School of the Arts
Chapter 27
"Ben just died."
I don't cry this time. Instead I go numb. I can't bring myself to cry. If I cry it will all become real to me. What if they were mistaken? What if he comes back in a few minutes. That happens some times, right? Ben can't be dead. He can't.
"Luke, I give you permission to be in Kat's room for the rest of today and tonight. She needs you more than ever right now. Just no funny business, got it?" I hear Zach tells Luke.
"Thanks Zach," Luke smiles softly and turns to me. "Do you wanna go inside now Kat?"
I continue to stare at nothing but I must have nodded because Luke unbuckles my seat belt and lift me out of the car slowly. Jane open the door for him and whispers something I can't hear. He whispers something back and she covers her mouth with her hand. I see tears form in her eyes. I guess he told her what happened.
Luke enters the bathroom and sets be down on the sink counter before turning the shower on. He then starts to undress me but stops and looks at me for conformation. I nod and he continues. He places me on the shower bench and I feel my muscles relax as the warm water hits my skin. He strips down too and gets in with me. If I wasn't feeling like this I'd probably say something witty.
He puts some shampoo into his hands and stands me up before rubbing it into my hair. I think it would feel good. If I could feel anything right now. He continues to do everything for me, washing and conditioning, before turning off the shower and wrapping a fluffy towel around my body.
"I know it's noon but maybe you should sleep. Just take a quick nap," he says. I nod again and he brings me out of the bathroom. He sets me down on the bed and rummages through my suit case before finding a pair of sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt. He slips them onto me and is about to tuck me in but I stop him.
"Can I wear your sweatshirt?" I whisper.
"Of course baby," he whispers back and pulls his sweatshirt off before slipping it over my head. He climbs in next to me and pulls the covers over both of us. He wraps his arms around me and I snuggle into his chest.
"Go to sleep. I promise I'll be here when you wake up." I close my eyes and drift off to sleep to the sound of Luke singing softly.
When I wake up I can't tell what time it is because the curtains are drawn. As he promised Luke is right next to me, still awake.
"What time is it?" I ask him.
"About 18:15," he tells me. "I'm glad you woke up because we have to be in the lobby soon."
"Why?"
"They want to discuss some...things," he says carefully.
"Okay," I nod.
"You don't have to change or anything. I can carry you."
"Thank you."
"Anything for you."
About ten minutes later Luke says we have to get to the lobby. He carries me on his back and sets me down on one of the fancy sofas when we reach the lobby. Zach gives him a nod and he nods back.
"Now that everyone is here, let's get started," Mrs. Rain says. "Due to the...tragic events that occurred last night...tour will be ending here." I feel relieved when she says that.
"This applies to the Music section of the tour also," Mr. Cowell chimes in.
"What! Why?!" Jay from The Wanted yells angrily.
"Why the fuck do you think? Have a heart you asshole!" Niall yells back.
"This isn't fair, we weren't even close to him," Nathan from The Wanted chimes in. Assholes.
"Neither were we you prick. We still feel like we lost a best friend," a girl from the dance department says. The others nod in agreement.
"We also decided that there will be a three week break from school for third years after the funeral. You may stay on campus for that break if needed but we encourage you to visit your loved ones. Due to the fact that this break was unplanned we have taken the liberty of purchasing plane tickets for those who want to go home."
"Do you want to go home?" Luke asks me quietly.
"Yes," I nod and he pulls me closer to him.
"Come with me" I say after a while.
"What?"
"Come home with me, I need you. I don't want to be without you," I whimper.
"I would if I could, but I don't have a way of getting there."
"I'm not eavesdropping or anything...but I can't go back to England. My parents are out of town. Use my extra ticket," Eleanor whispers.
One week later Luke, myself, and about a dozen other were on a flight to England. The funerals were incredibly hard. I finally accepted that it was real and cried. Once I started I couldn't stop. I still break down at random points in the day. It seems like everything remind me of my dead friends. I look through the pictures I took down from my bulletin board in my room. I probably shouldn't keep torturing myself like this but I like the memories.
(That's Roland and Ben, some have Jamie)
file://localhost/Users/rebecca/Desktop/images-4.jpeg (Ben and Kat)
file://localhost/Users/rebecca/Desktop/images-5.jpeg (Roland and Kat)
file://localhost/Users/rebecca/Desktop/images-2.jpeg (Ben, Kat, and Jamie)
file://localhost/Users/rebecca/Desktop/maxresdefault.jpg (Roland, Kat, Jamie)
file://localhost/Users/rebecca/Desktop/images-3.jpeg (Ben)
"You really should stop looking at those Kat," Luke says sadly.
"I know," I say but continue to look through them.
When the cab pulls up to my house I feel myself tear up again. I've probably cried more times in this past week than I ever have on my life. We get our bags and knock on the door. My mum opens it and instantly pulls me into a hug. I cry into her shoulder and she rocks me back and forth slowly.
"Shhh, it's okay Kat, mummy's here," she whispers. Andrew and Nick come up behind my mum with sad looks on there face. My mu releases me and I go straight for my step dad. He holds me tight and whispers soothing things just like my mum. Nick does the same.
"You must be Luke," my mum smiles softly.
"That's me. It's lovely to meet you," Luke says politely and holds out his hand. She ignores his outstretched hand and pulls him in for a hug. He smiles and hugs her back.
"It's nice to finally meet you in person. Skype just doesn't do," she says.
"Good to meet you Luke," my step dad says and shakes Luke's hand.
"You too sir," Luke says.
"I can't believe I'm saying this," Andrew sighs. "You can call me Andrew." Wow. It took Dylan six months to get the privilege of calling him Andrew.
"Hurt my sister and I will kill you," Nick says and walks off to his room.
"Well then," Luke mutters.
Later Luke, Andrew, my Mum, and I were sitting in the living room watching a movie when Nick came running down the stairs. He stopped in front of us with something behind his back. He looks pissed.
"Why the fuck did I find these in your back Kat?" Nick yells and throws a box of condoms on the table.
"You went through my bag?" I say, angry. Nick ignores me and grabs Luke shirt.
"Are you doing my sister?" he growls at Luke.
"Uhh...."
"No, he's not," I say. Okay...think of something. "Those are my friends. She hid them in my bag when a teacher came by. She must have left them in there.," I say casually. Nice one.
"So you two aren't having sex?"
"No. Ew Nick, haven't you heard of cooties?" I joke.
"Good. If I find out your lying, I will not hesitate to maim you Hemmings," Nick says and releases Luke.
Well then. Looks like Luke and I aren't having sex for a while.
God damn it.
BEN WAS. COOL WHY KILL BEN plzzzzzzz update
2/3/15