Eleven

KATHERINE THRONES

This is a dream, nothing more. Everything that happened yesterday was a dream, but today is a new day, and there will be no Alexander living next door, only that grumpy young man with a bad attitude.

“It was just a dream, nothing else.” As I got out of bed to start preparing for college, I said to myself. Today would be a practical day, so I needed to wear something that wouldn’t restrict my movement. I needed to be at my best. I had been slacking, and if I didn’t buckle up, Mum would have to come down here, which I didn’t need right now, nor did I need her constant calls about my grades and how she wanted the best for me.

I walked to the mirror to style my hair after putting on a pair of black trousers, a blue oversized t-shirt, and a pair of black Converse. After some deliberation, I decided to simply put it in a ponytail. My phone pinged and when I went to pick it up and saw it was a message from Katie, I smiled to myself. She was checking in on me, asking how my night had gone, and reminding me that she was my ride to school.

I really needed to learn to drive. Having a car had been my dream, and it had become a reality thanks to Dad, but not being able to drive out of the parking lot was something I knew he wouldn’t be happy about, so I needed to learn quickly. All I had to do was call the number Dad gave me, and everything would be fine.

Speaking of Dad, I hadn’t heard from him in a long time. I should be ashamed of myself for only reaching out to him when I needed his help. He might think he was a pawn I used to get away from Mum. The man tried to be close to me after leaving Mum and me, and he wants to be back in my life, but all I'm doing is pushing him away. I know he has the answers to my questions, and he promised to answer them all, but I guess I was just really curious about the reason for their breakup.

The phone rang, which surprised me, and when I checked the caller ID, it was Mum. I rolled my eyes, wondering why she was calling me because I knew she wasn’t calling to check in on me to see how I was doing away from home, or to see if I missed her or anything.

I greeted her with, “Mum, good morning.”

“Good morning, sweetheart. How are you doing, and how is school going? How are your studies going? I hope you’re getting good grades?” she asked and I rolled my eyes. She was completely predictable.

Would it kill her if she just told me she called to check how I was faring and if I wanted to come home because I missed her or something which I doubt I would ever do?

“I’m fine, Mum, and everything is going well. My studies are doing great. I was just about to leave for class so I’ll call you later,” I said, knowing full well that I wasn’t going to.

“All right, love, focus on school, and don’t let anything distract you. Remember, I only want the best for you, and I want you to graduate school as the best student possible so you don’t have to depend on anyone, like your m-”

“Mum, I get it,” I cut her off, “it's a constant reminder and I’m used to it. I can’t be late for my class if I am to be the best student you want me to be. Take care, Mum,” I said before hanging up.

She'd ruined both my perfect morning and my appetite. I should have ignored her call and texted her that I was in class or something. I wouldn’t have heard anything from her.

I picked up my handbag and was about to walk out the door when I heard a knock.

“Who could that be?” That was the question that came to mind. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and the only friend I expected to see had texted me earlier to come to her house and she would be my ride to school, or was I too late and she had come to pick me up herself?

I opened the doors with a smile on my face, ready to apologize to her when I saw him, the one I hated and didn't want to see.

“Well, hello, neighbor, are you as excited to see me this morning as I am to see you? I wasn’t expecting this kind of smile,” Alexander said, and I rolled my eyes.

“Alexander, what are you doing here, and what do you want?” The smile on my face faded as I asked him.

“I’m here to check on my neighbor because I’m new here, and all I want is for you to be mine,” he said with a smirk.

“In your dreams, Alexander. Move, I’m running late for my first class.”

“Right on time then, I was about to leave for class too. Do you mind if I drop you off at school?” He asked with a cocky smirk.

“Hahaha, Alexander, dream on, that’ll never happen. Now back off, mister,” I said this while body slamming him away from the door and locking it. I was about to walk away when he pulled me back.

“Why play the hard-to-get game, Katherine? You can run all you want, but you’ll never be able to get away from me. I want you, and the entire school knows that you are mine. Whether you run away from this or not, you will accept me. It’s not something you can run away from,” he said, all mighty as if he were a prince no one could resist.

“I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I’ll never be yours, and even if I wanted a boyfriend, why do you think it would be you? You are not and will never be worthy of that role!” I screamed at him.

“Ouch... that hurts. Who do you think will want someone like you if not me? Nobody in school would want you after my announcement unless they really want trouble.” That stupid smirk returned to his face.

“And who said I was interested in anyone at school? Look, Alexander, the sooner you let this sink in, the better for you. I will never date a playboy like you. Now back off!”

As I walked out on him, he followed me.

Ignoring him was the best option because engaging in conversation with him would only cause me to lose my senses, and I wasn't going to let him do that; no matter what happened, I was going to have to play hard to get while thinking about what Katie had asked of me.

Katie was already downstairs by her car when I arrived at her apartment. When she saw Alexander beside me, I could see the surprise on her face.

“Ignore him, Katie, he’s not worth our time. Let’s hurry or we’ll be late for school,” I said.

“Good morning, Katie. I apologize for intruding in this manner, but I offered Katherine a ride to school, but she insisted on following you, so I had no choice but to tag along. Do you mind if-”

“My car just broke down, and I was waiting for the mechanics to come to fix it, but since you offered, we will be following you,” Katie said immediately, and my mouth dropped open in surprise.

“No, we’re not, we’ll take the bus to school,” I said, giving her a death stare.

“I don’t want to be late, sweetheart, and I can’t walk in these killer heels. We’re going with him, sweetie,” she said with a smile before leaning in closer to whisper in my ear. “This is the perfect time to bond with him. Remember what I told you, love: make him fall in love with you and then break him."

“Thank you, Alex, for the ride,” she said as she tapped my shoulders and walked towards Alexander, “We are honored.”

“It is my pleasure, ladies.”

Fvck! This is going to be my worst day at school. I could almost smell the hatred from his maniacal fans. This was going to be my death.