「e i g h t : "They might be wearing invisibility cloaks for all we know!" 」

The bell rang and everyone hurried to pack their bags and escape out of the class to eat. Katie kept her notebook inside and zipped the bag, slinging it on one shoulder. She and Julian shared the class, so she waited for him at the door, and then they started walking together.

"So," Julian started, "they are almost a thing, huh?"

"Rose and Andrew?" she asked and he nodded. "I guess so," she shrugged. She looked outside the corridor window, holding the strap of her bag. "When did you find out?"

"When he was talking to her on the phone one day," he replied. "We had met at The Nook and he was talking to her the whole time, unaware I was with him." Katie laughed at this. "His ice cream melted, too."

"Damn. They're not subtle, are they?" Katie asked rhetorically. "The only ones in our group who probably don't know are River and Mark."

Julian nodded. "Yep. They're not as perceptive as they look."

Katie snorted. "Please, have you looked at River? His face literally looks like he doesn't know what's going on. And he doesn't."

Julian gave a booming laugh. "True that. Mark isn't as perceptive, then. He's just maths-smart."

They took the turn to enter the cafeteria and were greeted by some classmates. Katie only nodded in response to his earlier statement. The cafeteria was chaotic. Students were shuffling in a rush, sitting in their usual cliques.

Katie was tapped on the shoulder and she turned around and saw Mark. She dipped her head as a way of greeting. He smiled at her in return. Instinctively, the three made their way to their usual table where the twins were already sitting. They were talking about something and River was using his hands to create large gestures, probably to emphasise something. Rose gave a small laugh at something he said.

As the three approached their table, Rose and River looked up and smiled. They sat and took out their lunches, waiting for Lillian and Andrew to come. They had an unwritten rule: they didn't start eating before everyone had gathered. Katie sat opposite the twins and Mark and Julian took places on either side of her.

"Andy and Lilly not here yet?" River questioned.

"Do you see them here?" Katie muttered. When did he even start calling them Andy and Lilly?

His eyes widened. "I can't say; they might be wearing invisibility cloaks for all we know!"

Katie made a face at him and rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"Ignore him," Mark nudged her from the side, grinning at her.

She looked up at him. "Oh I try to, but he's like an annoying pain in the ass that won't go, ever."

River gasped from the opposite side. "I'm hurt, Katie!"

Katie cocked her head to the side. "Good," she replied.

His response was sticking out his tongue at her, and she did the same. They were interrupted by Andrew coming to the table and dragging out his chair. He settled himself beside Rose, and Katie coughed suggestively. Rose and Andrew shot her a warning look and she replied with a snigger.

"Did you enjoy chem, man?" River asked Julian, unaware of what was happening. He took a bite of his kiwi, even though they hadn't started eating yet. "I heard today's lecture was better than any others in like, ever."

"Really?" Katie asked, astonished. She glanced at Julian sideways. Tying his hair with a rubber band, he gave a nod.

"It indeed was. He didn't shout, scream or rip his shirt in anger."

This earned a laugh from everyone around the table, knowing how far Frankenstein would go, courtesy of his anger issues. Ripping his shirt was certainly an exaggeration, but they guessed he might even do that. Everyone wondered why he wasn't fired yet: it was a guess he pulled some strings to stay in the school.

"Even I understood what he was saying today," Andrew added. "Mainly because he wasn't talking like he was rapping. The lecture was comparatively normal today."

"That's... interesting," River pointed out.

"I heard from someone that he was taking anger management lessons," Mark told them. Everyone focused their attention on him. He shuffled under their gazes a bit, adjusting his glasses.

"For real?" Andrew queried.

"That's just a rumour, though," he replied. "I don't know the real thing."

"Hmm. I see."

"Hola!" Lillian joined them, her food tray in her hand. "I'm so sorry to make you guys wait! I was in the library and lost track of time."

"It's fine," Julian answered. "I can relate. I skipped swim-meet entirely once because I found a book I was searching for, for months."

Lillian shot him a grateful smile. She dropped her bag on an empty chair after setting her tray on the table and seated beside Andrew.

Julian continued, "Besides, it's not like everyone waited, you know?" he peered at River who had already finished his fruits. He snapped his head up and shot a sheepish look.

"Sorry, I was hungry."

Lillian chuckled. "It's fine. Also, what was it that I heard? About Frankenstein? ¿es verdad?"

(¿es verdad?: Is it true?)

"Yep," Andrew nodded. He then retold everything that they had talked, not missing any detail.

"Ooh," she dragged out, eating her garlic bread. "Well, whatever. I'm not interested in teachers' lives." She grinned mischievously. "I'm more interested in what's happening in our grade."

"Same, honestly," Rose admitted suddenly and everyone looked at her. A shocked expression escaped her face; even she was surprised that she spoke. She ducked her head in an attempt to hide her face. It was a slip up from her part. She hadn't agreed to like gossips, but it seemed that she had cracked without any pressure.

"I can't believe she's interested in gossip!" Mark exclaimed. "Who knew that Rose, out of all people, would be interested in current hot topics?!"

"Why can she not be interested in such topics?" Andrew shot defensively but quickly realised his blunder.

"He's right," Katie covered for him. "She can be interested in whatever she wants, despite how she acts. You don't get to judge her just from the outside."

"Um... yeah, but I didn't mean it that way," Mark mumbled. "It's just that I didn't peg her the type to like-"

"Don't even bother with him," Lillian cut him off, focused on her food. "He likes to judge people a lot. Some people just don't grow up, you know."

Mark didn't reply. He didn't even fire a sarcastic response, because she had hit the nail with her statement. There was tension between them and a moment of tranquility passed between the table, even though the place was anything but silent.

"I'm sorry," Mark said to Rose. "I didn't mean it in a rude way."

She nodded at him and gave a small smile. "It's okay. I don't blame you, really. Many people consider that I don't like to indulge in normal teenager activities because I'm silent."

River banged his hands on the table, effectively gaining everyone's attention. "Don't put labels on my sister, you fool!" he scolded, finally getting a track on what was happening. "She's amazing! You don't even know the half of her-"

"River," Katie stopped him, "I think he gets it. Don't you, Mark?"

Mark was at a loss of words. He nodded again apologetically and looked down at his food. River huffed, displeased. Katie, Julian and Andrew shared looks, thinking of ways to dissolve the palpable tension. They ate their lunch almost silently throughout the break. Katie and Julian were talking about random things but no one else joined.

Luckily for them, the bell rang soon and they got out of their seats wordlessly. They only said goodbye to each other and parted to go to their classes.

As everyone was dispersing, Katie slowed down Mark by putting a hand on his shoulder. He looked behind and gave her a wry smile. "It'll be okay, don't worry," she assured him, giving him a quiet smile. He nodded and went in the opposite direction.

Rose and Katie had an off-lecture, so they decided to go to the library. They chose the table at the far end, away from everyone. Katie sat near the window while Rose went to pick up a book to read.

Katie's phone vibrated as a notification popped up. She checked it and saw that it was River.

Doofus For Life: (3 unread messages)

I can't really stay mad at him!

Even tho he talked without thinking about MY sister! That should make me angry

But he said sorry and now I can't stay mad at him. Tell me, O Katie, how do you manage to stay mad for so long?!

Katie chuckled as she read everything. River couldn't stay angry for very long, just like Rose. He had a tendency to forgive easily.

Katie Adams:

You can't achieve it so easily. You gotta learn the skill and develop it!

Doofus For Life:

I'm serious!

Katie Adams:

So am I but you don't see me complaining

Doofus For Life:

Ughhh. What do I do now

Katie Adams:

Are you really mad at him?

Doofus For Life:

Um idk. He shouldn't have said that but even I say stuff like that

I mean i don't really have anything against him. He is my friend and he shouldn't have said that

He also said sorry before going to gym

Katie Adams:

There you go. You have your answer

"I finally found it!" Rose beamed as she slammed the huge book on the table. "This is the same book Lilly was talking about! She told me the section so it was easier to find!"

Katie smiled at her, looking up from her phone. She eyed the big hardcover with little to no interest. It read 'Gone With The Wind'.

"Dude!" Katie exclaimed. "This is Margaret Mitchell, right?"

Rose nodded. "I mean, there's only one Gone with the Wind, so..." she trailed off.

"We have it on our shelf, at home!"

"No way!"

She looked at Rose. "It's not that hard to find, too, you know? Mum and dad both had a copy until dad's copy got eaten by termites." Her phone vibrated with notifications.

"Why didn't you tell me you had it?!" Rose almost shouted at her. Some people shushed at them and she lowered down. "We were searching for it because we don't want to buy it, you know. It wasn't in the town library because someone had lost it, and our librarian told us it wasn't here because she didn't find it under the classics section but it was under the wrong section." She completed everything in a breath.

"Take a deep breath first," Katie suggested. "I would've told you if I had known in the first place, ginger."

"We were talking about it in front of you the other day!"

Katie gave a small laugh. "My bad, then. You shouldn't have spent hours searching for it."

She huffed. "It's fine. I guess me and Lilly can read it together, now that we can have two copies."

Katie nodded, unlocking her phone. "How do you even manage to read stuff like that? It has like a thousand pages."

"You wouldn't know the pleasure of reading books like these!" Rose said, fire in her blue-green eyes. "You wouldn't know how every page holds memories, how every chapter shares a secret and how much you feel like crying just because you're at the end of the book!"

She rambled on passionately about books and reading, and Katie checked the messages from River.

Doofus For Life: (6 unread messages)

I have my answer...?

Where is it?

Huhh

Answer me, woman!

Ohkay wait I reread everything and I see wym. Thanks ┑(￣▽￣)┍

Btw Rose might be feeling off at the moment, please cheer her up

Katie smiled at the last message. River was at his best when it came to his sister. It was at moments like these when he gained respect in Katie's eyes, which was why he was still in her good books.

Katie Adams:

Don't worry about it. I'll handle her

And make sure Mark says sorry to her, too

He will, probably.

His response was immediate.

Doofus For Life:

Thankuu ;)

He will say sorry, he told me that he will. She'll forgive him, too

Katie Adams:

Okayy and she will definitely

"... you feel like throwing away at such a moment, but then you feel bad that you feel like throwing it. But when you accept the feeling of chucking it out of the window, it also feels like justice should be made to the book and you should also jump with it. Do you get me?" Rose ranted on. She answered her own question, "You wouldn't get it, obviously, because you don't know the satisfaction of reading!"

Katie chuckled. "I'm not a fan of reading. That's true. I'm a fan of tv shows and movies, though. I can binge watch them anytime."

Rose huffed. She was clearly disappointed at not getting the reciprocation for her own enthusiasm.

"They're different things and you know that."

"I do, but I'm just saying."

"Okay, yeah, sure."

Katie glanced at her, straightening her back. She intertwined her fingers between each other, putting her hands on the table.

"Are you fine?"

Rose looked at her. "Of course I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because it's obvious that Mark's words hit something."

Rose exhaled slowly, closing her eyes. "I guess they did. People take me for granted because I don't speak up, and assume stuff on their own. It's my own doing, honestly."

"No, it isn't," Katie told her with conviction. "Don't let anyone walk over you! Just because you don't talk much doesn't mean that you should let people treat you like you're a freaking doormat. If they assume things, prove them otherwise. If they're putting labels on you, tear. Them. Off."

"I'm not you, Kate. It isn't possible for everyone."

"You have to try to make it work," she scoffed. "If you can stand up for yourself, no one can treat you like shit, believe me."

Rose gave her a small smile. "You're right. I know you are. It's just that, I don't know if I can make it work. Theory is harder than practical."

Katie folded her arms across her chest. "You should start aiming for it, then. Try to come out of your shell. Show who you truly are; don't just let 'em assume things."

After a pause, Katie started again. "You know what, though? I don't even care about people. I care about you. If you want to grow up, you have to strive hard to achieve it," she explained, trying to make her point reach.

Rose gave a sigh. "I understand what you mean, Kate. I really do, but..."

"But what?"

"It was hard to come out of this shell before. I've always been the shy type, unlike you or River. It could've been easier, too, but things changed after..." she gulped, pinching her eyes shut. "Things changed after her death."

Katie sucked in a breath. Understanding washed over her and she suppressed a shudder, memories coming back to her. She stretched her hands forward, clasping them firmly between Rose's hands.

"I get it now," Katie told her, her voice sombre. "I- I didn't realise that. I'm sorry."

Rose nodded. "It's fine... it's been almost 2 years but I'm still struggling to cope up."

Katie retracted her hands, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "You'll be fine, ginger. You just need some more time."

"Yeah," she breathed out. She wiped her eyes, sniffing. "Thanks, though. What you said didn't go over my mind, I'll consider it. It's hard for me, but I'll survive." She looked at the brunette in front of her. "One day, I want to be as strong as you or River."

Katie shook her head. "No. You won't be like either of us, because you're your own being. You'll grow and gain strength unlike any of us, because that's what makes you, you."

"You're great at this," Rose said, rubbing her eyes. She was sporting a smile which managed to lift Katie's mood a little. "You know what you forgot?"

Katie smiled. "What?"

"You should've ended with, 'thank you for coming to my Ted Talk'."

Katie gave a laugh, shaking her head. "It wasn't a 'Ted Talk'," she quoted Ted Talk with her fingers, "it was my way of telling you to cheer up. I succeeded."

"That you did, my friend," Rose agreed. "That you did."

❇ ❇ ❇

Hello, everyone! Hope you liked this chapter ♡

I particularly enjoyed writing this chapter because everyone was shooting at Mark haha.

The pretty cover up there is made by my friend nah_tasha05! Thanks, girl ❤

Who's your favourite character by far?

I ain't saying anything because my characters would feel biased if I pick favourites. *whispers* River would throw a tantrum when I don't choose him...

I heard that!

Uh-oh. That was River! Oops! Hahahaha idc

I'm just going to...

...put this here. (It's too relatable ngl. I feel down for a long time after I complete reading a book.)

Okay, I gtg! I have assignments piling up haha *cries in History*

'Til later!

Love,

Cas.