Reliving Your High School Days

When lunch arrives, I am exhausted. I forgot how much energy school took. And we have not even started with the work yet. The teachers are going through their rules and some went through the curriculum for the year. I have been staring at my phone's screen for most of the periods, waiting for another text. Now that I think about it, I wonder if I can text back.

I find Ally sitting outside on the grass with no food. Right, she has an eating disorder. I think she blames Kate for it later in a fight.

I, on the other hand, have loaded my tray with all kinds of food. I'm starving and it is free. I sit down next to her. A silence settles over us as I eat something that I have never seen in my life, but it looks good and it tastes delightful.

"Some of the new kids aren't here yet," she says as she plays with a strand of her hair.

"I thought you weren't one for gossip," I retort back, and she just rolls her eyes. She lays back on the grass.

"These new guys are weird. It is like they're all family or something. They all moved together." She shields her eyes from the sun as she looks at me.

"Yes, that is strange," I say with a mouthful of food. I wonder if anyone else knows about them being werewolves. The head of the school has to be in on this. Is she a werewolf? I would not be surprised.

"Where were they sitting when you got your food?" Ally asks, her voice shaking slightly. They? The popular kids?

"Where they always do." I hesitate as I answer, hoping that they usually sit wherever they sit. I didn't even notice them. When she nods her head, I take it that she knows where they sit.

If I am being honest, there was not that much bullying in my school. We all got along pretty well and you just ignored those that irritated you. I do feel sorry for her. Bullying is a horrible thing to experience and it alters your whole life.

I am not dismissing her trauma, but she needs to work through it and maybe go see someone. The "alpha" is not going to be able to take that trauma away. Oh, wait, he will. So who cares about therapy? Everything will be perfect when they get together.

The bell rings and I let out a frustrated sigh, looking at the food I didn't even get to finish. And now I must run back to the cafeteria to return the plate. This is going to be a long day.

                                                                                 * * *

When I got home from school, I went for a jog. I had to do something to clear my head and piece everything together. Plus, Kate is in good shape and I want to keep it that way.

I managed to figure out a few things during the jog. I am impressed with my brain for recalling as much information as it did while I was zoned out for most of the book.

I know Kate’s boyfriend’s name is Max and that Kate has an older brother, Oliver. He is one year older than Kate and he also failed his senior year last year. Now he has to repeat it in the same year as Kate. I overheard his mother giving him a lecture of a lifetime. He seems to be quite on the social side of life.

After I have taken a shower, I sit on the bed and scroll through all the photos on Kate’s phone. She has many selfies and pictures with friends and family. My own phone has almost no selfies. I am not one for selfies, but I like to take photos with my friends.

I notice Kate has no photos with Ally which is strange. They have been friends for the last year. You would think they have some photos together.

I realize there are less than ten songs on Kate’s phone. I live for music, so we have to get some songs on here. I navigate to Spotify and play a playlist that seems fun.

When “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Chainsmokers starts playing, I stop in my tracks. What year did I travel to?

2016? No way. I laugh softly while I make my way back to the closet. I remember those times. I wish I could say I missed those days, but I don’t. I was too busy studying and focusing on my academics to ensure I could get into the top universities. If I had lived as Kate, I would miss those days.

“I need you, I need you, I need you right now. Yeah, I need you right now . . . “ I sing, searching through the clothes in the closet. I do not think I will ever get enough of this closet. It is a dream come true. I must decide what to wear for tomorrow, but there are too many options.

I shift through some of the outfits I like. My phone buzzes and I sigh in frustration. That can be none other than the author.

Congratulations, you survived the first day. I am surprised you didn’t change anything from the original story, so I guess it can’t be that bad. I’m glad you are enjoying it. And remember, the story starts tomorrow xxx

I chuck my phone on my bed and scoff. Then why didn’t the story start tomorrow? Readers don’t want to struggle through a boring first day as I did. Just start with the action. Writing 101.

I enter the closet again and tilt my head, searching for that vintage denim that I saw earlier. It is calling my name. I take it off the hanger and flip through the shirts. I find a blue and white striped shirt. That will work nicely with the vintage denim.

After finalizing my outfit with a leather belt, I fall on the bed. “PILLOWTALK” from Zayn plays. I have almost forgotten about this song. All these songs are giving me nostalgia for something I have never experienced before.

“Dinner,” Kate’s mother calls from downstairs. I hurry out of my room and down the stairs. Kate’s dad stands at the entrance of his study.

So, this is how he looks. He is way more attractive than I imagined him when I read this story. I walk toward him with a smile at him and he embraces me.

"Nice to see you again, Catherine. How was your first day?" he asks as we all take our places at the table.

"Quite boring." He chuckles and Kate's mother starts to put food on our plates. I look at the potato and scrunch up my nose. I hate potatoes. It tastes like nothing.

Then I remember that their mother is not in a good mood, and I do not want to get on her wrong side, so I quickly change my expression.

Oliver decides to break the silence to talk about his day. As he talks about the new kids, I remember that the alpha and his friend will be there tomorrow. Hopefully, I don't have to talk to them or even see them.

Ugh, but I have to protect Allison from the alpha until he has learned some manners. They are not going to get together if I have a say in it. This toxic relationship is a no from me. I will be fixing that to set a better example for younger girls that read this. They will learn about ✨healthy✨ relationships.

From tomorrow on, there are going to be a lot more changes made to this story.