Wisdom ~ Chapter 2

An old typewriter given to Kaitlin by her grandmother is more than what it seems.

CHAPTER 2

Could he be more perfect? Kaitlin thought to herself as she sat alone on the bleachers, watching Ethan Wagner—the boy she had been in love with for the past year—run his third lap around the track.

What I wouldn’t give to run my fingers through that blonde hair, and look into those deep blue eyes.

“Hello! Earth to Kaitlin!”

Kaitlin snapped out of her daze and turned toward the voice. It was her friend, Jason.

“Oh hey, Jase. I was just—”

Jason laughed and rolled his hazel eyes. “Yeah, yeah, it’s pretty clear what you were doing. Making love to Ethan with your eyes.”

“Jase!” Kaitlin glared at him and elbowed him in the side. “You’re a perv.”

Jason flashed her a toothy grin, his braces glinting in the sun. “I try.”

Turning her gaze back to Ethan, Kaitlin’s heart sank when she saw Hannah Kenzington—Ethan’s girlfriend—run up to him and hand him a towel.

“What is wrong with her?” she cried, when Ethan leaned forward to kiss Hannah and she pulled back in disgust. “I don’t care how sweaty he is. He could be covered head to toe in dirt and I would still kiss him!”

“What’s so great about him anyway?” Jason scoffed. “On my best day, I can’t even get a girl to look at me, and Casanova over there doesn’t even have to try, and girls are drooling over him.”

“Ha! And you don’t think I feel the same way about girls like Hannah Kenzington?”

“You are much cooler than Hannah. Girls like that are only good for one thing, trust me.”

Kaitlin crossed her arms over her chest. “Really? And I suppose you are an expert on that one thing?”

Jason blushed. “Well, I know a slut when I see one, and if Ethan likes that kind, you’re too good for him.”

Kaitlin smiled and put her arm around her friend. “You’re a sweetheart, you know that?”

“Thought I was a perv.”

“You have your moments, but I love you anyway.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jason muttered, looking down and pushing his wire-rimmed glasses up on his nose.

They were heading back toward the school when Kaitlin was shoved from the side, knocking Jason to the ground. It was Hannah and a group of her friends.

“Hey loser. Focus on your own lame-ass boyfriend, and stop staring at mine, okay? It’s making him sick the way you drool over him.”

Her friends broke into a fit of giggles as they followed her back toward the school.

“Well, if it isn’t Hannah and her pack of laughing hyenas,” Jason scoffed.

Kaitlin reached down and helped him up. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry you had to go through that because of me.”

“Don’t sweat it, Kate,” Jason replied, brushing the grass off his jeans. “I’ve been through far worse at the hands of far more intimidating people than a snotty cheerleader. I think I’ll survive.”

Kaitlin looked back toward the track, relieved to see that Ethan was gone and hadn’t witnessed what had just happened.

“I just wish Ethan could see her for who she really is. Maybe he wouldn’t think she was so hot.”

Jason gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Give it time. She won’t be able to hide her true colors for long.”

Kaitlin smiled and plucked a piece of grass out of Jason’s shaggy brown hair. “Thanks, Jase. You’re the best.”

Linking arms, they headed across the lush green field, back toward the school.

Unfortunately, Kaitlin had to share two classes with Hannah. For two hours a day, she had to sit and listen to her go on and on about what a great kisser Ethan was, or the newest piece of jewelry he had just bought her.

While staring at the back of Hannah’s head, Kaitlin couldn’t help but imagine all of that long, glossy black hair falling out in clumps.
Ethan wouldn’t think you were so hot then, would he?

Realizing how jealous and petty she was being, Kaitlin scolded herself. What’s wrong with me? When did I become so vicious? I’m better than this.

She looked down at her textbook, trying to focus on the chapter she was supposed to read, but she couldn’t tune out the whispers coming from Hannah and her friends. She swore she heard her name more than once. It infuriated her.

When the bell rang, she couldn’t wait to get out of there.

Later that evening, Kaitlin fixed herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and sat down to watch some TV. As usual, her parents were out with friends, and she was left to care for herself.

Just as Kaitlin was about to head to bed, her cell rang. It was her friend Naomi.

“Hey Kate, guess what! Guess who just got asked to the Spring dance!”

“Miley Cyrus?” Kaitlin teased.

“Ha ha, you dork. Me! Aaron Bell just asked me!”

“That’s awesome! Do you have a dress yet?”

“I was hoping we could go dress shopping together. Have you been asked yet?”

“No, not yet,” Kaitlin said, trying to sound like it was no big deal.

“You could always go with Jason. I think he likes you.”

“Oh don’t be ridiculous!” Kaitlin laughed. “We’re just friends. Besides, there are already too many rumors about us. I don’t want Ethan thinking we’re together.”

Naomi groaned. “Kate, I hate to burst your bubble, but Ethan is with Hannah, and I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon. You’ve been obsessed with him for a year now. It’s time you moved on and considered other options. He’s not the only hottie in the school, you know.”

“I know.” Kaitlin sighed. “You’re probably right.”

“Of course I’m right! When have I ever been wrong?”
Kaitlin laughed. “Let me know when you’re going dress shopping. I’ll definitely help you pick something out.”
“Thanks, Kate. Cheer up. It’s not so bad.”
“I know. I better head to bed. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

Kaitlin hung up the phone and went to her room. She let out a sigh as she looked in her dresser mirror. Her dull brown hair hung limply to her shoulders, and her brown eyes were hidden behind the thick glasses she had worn since she was twelve. She had tried to convince her parents to get her new ones, but they always claimed they couldn’t afford it, although her mother always seemed to have new clothes and makeup every month.

Laying on her bed, she thought about Ethan and all the months she had spent dreaming about him. If he would just talk to her, just once, maybe they would have something in common. And if not, at least she would know and could truly move on.
If he would only ask me to the dance… Wait! The typewriter!

She remembered her grandmother’s words about not interfering with the lives of others.

It can’t hurt to just nudge him to ask me to the dance. What harm can that possibly do?

After retrieving the key from the jewelry box, she reached under her white-framed daybed and pulled out the suitcase, lifting it onto the patchwork blanket her grandmother had given her. She quickly unlocked and opened it. The typewriter was inside, the sheet of paper still in place.

She thought for a moment, then began to type:

ETHAN WAGNER ASKS KAITLIN PEARSON TO THE SPRING DANCE.

She sat back and waited. What would happen now? He didn’t have her phone number, so would he ask her at school tomorrow?
Kaitlin closed and locked the suitcase and put it back under her bed.

Laying back on her pillow, she closed her eyes and daydreamed about what would happen the following day until she drifted off to sleep.