The week after our rodeo outing me and Lexi have a tenuous new friendship blooming. I really do miss Candy but Lexi is a good friend. I have seen Candy with Travis in every class break, she looks haunted but everytime our gazes meet she looks away.

    It is on Wednesday that the incident happens. I am walking down the hall and not looking where I am going. A body slams into me and I look up to see Candy.
     "Sorry." I mutter and turn to leave but she grabs my arm.
     "Can we talk?" She asks.
     "No." I mutter again and then turn to go.
     "Kara you are being selfish." She says.
     "Me Selfish!" I raise my voice. "Candy I didn't leave a friend in the dust for some little romance. I didn't just let go a friendship that meant so much to me."
"You think I gave up our friendship!" She shouts drawing a crowd.

     "No but I told you I can't be around you when you are with Travis! I warned you he is toxic. He is a bully. He is a drug dealer. Heck, he drugged me in the first week I was here all because I wouldn't go home with him!" I shout back at her. She gasps but fights the tears.
     "Kara our friendship means the world to me...." She says.
     "Well obviously not enough." I say and walk the rest of the way to class more tears coming down my face.
* * * *
    That night as I tell my mom about it she just sighs.
"She may have chose Travis over you but it doesn't mean you guys can't be friends. It is like democrats and Republicans not being able to be friends because they disagree on so many things."
"But mom she knows what he did to me."
"You need to see how she feels. What if Kade had done what Travis did to you to Candy?"
"It is not the same Kade would not do that!" I groat to her and she just sighs.
"You'll see some day honey. Love does strange things to you."
"What ever you say!"
"Well honey I have to go, Mathew will be home soon and we are going on a date."
"Okay I love you, talk to you soon."
"Love you too, bye!
"Bye!"

    As I hang up Laura calls us down to dinner. She had made me some tofu and broccoli. Once mom had sent her the recipes she has tried to make one for me once or twice a week. It has been nice, but I have also been making dinner more often because Laura needs to be off her feet. She is 4 months along and looks very tired all the time. Her condition makes me not want kids.

     "Can you set the table?" Laura asks me when I get down to the kitchen.
     "Yeah." I say as I put out the plates and silver wear.
     "Who were you talking to?"
     "My mom." I say as I head to the kitchen to get the food to the table.
     "How is she?" Laura asks.
     "She is fine. Her and Mathew have a date tonight."
     "That sounds fun. Me and your dad need to do that!" She laughs. "It has been a while."
     "Then do it." I smile.
     "When are you gonna do the nursery?" I ask.
     "In a week or two we will get the paint. I am thinking like a light green or a dark blue?" She says.
     "How about both, they would complement each other." I say as dad comes in.

    Laura gets up and gives him a quick kiss and I get up to get a hug.
     "Do you want to go to the gym tonight?" Dad asks.
     "Yeah sure just need to change." I say.
     "Alright get ready after dinner." He says as we sit down to eat.

* * * *
    At the gym I did some weight training with dad and some cardio. I do not really like weights but dad says it is good to do every now and again.

    We are home when I get the text from Candy.
Candy: Look I am sorry but I have to be with Travis. I love him and life right now for him is hard. I love you too and wish the best for you.
Me: I really love you too and pray that you see what Travis really is.
Candy: He is a kind and troubled guy!
Me: He is an arrogant fool and needs to be behind bars.
Candy: Bye.

    I sigh at this and just put my phone down. I really miss Candy. Travis will slip up one of these days and I will have my friend back unless he has a big hold on her.

* * * *
    The next day is Tuesday. I wake up with a stuffy nose and a cough, unfortunately I don't have a fever so I must go to school.

    I don't feel like dressing up so I wear my beetles shirt and black jeans. I throw on my burgundy leather jacket and black Vans, letting my hair hang.

     I feel like poo! Dad takes me to school on account of the rain. The school is so loud it makes my head pound. Of course on the day when I feel terrible the teachers decide it is homework hay-day. Kade tries his best to cheer me up but I just push him away not in the mood.

     When I finally get home I make myself peppermint tea and take a nap.
* * * *
    When I wake up the room is spinning and I am burning up. My face is all red and my nose is running.
     "Laura!" I croak call.
     "Coming." She yells from the kitchen.

    As she gets in my room I start vomiting and then rush to the restroom.
She grabs my hair from behind me and then calls my dad. He must have told her to take me to the hospital and I don't argue. I do insist on brushing my teeth.
* * * *
    Hours later my diagnosis is the flu with dehydration. It might be stress induced from the situation with Candy and Travis. My doc says to stay overnight so I can get some fluids and medicine. Then I need to stay home for a week.

    Later as I am resting with my dad; Laura had to go because of her pregnancy. I get a text from Kade.
Kade: Hey I heard what happened, hope you feel better, once you have antibiotics coursing through your veins I will come see you. Love you❤Me: I will and thanks for your efforts today. Sorry for being a bit standoffish I get like this when I am sick. Love you too!
Kade: Well get well. Lol.
Me: I will night.
Kade: Night.

    After the final text I am so sleepy I put my phone to the side and fall fast asleep.

    I wake to a prick in my forearm. The IV is a bit old and it needs to be changed or taken out. I get to go home today. I press my assistance button and ask for a nurse.

    A couple of minutes later a fluffy, blonde, middle aged lady comes in.
     "Hi I'm Katy, what can I help you with?"
     "My IV hurts." I say and wince as the needle pricks deeper.
     "Okay I will be right back I need to get the new needles." As the door slams behind her dad startles to alertness.
     "Morning?" He says groggily and I smile in response. 

* * * *
    Hours later I am allowed to go home but I can't go to school. I am kinda glad because I need to be away from the stress of the situation. Kade is coming over with my work.

     "Knock, Knock!" He calls from my doorway and I smile in greeting.
     "Come in I look terrible though." I says in greeting.
     "Your beautiful just the way you are." He sings to a song I have no idea who wrote. I just laugh and pull him close.
     "I missed you." He whispers kissing my cheek.
     "I missed you too. How is school?" I ask him.
     "Well it is busy you missed quite a bit but I will have Lexi come over and help you catch up." He says.
     "Thanks, so what have you been up to on the ranch?"
     "Well round up is about over so the horse breeding starts soon. Every year we breed between 15 to 20 of our best brood mares to a quarter horse champ we have. His name is Banner and he has great blood lines." Kade tells me as he sits down next to me.

     "Sounds great I can't wait to get back to work. I want to get my hands dirty with the round up!" I say smiling.
     "I could teach you to rope!" He says excitedly.
     "That sounds great when I am better that could be what we do on sunday!"

    We just snuggle and chat for a bit. I have missed our chats and the stolen moments. But when 8 rolls around he has to leave to help with the evening chores.
     "Bye love you!" He calls as he walks out. I wave and smile my thanks for his coming.

    I really miss being on Instagram and head pull it up on my phone. Technically I haven't posted since Travis did what he did so I'm safe logging in.

    The camera flashes across my screen and I scream! ......

Well we'll see what happens soon! I will be writing more this year. Happy New Year! Stick to your resolutions! I did resolve to write more so hopefully I can keep up with it!
-WaffleFry- I miss ya!
                                                        --TBJ2004