiled down at me. "The other girls thought you were the best person to take over for Casey, I guess."

I nodded in surprise, I knew I could do it after being Casey's right hand for so long, but I didn't know the girls felt that way. "Did Tatum sound pissed?" I asked, knowing the answer already.

My twin gave me a look but nodded with a grimace. "Oh yeah," she frowned as she dropped down onto the couch, hitting the TV remote.

"Good," I grinned, looking at the TV as it came to life. Tatum, as Cheer captain, would be like hell on earth.

Sidney switches channels, but we couldn't escape the news. We could never escape the news.

The channel switches again. I glance at Sidney, who had an annoyed look on her face until Gale Weathers appeared on-screen standing in front of the school, smiling like a Cheshire cat. I curled my lips in disgust.

An old black and white snapshot fills the screen. I freeze seeing my mom's face, suddenly the TV goes blank, and I look at Sid, who looked unsettled.

"You okay?" I ask her in that same tone as she asked me earlier that day. She nodded but was still distant; walking past her, I put my hand on her shoulder, smiling when I feel her grab it.

I walked upstairs to my room to get ready for work when my pillow caught my eye. I lay on the bed and pulled out the picture of my mom sighing.

Why do I keep this picture here?

It's not like she was a very good mother to me, and her being gone can't change how I feel about her, but there was just something in me that can't throw the picture away.

It was times like that made me think about Roman. I haven't seen him in 7 years, and Sidney still doesn't know about him, but he made me promise to not say anything.

It was just our secret.

I wondered what he was doing right now, and if he'd forgot about me, he promised to come back. Pulling out my key necklace from under my shirt, I closed my eyes holding the tiny key.