Friends Forever
By
Yu Mao
~~~
PUBLISHED BY:
Grace Yip on Smash-
words
Friends Forever
Copyright © 2012 by Yu Mao
~~~
~~~
Book cover image by Grace Yip (amazing author)
~~~
I dedicate this story to everyone who understands the loss of losing a friend and a family member.
~~~
Table of contents
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
~~~
Chapter1
The fall leaves danced around Kate as a warm, slightly chilly wind blew through her hair. She shivered, hugging her vest closer to her body. For once, Kate was glad school came, because she couldn’t stand all the yelling and screaming in the house. Kate’s parents were always arguing about something. She had a sinking feeling that her parents might get divorced. Not that she liked that thought. Kate sighed and a small puff of air flew out of her mouth. Kate smiled, remembering how her sister used to challenge her to contests of who can puff out the biggest bubble. But now, Cathleen, her sister, was in University and went to Washington D.C. Cathleen hardly EVER paid ANY attention to her anymore. She never calls or come home for a visit either. Years ago, when Kate had first found out that Cathleen was leaving, she’d cried (she was still little at that time). Cathleen had promised to call, but she didn’t. She called a MONTH later instead. “I found some friends,’’ was her explanation. She loved her friends more than her family, Kate thought. She shook off the haunting feeling and gazed around the schoolyard. Kate’s school right now was very far from her home, so she had to take the T.T.C home. With a jolt, Kate realized that she had completely forgotten to call her mother. She sighed and hurried to the Principal’s office.
Natalie
Natalie stepped out of the washroom, flanked with her friends. Suddenly, she bumped into a person. “Oh, gosh, can’t you be any more careful?’’ She snapped. The girl blushed. “Sorry,” she muttered. Natalie stared her. The girl had on a green vest, green shoes, pants and shirt. She even had on a green hair band. The girl had freckles, perfect-angled eyes, red; pinkish lips and had black, straight hair. Natalie shook her head angrily. How could anyone, ANYONE, ever, beat Jessica, the prettiest girl at Weston D.R High? Natalie felt sympathetic. She sighed and shook her head again, but sadly this time. “Jessica won’t be happy!” Grace snickered, one of Natalie’s friends. “Shh! be quiet!” Natalie hissed to Grace, still feeling sad for the girl. Without talking, Natalie stalked away. Grace and the other girls followed her. Okay, I should stop now, Natalie said to herself firmly.
Kate
Kate stared after Natalie. What did I do wrong this time? Kate asked herself, dusting off the leaves on her vest and on her hair. Besides bumping into that girl, she had no idea why that girl kept staring at her. Okay, stop thinking about that now, Kate told herself, as she hurried into the school. School doesn’t start until 8:40, but new students were allowed in early for the trip to the office. Kate entered the office and went directly to the secretary. “I’m the new student,’’ Kate explained, as the secretary looked up. “Well than, my name is Miss. Malone, Martha Malone, but call me Martha,’’ the secretary said pleasantly. ‘’My name is Kate Standers,’’ Kate said. “Oh, we’re expecting you! Go right on in,’’ Martha said cheerfully. Kate thanked her and walked in. “Oh, it is Kate Standers, correct?’’ Kate nodded nervously. “My name is Mr. McDonald,’’ he smiled. She nodded. “Well, have a seat!’’
Natalie
Natalie hurried to her homeroom just as the last bell ended. Few! Not late! She thought as she walked in classroom. Grace was already there. When Grace spotted Natalie, she nodded at the empty seat beside her. Natalie smiled and sat down. She took out her purple notebook, binder and pen. Natalie opened her notebook to the first page and wrote the date. Then Natalie leaned over to Grace and whispered, “You better write the date too; class is almost starting.” Grace nodded and opened her red notebook and copied it down too. Natalie smiled. But, just then, their teacher, Mrs. Fields, clapped her hands. Immediately, the class quieted. Mrs. Fields smiled. “Welcome, class, to a new semester at Weston D.R High. We’re going to have quite a year!” Natalie smiled too; she couldn’t help it, Mrs. Fields’ happiness was contagious. Grace was smiling too, which was a REALLY good sign, because Grace doesn’t smile a lot. Maybe this IS a start of an awesome semester! Natalie thought.
Kate
Kate hurried through her locker combination. “2…4….3….1….6….” She muttered through clenched teeth. At last, on her third try, her locker sprang open. She took out all the books she had to use for her next classes. “Let’s see…Homeroom, 207.” Kate scanned the hallways, holding her schedule for the semester. At last, Kate found her homeroom just as the second-to-last bell rang. Only three people were there when she arrived at her homeroom. Kate took a front-row seat. ‘Mrs. Fields’ was written on the blackboard. Kate smiled and took out her blue notebook. Just then, the last bell rang and everyone filed in the classroom. A really pretty girl sat behind her. Across from her, Kate saw the girl whom she had bumped into. But just then, Mrs. Fields clapped her hands. Class began. When the teacher wasn’t looking, the girl behind Kate slid her folded sticky note.
Natalie
Natalie opened her locker and took out her gym uniform. It was completely white. When Natalie entered the gym, everyone was already there. Including the girl she’d bumped into. Natalie walked up to the girl. “Hi! My name is Natalie Steels. What’s your name?” Natalie asked, smiling. “My name is K-K-Kate S-Standers,” she answered nervously. Natalie smiled. Kate smiled back. “I’m really sorry about the washroom accident!” Kate added, wringing her hands. “That’s okay,” Natalie laughed. “Hey, do you want to hang out after school at my house?” asked Natalie. “Oh! Sure! But I’ll have to tell my Mother first,” Kate answered, surprised. “Here, you can use my phone.”