Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10: THE WORLD KEEPS TURNING

*A week later*

“And he has like, dark, black spiky hair..and-”
“Ssh! He's coming.” Kat murmured, turning her head away to her supposed work, fumbling “blindly” with something in her hands. Alex followed her example, looking down, taking her statement as legit, for Kat had extremely good hearing.
“Hey, do you guys know what homework we're supposed to be working on?” Jerry leaned against Kat's table, a grin tugging at his lips, though she noticed it never would have registered in a human eye.
“Um-” Alex started, looking at the paper before her. Kat guessed it was blank, and cut in for her, “Page twenty, problems four through ten.”
“Okay, cool.” He pulled up a chair, pulled out and placed a notebook and a book on the table. “So, what page again?”
Well, that ended Alex's description on Jerry's looks. Nonetheless, Kat had to bite her lip, as Alex did next to her, attempting to pull down their blushes. The only thing Alex had missed about Jerry's features was how ripped he was under his shirt. That's what got Kat.
“Uh, page-um, twenty.” Alex stumbled over her words, stepping in when Kat didn't answer.
Jerry looked at the two idiots, laughed and went to flipping through his book. As he did so, Alex glanced at Kat while Kat tapped her finger on the table twice. Alex did so as well and they grinned sheepishly.
“So, how exactly do you do your work, Kat?” Jerry asked, looking at her.
“Braille.” She pulled out her book, opened it up, and, as she had said, the book was all in braille. Though she could sense the words on the page, they were all piled on top of each other, so, like a normal blindy, she ran her fingers over it. She sighed, “This is the wrong book, isn't it?”
“Yes hun,” Alex said, stifling a laughter. Katara shook her head, “I would be rolling my eyes, Alex, you jerk.”
Alex stiffened, smiled faintly as Jerry cocked an eyebrow, “You can't move em?”
“No. I will soon though.”
“That's good,” Jerry smiled, then suggested to read aloud.
“Sure,” the girls answered at the same time. They laughed but Kat coughed abruptly, and started asking questions about physics, which Jerry answered, confused, as Alex started writing something down. The teacher walked by, glanced at them, then continued on.
Alex snickered as Kat grinned evilly, proudly. “Stick with me, lads,” she said in a british accent, “and you'll get on through life without a problem!”
“How did you do that!?” Jerry asked, eyes wide.
“She's like a bat.” Alex cut in, grinning.
“Yeah, sure, bat. And Alex is like a jerk.” Kat growled, “Next time, I won't warn you!”
“Oh suurrre, cause you're just a horrible person like that.” Alex grinned, knowing she won as Kat sighed, “Oh shudup.”
“Are you working kids?” The teacher said, coming up next to them. As the other two nodded hurriedly, Kat proceeded to ask a question to distract the teacher. One confusing explanation later and Kat, Alex, and Jerry were back to goofing off onto subjects that didn't matter. Going from laughing loudly that earned a glare from the teacher, to whispering when she was nearby. When the bell rung, Kat started to gather her things, and Alex approached her.
“Hey, um..I don't mean to pry or anything, I was just wondering, if like-well, what was up between you and Sammy. You two don't hang out as much anymore.”
Kat stiffened, unprepared. She hadn't really thought about it, but it was true. She avoided Sammy at all costs. She couldn't be with him, couldn't even say hi.
“Nothing. It's fine.”
She pulled her pack onto her shoulder and started to head out.
“Kat, really, I know something's wrong.”
“Alex, it'll be fine. Don't worry so much, alright?” Kat flashed her a reassuring smile, then slipped out of the room.
“Hey, Katara!” Jerry called, coming to catch up with her. She smiled kindly and turned to look at him. She sensed Sammy making his way towards her and headed down the opposite way.
“Yeah?”
“I was thinking,” his weight changed to that of nervousness, his back tensing, his weight on his feet lighter and his chest tightening, “If you, well, wanted to-”
“Kat!” Kat sighed, smiled apologetically, then turned her face in the general way Sammy was coming. “Kat-good God, stop speed walking!” He was gasping. He must have come from Captain's class.
“What's up.” Kat said, slowing her walk.
“There's something up with us. We need to talk.”
“You sound like my parents,” and as soon as she said those words a pain cut through her heart.
Sammy laughed slightly, then continued, “There's a hill out by my house, isolated. We could talk there.”
Kat heard Jerry sigh, smile at them slightly bitterly, for the tightness in his jaw was more than needed, then he waved a goodbye and strode off.
“He left. Sorry Kat.”
“It's fine.”
“So, how bout it? Weee'vveee got snaaacks!”
Kat laughed, then it cut short as remembrance hit her. She shrugged. “Sure, sounds good. I have to get to class.”
His throat tightened and Kat could tell she hurt him. Good, better him before he hurt her. “Right..So do I. Tomorrow?”
“After school. Yeah.”
“Okay.” he hesitated and when he didn't turn to leave, Kat looked over at him then said, “Catch ya later.” She took the nearest turn and dived into the safety of the next classroom.

“So, Kat, I didn't get to finish last time.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“It's not big deal,” he said, helping her get her books in her bag. “I was just, well, wondering-” here, once again, he became nervous. “Well..I was...I dunno. Wondering...if maybe...you wanted to come to a play with me.” He paused, and as Kat opened her mouth to respond, he quickly added, “It-it's okay if you say no. I completely understand.”
Kat laughed, “Well, give me times, what play, and I'll see if I can fit you in.” she smirked at him, then slung her bag over her shoulder and headed into the hall with Jerry following her.
“Really? I mean...sweet. What plays are you in to?”
“Pretty much anything.”
Jerry laughed, “Agreed.”
“What's out?”
“Well, there's this play bout people like us.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. It's been playin' over every radio and T.V.”
“I'm rolling my eyes, Jerry.”
“Right. Sorry, anyways, it sounds interesting. I'll call you later, alright?”
“Sure.” then something hit her. A play. Didn't that require sight?
“Uh, Jerry-”
“Hey, don't worry, you won't need to be able to see. All you need is to listen to them. If there is something vitally important I'll tell you, alright?”
She nodded, a smile playing on her lips. “Cool, sounds good. Thanks.”
“No prob. Hey, want to catch lunch?”
“Eating would be good.”
“C'mon. There's this place down the street I know.” He grabbed her hand and started pulling her towards the open doors.
“Wait-we aren't allowed off campus, member bright one?” She fought off the blush that was creeping onto her cheeks.
“Don't worry. We'll be back before they miss us.”
“But-we have cameras up everywhere!”
A smile tugged on the edges of his lips, “Let me worry about that. C'mon, let's go.” He pulled her out of the front doors along with the few others who dared to dart out with them, ducking and hiding behind random trees, bushes, even some of the other students who were with them. And Kat let him.

She laughed hard, shaking her head, nearly coughing up the shake she had just swallowed. “You can't be serious!”
“But I am!” He laughed, waving his arms in the air, “I was simply making the Latin joke and he thought it was a dirty joke!”
She laughed harder, “That's so great!”
He smiled at her, watching as she took another sip of her shake, her brown hair falling over the sash before her eyes. She really was quite beautiful, and he could understand why that Sammy kid liked her so much. He fought of the snarl that attempted to crawl on his face; she was blind. She was an experiment.
She was a monster.
He let his smirk cross his face; so was he. They had a lot in common.
“What?” she asked, breaking his thoughts. His eyes focused on her, “Nothing. C'mon, we should get back to class.”
“Alright.” she stood slowly, gripping the table as if for support and feeling out for her bag. He walked to her side and helped her, his eyes cold as he looked at her. Who was she fooling?
“Thanks.” she smiled at him, a small blush dancing on her cheeks. He couldn't help but smiling and taking her hand that was waiting for him. He pulled her along, out of the fast food seating area and into the sun. He squinted at the sudden change, glanced over at Kat and-despite knowing she was blind-was shocked at how she didn't even flinch. He shook his head and lead them back towards the school.

“Thank you for finally joining us, miss Katara.” She said coldly as Kat scrambled in-late. She smiled sheepishly, feeling the wall till she reached her seat and sat down in it. She rested her bag on the floor and sat back to listen to the lecture.
“Very well. As I was saying, what was the disadvantages of this tactic, class?”
“Psst!” Kat sighed and looked over in Alex's direction.
“What?” she breathed.
Alex glanced at the teacher, then leaned closer, “I heard you two snuck out.”
“What-how did you hear that!?”
“Ssh! Some other kids got caught. They were ticked off you two didn't.”
“Did they say-”
“No, they didn't tell. Don't worry. They told some of their friends and that's it. You're safe. But how'd you pull it off-”
“Alex and Katara stop blabbering and listen up.” Hissed the agitated teacher at the front of the room. The two retreated back to their positions and Kat nodded towards the door when she sensed Alex was watching. Alex smiled and nodded. Later, they had decided, when we're out of this room.
“Did he kiss you?”
“No he did not kiss me! What are you, insane!?” Kat hissed back, shaking her head, “I'd be rolling my eyes, jerk.”
“Hey, hey,” Alex said, palms out defensively, “It's a legit question.”
“Sure.”
“Hey, there's hotty right now. Why don't you talk to him?”
“Cause I've got to head home.”
“Why?”
“Got to get ready for work.”
“Work!? Seriously, don't your parents work?”
Kat shrugged, avoiding the question, “It's always good for me to get some experience early on.”
Alex laughed, rolling her eyes. “Suurre.” she punched her lightly in the shoulder. “This weekend, right?”
“Course. Later.”
Kat plowed her way out of the school, heading home by the usual route, stopping only for a few seconds to make sure she had the right homework. When she made it home she gripped the handle and opened it up; it was unlocked. She had started working on simple things with her power outside her shifted form. First one, manipulating her hand the fit quickly into the lock of the door and unlocking it to let her inside without a key. It felt odd, but it worked and she was getting better at it. She closed and locked the door, along with the deadbolts and a few other locks her parents had insisted on adding. She threw her bag down, awarded with a loud thump. She headed up to her room, fished around for the maid dress she had bought, and by the feeling of the one in her hand it was right. Putting it on cautiously, gathering her supplies and heading out into the world again, she got ready for the work that kept her house hers.

***
When Kat made it through another day of school she headed out the the place Sammy had told her he'd pick her up. She was somewhat reluctant to get into the truck with him, but she had promised. Well, kinda. As she approached the truck he came around the other side to open the door for her. She smiled faintly at him, a small “thank you” escaping her lips as he helped her up into the truck and closed the door for her as she fumbled with her seat belt and latched it over her body. He climbed in on the other side, started the truck, and they tumbled on down the road. It wasn't long till they reached the country side, their school already on the edge of the city. The rolling hills and rocky road gave Kat a headache, blurriness hitting her with random images of the landscape. Soon the truck slowed, the rolling hills becoming flowing fields of flowers, moving every so slightly with the breeze that galloped through them. With the car in park and Sammy jumping out of the truck Kat took the opportunity to wonder why she had agreed to come with him. She's alone. She's pretty dang defenseless, after all, she had no idea what fire could do to her other form. The door next to her swung open and she quickly unlatched her seatbelt and climbed down without taking Sammy's outstretched hand. He looked down, sighed, and closed the door after her. He gathered the basket from the trunk, slung the blanket over his shoulder, took her reluctant hand, and lead her up the small hill to a tree. Kat sensed a river below them, a willow above them, shading them from the harsh sun, and dancing flowers everywhere in between. She couldn't help but smile, to remember the times that her and Sammy had been close. Then she slipped her hand out of his; it would never be the same again.
Sammy looked at her, then frowned, spreading out the blankets. He set the basket down, then he himself sat, looking up at her. She sat down slowly, looking over the landscape, not facing him.
“Kat-”
“Sammy, this has to stop.”
He leaned back on his hands, looking at her, brow furrowed, taken aback with shock. “What?” he managed to say.
“I know what you are.”
“Okay, honestly, I don't know what you're talking about.”
She faced him, furious, “I know what you are! A Darksider, Sammy! You've been toying with me this entire time! I trusted you, Sammy!” she felt her throat close up, and knew she should be crying right now.
She should be.
“Kat, breathe. I'm not a Darksider. I don't even know what that is.”
“Yes you do! Stop playing games with me!”
“Katara! Please, listen to yourself. You honestly think I would seek to hurt you? You honestly think I would play you?”
She turned her head away and looked down, “I don't know anymore.”
He moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Kat. Listen. I would never, ever, hurt you. Alright? I'm not this Darksider thing. Alright? I'm not.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, “Never is such a strong word, Sammy.” she breathed, wishing that she could cry instead of being some unemotional freak.
“But it's true Kat.” he paused, tensing next to her. She pulled away, looking at his face the best she could. “What?”
“Kat,” he took her hand, “I love you.”
She coughed, “W-what?”
“I love you, Kat. I would run away with you in a blink of an eye. You are the most beautiful person I've ever seen. You're funny, kind, smart-everything. You are everything a guy could ever want.”
She went red, her hand going limp in his. “Y-you-w-what?” she gasped, “Sammy,” she looked down. “I don't..I don't know what to say.”
He took her chin in his hand, “Kat. You don't have to say a thing.”
Fearfully, sensing he might make a move, she embraced him tightly, shaking. “Sammy..W-why now?”
He held her close, “Because you should know. I can't stand it anymore, my love.” He stroked her hair, and pulled back to look at her. A smile played on both their lips, and Kat brought her finger to hers, kissed it, then placed it on his.
“Sammy..?”
“Yes?” He held her hand and kissed it.
“There is something I need to tell you.” She said slowly, the pressed on, her heart to high to bring it down to earth again. “I can see you.”