I look down at my hand and gasp. Chills overtake my body. Let me explain what all this drama is about.

    When I was back in Boston I entered into a photography challenge that would give me a full ride to college. It was worth 40,000 dollars. I did a series of photos of hardworking people. It featured teachers and my mom but also random people in the streets. Sneak photography is one of the best way to get a candid shot.

    Anywho they told us they would let us know in three months time. Four months ago I got off Instagram and when I just logged on my messages lit up. I won the scholarship. I can go to any art or design school of my choice! This is a dream come true!

     "Kara is everything okay?" Laura puffs as she comes in my room. She must have ran up the stairs. I just hand over my phone and she instantly frowns.
     "You aren't supposed to be on Instagram!" Then she looks closer and smiles. "Congratulations!"
     "I need to tell my mom!" I say pulling my phone back.
     "Dinner will be ready in ten. Pls set the table?" She asks.
     "Okay will do." I say as I type my message to my mom.

Me: I won a scholarship.
Mom: Oh congrats! How much?
Me: $40,000! 🤓
Mom: Well what am I saving for! 😉
Me: Lol but for real it was the photography challenge in August! The series I did on hard workers.
Mom: That was a good series. You should tell Lacie she would be so happy to hear it.
Me: Alright I will tell her in a bit. Have to set the table for dinner, love you!
Mom: Love you, call you soon.
Me: Byeeee!

    I am so giddy over dinner that dad has to ask me what is the matter.
     "Kara what is up with you tonight?"
     "I won!" I exclaim.
     "Won what?"
     "An Instagram photography challenge. I entered in July and just now got on Instagram to scroll and that popped up in my notifications. It was a scholarship for 40,000!"
     "Wow well congratulations!" He says.
     "Thanks!" I say as I get up to wash dishes. I have to call lacie and tell her.
* * * *
"I knew they would win!" Lacie says for the fifth time.
"Well I did work hard in them. I can't wait to start applying to colleges." I tell her.
"Well off this topic anything new?"
"Well since Candy and me aren't talking Kade introduced me to his friend Lexi. She is a lot like you but in a Texas way." I tell her. "What about you?"
"Well I don't have any guys interested in me, but Jacob got accepted to Texas A&M! He will be down there in a year. My excuse to come see you!"
"Well that will be great I need to go because I want to tell Kade and I have some homework."
"Okay; well call me again soon! I miss ya!" Lacie chirps through the phone.
"Bye and I will. Miss ya too!"

    Well this has been a better day than expected. I am still sick but my mood is great. I pull out my phone once again to text but decide to make him wait so i send him a cryptic message.
Me: Hey can we talk? Come by the house tomorrow?
Kade: Alright am I in trouble?
Me: Idk you tell me?
Kade: Now I am scared.
Me: ❤

    I left him hanging and put my phone up for the night. Heading to my desk to get my homework down I smiled. Today has been a really good day.
* * * *
    The next day I am almost back to normal, I just have a bit of a stuffy nose. Tomorrow I am heading back to school. I really hate my bed. Laura has confined me to my room because she doesn't want to get sick or hurt the baby. Today I plan on going somewhere so I get up and head to the bathroom to shower. When I get out I just blow dry my hair and let it hang because I don't feel like actually doing it. I pull on a light green crew neck, my light wash blue jeans, and my black boots.

    When I pull up short in the kitchen Laura gives me the 'what are you doing' look. I just smile and grab an apple.
     "I feel a lot better. I want Kade to take me somewhere."
     "You will get sick again!" She exclaims.
     "Nope. My hair is dry, I'm not throwing up, and I will wear a jacket on top of this." I says surely.
     "Okay don't be out to long." She tells me as I head out the front door to the porch.

    A few moments later Kade pulls up on his four-wheeler. He looks at me and smiles.
     "You look a lot better!"
     "Well hello to you too." I laugh and walk down to him.
     "Where to my lady?"
     "To the park!" I say and then get up behind him, scooting close.

    We drive the quick drive to the park and then park. He turns to me.
     "Sooo what is your news?"
     "I won a scholarship!" I squeal.
     "Wow where to?"
     "Any art school I choose. It is worth $40,000!" I tell him.
     "Where do you want to go?" He asks.
     "Well I was thinking about a Boston school of the Arts or a great school in New York. I could never live there permanently but for college I could do it. I would like to have a studio and take portraits for people when I am older."

    After this Kade just looks away. I am a bit worried.
     "What is the matter?" I ask. He just sighs and pulls me close.
     "When you went to see your mom it was hard, I missed you so much. It is so weird how we've only been dating for such a short time but I am already in misery when you are gone. How will I feel in 4 years!"
     "I know it will be hard but I think we can deal. Where do you want to go to college?" I ask to make him look happy.
     "Somewhere local so I can get a small business degree and still help dad with the ranch." He says.
     "That is a great plan." I tell him and stand up. "Lets go for a walk."

    All of this sad talk is making me feel sick again. I want to enjoy some outdoor and fun time with Kade. So we walk the trail in the park. It is cool and breezy and I can feel the sniffles coming on, so we head back to the fourwheeler.

     "Is it okay if we go get Lexi?" He asks when I hop on behind him.
     "I'm not allowed in her neighborhood because Travis lives there." I inform him. This is one of dad's rules I am happy to stick to.
     "Alright I will drop you off and go get her. She is supposed to come over and help you catch up!"
     "Thanks so much. I am sorry for the inconvenience." I tell him as we pull onto the road.

    We get to my house a few minutes later and I head in to straighten my room and self before Lexi gets here.
     "Laura do we have any available snacks?" I ask her as when I am done.
     "We have a cheese ball and some crackers." She says.
     "Alright, Kade is bringing his friend Lexi over to help me do some catch up work." I tell her.
     "Okay don't be up too late." She tells me as a grab the food and bring it to my room.

    Dad is working third shift tonight so it is just me and Laura. She has been going to bed earlier and earlier but she is so tired.

    There is a knock on the door and a minute later Kade and Lexi are in the doorway of my room.
     "Hey come on in. I have snacks if you guys want some." I say as Kade plops on my bed.
     "Hey!" Lexi says and turns to Kade, "So what did you get for her to makeup?"
     "I got her Algebra and some English." He mutters and closes his eyes. He looks very tired but it is only 5 pm.

     "Okay lets boogie down and get this done." Lexi turns to me and grabs the Algebra.
* * * *
    An hour and a half later we have finished and me and Lexi are chatting. Her and Kade have been best friends since they were 10.

    He is sleeping and he has to leave at 7 but I want to get to know Lexi better.
     "So besides the Rodeo what do you like to do for fun?" I ask her.
     "I like to draw and do replica paintings of older works."
     "That sounds fun! I love photography! I just won a scholarship in a contest I entered in August." I say enthusiastically.
     "Awesome wish I could get recognized for my work." She laments.
     "Well have you entered any competitions?" I ask her.
     "One of my drawings went to state a few years ago!" She says excitedly.
     "Girl, enter some on your own! You could make some money and possibly get some scholarships." I tell her.
     "How much have you gotten before?" She asks me leaning over and dipping a cracker into the cheese ball.

     "Well I once got 500 dollars and my scholarship is worth 40,000. Also there was this one competition I won a really nice camera but it got wet in the move down her." I tell her and sigh at the thought of the best camera I've ever had.
     "Wow, well I'll look into it. I need to get home before the gangs take over the streets. Travis has been really bad lately." She says and begins to pack her bags.
     "How long has he had his gang?" I ask her.
     "It was started by his dad and now Travis runs a drug and fighting ring. He is ruthless and do anything for money. He hardly ever gets caught. I don't knoe how they do it." She says with an exasperated tone.

    I walk over to Kade and shake him awake as Lexi pulls on her hoodie.
     "Wake up Kade, Lexi needs to get home and you do too!" I say quickly and he groans.
     "Come on sleepy head I don't want you to get beat up or mugged." Lexi yells.

    As I kiss Kade goodbye Lexi heads outside and I yell my thanks. She just nods and hops on the four-wheeler.
     "Love you." I say to Kade and he nods kissing me one last time before heading out.

Hey you all it has been a hot minute since I have updated but her it is. Please vote and tell me what you think.
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                                                        --TBJ2004