Chapter 3: Katie

I link my arm with Minh’s as we hurry to class. I don’t care much about being late anymore, but I know Minh does.

“I’ll tell Mrs. Kessler that it was my fault,” I state, feeling the nervous energy vibrating off of her small body.

“No Kat,” she feebly protested although I could see the relief spread across her face. “I can’t make you do that.”

“You’re not making me,” I say, giving her a soft smile, “I’m offering”. She still doesn’t look completely convinced so I add “plus, you think that with all the school I’ve missed that I give a shit about one late pass?”

“Ok,” she replies quietly, “thanks Kat.”

“No problem,” I cheerfully declare, “anything for the chance to push Mrs Kessler’s buttons.” I’m exhausted after last night’s show, but I know how much Minh struggles and I don’t want to add to that, so I consciously make an effort to make her feel wanted, just like I wished someone would do for me. I don’t know why I stood up for her that day we first met, maybe it was how tiny she looked in those too-big clothes or maybe it was just the fact that I couldn’t stand discrimination. Either way, ever since I’d felt a sense of responsibility when it came to keeping her out of trouble.

As we approach the classroom door, I glance over at Minh, who remains frozen in place. Without hesitation, I flash her a reassuring smile and push open the creaky door without knocking, putting up an unbothered facade. The room goes deathly silent as we’re faced with 25 pairs of eyes. I put on my usual casual smirk before sarcastically drawling out, “hi miss, so glad to be here.”

She gives me a piercing glare which only makes my smile grow wider. “The bell went 15 minutes ago girls. Care to explain why you weren’t here then?”

“I just didn’t feel like it,” I say, slightly mockingly. It’s not ideal but I figured it’d take the spotlight off of Minh. Sniggering erupts across the classroom and I can’t help but feel satisfied.

“Principal’s office. NOW.” she orders, and I vaguely wonder if she could look any more like a tomato.

“Chill teach,” I say, holding my hands up in a mock surrender. “I had a fall and Minh courteously offered to escort me to the nurses.” She glares at me for a moment, before becoming resigned.

“Stop disrupting my class and get your textbooks out.” She nods dismissively and I let out a sign of relief. I make my way towards my usual desk, coming face to face with Savannah and Lana. Lana gives me an acknowledging smile, and Savannah raises her eyebrows as if to ask where I’ve been. Later, I mouth, and she just rolls her eyes. I consider arguing back, but decide to ignore her instead. She was probably just having a bad day, and I didn’t want to make it worse.

As Mrs Kessler continues from where she left off, I take a chance to properly evaluate what’s been going on. I can’t help but feel a little guilty for missing so much time this week. Especially with the incident earlier. I must’ve really been gone a lot for Little Mikey to dare try something.

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My gaze shifts to where Lana is tapping away with her left foot, lost in thought. Her curly hair absentmindedly falls across her washed out hoodie, and I can’t help but feel a rush of affection for her. I look over at Minh, who’s fully invested in the lesson, and a wave of sadness washes over me. She’s so smart and hardworking, but I knew the likelihood of her being accepted into a good university was almost none, not with all the work she has to do and how little extracurriculars she’s exposed to.

Lastly, my gaze drifts to Savannah, with her chestnut streaked wavy locks and her galaxy of freckles. She looks tired, I note, taking in the bags under her eyes. I’ll check in on her later. I happily observe that she’s mark free from her fight earlier this week, meaning that she must’ve won by a mile. That’s my girl. Savannah & I have been in the same class since primary school, and although on the outside she seems aggressive and short tempered, I’d come to learn there’s so much more than that to her. She’s fiercely loyal and such a kind individual, even if the only way she knows how to show it is through her fists. Over the years, I’ve realised that all that anger and fighting was a coping mechanism and the only way she’d learnt how to process, so I’d let her yell at me, making sure I was always someone she could come back to. I could only hope that it helped her.

I’m jolted out of my thoughts as the overhead speaker jolts to life. “May Katherine Newman please report to the head office.” All heads swivel around staring at me. Lana gives me a questioning look, but I just shrug; I have no idea what this is about.

I sling my bag over my shoulder, standing up. “Well, don’t let me interrupt any of y’all’s precious class time,” I say, and with that, I saunter out of the classroom. I close the door then slump against the wall, exhaling loudly. Christ Kat, I firmly tell myself, get it together.

After a moment of calm, I stand up straight and start down the hallway. My mind rapidly shifts through the things I could be called in for, but I can’t seem to place a single incident. All of them were either too well covered up, or too small to be of any significance.

I stop at the end of the corridor, lifting my hand up to a door with chipped blue paint. I knock, deciding it’s best to seem polite for the time being.

“Come in,” I hear echo from inside. I push the door slowly open. I take stock of the room, evaluating how bad the situation is. Principal Thorton was alone, which I supposed was a good sign, although the way his wrinkled features were aligned says otherwise.

“You miss me?” I smirk.

“I wish more than anyone that I didn’t have to see you in here so soon Katherine,” he frowns, and I make a pouting face.

“I thought I told you to call me Katie.” He glowers tiredly at me, and I flash him a smile.

“Why are you here, Katherine?”

“You wanted to see me?” I ask.

“Ah, yes. Have a seat,” he soberly mutters.

“What’s going on?” I ask without moving.

“Just sit down!” he exclaims, aggressively gesturing to the chair.

“Ok,” I agree, furrowing my eyebrows. I pull the chair out and plop myself onto the faded leather. I put one leg over the other, and clasp my hands together.

“So, what’s up?” He sighs, looking as if he’d rather be doing anything else. That makes two of us.

“Katherine, we have a problem.” He picks up a binder, pushing it towards me. “Over the past month, you’ve had 13 unexplained absences. Not to mention the times you’ve been late, unexpectedly disappeared from school grounds, or been suspended from some prank you’ve pulled. This is unacceptable.” I frown, realising that playing innocent isn’t going to cut it.

“I’m so- sorry,” I stammer, forcing my eyes to well up. Principal Thorton had a reputation for being strict but fair, which I could use to my advantage. From my many encounters with him, I’d come to learn that he was an empathetic man. “My mom’s been sick. I’ve been trying to balance her illness but it’s just been getting worse…” I trail off, and look down. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see his expression soften.

“Look Katie, I sympathise, I really do, but if you don’t take start taking accountability for your own learning, then I’m afraid there is nothing I can do," he states.

“I understand,” I reply flatly. “Thank you,” I add with a bit more sincerity.

“Alright, get back to class. Wouldn’t want you to miss anymore time.” He says, making a dismissive gesture.

“Alright.” I reply, calmly, as if it doesn’t feel like all my internal organs are burning. Instead, I just smile.

sion is palpable between them.