I wake up with a groan.
My head spins as I sit up in my bed. I glance at my clock that rests on my nightstand. 7:38 flashes back at me. I slowly make my way out of my room. I can hear the chatter of my mom and Michael downstairs. I take a few steps down the stairs and listen in on their conversation.
"Kate isn't holding up too well Mom," Michael spits.
I round the stairs to the living room to see Kate laid out on the couch asleep on Tyler's lap. Tyler rubs his temples as he thinks. His brain in motion, definitely in his own world. Mom is pacing back and forth with very obvious crease lines on her forehead. Michael leans against the wall opposite the couch. His hair a mess on top of his head while he rubs his hands through it.
I decide to be as casual as possible. I walk past the living room and my mom's head turns to me. She drops her drink, which catches both of the boys' attention.
I fake a cough.
"So what's for dinner?" I say cutting into the silence. Tyler blinks.
"ARE YOU JOKING?!" Tyler practically yells. This startles Katelyn awake. She tumbles off the sofa and onto the hardwood floor with a yelp.
"What the heck was that for you butthole!" Tyler grabs her face and turns her head to me. Her fuming face contorts to shock then excitement.
"Oh My Guppies! YOU LIVE!" She lunges at me, knocking us to the ground with a thud. I feel the wind being knocked out of me as I rub my head on impact.
"I thought-," My brother starts. "But I thought the villain had you? You know... KIDNAPPED?" His face enraged. I grip onto Kate, her doing the same back to me. One thing we learned over the years is to never let Michael get worked up. Never. This has only happened twice and the outcome was not good.
"Micky honey. Calm down. Hope is home and that's all that matters," My mom tries to soothe him but it doesn't work. He runs upstairs and the sound of a door slamming afterwards, making us all cringe.
There is an awkward pause after that. We all kind of sit there, looking at one another. Waiting for one of us to speak. Tyler breaks it.
"So if you don't mind me asking, what the actual F-" He stops himself, "Fudge happened?"
I take a deep breath before I start the story. I tell them the whole thing, minus me hurting my knee and thinking about Shadow's jawline and the other Supers. So pretty much all I told them was how I got kidnapped, brought to a secret lair, then was magically saved and was taken home.
Kate let's out a few gasp here and there as I continue to talk while mom and Tyler keep silent. When I finish, they look at me with surprise.
"So was he hot?" Kate croaks out.
"She was kidnapped and you just asked if Hope thought he was hot?" Tyler slowly says. Kate's eyebrows raise slightly.
"Okay handsome?" Tyler groans, throwing his head back onto the couch. Kate looks at me expectantly.
"He wears a mask and a hood. How am I supposed to know?"
Kate pouts and Tyler smirks at my answer. He checks his phone before sighing and pushing himself off the couch.
"Alright Katelyn, we have to go."
"No! I'm spending the night with my girly. Well, if thats okay with you Mrs. Dale," Kate turns to my mom with a sheepish look and my mother agrees.
"I'll notify your mother of your whereabouts." She turns to leave the room before stopping herself. "You and I darling are going to have a small chat later. No buts."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Okay well be safe girls. Especially you Hope," Tyler says as he grabs his keys from the kitchen counter. Kate and I say our goodbyes as he leaves.
I stand up from my position on the ground and extend my hand for Kate to help her up. She plops onto the sofa, changing the channel with the remote she found tossed on a stray pillow. I sit next to her, entering my land of thoughts.
What would have happened if I never went to that voice who called me into the alleyway? Would I have met the boy in the mysterious mask and hood named Shadow? Would I have accidentally met them again by the explosion on the way to the arcade? What did Kate and Tyler do when I went to save that boy?
Hundreds of questions filled my mind with no way for me to answer on my own. I steal a glance over to my bestie.
Katelyn's eyes are glued onto my livingroom television that is playing reruns of FRIENDS. Her shoulder length orange hair in knots from her running her hands through it. Probably out of worry. She must have felt my gaze on her because Kate turned to look at me. A small smile graced her lips when her ocean blue eyes met my caramel ones.
"You seemed to have dazed out there girl. You always shout with Ross when he says 'PIVOT!'" I snort as I look at the t.v. to see that she is right. I did miss it and a frown takes over my face. She giggles at my response.
"Hey Kate," I decide I needed answers and the best time for them to get answered is when she's in a good mood. She pauses the show, turning her body to me. Good. I captured her attention and I continue on. "What happened with you and Tyler when I left for the boy in the car?"
I watch as she visibly stiffens. Kate fumbles with her fingers and releases a shaky breath, trying to find the words. A hand finds its way to her hair as she twirls it around her delicate finger.
"Uh well" She swallows. "When you turned to leave, I shouted for you but you couldn't hear. Even if you did, you would have continued anyway. You've always been stubborn that way." She chuckles before continuing.
"Tyler took me to the little tavern around the corner and then we got split up." Wait they got separated? "I called out for him but I just couldn't find him. Right when I was about to leave the bar, Red Fox landed in front of me, thrusting the boy you went and saved into my arms. I started bawling. I thought you died because she had the young boy, not you."
I inhale a sharp breath. Shoot! She thought I was hurt. No worse, dead.
"I asked her if you were alive and she said you were perfectly fine. I then asked if she saw Tyler. She ignored that and told everyone to stay inside. Right before she left, Red Fox told me to watch out for the boy as if my life depended on it. So I did just that. I got the boy to calm down and he told me about his mother and older cousin."
A tear slips from her eye and I hug her. Her tall frame wraps around me as I listen to her soft sobs. Guilt builds up inside of me. She thought she lost me then ended up losing Tyler too. I can't be guilty though. I saved a boy and his mother's life today, even if I got hurt. Kate pushes me back a few inches as she finishes the story.
"After I calmed the boy down, I immediately called you, but you didn't answer. I tried Tyler but his phone also went to voicemail. Then I called your mom. She has no idea what I was going on about. I was mid explaining to her what happened before my phone died." She pulls her phone out and tries to turn it on.
"After about and hour or so, we had clearance from police to leave. I was planning to search the area for you both but they didn't let me. The cops took the young boy which was named Kyle and then I headed to your place. Hoping and praying you and Tyler were neck and neck playing Mario Cart. It was about one o'clock when I made it to your place. Possibly later than that. Michael and Mrs. Dale were talking in harsh whispers on the sofa together when I stumbled in."
"I told them what happened and how you two where missing and I guess I feel asleep. I woke up to voices about two hours later and noticed Tyler sitting right by me. I pounced onto him and he grabbed me and hugged me. I hugged him back with as much force he put into it. He told me you weren't back but you are safe somewhere else and I happened to fall asleep again, this time on Tylers lap. You know the rest from there."
I slowly nod my head, processing this information. Just in those four hours, Kate thought Tyler and I were dead. Where could have Tyler gone when he was separated from Kate? Great this lead to more unanswered questions.
"How about we go upstairs to my room and eat icecream?" She smiles at me while grabbing her stuff from downstairs.
I make my way to the kitchen. The grey counters accent the while marble tops, making it look like a piece you would see in a magazine. I wander over to the stainless steal fridge and pull out a tub of cookie dough ice cream because that is the best flavor. I grab two spoons and make my way up the stairs, attempting to balance both the icecream, spoons, and phone.
I shove open the door to my room to see Kate splattered out on my bed. Her phone plugged into my charger as she turns on Netflix on my laptop. I sit down next to my bestie and give her a spoon.
After hours of eating and watching more reruns of FRIENDS, Kate was fast asleep. The ice cream empty and forgotten between us. I collect the trash and put it on my nightstand. I turn on her phone and see that its 12:13 in the morning. I yawn and get comfortable in my bed, falling into a dreamless slumber.
~~~~~~~
I wake up alone in the bed. The light from the curtain streams into my room, hurting my eyes. I rub my eyes and look over to where Kate was fast asleep to see the covers not made. I slide out of my bed and shiver. Why is it so cold in this house?
I notice Kate's phone is also gone from the charger. I grab mine and plug it in before continuing my search for my bestie. I go to my bathroom and its empty.
She's not taking a shower. My closet? Nope. I wander out my room and hear faint muttering coming from Michael's room. I peak my head through the crack to see the back of a girl. Soft black curls cascade down her back, almost touching her waist as she laughs at what my brother was saying.
I try listening in but I can't make out what they are saying. I shrug it off, deciding to question the mystery girl later and continue on with my hunt for Katelyn.
I tiptoe downstairs, trying to listen for any noise when I hear clanking of pots in the kitchen. I round the corner to see Kate attempting to make scrambled eggs. Her face scrunched up, concentrated on not burning them. I step on a creaky board, making Kate snap out of her daze and scream.
Her scream for some reason made me let out a squeal. Her foot slips, making her tumble to the ground, bringing the pan of eggs with her. I immediately start laughing. I crumble to the ground with fits of laughter. I hear Kate grumble from the floor before I hear her snort. This makes me laugh even harder to the point where I am wheezing.
Kate and I both laugh for the next five minutes until we finally settle down to clean up her mess. She sweeps up the floor while I rub off the burnt eggs.
"So wanna go to the diner instead?"
"The diner sounds better than burnt eggs," She slaps my arm which makes me smirk at her.
"I tried! I know I can't cook for my life."
"How about next time you decide to cook, make sure I'm present so you don't burn down my house, or anyone's house for that matter." She hits me again but goes to change from her pjs. I on the other hand slept in what I was wearing yesterday.
I rush up the stairs and take a quick shower then toss on a pair of black jeans with a nice pink t shirt. Kate has on a cute red sundress that I had lying somewhere in the back of my closet. Between Kate and I, she happens to be the more girly girl out of us. Kate loves the feeling of how dresses flows while I don't really mind, just rather not have an accidental flash session.
I don't hate dresses but nor do I like them. If I had a choice between wearing a dress or casual clothes, I'd choose comfortable clothes. That still doesn't mean if I even need to dress nice, I'll wear a dress. More depends on my mood or whose place I am going to.
I snatch my bag, checking if my wallet is in it and take my phone. Kate puts her stuff into my bag and we make our way to the front door to only stop in our tracks when I see the same girl I saw in Michael's room.
"Oh I didn't know we had company." Kate says, grabbing there attention. Michael throws his head back and sighs.
"We have a group assignment in my design class and she's my partner," She gives us a shy wave, "Her name is Melody."
"I can speak for myself thank you," I grin at her. She is definitely going to be fun to have around. "So yeah, my name is Melody Spring,"
She sticks her hand out to Kate and they shake hands, repeating the process for me. Michael then coughs. The three of us look up at him in curiosity.
"Well Melody was just leaving, so goodbye." He lightly shoves the girl out the door, him following close behind and slams the door. Kate and I look over at each other and smirk, rushing to the windows in the livingroom to spy.
We can't make out what they are saying but Michael goes to hug her, which she accept and waves. My brother waves back as she wanders to her car and drives off. Right then, Michael glances in out direction, making us quickly look away wishing we weren't caught.
"Okay lets go! I'm starving." I follow Kate to our doorway where Michael is leaning against the frame. I run into her back, not being able to stop myself in time.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the two spy girls," He spits out.
"Oh nice to see you again so soon but we have to go now. Bye Bye!" Kate grabs my wrist and tugs me along with her, passing our car and heading for the sidewalk.
"Don't know about you but I am not driving another car for awhile." Kate states.
"Yeah I agree with that but," I bump into her lightly, making her stumble and do it back to me, "What's up with you and Tyler?"
Kate's face immediately catches aflame. She shakes her head while saying 'No No No' over and over again.
"I in no shape or form like Tyler."
"Then why are you blushing?" I tease. She pushes me into a pedestrian and I quickly apologize while Kate laughs.
"But its okay if you do like him Kate. It happens." I encourage her, trying to get some tea spilled. She sighs and brushes her hair out of her face before saying the words I wanted to hear.
"OkayImighthaveacrushonhimbutI'mnotsure," Kate rushes out.
I blink.
"The heck did you just say?" She takes a deep breathe.
"Okay I think I have a crush on him but I'm not sure," She confesses. I fist bump the air and she laughs at my antics.
"Wait your okay with this?" She nervously ask. Her hands start to fiddle with the hem of her skirt.
"Yeah I'm okay with it. Why would I not be?"
"I don't know. What if he doesn't like me back and I ruin our friendship. I can't do that to you." Her blue eyes start to tear up and I wrap my arms around her.
"It won't ruin our friendship. Okay it might make it awkward for a while but he would come around. On top of that, any guy deserves you and if Tyler doesn't see that then," I pause trying to come up with something, "He's a big meanie."
Kate smiles at my choice of words. I smile in response.
We arrive to the small diner a minute later and take a seat at one of the booths. We chat about ideas we had for the Bucket List project in English. A waiter comes up to us, asking what we would like, breaking Kate and I's conversation to answer.
"What would you two ladies like today- wait Hope?" My head shoots up when he said my name and my eyes land on a very familiar boy.
"Colten?"