Next Friday I've finished my first full week in Hico. I haven't seen any of the local attractions, so when Kade asks me to lunch on Saturday to a local cafe I say yes. It may seem like I'm using him but he's literally one of the only nice people in this school. I agree on the term that we are just friends.

    He blushed when I mentioned the cocky remark he made on my first day here. He's a nice guy but I don't want or need a boyfriend. I like him a little but he doesn't need to know that. At this thought I blush.
* * * *
   I wake on Saturday and grin. Today I'm going to 2nd Street Provisions with Kade. He told me that they have great food and service. We texted till three in the morning.

    I head to the kitchen and grab a glass of water.
     "You gonna eat?" Laura asks.
     "No, I'm going to brunch with a friend. First I'm gonna go for a run though." I tell her.
     "Be careful in the park. Travis may be in jail but his gang isn't." She tells me.
     "Okay I will. I keep my watch on at all times." I say.
      "Okay have a good day. I have errands and I'm going to lunch with my friends." She says and I nod before heading to my room.

    I pull on my running leggings and shoes along with a sports bra and tank. I am not trying to impress so this will be a quick run. I pull on my iPod and turn on ACDC! They have a song called Back in Black is one of my fave songs.

    I walk to the park and take off down the trail. I've avoided the park this week for fear of Travises gang, but I like the park and I shouldn't be scared to leave my house.

    I head down the trail and feel my legs burn. No physical activity this week has made me weak and lowered my stamina. I'm only able to run for twenty minutes but thats good enough for me. Sweaty and thirsty I head home and shower.

    Laura nor dad is home so I blast my music and let go in the shower. My laughter rings in the shower. My phone rings as I dry my hair.
     "Hello?" I ask.
     "Hey it's Kade. I'm outside?" He says.
     "Sorry come in just stay in the living room. I just got out of the shower. I'll be down in twenty." I say.
     "Okay I'll be here!" He says.

    Once that's done I head to my bedroom and get dressed in a olive green bralette with a black tee, I pair it with a peacock print skirt the shirt tucked in. I pull on my comfy black sandals that criss cross my feet. I leave my hair down and just brush it while it's wet puting in my black headband. For my makeup I do a grey green smokey eye. I look cute but not too made up.

    
     When I walk into the living room Kade smiles.
      "You look pretty." I blush and respond.
     "Thanks!"

    The day is hot so my clothes are light. We have to walk to 2nd Street. It's a half hour walk. We laugh and talk about stuff.
     "So why did you move to Texas?" He asks me.
     "I got into a fight on the first day of school. She has bothered me for years and I finally had enough. But it was too bad that she was the Principals daughter. I got expelled!"
     "You are a spunky gal arent you?" He laughs.
     "Yeah I guess so. I don't like to be pushed around." I say.
     "Well if anyone tries to mess with you here just ask me and I will have a talk with them." He says.
     "I can take care of my own buisness thanks. And thanks for trying to help when Travis put drugs in the punch and food, and when he kidnapped me." I say.
     "Well thats what you do when you're trying to impress a girl!" He laughs.

    I laugh and kiss him on the cheek. He blushes and so do I.
     "We are just friends!" I exclaim. We get to 2nd Street Provisions a couple minutes later.

    When looking at the menue I gasp.
     "This place has some good stuff!"
     "I know that's why i brought you here." He deadpans.
     "You goof!" I laugh.

    When the barista comes to the table she smiles.
     "Hey Kade! Who is this young lady?"
     "Hey Mandy! This is Kara she is new to town. She's from Boston." He tells her.
     "Did he sugar talk you here? He is very persistent." She asks.
     "Well he sure is persistent but we are here as friends. Its nice to meet ya!" I say.
     "Nice one! You all are so cute!" She laughs. We both blush and look at our menues.
     "So what do you all want to eat?" She asks.
     "I'll take some milk with the buiscuits and gravy and sausage." Kade tells her.
     "What about you honey?" She asks.
     "I want a water with the build your breakfast. My eggs sunny side up, a gluten free bagel, herb goat cheese on the eggs, some sliced tomatoes on the eggs also, and cream cheese on the side." I tell her.
     "Coming right up!" She grins.

    I turn to Kade and ask.
     "Can I come to your ranch and see the roundup? I know it's in a few weeks."
     "Yeah, it starts on September 15th." He says.
     "Do you know anything about Candy Lehmans?"
     "She's a nice girl who mostly sticks to herself. She tries but no one ever sees her as a nice girl. All they see is her weird clothing choice and bubbly attitude."
     "I met her the other day. She seems nice. I'm gonna invite her to hang maybe next Saturday." I tell him.
    "Well will you be free saturday nigh?" He asks.
    "Yeah maybe." I say.
     "Well since we are seeing local attractions, there is a rodeo just outside of town. I'd advise you to wear boots and a flannel." He says.
     "Sure but let me ask my dad first." I say.
     "Okay I'll see if I can borrow my dad's four wheeler so we have a fast way to get there." He says as our food arrives.

    Mandy winks at me as she walks away. I can see her scheming. I softly chuckle as I dig in. The food is amazing. My eyes roll back my head as I chew. Kade laughs and steals a bite of my food.
     "Hey!" I squeal.
     "You weren't looking!" He laughs and keeps laughing.
     "Sooo can I pay?" He asks.
     "Sure! Free food!" I laugh.
     "You moocher!" He laughs along with me.

    We finish and I take the tip as Kade pays for the food. I feel happy. He is such a nice guy and I could loose my heart to him.
     "Let's go to my house?" I suggest.
     "Sure. I have to be home in two hours so we can hang." He says.

    We head to my house stopping in a feild of wildflowers. He picks me a bouquet and I blush as he hands it to me.
     "To the fairest of ladies." He says as he hands them to me.
     "Thanks."

   When we get home I find a vase and put the flowers in it along with some water.
     "Can we watch a movie?"
     "Yeah they are in the den on the bookshelves. I'll pop some popcorn."

     We agree to Madagascar and laugh the entire time. Laura joins us half way through and laughs with us. When its time for Kade to leave we hug and promise to see each other on Monday.

    I head to my room to call Lacie. We haven't talked in two weeks. When she picks up on Skype laughing I blow her a kiss.
     "Hey girl! I miss ya." I call into the camera.
     "You too. Guess what happened at school."
     "What?"
     "After your fight with Becky. I think on Monday her boyfriend, Greg. Well he broke up with her. He said, 'I cant date a girl who has a crooked nose!'"
     "Guess what I did today?!"
     "What did you do Kara?"
     "I hung out with Kade. I told him we were just friends and we went to brunch. I'm going to the rodeo next Saturday with him." I tell her.

    She just sighs and I laugh. We gossip about celebs and talk life. I tell her about Travis and his gang. I tell her about redoing my room and give her a tour.

    She then tells me about her mom getting a new job. We laugh at how Laura lays out everyday.
     "Them Barbie girls!" She cracks and I laugh.

     "Okay I've gotta call mom." I tell her as our call has reached an hour.
     "Okay I'll text ya later." She says.
     "Okay byeee!"
     "Byeee!" She calls and I then end the call.

    Dinner is ready and laura calls.
     "Hey Kara dinners ready."
     "Okay coming."

    I eat quickly in order to catch mom before she goes to bed. When I get to my room my phone has a text it says.
Unknown- Hey it's Candy want to hang tomorrow?
Me- Sure!
Unknown- K call me later we can go to the mall or something.
Me- How about bowling?
Candy- Sure! See ya.

    I then audio call mom.
     "Hey mom!"
     "Hey honey! Guess what I bought today?"
     "What is it?"
     "Its this candle that is supposed to soothe you. I got it at Yankee Candle. The scent is Eucalyptus!" She exclaims.

    My mom loves Candles. If she ever splurges its on a candle.
     "Mom buy more than candles. I know you need Jeans and Black Pumps for work." I tell her.
     "I know honey but I used this months to pay for that credit card we got after Dan left. Its gone so this next month I can get the jeans and pumps. Most of it is going toward your college fund." She tells me.
     "You can do that next year!" I exclaim.

    We talk for ten minutes and then mom starts to yawn.
      "Honey I took an extra shift today so I'm tired. I love you and miss ya!"
     "Okay mom love you too. Hope you have a good week!" I say in a false cheery tone.
     "Okay night!" She says believing my tone.
     "Night." I say and then hang up.

     I miss her more than I want to admit. I feel lonely without her and Lacie. They have always been my world and I want the time to fly till fall break.

    Today was an eventful day so I fall asleep around 8pm. I'm tired because of all the worry about Travis and his gang.
* * * *
    On Sunday Laura comes into my room early. I groan and ask.
     "What is it?"
     "We are going to church."
     "I don't go to church." I say.
     "Well you're going today. Wear something presentable." She says.

    I groan and roll out of bed. I can't stand getting up early on the weekends. I mean church seriously. I groan again and dad calls.
     "Kara your going."
     "Why do I have to?" I ask.
     "Because we said so." He calls back.

    I head to my closet and pull out the outfit I wore to the barn dance. I do my customary grey eyeshadow and pale foundation pull my hair into the fish tail and yay church!

    Laura sighs when I walk in the kitchen.
     "What?"
     "Do you wear any other color than black?"
     "Nope!"
     "We are going shopping after church. You need more clothes." She declares.
     "No we aren't I have plans." I snap and push some money into my purse.
     "What are you doing?"
     "I'm going bowling with my friend Candy." I say as we head to the door.

    Breakfast is served at the church. Apparently they go to a baptist church. I sigh and sit in the back of the car. My jacket is already making me hot. I sigh again and dad turns the music up louder. I don't know why he's being so hard on me. Laura is going along with it. She's giving me the cold shoulder and I don't why. 
     "What did I do?" I ask.
     "Nothing, we just relized you had no commitment to anything. Church will make you respinsible and give you a principal to life." She tells me.
     "Y'all are crazy!" I say and go to staring out the window.

    When we get to the small chapel on Maine Street I get out and walk with Laura to the Sunday school rooms. I'm in the teen class. The class is filled with a bunch of girls in colorful outfits and no makeup, the guys are mostly in khakis and buttonups. I stick out like a sore thumb.

    I look around and find a chair in the back of the room. The boy next to me looks me up and down then scoots away. So much for christian love.

    The class ends and I rush to the car to call Lacie. She answers on the first ring.
     "Hello?"
     "Hey Candy it's Taylor. We still on for bowling?"
     "Yeah in about two hours. I'm going to lunch with my family. Lets meet at the bowling alley at three?"
     "Yeah that sounds great. I have to eat lunch and change from my church clothes." I say.
     "Okay see ya." She says and then we hang up.

    I am really starting to like Candy. When I'm done I go back in the church and find dad and Laura. They are talking to a man who looks like a big country man. He looks familiar.
     "Kara we want you to meet someone. This is Kades father, David Mathews." Dad says as I look at the man.
     "Hello Mr. Mathews. It's nice to meet you." I say politely.
     "Hello Kara, I can see why my son likes you so much!" He says and I blush. They all laugh at my embarassment.
      "I wanted to offer you a job for tye weekends as my assistant. It will pay $7 an hour and you would help me with the work and paperwork." He tells me.
     "Sir I will have to think of it." I say and then turn to dad and Laura.
     "I'm really Hungry." I say.
     "We are heading home in a few. Why don't you pull the car around?" Dad asks me.
     "Sure!" I say and take the keys.

    When I was ten I was tall and wasn't very confident. Dad would lwt me drive because my feet could reach the petals. It boosted my confidence and made me feel better. I walk out to the car and thats when I see Kade.
     "Hey what are you doing here?" I ask.
     "My Mom dropped me off. Im going with my dad this week. What are you doing here?" He asks me.
    "My parents made me come to church. I just met your dad, He offered me a job as his personal assistant." I tell him.
     "Cool you should take it. We could hang out more often." He tells me.
     "I still would like to think about it." I say.
     "Okay I understand. See ya at school tomorrow." He says then walks off.

    I smile to myself as I start the car and pull up to the front. Laura is now taking to this other Barbie girl and their laughing. I chuckle, then with no warning I lay on the horn. Laura jumps three feet in the air and looks at me. Her face just goes still and then to a frown. Oops!

    Dad knocks on the driver window and he doesn't look happy either. I step out and he yells.
     "What were you thinking?"
     "I was just joking around. It was a joke, just when I'm getting comfy in a place you have to make a scene." I mutter and then head to the sidewalk. I'm gonna walk home.

    Half way there dad and Laura pull up alongside me and dad waves me in. I shake my head no and keep walking. He just drives slowly next to me until we get to the house. He then proceeds to call me stupid and tell me about the short circuted heart Laura has. If she gets to scared she could have a heart attack.

    So before we eat I pull Laura aside and apologize.
     "I'm sorry, Laura. I didn't know." I say hanging my head.
     "It's okay. Honey you just really scared me and when I get scared I get angry." She tells me.
     "Okay but do you have any other medical conditions I should know about." I ask.
     "No! Dinner will be ready soon." She laughs.

    I go to my room and change into comfy clothes for bowling. I wipe off my makeup and then pull my curly hair into a messy ponytail. I then pull of my heels and sigh in relief. The shoes I wear are taking a toll. I pull on my favorite pair of cotton shorts and a Guns and Roses tee. I replace the heels with my black and white hightop vans.

     I head to the dining room. Dad looks up from his steak. I shiver at the bloody meat and then turn to my salad. I eat it quickly and head out. The bowling alley is an hour walk away and I have to be there by three.
* * * *
    When I get there I see Candy is already there and she is waiting outside.
     "Hey sorry I'm late. I had to walk and I live an hour away through walking." I say in way of explanation. Candy smiles uncomfortably and I look at her.

    She is wearing a fringe and pale pink cotton shirt, bell bottom blue jeans with pink flowers embroidered in them, and pale pink flip flops. Her eye makeup is well done a pale pink smokey eye.

    We head inside and I pay for mine and she does her. We both need bowling shoes and so we get those and head to our lane.
     "Have You ever bowled?" I ask her.
     "No, sports aren't exactly my strong suit." She laughs nervously.
     "Don't worry Bowling is the easiest sport you'll ever play." I tell her reassuringly.

    We pull our our balls and go for the first rolls. Candy gets most of her pins down and I get a strike.
     "Good one. Your a natural!" I tell her.
     "Okay lets do this thang!" She says and rolls again.

    We bowl for an hour then getting hungry we head to the snack bar.
I get a granola bar and Candy gets a chocolate bar.
     "Hey can you be honest with me?" She asks.
     "Sure, what do you want to know?" I say.
     "Well do you think I'm weird?" She asks.
     "Candy you are you. Yes some things you do, say, and wear are different but that's your style in life. Everybody is weird in their own way. I'm an emotional and publish girl. I don't like color. That's weird for a girl. You like a lot of color and have a vibrant personality. Its different but its you and I like the way you express yourself." I tell her.

     She looks perplexed. I just bite into my granola bar and look at the alley. She then proceeds to give me a big bear hug.
     "Thanks Kara. You are now my best friend!" She proclaims. I laugh and hug her back.
     "Okay! Lets go shopping next Saturday!" I say.
     "I agree you need some color and I need some more stylish outfits." She says.
      "Yeah that will be fun." I say and grin.

    Life seems so much better now. I need a girl friend and Candy seems to be the perfect match to my moody self.
     "Thanks Candy. I need to go but I'll see you tomorrow at school." I tell her getting ready to leave.
     "Okay thanks to you too. I needed a friend!" She repeats.
     "Girl we need eachother. I'll see ya!" I call as I head out the door.

     On the walk home I listen to classic music. It is peaceful and reflects my mood. I just feel happy right now and I need happy music. I sound cliche.

Thankyou for reading this chapter. Sorry for the wait had some writers block. Please vote and comment!
JackXAmy
Quailthefourth
sleepy__chic
That_Unicorn_Writer
                                             --TBJ2004