The Childe (4 page)

“Have a great first day. I love you so much. Please be careful.” Taylor rolled his eyes.

“It’s not like she’s moving to the other side of the world Mom! She’s just going a mile and a half up the road, and she’ll be home before you will.”

“I know that Taylor. I felt the same when it was your first day too, remember? Now leave before I start bawling my eyes out.” Taylor quickly kissed his mom and headed for the front door. Blowing her mom a kiss, Cat followed out behind him.

The Colvin household, Victorian in style, matched the others that lined the long and winding Nehalem Avenue. During the daylight hours its beautiful Colonial blue and white accents stood out from the others. A unique feature the others did not share was the widow’s walk that circled above Cat’s attic bedroom. Local folklore recorded that her widow’s walk had been a look-out spot for fishermen’s wives, watching the bay and waiting for their husbands to return.

Sitting in the driveway was Taylor’s car. His baby. A 1967 metal flake dark blue, black leather seats, four on the floor Mustang.

“Yoo-hoo! Hello Colvin children! Off to school are we?” Cat and Taylor cringed at the sound of their nosey next door neighbor’s sickeningly sweet voice. Maude Roberts approached dressed as if she was trapped in a 1950’s sitcom, with a mid-length red checkered dress and red patent leather pumps. Her hair, big and bushy, was said to contain all of the secrets and gossip Astoria had to offer. She held a jeweled leash in her right hand which was attached to the barking monster, Fredricka the poodle. Everyone who knew the Roberts’ couldn’t quite fathom how Randy Roberts, Maude’s husband, put up with the two of them. “Well I see you didn’t get dressed up for your first day of school Catherine. Does your mother know you’re wearing that?” she asked peering at Cat through coke bottle glasses.

“Yes she does Mrs. Roberts. And frankly she’s just a little embarrassed of me. But since we’re running late, I guess this will have to do for today,” Cat replied smugly. “Well, got to go Mrs. Roberts,” she said, noticing Taylor starting his car and slowly backing out of the driveway barely missing Fredricka, who was straining to bite his tires.

“Have a good day Colvin children!” Maude called out with an empty smile.

Cat jumped into the back seat as Taylor drove across the street to where Julie and her mom Claire stood on the curb. Julie’s smile was strained. Her hair was up in a ponytail, not a good sign. Her outfit, like Cat’s, looked thrown together.
Where’s Julie’s polish? She usually looks so perfect! Something’s up, I know it!
Julie was Cat’s anchor during their time at Madison Prep. Ever since their first meeting in second grade, the two had been inseparable.

Taylor popped the lock on the door and Julie climbed in beside Cat. Through Taylor’s open window, Claire Winters leaned down to look in. “Taylor you bad boy, you almost ran over Princess Fredricka. And you know Maude could never survive that tragedy,” she whispered slyly. Seeing Maude making her way across the street and waving to her, Claire quickly thanked Taylor for taking Julie to school and scurried back to her house, dodging her nosy neighbor.

“Thanks for the ride Taylor,” Julie said sweetly. There was no response.
He’s mad
, Cat mouthed to her. The rest of the ride was silent, both girls grinning in the back seat at Taylor’s grim expression reflected in the rear view mirror.

Astoria high was definitely a step down from Cat and Julie’s previous school in terms of elegance and visual flair. That was not to say it wasn’t nice, but the old high school had definitely seen better days. When it was first built in 1933 it had a great sense of grandeur. Standing two stories tall with a red brick foundation, huge sweeping windows, and large wooden arched doors, it used to be one of the highlights of downtown Astoria. Though now it has lost much of its former luster.

The parking lot at the school was in utter chaos. Horns honking, people yelling, and general disorder.
Who knew that such a small school could produce such mayhem
, Cat thought. Taylor pulled into the first spot he saw, put the car in park and turned to look at the two in the back. “Okay, this is how it is. You guys are on your own. I’m not a babysitter. And when you team up with your other three misfit friends, I’m sure you’ll be just fine. So get out! I see the misfits approaching and I don’t want them touching my ride.”

Cat and Julie scrambled out of the car making their way to the
three
Taylor just mentioned and finally let loose the laughter they’d been holding in the whole ride. Amanda’s brown hair was highlighted with a single pink streak down the left side. She was dressed as what appeared to be a member of a grunge band. Her slim figure squeezed into a pair of low rise acid wash jeans was accompanied by a black t-shirt that said:
grunge is the new black.
“Hey yanks, are you as gobsmacked as me? I had to run to the loo several times this morning due to the nerves, and already I’m a little knackered.” Amanda’s British accent seemed flawless.

“So Amanda, what has inspired this new look?” Cat asked trying not to giggle.

“Why, do you like it?” she inquired, posing for the group so they could get a better view.

“Umm, it’s different, that’s for sure,” Julie uttered, shock written all over her face.

“When I got home last night I watched this documentary about the grunge band movement in England. I really connected with them! I feel that’s where I belong. We should totes start a band.” Shaking her head, Cat smiled. Amanda was a constant change, never knowing what or who she would relate to next. Everyone went along with it though because it’s what made Amanda, Amanda.

“So Cat, how hot do I look?” Matt asked drawing their attention to him as he flexed his non-existent muscles for a passing group of females. He was an average looking fifteen year old boy with a runners build. His beautiful green eyes, which most girls missed due to his lack of tact, were definitely his trademark feature. Cat began to answer him, when she saw his attention shift, his eyes following another parade of females passing by.
Poor Matt
,
he’ll never be a Don Juan,
she thought.

Elle was trying to look happy, but her smile was a little wobbly. Her long brown hair fell over her face, acting as a shield from the world. Linking arms with her, Cat began talking about how much she liked her outfit, trying to relax her. The others followed them up the stairs into the main building through the huge archway. Matt stopped suddenly behind the group. “Can you believe this is where we’re going to spend the next four years of our lives? Seems like a waste to me,” he groaned, scanning the massive hallway filled with students.

“Four years of this?” Elle’s fearful voice could hardly be heard.

“Yeah Elle…four years of crowded halls, embarrassment, ridicule, and awkward moments,” he said turning to face her, grinning evilly from ear to ear.

“Matt, stop it! You’re scaring her!” Amanda said trying to console Elle who had turned white as a ghost. Without any hesitation Elle squeaked, running for the nearest restroom and dodging students as she went.

“Great Matt, you have officially scared the pee out of her! And after I’d already calmed her down too! I hope you’re happy with yourself!” Cat scolded. He shrugged, acting innocent. “Guys, wait here a sec for Elle, ok? Julie and I are going to pick up our schedules,” Cat said opening the front office door. “And Matt”, she said looking over her shoulder, “zip your lip and not another word to Elle about anything, ok?”

He laughed, causing Amanda to punch him in the shoulder. “
Ow”
, they heard him yelp, as the door closed behind them.

Schedules in hand, Cat and Julie groaned in unison. “Home economics? Ugh, I guess this is what I get for having indecisive parents,” Cat muttered scanning the piece of paper.

“Hey, well at least you don’t have wood shop like I do,” Julie complained.

“I am sooo sorry Julie. It’s all my fault that you’re stuck with wood shop.”

“It’s okay. You’ll just owe me one. Besides there could be some fine male specimens in wood shop, so it might not be all bad,” she said with a smile. “Now, let’s go locker hunting.” Cat smiled back at Julie, thinking about how different she was acting now compared to the past week.

“Hey Julie, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?” She replied, avoiding eye contact with Cat.

“You just seem more quiet than usual. Are you happy we’re here?

“Of course silly. Why wouldn’t I be happy about leaving
snobsville
behind? Now, like I said let’s go, locker hunting!” Julie declared, changing the subject. Cat forced another smile, not convinced that everything was okay, but decided to drop it for now.

Cat spotted her locker first and after a few frustrating minutes, realized her combination didn’t work. “What have we here? A thief trying to break into my locker?” a cold, arrogant voice roared behind her.

“I’m sorry…I-I thought it was mine,” Cat replied, turning to put a face to the voice. Most people would have been intimidated by the sight before her. Tall, pale face, jet black hair, piercing green eyes, and black preppy Goth clothing. He moved forward, pressing his hands on the lockers on either side of her, blocking her exit.

“You’re sorry are you? Well you should be!” he growled, pressing harder on the lockers making them squeak under the pressure, causing Cat to flinch at the harsh sound. She noticed more people behind him, similarly dressed, all of them glaring at her. Cat’s friends all stood like statues beside her.

“Hey Isaac! Give the girl a break. It was an honest mistake, let her go!”

Isaac turned to the guy who spoke. “Ryan, you know her?” he asked lifting one eyebrow dramatically.

“No, but she said she was sorry, so let her go!” Cat looked at Ryan, noticing he wasn’t dressed like his friends and instead was wearing jeans and a letterman’s jacket. His eyes were the bluest she had ever seen.

“Hi I’m Hannah. I bet you’re a freshman like me,” a petite blonde said quietly, smiling, standing beside her. “Our lockers are in the next hallway. I don’t know why they have duplicate numbers but they do. Isaac let her go, will you?”

Isaac glanced down into the soft blue eyes of his little sister. He lowered his arms releasing Cat. “Hannah, let’s go! And you”, he said pointing to Cat, “stay out of my hallway!”

“Your hallway, is it Isaac? I thought it belonged to all of us?”

“Ah, Mr. Taylor Colvin, so kind of you to butt in!” He replied, turning around. “She doesn’t seem your type!”

Standing toe to toe with Isaac, Taylor growled, “she’s my sister! So this is your one and only warning, stay away from her!

Isaac smiled devilishly, “I didn’t know you had a normie as a sister?” he whispered, so only Taylor could hear him.

Glaring at Isaac, Taylor motioned to Cat, “come on. I’ll show you where your lockers are.” With a nod to Ryan, Taylor took Cat’s arm and led her down the hall, looking back to make sure her friends were following.

“Taylor I’m sorry, we didn’t’ know.”

“I know Cat. Whoever numbered the lockers was a real idiot. Here, this is the freshman hallway. Now please stay out of trouble. And
especially,
stay away from Isaac and his group.” With that he strode off toward the gym.

“Man, who were those guys? I was just about to step in, but then your brother beat me to it Cat, so naturally I let him take over.”

“Sure you were going to Matt,” Amanda said sarcastically.

The school bell rang and the halls began to empty. “Later guys! See you at lunch!” Cat turned and made her way to her first class.

The morning went smoothly, with English, World History and Health class. Cat arrived at the swimming pool with seconds to spare before the bell rang. According to her schedule her coach’s name was Ms. Hutchins. She scanned the crowd hoping to see a familiar face. Her eyes collided with Hannah’s. Relieved, Cat walked over to her. “Hey Hannah. We weren’t properly introduced earlier. I’m Catherine Colvin. Cat for short.”

“I’m so glad you’re not mad at me for what my brother did. I’m sorry that he talked to you that way. He can be such a jerk sometimes.”

Cat laughed. “Yeah, I know how you feel. I have one of those too. You met him, Taylor.” Hannah giggled.

“Class, please take a seat on the bleachers!” Coach Hutchins ordered after blowing her whistle. She looked like a typical swim coach, with an athletic build, short blonde hair and a whistle around her neck. “I need everyone to go over the rules that I’m passing out. We’ll begin swimming tomorrow. Everyone here has the ability to make the swim team, so next class I want to see you dressed and ready for some good, clean competition. I’ll have the upper classmen demonstrate the techniques I’ve taught them. Then you’ll be paired up to practice.” Hearing whispering in the stands, Coach Hutchins looked up from her clip board. “Kirsten, do you have something to add?” Coach Hutchins’ eyes pinned hers, as Kirsten smiled smugly shaking her head. “No? I didn’t think so. Everyone, pick up your syllabus and read it thoroughly. With no talking,” she ordered, her eyes finding Kirsten’s again.

“If I wasn’t the best swimmer on this team I would quit this class! Coach Hutchins is so full of herself,” Kirsten whispered to her friend Jessica with a sneer. “Now Jess, tomorrow I need to make sure I’m paired with that Catherine girl. After hearing what happened in the hallway today, and learning that
TO DIE FOR TAYLOR
is her brother, it just has to be!” Kirsten looked at Cat, then back at Jessica. “Yes, I’ll become her best swimming buddy. Then I’ll be that much closer to getting my hands on Taylor. Oh yes he’ll be mine,” she said confidently.

“But Kirsten I thought I was your…”

“Quit blubbering Jess, gosh you sound so common,” she muttered, cutting her off.

Cat raised her head feeling eyes staring at her and saw a tall willowy girl whispering to another, both of them glancing in her direction.