The following week, I was back at school. Rob had tried calling my house a million times but I refused to talk to him. My parents wondered what happened and I just told them that we broke up at the end of the trip. They didn’t ask anything else, which was good because I had no intention in telling them what actually happened.
Brooke arrived back at school a few hours after me. She came bouncing in the room:
“Katelin!!! I missed you so much!!! How was Florida? Rob? Tell me everything!!!!” I smiled half-heartedly. I hadn’t talked to her since I’d been back and apparently, Ashley hadn’t either, since she didn’t know anything about the trip. I gave her a hug:
“You might want to get your cigs for this one. It might take awhile.” She looked at me funny:
“Why? What happened?” I proceeded to tell her everything. About Rob, Nick, the Backstreet Boys. Everything. Just as I was finishing up the phone rang. Brooke jumped up and grabbed it:
“Hello?…Oh, Nick…We were just talking about you…Thanks for taking such good care of my best friend…Yes…Oh sorry! I’m Brooke, Katelin’s wonderful roommate…Yeah…hold on. Here’s she is.” She handed me the phone. I grabbed it:
“Hey! What’s up?” Nick laughed:
“Nothing much. Are you glad to be back?”
“Yeah. Hopefully, this time it’ll be so much better.” He sighed:
“I’m sure it will. Promise me that you’ll be happy and not let that jerk get to you, okay?” I smiled:
“I promise. You’re such a good friend, Nicky.”
“I try.” We talked for a little while longer and then he had to go.
**** **** **** **** **** ****
The week went by pretty quickly. Classes got started again and I got back into the swing of things. Rob called a few times but I, luckily, never answered the phone. I finally felt like things might be getting back to normal. Of course, something bad had to happen.
It was the Friday, a week and half after school had started. I was sitting in class when it hit me: I hadn’t gotten my period. It was at least a week late. As soon as class was over I rushed back into my room, tears already falling. Brooke looked up surprised as I barged in the door:
“Kate, what’s wrong?” I threw my stuff on the ground:
“I’m late.” She looked confused:
“For what?” I rolled my eyes:
“No! I’m late late, as in, my period is late.” Her face softened:
“Oh Kate. You want me to take you to CVS?” I nodded:
“Do you mind?” She shook her head:
“Of course not.” She grabbed her keys and we ran out the door. When we got back, I went straight into the bathroom. We waited five minutes and then I looked at it….