Monday 11:50am

Okay, this is it. Do not screw it up Kaia. Take your time. Read, read, read! Do not rush. Okay, breathe. You can do this. You can do this.

× ×

I glanced over at Todd, he was dozing off to sleep. I suppose he didn't get much sleep last night. Speaking of which, I stayed up till 2am trying to cram everything last minute.

Thank goodness the time passes fast enough. I go over everything I've written, checking and re-checking. I can't afford to make any silly mistakes. Soon as the gigantic clock hits 12 o'clock, everyone rushes out of their seats and straight to the door, passing their papers on the way out.

"That was brutal! I just know I'm gonna get a zero, just wait for it" Todd said, typing away on his phone.

"I hope I did okay. ..I didn't know as much as I had hoped I would" I said truthfully.

"You're probably gonna score highest. No doubt about that" Todd said, still looking down. How does he know how to walk without bumping into anyone?

"Todd, who are you texting?" I asked curiously. He was smiling like mad at his phone.

"Well, now that you've asked I'll have to tell you" Todd said with a sly look on his face.

"Okay then, spill!" I said, eager to know who it was.

"You'll get to meet him soon, don't worry" He replied, draping an arm over my shoulder.

"What? I'm pretty sure I asked for a name" I said, stopping in my tracks to look at Todd who was definitely blushing.

"Just keep moving!" He said, pushing me down the walkway, laughing.

× × ×

"What's up with you two?" Dani asked as Todd and I entered the Cafe laughing hysterically.

I took a seat opposite Dani and Todd slid in beside her.

"Todd's being mean" I said, pulling out my phone from my bag.

"He's always mean, what's new?" Dani said, siding Todd.

"Ha ha, very funny Danielle" Todd said in a sarcastic tone.

"Guys, Elena's farewell is this Saturday. You got your outfits picked out or do we need a trip to the mall?" I asked, scrolling through the planner on my phone.

"Hmm. ..mall, definitely" Dani said, slurping her milkshake.

Suddenly Todd looked up and gasped.

"Woahh, a snake just slithered in. Don't look, Kaia" He said, pretending to look at his phone but glancing up every few seconds.

"Seriously, Todd? Slithered in?" Dani said and we all burst out laughing.

"Shush, she's heading this way" Todd said in a hushed tone.

Few seconds later a slim figure with long colored hair and a leather jacket stood by our table, looking at me. She had a coffee in her hand and her phone in the other. I glanced up at her and immediately sighed.

"What do you want, Yvonne?" I asked, uninterested. I swear, if she asks me about Alexis again.

"Jeez, calm down sweetie! I heard about Ash" she said, sipping on her coffee.

"Yeah, and?" I replied, trying to figure out what's her point.

Dani and Todd kept their heads down, not wanting to get involved in our conversation.

"I'm glad he's okay, I was worried when I heard but I'm happy you stepped in and helped him. It was brave of you" she said, smiling.

Is she seriously smiling? At me? I think she's high, yeah that's probably the only explanation for her weirdness. If this was the normal Yvonne she would be talking about ripping my eyes out.

"Yeah, I'm glad I helped him" I replied, nodding.

"Alright, well I'm gonna go now. See you at the farewell" she said before taking off. The sound of her boots against the floor made my skin crawl, she had a scary vibe to her, or maybe it's just her eyes.

After she left, Dani looked at me wide-eyed, probably suprised with Yvonne's behavior as well.

"I won't know how to behave if she's gonna be there. I'd have to get wasted to enjoy my night" Dani said, gathering her stuff.

"Same" Todd said, still preoccupied with his phone.

"I'm gonna head out now, gotta get to my next paper" Dani said, blowing us a kiss and rushing out of the Café.

Todd and I ordered lunch and took a full hour food break which included dessert as well. Todd finally put his phone down and was actually starting up a conversation with me.

"I'm worried about you, K" He said, looking at me weirdly.

"Why?" I said with a mouth full of fries.

"You solve everyone's problems, who will help solve yours?" He said, finishing off his sundae.

I stared at him, thinking of an answer, but I didn't seem to have one.

"I'll solve it on my own, in time. My problem is more sensitive, my parents are getting divorced and I think I'm not that affected  because I'm here at school, buried in work. If I were at home, like Ally- I'd be depressed. I just know it" I replied, still thinking of how I could mend my family. I ended up sitting there thinking of someone I knew who had divorced parents, so I could ask how they reacted, and how they continued on with life. But who?

"Come on, let's get to English. I bet it'll be a breeze" Todd said, sliding out of the booth. I ate my last fry and grabbed my sundae to go.

Just as we exited the Café and headed past the carpark, Todd suddenly hid behind a large van.

"Todd, what the hell?!" I half-shouted, clueless as to why he was hiding.

"It's him! He's here!" He half-shouted back with a stressed out look on his face.

"Who's here?" I asked, looking around for whoever he was hiding from.

"It's Greg, he's here. I said I was having lunch at the Café with friends. Now he's here".

"Okay, and that's a bad thing, why?".

"It's not. ..it's just. .. I'm caught off guard. He could've walked in and saw me flirting with Walter the waiter".

"Well, were you?!".

"God, no! Walter's doing the late shift".

"Thank god" I said, laughing.

"Let's get outta here" Todd said, pulling my arm to English class.

***
Monday, 5pm.

Todd was absolutely right, English was a breeze. I have a good feeling we'll both score good marks on this one. I cannot say the same for my business class. But that's tomorrow, I'll study some more for it tonight, just to prepare better.

It's afternoon and I've decided to go for a run. Odd, but I feel like clearing my head. I change into a matching leggings and bra set and throw on one of Dani's jackets. Soon as I put on my runners, I'm out the door. This time I've decided to leave my phone back, only taking my room key with me. That way there won't be any distractions.

A run around campus should be enough, this place is huge. I cross over from the dorms to the benches and start with some stretches. I instantly regret having so much to eat today. After my warm up I start jogging through the park.

The park was slightly empty, only few students studying by the benches. I loved how the breeze gushed past me as I jogged, cooling me down.
Once I reached the other end of the park, towards the administration block, I saw Yvonne with a brown paper bag in her hand. She was rocking on her heel, scanning the place every few seconds. Looks like she's waiting for someone.

I took a seat on the park bench and watched her. I was interested to know what she was up to. I watched as she pulled out her phone and held it to her ear. I wonder who she's calling.
Not long later, a motorcycle pulled up infront of her. At first I didn't know who it was, because of the helmet. But as soon as she got off and removed it, I saw who it was.

Alexis.

What business did she have with Yvonne? I'm so curious to know.
I sat there out of sight and watched as Yvonne tossed the bag at Alexis. She took a look inside and looked pissed off, she quickly passed it back and shook her head in disagreement. Yvonne looked scared of Alexis, and that was weird to see coming from a person like her.

Things started to get heated as Alexis had her hands around Yvonne's neck, choking her. I stood up and gasped, just as I was about to head there and push her off Yvonne, she released her grip and gave her a punch to her right eye.
I covered my mouth with both hands, shocked by Alexis' actions. She didn't look like the type, but I actually didn't know her at all so this must be why Yvonne looked so scared.

Alexis ended up grabbing the paper bag off Yvonne and getting on her bike again to leave. After she sped off the same way she came, I quickly ran over to see Yvonne, who was now holding her hand up to her right eye.

"Are you okay?" I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked at me in suprise, maybe thinking where the hell did I spring out of.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just abit sore" she replied, still covering her eye.

"Let's get you something cold for your eye" I said, helping her to a seat outside the block. I went over to the vending machine and got out a cold drink.

"Here. This should help" I said, handing the icy cold can over to her.

She muttered a thank you and placed it on her swollen eye. She kept looking down, not saying a word. I think she doesn't want to tell me what happened, it's alright though- I don't wanna push her. We're not friends, anyway.

I walked away from there, headed further down campus. Yvonne snapped her head up as I was leaving to say something.

"Kaia" she said, looking at me with her piercing blue eyes. She still looked shocked after what happened.

I turned to face her, just to see what she called out for.

"Thanks. ..for helping me. I owe you one" she said, a slight smile playing across her face.

"No problem" I replied before continuing on with my run.

* * *
Monday 5:45pm

I'm exhausted. I can't walk any longer, thank goodness I'm a few metres away from my room. I unzip my jacket and let the cool air brush against my sweaty body, cooling me down instantly.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside my room. I looked around but there was no sign of Dani so I headed straight to the shower. She must be at the library or maybe the gym. She didn't tell me what she was up to this afternoon.

I made a mental note to pick up more shampoo for me as my favorite was now empty. I picked up Dani's coconut shampoo and squeezed out a tad bit on my hand, then I squirted out what was left of the pineapple one and mixed them together, applying it to my hair. The smell was heavenly and it instantly calmed my nerves as it filled the steamy shower.

Just as I was washing the shampoo out of my hair, I faintly heard the door shut. Soon there was a knock on the bathroom door.

"Kaia, you in there?".

Oh, it's just Dani.

"Yeah, almost done. Hang on" I replied, turning the shower off. I stepped out and immediately the cold air gave me goosebumps.
I opened the door and was met with Dani, who had a confused look on her face.

"What's up?" I asked, taking in her appearance. She was dressed in workout clothes but had books in her hand. Weirdo.

"Someone was looking for you outside. I came to check if you were here. Get dressed, she's sitting in her car- waiting for you".

"Do I know her?" I asked, picking out something comfy from my closet. Yoga pants and a tank should do.

"Not sure girl, she's in a grey suit. Pretty old looking, I don't know" Dani said, dropping her books on the table.

Monday, 6:20pm

I quickly got dressed and tied my hair up in a bun. I slipped on my flip-flops and went to see who was outside. Sitting in her car, just outside the room was our family lawyer. ..or ex-lawyer. No idea.

I got in the passengers side and shut the door slowly, wondering why she's here all of a sudden.

"Kaia, sorry for showing up unannounced" she said, placing a takeaway coffee in my hand. I kindly accepted and took a sip. Caramel. How did she know?

I sat there, waiting for her to speak. I didn't have anything to say to her and I'm sure she caught my vibe because she suddenly cleared her throat to speak.

"Kaia. I'm here because your mom is never home when I come around. I have something to tell you all, on behalf of your dad and Taylor" she said, searching in her handbag for a piece of paper.

"Who the hell is Taylor?!" I asked with furrowed brows. Never heard of her.

"Okay, since you do have questions for me, even though at first it seemed like you didn't, I'll schedule a lunch date or dinner, whichever you prefer. We can talk about everything, off the record" she said, flashing her best smile.

That's the only way I'll get answers on how I can mend my family, I should definitely agree.

"Okay, you have my number-- text me" I said before getting out of the car.

"Oh, and thanks for the coffee" I added before slamming the door.

Monday, 6:35pm

I got back to the room and tossed the empty plastic cup in the bin. I sat down at the study table and opened up my business notes, attempting to feed my brain more information before tomorrow. Can this week just end already, it's wrecking my brain and it's only just begun. Not long later, Dani emerged out of the bathroom with her hair neatly bunned up, her notepad in her hand and a very smart-looking outfit on.

"Wow, where are you off to looking pretty?" I asked, eyeing her as she put on my ankle boots.

"Oh, nowhere special, I just have to interview this guy who's on the basketball team. It's for my paper" she said, looking in the mirror.

"So why aren't you in your sweats like all your other interviews, hmm?" I asked, knowing damn well why. I just loved to tease her.

"Aw shut up! I'm trying to get a good report and score points for myself. He's a snack, incase you wondering" she said before leaving the room.

"Good for you!" I shouted as she was about to shut the door. I'm happy for her, she deserves someone good in her life.

》》》