by Sabrina Kanavatsas, staff reporter
It was late April, in the afternoon in New York. The weather was cool with a small breeze, and everyone in the neighborhood was out, except Katherine. Katherine is a tall brunette, who is usually very active, but for some reason, she was not on that Saturday. She planned to stay at home for the day and rest on her day off from work. However, she soon received a phone call from her friend, Willow.
Willow is a few years older than Katherine. She is taller, with short black hair and always wears make up. She is not athletic and is on the heavy side. They met a couple of weeks before, when Willow came to her job at the local roller blading rink. They quickly exchanged numbers and spoke everyday ever since. On the phone call, Willow asked Katherine to tag along with her to a co-worker’s birthday party at an arcade. Katherine was hesitant at first, but later agreed.
When Katherine arrived at Willow’s house an hour later, she saw Willow waiting for her by the window. Willow was getting ready, with curls in her hair and in her pajamas, waiting for Katherine to help her pick out an outfit. Katherine was wearing black jeans with a black tank top and flannel button down over it. As Willow was doing her own makeup, she turned around and asked Katherine if she can do hers. Katherine isn’t a big makeup fan, but agreed to let her do it. She was a little skeptical since Willow likes to overdo her makeup at times, but thought that it would be fine if she does it just this one time.
After a few minutes, Willow was done and handed the mirror to Katherine. Katherine tried to not show it but was shocked to see the overwhelming amount of eyeliner and eyeshadow around her eyes. She was going to ask Willow to take it off but thought that since she isn’t going to see anyone she knows, she will keep it on to make Willow happy.
“Thanks Willow, it’s great!” she said hesitantly.
Willow smiled and continued to look for clothes. As she was looking, she mentioned to Katherine that she also invited her friend Patrick to the arcade. Patrick was the same age as Katherine but they had never met. He was around Katherine’s height too. He has very dark hair but had bleached and dyed it green on the top. It was fading, but the green was still visible.
Not so long after that, Patrick called and said he was outside. Willow’s mom answered the door and sent him up to the bedroom. Willow and Patrick exchanged their hellos while Katherine sat on the bed awkwardly. Patrick was wearing blue jeans with his red sweater, which seemed a size too big for him. He was standing by the doorway and leaning against the wall, with a water bottle in his hand and one earbud in. Patrick and Katherine didn’t say much to each other while Willow was doing her finishing touches to her outfit and hair.
Willow soon broke the silence by hastily telling Patrick and Katherine that she told all her friends that they are cousins.
“If anyone asks, say you are both my cousins. I had to tell them we are so it was ok to bring you,” Willow explained.
Patrick and Katherine exchanged confused looks to each other but then nodded to Willow that they understand.
After everyone was all dressed and ready, they headed outside to where Willow’s friend, Kevin, was waiting. Kevin was tall and even older than Willow, with short black hair. He was wearing black jeans with a leather jacket. Kevin was going to drive Katherine, Willow, and Patrick to the arcade. The car was quiet with no music or conversation for the first couple of minutes. Willow broke the silence again by offering gum to Patrick and Katherine. She darted it to them from the passenger seat and they both missed, so she handed them another piece. However, the rest of the car ride was quiet with no other conversations. Kevin did put on music toward the end of the car ride but it was barely audible, and it was music that neither Patrick nor Katherine enjoyed.
