Freeing Katie

Ch. 8 Boys

KATIE POV

“Ohmygah it’s so nice to be able to shop, eat, and go to the movies during the weekday again!” Taylor exclaims as we ruffle through the clothing racks.

“I’m just glad I don’t have to set my alarm five days in a row,” Brenna groans.

“I second that!”  My part time job at the YMCA doesn’t start until next week, and even then, I’ll only be working afternoons with the kids.  I just needed some decent cotton t-shirts and shorts long enough to cover my scars for work.  It would be killer to work with kids in the heat with pants on all summer. 

“Katie, try on this dress.  I bet Chase would go absolutely gaga over you if he saw you in it.”

I turn my head and see Taylor holding up a dress meant for the strip club, and I try to hold in my laughter.  It would show absolutely everything.  “I’m good, Tay,” I giggle out.  “Plus, I’m not trying to impress Chase, or any other boy for that matter.

Ever since they went to that party when I went out of town, they were all for Chase and me.  They actually interacted and played drinking games with each other.  They even told me that he brushed off any females that night… not like I was concerned about that. 

“I’ll try it on!”  Brenna snatches the dress laughing, and struts to the changing room. 

“I’ll get you in a dress one of these days, Katie.  Ooh, what about this one?”

“It’s cute,” I say truthfully, “but I need work clothes, not fun clothes.  Maybe next time.”  I try not to faulter my smile at her disappointment.  I didn’t think I would have girly friends like this so fast once we moved, but I love hanging out with Taylor and Brenna.  Part of me wants to tell them the truth of my insecurities, but I’m just not there yet.

Brenna turns my sour thoughts around as she jumps out of the changing rooms, stomping around as if were a runway model in that skimpy dress.  Taylor and I shower her with exaggerated compliments as she shimmy’s her butt.  Once the store clerk cleared her throat, we lost it in a fit of giggles before straightening back up.

After we get clothes, we walk around the mall and window shop, gossiping and laughing.  Ahead of us, we see a guy that was in our science class.  He smiles shyly as we approach.  “Hey Evan!” we all say.

“Hey ladies.  Shopping I see.  How’s your summer going so far?”  He looks at all three of us, but his eyes land on me expectantly.

“Ooh, free samples, Taylor!  Come with!  We’ll be back!”  Brenna drags Taylor away and I’m just standing there confused.  I turn back to Evan, who’s flushed and is gripping the back part of his neck.

We stand there awkwardly for a beat.  Evan is the same height as me, and has that honest ‘good guy’ vibe- neat short blonde hair, clean crisp clothes, always being positive.  Every conversation we had in class, he’s always praising someone or something.  In general, he’s an all around pleasant guy.  “So…. Um, no luck buying anything today?” I ask, gesturing to his empty hands.

“Oh, I uh… I just got here.  Trying to find something for my mom’s birthday other than a gift card.”  We both silently huff out a laugh.  “You have any major plans this summer?”

I shake my head.  “Nope.  Mainly hanging out with the girls and working.  I got a job at the Y, so I’ll be helping out with the summer camp program.”

“That’s cool.  I’m working at the theater this summer.  If you ever want to get in for free, just let me know, and I can make the happen,” he says with a smile.

“Awesome!”  I look around and spot Brenna and Taylor unsuccessfully hiding behind a bush in the food court, staring at us.  I mentally roll my eyes and smile back at Evan.  “Hopefully we’ll see each other around.  I’m going to go find the girls.  Bye Evan!”  We split ways and the girls are stupidly beaming as I approach them.  “What was that all about?  Free samples?  Brenna, you hate food court food.”

“It was obvious Evan wanted to talk to only you, Katie,” she dryly states.

“Yea, we were just throwing the guy a bone.  He’s been crushing on you since spring break!”

We turn towards the exit.  “Oh, you guys are delirious!  He’s like that with everyone..”

“The only delirious one here, is you ma’am!”  I roll my eyes at their laughter.  There’s no way he has a crush on me.  It’s definitely something I’ve never thought about…

*

Food is littered around us as we are spread out on my bedroom floor, watching The Game of Thrones marathon.  We’ve only been paying attention to the good parts in between talking about what’s going on in the social media world, or their favorite subject- boys. 

Jason is spending the night with one of his friends, and mom is covering for a coworker who just got the flu.  We’re all on our backs in a semicircle with our heads close to each other, rummaging through our phones while our toenails dry.

Brenna stretches her arm so that her phone blocks my face.  “He’s even photogenic!  How could you not like that face?”

I tilt her phone up to see the picture and shake my head as I swat her hand away.  “Oh my god, Evan and I are just friends!”

“She probably doesn’t want to make Chase jealous,” Taylor chimes in, not looking away from her i********: reels.  

“Oh Chase… Chase please pick me up with your strong arms, throw me on the bed, and have your naughty little way with me!” Brenna overacts in a squeal, causing Taylor to chuckle.

“You guys need to get a life,” I laugh out.  My phone chimes and I reach over for it. “I know you want ‘Kase’ to happen, but it’s not.  Get over it.  We’re also just friends.”  I open my phone and smile.  It’s like Beetlejuice- you call him often enough, and he shall appear.

Chase:  Hey my favoritest favorite best friend.  I have Josh and Nate over.  Can we come swimming??  I promise you I won’t bug you for a week!  (unless you want me to…. Because I know you like it) 

“Oh, don’t be boring Katie.  How do my toes look?”

Katie:  That’s fine.  I have the girls over.  We’ll be down in a bit

“Did you add the polka dots yet?”

“Doing it now,” she sing songs.

I get up and somewhat straighten up our mess.  I know that Brenna will freak out when she finds out Nate will be shirtless in my backyard.  “Have y’all shaved your legs recently?” I ask in a monotone.  “I thought we could go swimming.”  I look at them, trying my damndest not to c***k a smile.

Brenna is concentrating on her toes as Taylor rolls to sit up and stretches out her legs.  “Why would we need to shave?  It’s not like we’re going to judge each other’s hairiness…”

No sooner did Brenna speak did we hear a loud ‘WOOHOO!’ and a giant splash.  The girls look to me as a wide smirk plays on my lips.  “We’re not, but Nate, Josh, and Chase might have different opinions…..”

“WHAT!!!???”

*

*

“I hate you right now,” Brenna whisper yells as we walk through the back door.

“No, you don’t.  You told me not to be boring,” I drawl out, earning another huff.  The girls were quick to shuffle around, diving to different bathrooms of the house to ‘freshen up’- it was a very entertaining 15 minutes.  Me?  I’m keeping my PJ’s on.  There’s no way I’m parading around in my suit in front of everyone.

The night air is cool, so I know the water is colder that what I care for.  I see Josh dunking Chase as Nate swims up to the edge and pulls himself out.  I shoulder bump Brenna for her to stop gawking.

“Hey guys!” Taylor announces, throwing her towel over a chair.  We all exchange hello’s and Chase comes out of the pool.  Not gonna lie, for a split second, I almost acted like Brenna…. Almost.

“What, no hug?” he asks opening his arms, smirking.

I plop my butt on a chair.  “Dry yourself off and I’ll think about it.”  I watch as the girls jump in the pool and Josh sits on the ledge blowing extra air into the floats. 

Nate walks to a cooler that they apparently brought over, and pulls out a wine cooler, bringing it over to me.  “Thanks for letting us use the pool.  There’s only so much gaming Josh can stand before he gets violent,” he laughs out.

I take the drink and read the label.  Hard lemonade.  “What, no hard liquor tonight?”

“We got rum and coke, but you don’t like coconut, right?” Chase says, just as I make a face.  I hate coconut.

“Lemonade it is.”

For the next hour or so, I watch the group play around, goof off, and flirt.  When Chase asked why I wasn’t swimming, I simply said I was on my period.  That made him quit bugging me.  What is it with guys and periods?  Anyways, it really is the best offense.

I did end up putting my feet in the water so I could engage in conversations better.  Everyone has a drink in their hand.  Taylor and Brenna are laying on floats.  Josh is wading in the water, slowly drifting them around.  Chase and Nate are sitting next to me.  No one is drunk.  Just a group of teens having a good time. 

Once everyone starts on their second drink, the guys insist on a game.

“Never have I ever painted my toenails,” Josh suddenly speaks up.  We all roll our eyes and the girls plus Nate take a sip.  We all look expectantly at Nate, trying to suppress our laughter.

“What?  When you have two older sisters, one whom is a wrestler, laugh then you ass.”  Apparently, Josh knew this information already, and I just can’t help but laugh harder.

“Alright, my go.”  Taylor looks deep in thought.  “Never have I ever made out with a girl.”  All the boys end up taking a drink.

“Never have I ever gone skinny dipping,” Chase says with a smirk, “but I am willing to rectify that.”

“Please don’t,” the guys drawl and I just shake my head.  Taylor takes a drink the that and the guys become very interested in her story.  Boys.

“Never have I ever sent a sexy pic or nude,” I say, looking around the group.  When Brenna takes a discreet sip, I decide to call her out.  “Ooo you dirty girl.”

“You wanna exchange numbers?” Nate asks, and I barely push him, but he over exaggerates and falls into the pool.  He comes back from under the water and flings his hair.  “Just kidding!  Okay, my go.  Never have ever lost my virginity.”

Ice hits my veins. 

“You can’t say never if you’ve done it!” Brenna exclaims. 

Nate just smiles.  “I’m 100% telling the truth.”

“My boy may be a make out slut, but he’s a true gentlemen and old school,” Chase defends.  Nate looks like he’s blushing a little bit, and I can see Brenna actually looking at him in a new light.

I try to keep my cool when I lift my bottle to my lips as Chase, Josh and Taylor do the same.  It’s hard to ignore the eyebrow raises from my girlfriends, and I can see Chase turning his head in question as well.  Please don’t ask, please don’t ask.

“Never have I ever cried while I was drunk!”  Oh, thank god for Brenna.

We played a few more rounds, but my heart just wasn’t in the game anymore.  I start cleaning up the bottles and cups to put my attention elsewhere, and Chase gently touches my elbow.  “You okay?”

I put on a tight smile and nod.  His face is out of concern, but just as he opens his mouth, Josh swings his wet arms around both of us.  “Toast time!”  He spins us closer to the group until we are all huddled together.  “Raise your glasses guys and gals.  It’s officially summer!  Here’s to good times and great friends.  Senior year is going to rock!” 

We all laugh as we clink our drinks, and I’m thankful that awkward situation was interrupted.  I see the smiles around me, and I’m glad that we made this move.  It truly was to get a fresh start, and I find myself happy for the first time in a really long while.