Chapter Text
Mason Alder has been my best friend since elementary school. We come from completely different lifestyles. It shocked our parents that we were so close. But that’s what happens when you’re neighbors.
The Alder family moved in the summer when I was eight. The trees in my backyard were very overgrown, so much so they spilled into the neighbors’ yards. There was a weeping willow on the side of our yard that had a tree house in it. It had been there for as long as I could remember. It had never not been there. During the summer I’d climb up into the tree house when I wanted to get away from my sisters. One day, however, I went up into the tree house and someone was there. I screamed. Stranger danger!
“Shh! It’s okay!” the person pleaded.
“How do I know you won’t steal me?” I asked.
“Because I’m only nine! I can’t steal people!”
When you’re eight stuff like that makes sense. Besides, I thought, I won't let a kid kidnap me and the nine-year-old seemed to be trusting. He had hair that was in the shape of a bucket, like Zac Efron in High School Musical. He had warm beige skin and deep chocolate puppy dog eyes. He was skinny, broad-shouldered and was a good head taller than me. If he’d been a redhead like me he would’ve looked exactly like how I’d imagined Peter Pan in real life.
“I’m Mason,” he said.
“I’m Katrina Isabelle Tramain.”
“Wow that’s a lot of names.”
“Thank you.”
And that was the beginning of my golden childhood. Every passing moment was spent with Mason. We pretended to be princesses, pirates, jedi, adventures, wizards, you name it. There were other kids in the neighborhood but they all grew up or moved away too soon.
It may seem that Mason and I were more than just friends. I understand. Mason was my first kiss, took me on my first date, and he was my first crush. However, I was none of those to him. It doesn’t help my case that we were “dating” for the press. I know this sounds like a teen rom-com but we mutually agreed we’d be a terrible couple if we were dating. We’re too similar in bad ways. We both get jealous fairly easily, and we’re both airheads. Two jealous airheads don’t make a good couple. That doesn’t mean those same two jealous airheads can’t be a part of a good couple.
***
Mason: What’s up? Are you coming for dinner?
Katrina: I thought your mom was out of town?
Mason: She is. I’m eating at your house and you’re not here.
Mason: So are you coming to eat?
I laughed in spite of myself. I’m a guest in my own home as long as Mason’s around.
Katrina: Ya I am. Just finishing up. I’ll be right there!
I shove down my phone into my green bag.
“Are we done here, Justin?” I asked the director.
Justin turns around from talking to the costumer, “What does it look like?” he asks me.
“Yes?” I reply unsure.
Justin rolls his eyes. For being one of the youngest directors ever he sure acts like he’s fifty. Justin’s the kind of guy who in high school was all about the theatre and no funny business. He told me that he got his first phone when he graduated. His parents offered to get him one; he refused.
“It’s not like we can do anything at this point,” I said. Which was true. We had just finished shooting all the non green screen scenes for the movie. The majority of this movie would have CGI backgrounds.
Justin sighs over dramatically, “Yes you’re all excused! Take all your sassy attitudes and go away! See you all tomorrow!” Justin announced.
“Yay!” I cheered.
I quickly ran into my and Mason’s trailer.
The trailer isn’t anything special. I’m sure I spend more time here than I do where my mail is addressed. There’s a bunk bed with dark blue sheets and white pillows. The bottom bunk’s bedding is not made and has dirty gym shorts and a tank top lying on the pillow. I strip off my costume. It’s a white blouse and pink jean skirt with white Nikes. I didn’t get to be a superhero today. Today I was just The Peacock’s alter-ego, Delilah Valentine.
A little background on the movie I’m in, Legends is a new superhero movie that’s based on this really popular young adult novel. I guess the only reason that this book stood out from the rest was that a) it was not a dystopian novel and b) there wasn’t a love triangle it was a love square with two people. Either way, all the shippers won. Mostly. The story follows a girl who is a superhero who just has a huge crush on this guy superhero whose alter ego has a huge crush on the normal girl. Hilarity ensues. I’m playing the girl, Delilah Valentine aka The Peacock. My best friend Mason is my co-star, he’s playing Anthony Kelly aka Lightning Bolt.
I gently fold my costume up, placing it on my top bunk. I opened up the closet to find something to wear. I put on a yellow and white striped shirt and ripped jeans with black high top chucks. I start digging through the thin closet and find one of Mason’s sweatshirts. I pull that over my head leaving the hop up and put on dark aviator sunglasses. The sweatshirt smells more like me than Mason because of how much I’ve stolen it. I run from my trailer to my car trying to avoid the paparazzi. Quickly I put the key in the car and start driving. I take the scenic way home, it’s twilight now, my second favorite part of the day.
As I pull into the driveway my younger sister starts running out to me.
“Kat’s home!” she squealed.
My sister, Ellie, starts running up to me. I grab her under the armpits and swinger her up holding her bridle style.
“Sis, you know that you’re like a real full-on teenager right?” I asked.
“Please fifteen’s nothing. Besides, you’re jacked and insured. It’s fine.”
My little sister and I look nothing alike. My sister has soft darker skin and freckles that dot her shoulders and face, whereas I have cream skin and my makeup always hides my lighter freckles. Her hair is straight, blonde, and thinner than my wavy fiery red hair. Ellie’s eyes are the color of chocolate and mine are an emerald green. My sister is fairly tall for her age, about a head shorter than I, and is lean. My build is average height and a more athletic build. The funny thing is I have the abs but my sister’s the sports nut. Basketball is her favorite thing in the world. I was the little lady growing up. While Ellie was out scraping her knee I was having a tea party with Mason.
“There she is our ‘shiny star’!” My eldest sister sarcastically remarks. Only when Ellie and I are next to Mallory people can tell we’re related. Mallory has the same hair as I do but has dark chocolate brown eyes like Emma. Mallory has a skin tone in between Ellie's and mine. The one thing Mal has that Emma and I don’t is that Mal wears glasses. I’ve worn contacts as soon as stuff became blurry. And so does Emma. But Mal has always worn her iconic thick-rimmed purple glasses.
“Come inside let’s eat!” Mason shouted.
“Hello to you too Mason!” I shouted.
Dinner that night was just like any night. Mal asks if I’m a part of the Illuminati. Mason confirms that we are. We laugh. Mal makes good food. I chase Mason home. Set my alarm for the unheavenly hour of the morning. Then sleep.