Chapter Text
When Kate's father announced that he was officially retired, the feeling of relief that washed over her entire body was instantaneous. Finally, Walter Whistler would put an end to his military career and would now be busy building wooden ships inside glass bottles.
Kate's sense of relief turned to utter despair when she found out that, as a way to start over in a quiet and “retirement-friendly” place, her parents had decided to move again. Desperation turned to disbelief when she discovered the criteria used to decide where they were going to move, just typing “best cities for retirees in Texas” while drinking wine and watching Jimmy Kammel.
Do you think I'm lying? Unfortunately not.
After living life in such a regimented and structured way, Walter and Pamella Whistler decided to fuck it all - especially the fact that they had a 17-year-old daughter in her last year of High School -, and based one of the most important decisions of their life in a sentence they saw on a bumper sticker: “Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you're donating blood.”
And that's how Kate Whistler ended up moving to Arlington, Texas during her senior year of high school. After living in Washington, DC for 5 years and getting used to big city life.
Not that Arlington, Texas was a small town, for all intents and purposes. Famously known for its suburban feel, good public schools, good cost of living, and great ways to spend time for newly retired couples.
“It will be a nice change. It will be good for you with your studies, for your mother and for me. A good change for everyone!” These were Walter's reassuring words after noting his daughter's contained outrage against the idea. Not that Kate was known to openly disagree with her parents on any issue, on the contrary, her views and opinions were pretty much in line with her parents. Something not very common to happen between young children and middle-aged parents.
With the sale of their Washington condo, the Whistlers had more than enough money to buy a nice house in Arlington. The neighborhood was truly “nice”, with big, well-decorated houses and big cars in the garage. Nothing like the neighborhood they lived in for 5 years in Washington. No blaring horns, smoke, the constant movement of people at all hours. Not that Arlington was a small town, but when compared to Washington…
The moving truck took 3 days to make the trip from one city to another, as did Kate and her parents who decided to make the entire journey by car, “exploring the wonders of this country’s roadside”, as Walter described it.
All the time Kate was thinking about her friends and the support she left behind in Washington. Not that that was the end of the world, especially nowadays with all the ease of communicating through social media. However, Kate was not a fan of starting over, creating new cycles of friends, and new routines, and adapting to a new life.
Her favorite words were “constancy”, the second “routine” and the third “platypus”.
*
The new house was too big, too white, with matching furniture in the same color palette. No old chairs from the second-hand store, no rooms with different colors, no kitchen utensils that didn't belong in the same set and that were most likely bought separately or even donated by family members.
The Whistlers weren't flush with cash, but they weren't tight either. The apartment in Washington had a decor - to say the least - quirky. Nothing matched, but at the same time, it made up a unique aesthetic. The conflict in decor was purely the lack of time the Whistlers Seniors had to worry about buying furniture from the same set. The decoration was done little by little, “flea market to flea market”.
The old apartment was the only point of “chaos” allowed in the family dynamics. Chaos in quotes. Everything else in the family routine was precise and unchanging, almost military.
The strangest thing was realizing that when the house was in chaos, the routine was invariable. When the house became pristine, the routine became chaos.
Retired Whistlers didn't want to wake up at 0600 every day, exercise at 0630, have breakfast at 0730, and be ready to start the day at 0800. No, now the new routine would be made up of a variety of playful and relaxing activities for retirees.
“I think I'm going to take Zumba classes,” Her father said as he entered the new kitchen.
"I really don't have an answer to that sentence." Kate stated as she busied herself making a sandwich.
White bread, mustard on one side, mayonnaise on the other, ham, provolone cheese.
“Your mom is starting Pilates next week and is considering taking Zumba classes too. How about joining us?” Walter asked as he rummaged through the fridge looking for something to eat.
“I haven't retired yet, Dad. Who knows 40 years from now... If my generation will be able to retire, thanks to yours.” The comment, while sarcastic and critical, was delivered without malice.
"I fully agree. Make me a sandwich like that?” Walter asked with that wide grin that was now ever-present on his face.
It used to be hard to see a smile on his face, even in the most relaxed moments.
Kate watched her father's choice of outfit for the day, khaki shorts, sandals with socks, and a Hawaiian shirt. She smiled broadly with her mouth full and agreed to the request.
“Excited for school next week?” Her father asked as he sat at the kitchen counter and watched his daughter make the sandwich.
Kate didn't want to think about school, but at the same time, it was the only thought on her mind these past few days.
With a long sigh accompanied by a slightly too strong grip on the mustard tube, Kate just shrugged, signaling that she didn't want to talk about it at the moment.
“Well, your mom and I both know you won't have a problem making new friends at school. Just show your new colleagues how cool you are.”
“Certainly, father. Everyone knows I'm known for my quirky sense of humor." She scoffed at the comment, again not intending to be mean or rude.
Walter had always been an observant man, it was part of his job to be attentive and alert, a crucial skill in his line of work.
He noticed early on how much the change affected his daughter in a less-than-positive way. Despite feeling guilty about it, he understood that this kind of change of scenery was necessary for his family. With Kate going into her final year of high school, she would need more family support and greater stability. Not that this was impossible to achieve in a big city like Washington, however, Water wanted to have more time to dedicate to his family and still be able to enjoy his retirement.
"I'm sure you'll do great in school and make new friends." He commented with the intention of cheering her up a little.
Kate handed over and slid the plate of sandwiches across the white marble countertops of the pristine new kitchen until it was standing in front of her father.
"Let's hope I just make it to the end of the school year"
XX
The last time Kate felt so out of place was after the eighth grade summer break, when she grew considerably over the summer and towered over most of her classmates, including the boys.
Her limbs got bigger and she became clumsier. For a while, it was difficult to adjust to all these changes of puberty. Then she got used to the changes in her body and, after two years of accompanying her mother to pilates classes, her posture and ease improved considerably.
The hallway at Arlington High School was packed with students, the noise of their side conversations and whoops of glee was deafening. Some people looked at her sideways, trying to recognize her, but most just ignored that tall blonde girl in the middle of the hallway, not knowing very well where to go.
With a deep sigh, Kate double-checked her schedule and orientation sheet. American History to start the day off right.
Kate looked around at all those young Texans and took another deep breath. The girls wore similar clothes, mom jeans, white Nike or Adidas shoes, baggy tops, or crop tops. Kate was aware of her outfit for a few moments but decided to ignore the thought. She always liked to dress in a comfortable and versatile way, where she would not be untidy, but also not too dressed up. Black converse, black jeans, not worn and not too loose or tight, and a blue sweater.
Kate adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder and searched through the sea of students, trying to make eye contact with someone friendly enough to point her to her first class of the day.
She saw a group of female students leaning against their lockers who were responsible for most of the noise. Cheerleaders, she thought. Kate didn't want to insert herself into any group and interrupt the conversation, as that could be considered rude.
Across the hall, she saw a boy leaning against his locker and fiddling with his cell phone. He had olive skin, messy dark brown hair, and looked quite bored and totally alienated from the people around him. Kate decided that this would be her first contact.
Taking a deep breath, Kate walked over to the boy and murmured "Hello." The boy didn't seem to have heard her greeting, so Kate decided to speak a little louder. After the third attempt at contact, the boy looked up from his cell phone and stared at her for a while. After a few seconds of recognition, he withdrew one of the AirPods from his ear and replied, "What's up?"
"Hi, my name is Kate Whistler and today is my first day. I would like directions to my classroom." Kate introduced herself formally, offering her hand for the young man to shake.
“Hi Kate Whistler, my name is Kai and I am as lost as you are,” Kai said as he grinned and returned the handshake.
“Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you knew the place…” She said a little disappointed, but suddenly happy that she wasn't the only one out of place.
“Well, I'm new here, but I wouldn't mind finding out where your classroom is and also mine. I have American History now.” He spoke while continuing to smile in a friendly manner. Kai removed the other Airpod and carefully placed it in its box.
“Sounds perfect to me, Kai. I was feeling a little intimidated…” She spoke a little embarrassed. Kate didn't consider herself very good at sharing her emotions, but something about Kai's posture and smile made her feel more comfortable sharing her nervousness.
“Yeah, I'm trying to look super cool and ignoring everyone, but I'm also really nervous. Here is very different from where I come from.” Kai was too embarrassed.
Kate smiled a little and after a few minutes of talking about themselves - Kai sharing that he was from Oahu and that his father had recently moved to open a restaurant with his business partner -, the two decided to look for the room of their first class.
Kate and Kai found the room after the boy stopped someone in the hallway and asked for directions. Kai was friendly and easily fit in with people, the complete opposite of her.
Upon entering the room, some students were already present and chatting animatedly, while others just stared at their cell phones or listened to music.
Kate already felt better having someone by her side and not feeling so alone or out of place.
After a few minutes, a bald, middle-aged man wearing a brown tweed coat entered the classroom. He had the tired look of someone who has been teaching the same subject for many years.
“Hello, it's a pleasure to be with you again. For those who don't know me, my name is Mr. Thompson, I teach General History and American History. My favorite hobby is gardening and I love watching Giant Vegetable Contests” He spoke in a calm and monotone voice but in an amused tone.
Everyone in the room let out a little laugh and Kate quickly changed her first impression of Mr. Thompson, the teacher might have looked tired, but he exuded a warm and kind energy toward the students. That same energy of someone who has been teaching the same thing for many years, but who does it because he loves it.
“Today, as I do every year, we will just present the subject and the teaching plan…” The teacher's speech was interrupted by the entry of four girls into the classroom. They didn't seem to care much about the noise they were making, let alone whether they were being rude or not.
“Girls, I hope the delay is not a recurring thing.” Mr. Thompson spoke in a scolding tone as the girls sat down in the last few chairs in the room.
Kate observed them discreetly, three of them dressed similarly, in high-waisted jeans, crop tops, and white shoes. The fourth girl wore a floral dress, accompanied by a white converse. Her hair was dark brown, curly and full, her eyes were a color Kate couldn't recognize, but they were beautiful, intense.
Kate noticed that the fourth girl was a bit out of character with the others, she was calmer and seemed genuinely scolded after Mr. Thompson.
“Well, now that I finally have all the students in the classroom, I can start explaining how we are going to proceed with our school year.” The professor continued after a long tired sigh.
Kate couldn't explain it, but the arrival of the late girls increased her curiosity about them, especially the girl with curly hair. As Kai chose to sit more towards the middle of the room and Kate decided to follow him, it wasn't an easy task to steal a few glances in the girls' direction, especially without attracting attention.
The class passed a little faster than she expected and soon it was time to change rooms and go in search of her next one.
Kai waited for her to collect her things calmly while typing on his cell phone.
“What's your next class?” he asked without taking his eyes off the phone.
“Ah…” Kate replied as she checked her schedule. “Now I have Literature and Composition.”
“Okay, I have Geometry.”
“Oh.” Kate was a little disappointed not to have Kai by her side anymore.
“Give me your number so we can meet after school and have lunch together. All good?" He asked with that smile that would disarm anyone.
Kate felt better with the boy's attitude, it meant saying that she wouldn't be alone looking for a table at lunch. She considered it one of the most embarrassing things, having to find a place to sit while precariously balancing her food on a plastic tray.
After saying goodbye to Kai at the door of the History room, she didn't know exactly where to go and she also didn't have the boy by her side to ask random people where to go.
“Excuse me…” She heard a melodious voice behind her, with a slight Texas accent.
The curly-haired girl was trying to leave the classroom, this time not accompanied by her friends, who had left earlier. Kate hadn't realized she was blocking the way until she spoke.
She was typing furiously on what looked like the latest iPhone, which was considerably large between her small hands.
“Sorry, I'm a little lost today. It's my first day.” Kate commented with an embarrassed air.
"Hmm?" The girl just looked her up and down, not really bothering to interrupt her furious typing.
“My name is Kate and I was wondering if you could tell me where the Literature and Composition room is?” Kate asked, noting that the girl wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying and was probably just standing there because Kate was still blocking the exit without realizing it.
“Hello, Kate. In your timetable, next to the name of the subject, there is a letter followed by a number. The letter means the hall and the number means the room. Good luck on your first day.” The girl spoke quickly, without even looking up from the phone.
She looked irritated. Kate couldn't tell if the irritation was with her or with the person the brunette was chatting with via messages.
"Than-"
“You are still blocking the passage.” The girl interrupted her as she tried to say thank you and continue with the conversation. Kate felt extremely self-conscious and moved to back out of the classroom door.
The girl just smiled in an insincere way and walked away, her eyes still fixed on the device in her hand.
Kate let out her hundredth long sigh of the day and decided to go looking for the Literature room, using the new information shared by the curly-haired girl.
It took a little longer than expected because, even though she knew the corridor and the room number she was supposed to find, she still didn't know which corridors were inside the school.
Arriving at the new room, Kate apologized to the teacher for her slight delay and tried to sit in the first place she found available. Feeling embarrassed for being late on the first day, it took a few minutes for her to look up from the table and observe the room around her and the teacher.
And imagine her surprise when she noticed that the girl with curly hair also shared this subject with her. Kate felt awkward, a little rejected even. If the roles were switched, she would have invited the girl to walk together to the next class they shared, as Kai had done earlier.
The girl seemed to feel that someone was watching her and looked up from the notebook in front of her, finding Kate staring. Kate gave a slight toothless smile, hoping the girl would recognize her. The girl just looked away and completely ignored her.
Yeah, it was going to be a great school year.