chapter twelve

The alarm on my nightstand blared loudly, tearing us both from sleep. We sat up at the exact same moment.

​"Morning, bestie," Janice mumbled beside me, rubbing her eyes before instantly disappearing into the bathroom. I hummed a groggy response in return.

​She popped her head out a moment later, wrapped in a towel. "Is your spare school uniform still available?"

​"Yes, it is," I told her. She disappeared back inside to take a shower while I rummaged through my wardrobe. I found the uniform and laid it out on the bed right next to mine. She was done in no time, and I quickly took my turn in the shower.

​We hurriedly dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast, where my mom had prepared scrambled eggs with toast. We ate in comfortable silence before heading off to school.

​"Your parents are so sweet, Kat," Janice said, keeping her eyes on the road as she drove. "I wish I had that too," she added, a faint hint of sadness lacing her voice.

​"You know you’re always welcome to stay at my place anytime. Besides, your parents are always away on business trips, and you should never feel left out. You’re more of a sister to me than a friend anyway," I told her, making her smile.

​"Thank you, girl."

​We pulled into the school parking lot and headed straight for our first class. Bella and Cole were already seated at the front. Bella kept trying to touch his shoulder and lean into him every now and then, but Cole seemed completely checked out and uninterested, drawing a quiet chuckle from both Janice and me.

​ The day quickly blurred by with back to back classes. Just as the final bell rang, all the seniors were instructed to head down to the auditorium. Apparently, the principal had an urgent announcement.

​"Good afternoon, students," she spoke into the microphone once we had all settled into our seats. "This announcement comes directly from the school management, and I was asked to deliver it to you today. The academy is organizing a mandatory one-week camp for all seniors as part of your final graduating activities."

​The entire room instantly erupted into joyful cheers and applause.

​"This is going to be so much fun, girl!" Janice whispered excitedly beside me.

​"I know, I can't wait!" I whispered back.

​"In light of this," the principal continued, "there will be no classes tomorrow so you can pack your bags in preparation. All buses will be stationed on the school premises the following morning. Have a wonderful day, ladies and gentlemen."

​"Kat!" a familiar voice called out the moment we stepped outside into the courtyard.

​We both turned around to find Cole jogging up to us. "Hi," he said, offering a weak, tentative smile.

​"What do you want, Cole? Go away. I don't want any drama with your little sugar pie," I told him coldly, while Janice chuckled under her breath.

​"Do you really like Ethan?" he asked, looking at me intensely.

​I took a good look at him. He looked terrible heavy dark bags hung under his eyes, and there was a dark, nasty bruise wrapping around his wrist. But I didn't care anymore.

​"Leave me alone," I said flatly, grabbing Janice’s arm and dragging her away from him.

​"He looks awful, girl," Janice noted as we walked away. "Did you notice that bruise on his wrist?"

​I nodded slowly. "Actually, while we were together, he told me that his dad is incredibly strict about his hockey games. Whenever he loses or underperforms, his dad punishes him physically for it. I never took it seriously back then because he never actually lost... until the other night."

​"What kind of father does that?" she asked, horrified.

​I just shrugged my shoulders. Suddenly, my phone vibrated inside my bag. I pulled it out to see a text from Ethan: “Hi, Kattie Berry. I miss you.”

​I furrowed my brows in utter confusion. Janice peeked over my shoulder to read the screen. "Are you entirely sure this is still just a game to Ethan?"

​I shook my head, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "I don't know, Janice. Besides, why would a guy like him genuinely like a girl like me?"

​"What on earth is wrong with you?" she asked as we approached the parking lot. "You're a gorgeous chick, Kat. I don't know why you always sell yourself so short."

​"Babe!"

​I whirled around to find Ethan approaching us, wearing a bright, boyish grin.

​"What are you doing here?" I asked, caught off guard.

​"That is definitely not a nice way to greet your boyfriend," he teased, crossing his arms with a playful frown.

​"Hi, Ethan," Janice greeted, highly amused.

​"Hi, Janice. Please teach your friend some manners," he joked, making her giggle. He turned his attention back to me, reaching out. "Come on, I'm taking you home."

​I quickly pulled my hands out of his reach. "I'm riding home with Janice."

​"No, she's not!" Janice cut in, instantly backing away. "Bye, girl!" she yelled over her shoulder, winking at me as she practically ran to her car.

​"Are you avoiding me, Kattie?" Ethan asked softly, capturing my hands in his once again.

​"Of course not," I mumbled as he led me over to his car. He opened the passenger door for me, and I reluctantly climbed inside.

​"Did you get my text?" he asked, starting the engine.

​"Yes, I did," I replied.

​"Then why didn't you text me back?" he questioned, steering the sports car out of the school gates.

​"What was I supposed to say?" I countered, looking out the window. "People don't miss the people they're in a fake relationship with, Ethan."

​Ethan's playful expression vanished, and his brow furrowed into a slight frown. "Can you please stop saying that it's fake?"