The Song #5
May asked, “Have you met people like your could have been friend before?” That was her question?
I snorted, “This is funny because she asked that too. I’ve been in a lot of high schools in my day.
So yes, there are always those model pretty girls with their boyfriends, who are seriously into weightlifting, that stick together. Like you guys.” I pointed to them.
They were all model pretty. Lee and Brian looked like they spent most of his time in the gym. I sighed dreamily, “Her and her boyfriend were the sweetest. I want someone to love me like that. He doted on her, but she could hold her own.”
“He backed her up all the time but let her handle herself. The man wouldn’t even throw a dodgeball at her. I swear he growled at one guy who did. That guy had a black eye later, but I must have imagined that because the next day that guy was fine.”
“Can I have that? Nooooo. I can’t have that. My mom wants me with the abusive ex. In her head we are practically married. The woman doesn’t know what year it is or something. Heck, neither of them do. Talking about teaching me lessons and crap. He’s insane and my mom’s not much better.”
Immy snorted, “Not on my watch! Hell to the no. There will be no abusive exes. I’ll sic Malachi, Clara, Annie, Tony Jr, Judy, AND Bryce on him.
OHHH and Keaton. Let’s sic Keaton on him.
He’s looking so muscular lately. Not being around Lisa is the best thing for him!
He’s no longer hunched over and standing tall. It’s a good look.”
I smiled softly and started to hum to myself.
I realized everyone was silent, so I looked up.
Immy squealed, “OH MY GOD HER HUMMING IS AMAZING! SING FOR US, KATIE!” I laughed, “It’s just humming.
” Immy disagreed, “It was an angel’s chorus.
Are you enrolled in choir? If you’re not, we will be fixing that IMMEDIATELY! ”
May laughed, “Immy.” My new friend shrugged, “What? If you can’t use the fact that your family owns most of the things around here every once in a while, for noble causes like getting Katie into choir, what good is it?”
I snorted, “No to need to flex your name around, I’m already in choir.
” Immy squealed, “Good. Go on, sing for us.” I chuckled and sang Warrior by Avril Lavigne.
They all gaped at me when I was done. They even looked somewhat entranced, which had me sighing nostalgically. I missed singing with The Rebels.
Immy clapped, “You are so good. Like get you a record deal good.” I gasped changing the subject, “You guys have to help me! My mom’s boyfriend sent me all these outfits for Christmas, and I don’t know what to wear for the first day of school.
I’m so out of practice at getting presents.
” May and Immy jumped up and ran into my room.
Lee groaned, “Now you’ve done it, Katie. I hope you like being dressed up because now they will make you put on every single outfit.” Brian shrugged, “Don’t mind me getting comfortable over here.” I laughed and followed the sound of giggling to my room.
Immy and May did in fact make me try on every single outfit.
Several were deemed too serious for the first day of school.
Then there were cute date outfits for the dates I’d be having with Keaton, apparently.
According to Immy anyway. We settled on skinny jeans, with a green tank top and black shirt over it with a green and black scarf.
When they were leaving Immy said, “By the way, your first driving lesson with Keaton is after school.” I laughed, “Oh yeah?” Immy smirked, “Definitely, I promise.” May and Lee gasped while Brian looked like he’d expected Immy to say that. I snickered and shut the door.
I really liked them. I opened my laptop and checked my email. I gasped, seeing I had several from Mr. Vennox. Crap. I shut the laptop as if it’d burned me. I stood and paced in front of the desk where the electronic device sat.
I went to look at his email several times before I convinced myself to walk away. I needed to get through the first day of school before I read it. I was overly anxious about school and I didn’t know why. I’d gone through a million first days before.
Immy and I had discussed before they left when we’d arrive. I’d told her I’d be going pretty early. She thought I was a nerd. I loved how she said it affectionately. In reality, I was going because I couldn’t sleep. I just felt like something big was going to happen.
Which was crazy, it was just another first day. I managed to get four hours of sleep before I got into the shower. I almost went with a different outfit several times. I forced myself to put on what Immy and May picked out.
Kenneth was up front when I went downstairs. My building manager laughed, “You’re leaving early. The school bus won’t be at its spot for hours.” I shrugged, “I can walk.” Kenneth interjected, “Nonsense. My brother Keith is outside and he can take you.”
Before I could say anything else I was swept outside and shoved into an SUV. Kenneth introduced us, “Keith, this is Katie, Katie, this is my brother Keith.” He shut the door without saying anything else. I turned to the man beside me.
I apologized, “I am so sorry. I can walk to school.” Keith laughed, “It’s fine.
I used to take Emma Daniels to school every day.
” I snorted, “Were you her guard dog?” Keith laughed loudly.
Eventually when he stopped, he told me, “Something like that, yeah. My brother Kincade does security for the Daniels. Actually, I do too.” It sounded like it.
I asked, “So it’s a family business.” Keith smiled, “I guess you could say that.” I asked, “Is Keith Daniels named after you then?” Keith winked with a smile on his face but didn’t say anything. I offered, “You and Kenneth look alike.”
Keith howled with laughter again before admitting, “I can’t believe after all those years of insisting we call him Ken that in professional settings, my brother uses Kenneth. It makes my mom quite happy though.” I smiled saying, “Ken suits him too.”
Keith studied me when he parked the car. He announced, “There’s something very familiar about you.” I sighed, “I get that a lot around here.” Keith laughed, “Don’t be a stranger, Katie Karlton.” I got out of the SUV realizing Kenneth never told him my full name.
I shrugged it off thinking he must have mentioned the new tenant at some point.
I went inside the school, surprised there was someone in the office.
The woman smiled at me, “Hello to our new student. I always get here early just in case. My first year a new student beat me here, and I was madder than a wet hen with myself. My southern sensibilities won’t let it happen again. ”
I smiled, asking, “Are you from Louisiana?” She grinned, “Born and raised in the Bayou.” I told her, “I lived in West Monroe for a while.” She squealed, “Heavens to Betsy! I’m from Bastrop!” I admitted, “I’ve been there, it’s very pretty.”
She smiled, “I’m Riley Montague. My husband, Marshall, and I live in the town over from here.
The man gets so worked up about me being in this school district instead of ours, but this was where the opening was when I came here after we met in London.
I love this area and the school. If you need anything, come see me. You hear?”
I nodded, “Thank you, Mrs. Montague.” Riley laughed, “Just call me Riley. Mrs. Montague is my mother in law. Here’s your schedule. Your locker is down this hall to the left. It’s number one hundred and five. I can take you there.”
I shook my head, “No, that’s ok. I’ll get the lay of the land this way.
” Riley smiled again, and I went on my way.
I started to smell chocolate chip pancakes.
My mouth actually watered as tears filled my eyes.
Lux used to make me chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. I've refused to eat them since the day Lux vanished from my life.
I quickly wiped my tears knowing this was silly. I sighed when the smell got stronger. Great. Someone was going to walk by me with chocolate chip pancakes. Perfect. Keep it together, Odette. Do not cry on your first day in a new school.
I heard someone yell Keaton’s name. He was here? I heard shoes squeak around the corner. I gazed up into the most stunning hazel eyes. There was even a fleck of gold in them. Someone began to sing a song. I was entranced by Keaton’s eyes and the melody of the voice.
Honestly, it sounded like my own voice. I touched my lips to make sure I didn’t just burst into song, like I was in a musical, over a mouthwateringly hot guy. I was getting lost in the song that didn’t even have words. It was the most beautiful Oh’s and ah’s I’d ever heard.
The desire to sing was about to overtake me when Keaton’s eyes briefly flashed black. Gosh, there goes my active imagination again. He said ‘mine’. The song continued in my mind until the guy beside Keaton said something.
I realized that it was Keith that had spoken. I looked at the locker in confusion. It was one hundred and five and the combination opened it. Do they share lockers in this school? Surely Riley wouldn’t make a mistake like that.
I quickly explained the locker situation, which only seemed to confuse Keaton. Every time I looked at this man, the song began at the beginning. He walked closer and the song grew louder. I was forcing myself not to sing it.
I was crushed to realize Keaton didn’t know I was a transfer student. He introduced himself, and I decided to call him Key. It fit with his name, and I heard a song when I looked at him. The song just happened to be in the most beautiful key I’d ever heard.
I almost told the man my real name. Everything in me wanted to hear Keaton say Odette.
When we touched, the song started with gusto and it felt like a pleasant electricity lit through me.
I quickly apologized. The static in the air was going to be my downfall because I already wanted to touch Keaton again.